NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 18, 22 January 1931, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Telephone Quest in Vain,

A bystander on the pavement in Queen Street yesterday, at the height of the deluge, saw the top of the sewer near Fort Street come off, and, realising the possible danger to a vehicle passing over the-hole, decided to telephone the police. From there he was politely referred to tho City Council. The city officials in their turn could do nothing, but thought that the traffic department might be able to help. He made a third ring, and he was asked to make another, whereupon he gave the quest up in disgust, and returned to the scene just in time to see a motor car run one wheel into the gap. Trees Destroyed. A decisfon to urge the Auckland Power Board to avoid unnecessary destruction of trees was made by the Auckland Automobile Association last evening. Dr. J. H. Lawry and Mr. M. H. Wynyard both complained of the destruction of some fine oaks on the l Howick Road, at Pakuranga Hill, when power lines were being erected; and Mr. George Henning said some large gum trees had been felled on his property. Mr. Wynyard said he had suggested that part of the line should run through his property to avoid the destruction of the oaks, but his offer was ignored. A United Front. "I feel sure that if the retiring council appeared before the ratepayers as a body there would be no question about the result at the next election," said the Mayor, Mr. J. Hislop, at last night's meeting of the Devonport Borough Council, when acknowledging further congratulations on his elevation to the Mayoralty. Mr. Hislop observed that in his association with councillors he had encountered nothing 'but the best of good fellowship and co-operation. "It is a matter of regret to hear some councillors say that they will not be here for the next term," he added. Children's Camp. Over 200 children who have attended a fortnight's camp arranged by the Waikato Children's Camp League, will return to Hamilton on Saturday. They will sleep on board the Manuwai at Port Waikato on Friday night, immediately after breaking up the camp, and the vessel will leave for Hamilton at daybreak on Saturday. It will arrive at Hamilton at noon. During the camp the children have been taught singing, and have taken part in indoor and outdoor games. Prizes awarded by the Herbert Smith trustees were given to the winners of sports events at a carnival. All the cliildrcn have benefited by the camp and are in splendid health. "Corn in Egypt." "There is corn in Egypt—or money in Devonport," said the Mayor, Mr. J. Hislop, at last night's meeting of the Devonport Borough Council, when expressing satisfaction at the manner in which the rates of the borough were being paid. Mr. Hislop's observation was prompted by the report of the town clerk, Mr. A. E. Wilson, that the collection of the general rate to date had exceeded by £700 the sum collected at the corresponding date last year, whilst the water rate returns were fi>oo ahead of the amount in hand on the same date twelve months ago. Despite tho hard times, added Mr. Wilson, the money was coming to hand satisfactorily.

Young Sailor's Tramp. A young Xorwegian sailor, 20 years of age, arrived at Dunedin yesterday morning after a walk from Lvttelton. He had been paid off at Lyttelton at his own request because he did not wish to be involved in a dispute about the food provided for .some members of the crew. ..When the dispute was settled.he wanted to return to the vessel, the June, which had left for Port Chalmers. Captain Hannevig told him yesterday his position was vacant, and he was signed on soon after he arrived. The June sailed last evening for Westport. The sailor, who was weary and footsore, beamed with smiles when he learned that his walk had not been in vain. East Coast Railway. Protests at the cessation of work 011 the Gisbornc-Wairoa railway line have aroused the interest of members of Parliament. 1 A party from Wellington will visit the Gisborne district next week, and an effort will be made to arrange for a Gisborne delegation to take part in an inspection of the route. The Gisborne. Railway Committee -will meet to-night to decide on its future action. One of the proposals before the committee is a suggestion that a petition from tho whole district be presented to Cabinet, and that a delegation be sent, to Wellington to submit its views to the Prime Minister.

Miss Gleitze's Swim. When Miss Gleitze, the English distance swimmer, had all but completed her swim from Rangitoto to Cheltenham yesterday, many enthusiasts, men, women, children, waded about a quarter of a mile out in the shallow water in the teeming rain, some without hats or overcoats, to be among the first to welcome her. In an interview after her swim, Miss Glcitzc said that about half a dozen -women had waded out up to their chests fully clothed, but with their umbrellas still up to* keep the rain from getting at their hats. She also said that she did not commence her ewim until one o'clock, although she had fully intended to do so at noon. The wharf on the island was not her storting place, but a promontory about half a mile Sue landed at 2.55 p.m., exactly one hour 55 minutes after taking the water.

Deposits on Tenders. A recommendation by the Municipal Association of New Zealand that cheques lodged as deposits should be held, and not banked, until tenders arc dealt with was approved by the One Tree Hill Borough Council last evening, subject, however, to the reservation that wherever it is deemed advisable the deposit should be banked immediately. The secretary of the association said that tenders were often held for some time before they were dealt with, and when deposit cheques had been banked and deposted to the firm's accounts, overdraft interest was incurred against the tenderer. With local bodies it was not unusual for the consideration of tenders to be belated, and the local authorities would then be holding thousands of the tenderer's moneys. With some contracts it was the practice to holcf cheques until the tenders were dealt with. The cheque of the approved tenderer was then banked, and upon its being met, the other cheques accompanying the tender were returned, and advice was circulated of the decision in regard to the awarding of the contract.

Inconsiderate Motorists. A rebuke to motorists who had failed to slacken speed on the flooded streets during yesterday's downpour was uttered in a report by Mr. E. E. Champtaloup, touring manager of the Auckland Automobile Association, at a meeting of the council of the association last evening. "The majority of the taxis travelling in Queen Street showed a total lack of courtesy or consideration for . either pedestrians or other motor drivers," he stated. "A number of motorists proceeded slowly during the downpour, but there was one striking example of a total lack of consideration. At the period when the western eide of Queen Street was flooded to a depth of several inches, a girl endeavoured to cross the street, but was held up by a whirling flow of dirty water. A passing taxi, rushing down the street, did not even pause, but showered the unfortunate girl with splashes from his wheels. Retracing. her steps, she endeavoured to make the other side of the road, and a tram proceeding up Queen Street, with a fan-like spread of "water rushing from its wheels, again showered the unfortunate girl. The driver of the followin"- tram,»in passing another pedestrian, slowed to" almost walking pace, and showed that consi deration "which, h© might li&vc