NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 134, 8 June 1929, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Savings Bank's 82nd Birthday.

Auckland Savings Bank yesterday celebrated the 82nd anniversary of its foundation. Formed in 1847 by a number of public-spirited citizens, the bank has occupied part of its present site in Queen Street since 1857. In 1860 additional land was purchased, forming the section on which the present building stands. The bank has been enlarged and renovated since its erection in ISB4, and there are now eight branches in the suburbs of Auckland. "Everything in Order." One minute sufficed to dispose of the business yesterday at the annual meeting of the Waitemata Licensing Committee, over which. Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., presided. The clerk (Mr. J. Malfroy) reported that everything was in order, and renewals were granted to the licensees of the Msisonic and Esplanade Hotels at Devonport, the Northcote Hotel, and the Mon Desir Hotel at Takapuna. Medical Comforts for the Poor. To extend the facilities of the medical comforts depot of the St. John Ambulance at Rutland Street, a lecture was given in the Town Hall recently by Mr, R. J. Terry. The sum of £34 12/ was raised. A stock of such requisites as invalid chairs, crutches and pneumatic pillows is kept at the depot. These articles are hired to the poor at a small charge. The ambulance finds the demand becoming greater than it can cope with. Dairying Trophies. At a meeting of the Winter Exhibition Committee it was resolved that the Weddell Cup and the Hardley Shield, for the highest average points for the season for butter and cheese respectively, will be presented at the opening ceremony on Wednesday, July 3. The Minister of the Crown who opens the exhibition will be asked to make the presentation, so as to give the awards the very prominent position that they merit. Great commendation is due to the factory that can maintain its standard throughout the whole season. Warkworth Cottage Hospital. Yesterday an official visit was paid to the Warkworth Cottage Hospital, which is under the control of the Auckland Hospital Board, by Mr. W. Wallace (chairman). Dr. Gunson, Rev. W. C. Wood, Mr. W. K. Howitt, and the secretary of the board, Mr. H. A. Somerville. Members were pleased to notice the improvements which had been made in the grounds, and a thorough inspection of the institution showed that everything was working smoothly and in excellent order. Plenty of Bottles. A Blenheim business man advertised for empty bottles, of which he required ten or eleven dozen. When ho arrived at his place of business it Avas entirely surrounded by small boys with trolleys loaded. As the day wore on more bottles arrived, first in small lots and then in truck loads, and the embarrassed advertiser had to spend a busy time getting rid of his prospective clients by informing them that the market for bottles was very much over-supplied. Some of the disappointed vendors showed a disposition to tip their rejected wares in the back yard, regardless of payment, and the merchant for a time had uneasy visions of his place of business being buried in bottles. ,

Dangerous Parking Place. •Many city motorists who leave town via Beach Koad complain about the danger of heavy trucks parked at nights opposite a garage. At the point in question, just beyond tho foot of Ansae Avenue, the light is not good. Furthermore, the thoroughfare is narrow and it is a quarter where cars often skid after completing the bend. Several accidents have already occurred in the vicinity, and only recently a taxi collided with oue of these trucks, which, apparently, are left to stand ready for early morning 'departure. Surprise has been expressed that the authorities have permitted this for so long, in view of the empty sections which could be used nearby and off the main road outlet. Unemployment on Hauraki Plains. "The fact that you have unemployment in your district is rather amazing, and it shows that there is certainly something wrong with the settlement of the district," said tho Minister of Railways (Hon. W. B. Taverner), when replying to a welcome accorded him by Ngatea settlers on the occasion of his inspection of the proposed route of the Paeroa-Pokeno railway line yesterday. "There should not bo unemployment in a country of this kind. Land settlement should be in the forefront, and it is largely from that standpoint that lam here to-day. It is essential that everything we can possibly do to aid settlement should be done. It is pleasant to hear your assurance that the proposed railway has a reasonable opportunity of competing with motor transport,, and it would give an impetus to the development of the district."

Old Heidelberg. ' The attractions of the ancient town of Heidelberg, the favourite resort of visitors to South Germany, are beautifully displayed in a special edition of the "Heidelbergcr Frcindenblatt," printed in English, which is issued by the municipal authorities. The magazine is richly illustrated, and contains, articles on Heidelberg itself, the historically interesting towns within reach of it, such as Worms and Spires, and the beautiful villages along the Rhine. The cover bears a coloured reproduction of the river and bridge, with the famous old castle of Heidelberg on the wooded slopes in the background. The words of Hebbel are very appropriately quoted: "There hangs the castle, mysterious, like a ghost of the middle ages, but overgro\yn by the most luxuriant present —a ghost that adorns itself with leaves and blossoms. The soughing of the wind is heard in the trees which have grown out from the towers and walls, and above them, like a golden crown, the starry heavens." Song of the Bellbird. The discovery has been made that the bellbird exists in the fastnesses of the Waipoua State Forest, the clear call of the sombrefeathered songster having been heard often of late at one spot on the highest range. Up to a few years ago the bellbird was known on one of the ranges higher up the Hokianga County, and now that Waipoua has become the largest bird sanctuary in the land it appears to have worked further south. For many years the bellbird has been well established on the Little Barrier, Hen and Chickens, and other coastal islands. There was a fear at one time that the bird would become extinct on the mainland, but now it seems certain that, provided it receives the necessary measure of protection, it will return to former haunts. Thames Fishing Industry. Fifteen hundred tons of fish are carried by rail from the Thames every year, and it is estimated that 500 people are dependent on the industry for a livelihr id. Facts to this effect were presented to the Minister of Railways (Hon. W. B. Taverner) at Paeroa yesterday, when a deputation representing tfie fishing interests "of Thames waited on him with a request that the van which conveys their output to the Taraiiaki district and towns ,south of Taumarunui be attached nightly to the Limited express at Frankton. They said that if this were done there would be a reasonable opportunity peting with the Auckland fish merchants who .ship their catches to New Plymouth and adjoining towns, via Onehunga. The additional facility was asked in view of 95 per cent of the fish from Thames being carried by rail. The Minister expressed regret that the time-table did not fit in with requirements, and promised to have tho matter investigated. "It is not the Department's intention to run any train that conflicts with local interests, as that would naturally conflict with the interests of the railways," he added. "If your suggestion is practical, it will be put into effect. We want to assist your industry, and. got