NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 101, 1 May 1930, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Month of Many Marriages. April was a month of many marriages. The official figures show an increase from 167 in April, 1929, to 231 last month. One explanation is that Easter fell in March last year and in April this year, and additional weight is given to this by the fact that 226 marriages were recorded in March, 1929, compared with 202 in the corresponding month this year. The number of births fell from 240 in April, 1929, to 206 last month, and deaths from 144 to 140. Guarding National Expenditure. "Like other business people in this country, the Government realises that at present there is a financial stringency; therefore the Government has to be extremely careful in regard to its expenditure." This remark was made by the Minister of Lands, Hon. G. W. Forbes, M.P., to a deputation at Kohukolm yesterday morning. A request had been made for money for a ramp at Ivydale so that motor cars could be unloaded. Record Striped Marlin. Mr. Joseph Mo6re, of Kerikeri Inlet, 'Bay of Islands, had the good luck yesterday in Mr. 11. Fuller's launch to land a striped marlin of 3501b, a record for the season (our Russell correspondent telegraphs), after a good fight lasting forty-five minutes off Cape Brett. His companion, Mr. F. Montague Russell, of Russell, also caught a mako weighing 2701b in twenty minutes. It gave two leaps clean out of the water before the line was tightened. Mr. Leon Warnc was also out yesterday and returned with a swordfish weighing 2731b. Hoardings and the Law. That there will probably be a test case before the Supreme Court in the near future to decide points of law regarding the display of hoardings was indicated at yesterday's meeting of the Ta'kapuna Koroush Council. Several applications for hoarding licenses came before the council, which rejected a recommendation of its Works Committee that these should be declined, in favour of a proposal to defer consideration until the legal position is definitely ascertained from the Municipal Association. The Reason Why. The operation of awards according to the strict letter of the law was a source of harm to the employees themselves, a New Plymouth shopkeeper told a "News" reporter. He had in lm employment a girl to help serve""in the shop. A short time ago he was informed that since the girl served ice-creams occasionally she was a waitress and must be paid a considerably higher wage. He was unable to afford this and had to dismiss the girl, who would have been perfectly willing to stay on at a lower wage. It meant another girl out of employment. Recently a fellow storekeeper had advertised for a girl and received thirty-five replies. Building Trade Quiet. In few months in recent years has there been so little building as in the April just ended The permits issued by the Auckland City Council had a value of only £37,831, compared with £89,994 for April, 1929, and taking the four months of 1930 and the corresponding period of 1929, the comparative figures, £214,972 and £405,838, are equally significant, revealing a decline of over <30 per ccnt. The quietness, which first became noticeable in connection with large buildings in

the city, has spread to the residential districts, for only S3 permits have been taken out for dwellings since January 1, compared with 168 for the first four months of the previous year.

"Stamped Out." Electors who assembled in St. Mary's Church ITall, Parncll, last evening, took it into their own hands to deal with an interjector, who persisted in demanding from the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. E. A. Ransom) work for 200 of Auckland's unemployed. Mr. Ransom said that during the past few weeks arrangements had been made to place 3uo men from Auckland in employment. Already 250 men had gone forward, and the balance would follow next week. The interjector persisted in harassing the Minister,- but, after weathering a threat of ejection by a constable, he was effectively silenced by the audience, who combined in stamping him out.

Memorial Hut. Funds are still being collected for the hut which will be built at De la Bcche corner as a memorial to those who their lives in the recent Tasman Glacier disaster, states the "Christchurch Press." The total amount required is £f)00, and it is hoped that the x work will be commenced shortly. The new Malte Brun hut, which is now being constructed of wood and iron, will accommodate about thirty people. The road to the Ball hut, at present under construction, will go right to the entrance of the hut, and tourists will be able to travel as far as the edge of the glacier by car.

Tra,mcars as Bathing Sheds. A novel suggestion for the improvement of bathing facilities 011 Takapuna Beach was placed before the local borough council last* evening. Mr. D. Geddis wrote stating that he was prepared to iiistal the two remaining car bodies of the late Takapuna tramway system, one to be placed near the foot of Hauraki Road and the other near the end of Anzac Street, the longer section of the cars to be equipped as a tea and rest room, and the smaller end as a booth for the safe keeping of bathers' clothes and belongings and the letting out of bathing suits, towels, etc. He also suggested the installation of a number of bathing tents. It was decided to refer the matter to the Works Committee, and to invite Mr. Geddis to place his suggestions before them. Bird Life on Little Barrier. Naturalists will be interested to learn, from a report recently presented by Mr. Robert Nelson, caretaker of Little Barrier Island, that the number of native birds in this beautiful sanctuary is increasing. In a report to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Nelson states: "You will be glad to know that the rare stitchbird is increasing on the island. I counted four 011 one particular morning, and on another occasion I saw 14 in two hours. I travel occasionally round the coast, and the birds are as -plentiful there as in the interior of the island. .The kiwis have been seen on several evenings near the house. They come down in dry weather when water is scarce. The bellbirds and tuis, which live near the house, are at present feeding on the fruit, but now it is nearly gone for another season." Trade Slump in Britain. A well-known English manufacturer who visited New Zealand a few years ago, writing to a friend, says: "I have been all this week at the British Industries Fair. Such a crowd of buyers, over 100,000 in all. Yet their orders are disappointing, for there is no real 'juice' in them. It seems as though the very nature of them had been sucked out. They are mainly skin and pips. Anything with any profit in it drops dead. What is the matter with the world? Can it be true that we manufacturers have produced too much of the things that make the world interesting and beautiful? Why is it that however lovely our stuff may be, nobody wants it? The stores all seem choked with beautiful goods, and all waiting for buyers. There's where our trouble lies. That indeed is the cause of unemployment. Would that we could find a cure for lit all! Then indeed England would come into her own."

Services to Takapuna. "The qualities of wisdom, tact and energy were possessed to a marked degree by Mr. Harden," said Mr. J. W. Williamson, Mayor of Takapuna, last night in paying a tribute to the Deputy. Mayor and chairman of the Works Committee, whose resignation was received- with regret.' "Takapuna will be infinitely the poorer by°the loss of _ Mr. Hayden's service's," continued the Mayor, in thanking Mr. Hayden for the services rendered to the borough. Other members of the council spoke in eulogistic terms of Mr. Hayden's work, and a resolution was passed expressing regret at his retirement, and recording the couiv cil's thanks for his valuable contributions to the work of the district. Warm tributes for Mrs. Hayden's social work in the district both as Mayoress and as chief supporter of the present Mayoress in her duties were also paid.