NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 18, 22 January 1929, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Post Office Wanted. Owing to the rapid growth of population beyond the Dominion Road tramway terminus another post office was wanted, said the Mayor of Mount Eden (Mr. E, H. Potter) at la«t night's meeting of the council. He pointed out that settlement had been very rapid and buildings were likely to go up at an even faster rate since the improved drainage. Tiie Council decided to send a letter to the Postmaster-General asking him to purchase a site for a post office. "Brighter Cricket." 'Long-stop" writes:—The small coterie of critics who have a Glasgow lease of the seat shaded by a large advertising board on the hill at Eden Park get a lot of fun out of a Plunket Shield match. Even when the batting is "painfully slow," as tliey describe it, the running commentary is often sound criticism and always witty. Cricket is not the most exciting sport at any time, but without the hillside critic it would be like lamb without mint sauce. Noisy Cycles Again. Once more the motor cyclists who seem to like imitating a machine gun came in for a blast last night. Mr. H. McK. Morrison complained at the Mount Eden Borough Council meeting of the abominable noise made by machines in St. Leonard's Road. He said it was not continuous, but every morning and evening gome of these thoughtless people went up or down the road in full blast. The council decided to hand the matter over to the proper authority to see if something could not be done to put a stop to the nuisance. Working Under Difficulties. Called upon to fight a fire in City Road early last evening the Auckland Kire Brigade worked under considerable difficulties. The narrow thoroughfare which connects Syftionda Street with Upper Queen Stfeet was thronged with spectators soon after the alarm was given. More adventurous ones clambered oil to the surrounding fences, and every point of vantage in a very congested' area was occupied. One hydrant Was worked from City Koad, and orders from the fire were relayed. Flannels in the Theatre. An apostle of the "cooler clothes for men" goswl carried his colours into the dress circle of His Majesty's last night. CUd in tennis flannels, soft shirt and sjxirts coat, he lounged comfortably and not at all self-consciously in the middle of a row of boiled shirts and hot dinner jackets. Envious eyes regarded him from time to time as the performance proceeded, and during one of the intervals he was tho centre of a circle of perspiring patrons who congratulated him 011 his courage. Time was when men in evening Clothes resolutely refused to walk down the street without concealing their shirt-fronts under an overcoat, but the heat, common sense and the more free and easy spirit of the times has relegated this stuffy custom to oblivion. A Word for the Competitions. A word in praise of the competitions movement was voiced by Mr. W. H. Dixon, the new conductor of the Royal Christchurch Musical Society, in an interview on his arrival in Cliristchurch. "I have heard that the competition movement is healthy in New Zealand," said Mr. Dixon. "Foster it. It stimulates effort when carried on in the right spirit. I do not approve of children under ten years ap[>earing in public} it is not healthy. Serious musical training cannot be undertaken at that age, nor is it desirable to put young performers before the public. At that age criticism discourages, and does not inspire. It is all right in homes and schools, but what is needed is not solo training, but class work." Municipal Harvesting. Even the most rabid opponent of municipal trading would hardly quarrel with the Mount Eden Borough Council bver its agricultural operations. Each year its harvesters go forth and reap the cocksfoot which grows all over the slopes of Mount Ede«, particularly on the northern side. Some years they do exceedingly well, but this year the crop was not so heavy as it might have been owing to fires. The cocksfoot reaper does not mow down the.whole grass; he merely cuts off the seeded top, which is taken away and threshed. There is an unsatisfied demand for cocksfoot seed, whtch is admirably suited to backblock areas In' the country many thrifty lads make an honest penny by cutting the cocksfoot along the roadWays, or anywhere they can find it, in their sjiare time, and thus earning a little pocket money. Payment of Native Rates. -The knotty problem of native rates was referred to by Sir A. X- Ng.ita. Minister of Native Affairs, 111 the course of an address to members of the Ngatiporou tribes at Waiomatatini. IThe Minister emphasised the importance of meeting the just res|>onsibilities in relation to the administration of the Dominion, and on the subject of rates declared that there was no other solution but to pay the rate demands if they could; if they had not the money, they should disi>ose of lands which the natives themselves could never use, in order to meet the demands. This alternative course did not appeal strongly to the elders of the tribe, who held that it would be humiliating to their tribal organisation if land belonging to their ancestors phssed out of their hands to meet rate demands. The consensus of opinion was that it would be possible, for natives who could not meet the demands, to lease the partially improved lands to other natives, who Were in a position to pay the rates, and who could recoup themselves from the fruits of the soil. Ancient Forests. Hidden underneath the sand on Point Chevalier Beach are such undriimatic features as blackened roots and {maty mud. hi fact some of these are now showing close to high water mark, and a page that tells of buried forests and the slow changes of centuries is being turned in local history. The level stretch of the Point Chevalier, district is part of an old erosion plan, which existed before the upper stretches of the Waitemata had formed. In the cliffs to the south-west end of the beach there is a sandstone formation for about 20 feet above sea level, and coal-like bands then make their appearance, representing a different type of deposit, due to the existence of swamps and marshes before the higher levels were' carved out. The lower sandstones resemble those commonly seen around the shores of the Waitemata; and the widespread flat about 40 feet above sea level is similar to the formation at Hobsonville. As regards the signs of early forests there is a possibility of some connection with the submerged forests of Shoal Bay, which have been deeply buried in the course of time. Very probably these were ancient forests which may or may not have been similar to those buried beneath the lava near Mon Dasir, Takapuna. A Kawau Comedy. Quite up to the best movie standard was an involuntary comedy staged at Kawau Island on Sunday for the benefit of trippers on the outgoing steamer for Auckland. A week-end party was setting back home by launch and being farewelled by friends. Standing on the deck a nobbily dressed gentleman was waring good-bye to his island friehds, while another of the party was busy at the side operating a half-plate camera of the scene, whfin. someone rOcked the boat. Irt a flash the scene was changed. Splash! He of the natty clothe* had been caught off his balance, and plunged, nice attire "and all, ihto the water. Minor splash! The photographer had clutched at the side to save himself, and lost his camera overboard. Cries of alarm were trtilled as it was seen that the involuntary bather was a competent swimmer. He struck out for the trailing dinghy and clambered in. Sighs of relief then gave way to shrieks of laughter as the dinghy, which had been half-filled with water, gently filled and subI sided tinder the added weight of the unexpected passenger, and he had to swim again; this time Ito the launch. When the Auckland steamer left, ! the principal of the comedy was returning ashore ! f° r a change of costume. The camera apparently 'had been forgotten.