NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 210, 5 September 1928, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The German Republic. The idea of a monarchy for Germany is entirely abolished," said Mr. H. R. Hemmen, Uerrnan Acting-Consul-General for Australia, who arrived in Auckland yesterday. He said that the republican idea had taken deep root in Germany, and while there might be a small Monarchist party, public opinion would not tolerate a return to the old regime. Persistent Peat. The peat fires which raged on the Monavale and Roto-o-rangi swamps, between Te Awamuitu and Cambridge, last autumn, spreading over a considerable area and causing much damage, have, 1 interesting to note, not completely died out, and the stiff that prevailed last week tanned the smouldering fires into activity again. Jjittle harm, however, appears likely at this time of the year. Praise for New Zealand Railways. A tribute to the New Zealand railway service has been paid by Mr. Foster, the United otates Trade Commissioner. Speaking to a pressman at Wellington, he said the public of the Dominion had good reason to praise the Railway for the way in which the comfort and convenience of travellers was studied. "I tested the service," he said, "on a recent trip to and from Auckland, using a sleeper. I reckon the accommodation on your express trains is as good as you will find in most parts of the world." "Auckland Soup." Auckland clear soup" and "Wellington puddln o figured on the menu card at the complimentary dinner tendered to the New Zealand bowlers on their visit to Inverness. There was naturally a strong Scottish flavour about the other items, as witness "Ness salmon with tartan sauce," and "Ross-shire roast beef with slacnameirleich pudding," to say nothing of Clachnacuddin biscuits and cheese. The toast list at Stirling was headed, "The briefest toast is honoured most'—a valuable hint to after-dinner speakers. Mass Production.

A record as a producer that has seldom, if ever, been equalled, has been established by an ewe owned by Mr. G. Gregory, of Te Rangi Farm, near Mercer. On two successive occasions this ewe, a Komney-Lincoln cross, has given birth to five lambs, making ten in thirteen months. All were born alive, but of this year's progeny, born a few days ago, only two survive, the other three succumbing to exposure during bad weather on the night of their birth. The ewe is nine years old, a big age for a sheep. Sessional Pressure. The first official sign of putting on pressure to end the session was a motion adopted by the House of Representatives yesterday that in future on Wednesdays Government business shall take precedence (telegraphs the "Star's" Parliamentary reporter). This removes a privilege enjoyed on that day by local bills, and bers' legislative efforts, but the Prime Minister gave reassuring replies to anxious inquirers regarding local bills. He would find time for them (there are eleven on the present Order Paper), and he would consider what could be done for the other measures. Changes in School Staffs. '"That a strong protest be forwarded to the Auckland Education Board in regard to the frequent changes in school staffs, and request that this committee support the association in their endeavour to bring about a remedy to prevent these changes," is the text of a motion forwarded by the Royal Oak School Committee for consideration at the next meeting of the Primary Schools Committees' Association. Another remit of interest comes from Kiwitahi: "That all schools in the districts south of Auckland observe their winter holidays on the same date, commencing the first week in June." Wanton Destruction. Down the western side of Curran Street the City Council planted some months ago a row of about thirty trees, most of which, for protective purposes, are still supported by sft stakes. The senior boys of the school in Curran Street have been taking a personal interest in these young trees, each of which is under the care of a particular pupil. Yesterday morning the lads were highly indignant at the action of some unknown vandal who, during tb<s holidays, had walked down the street and deliberately bent each growing tree over the top of its stake and fractured it. The younger generation has no high opinion of the culprit or culprits with such a perverted sense of their civic responsibilities. A Broken Ankle. Miss Lilian A. Dixon broke her ankle on© day in Mount Roskill, and the accident has caused a good deal of inconvenience and expense, besides compelling her to be absent from business for five weeks. Miss Dixon blamed a hole in the footpath for the accident, through hef* heel catching in it and causing her to fall. Last night she asked the Mount Roskill Road Board if they were prepared to compensate her; if not, action will be taken to compel the board to do so. The board's engineer (Mr. J. D. Whitmore) reported that he had examined the footpath from Queen's Way to Landscape Road, and he could see nothing to cause an accident such as that complained of by Miss Dixon to anyone exercising ordinary care and vigilance. It was decided to reply to Miss Dixon in terms of the engineer's report. Thrill of Winter Climbing. Those who have tasted the delights of climbing in the region of the Tasman Glacier, on the eastern side of the Southern Alps, or of Franz I Josef Glacier, on the western side, are familiar with the crossing which Nature has provided between these two points in the dip which is known as Graham's Saddle. Even so the said "dip" is 8759 ft above sea level. What makes it seem relatively low is the comparative nearness of the marvellous array of snowcapped peaks, which include Mount Cook, Mount Tasman, and a score of other cloud-piercers. The crossing of Graham's Saddle in summer time is a very frequent occurrence, but now comes news that for the first time on record a party has made the traverse on skis. The adventurers were Messrs. Frank Alack and Charles Jenson, two West Coast guides. They set out from Waiho Gorge, climbed the Franz Josef Glacier, crossed the great snowfields, and went over Graham's Saddle. Thence by way of the Rudolf and Tasman Glaciers they reached Ball Hut, and subsequently went on to the Hermitage. They intend returning to the West Coast by way of Copeland Pass, which is further south than Graham's Saddle. The Resourceful Plumber. The science and art of plumbing are of course highly necessary accessories to modern life. Every layman has felt a thrill of admiration at the wonders which can be performed by the cognoscenti with a stick of solder and a spanner— paralleled only by the reciprocating marvels of the bills which follow the miracles. There are, however, tradesmen—and others. One of the latter recently displayed in a northern township the characteristic versatility of the craft—minus its customary effectiveness. As a backblocks tradesman, he was responsible for the erection of a cottage for a dairy company's employee, and from flooring to ridging he carried out the job, and received payment therefor. Unfortunately however, during the first heavy rain the structure leaked like a sieve. The tradesman was sent for, made an examination, reported a repair, sent in his bill, and was paid 17/6. During the next rain there were no complaints; the structure also weathered another downpour, but on the following occasion down came the water a"ain to the discomfort of all the inhabitants. An investigation of the leak showed that the "repair had consisted of the suspension, beneath an obvious fauit in the roof, of an empty benzine tin, which had done its best, but could'now hold no more. Needless to say this makeshift was at once condemned in favour of something more in accordance with the requirements of the London "City and Guilds." . <