NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 253, 26 October 1933, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Nearly £600 From "Sings." The season for community singing in Wellington has now ended, and the result of the season financially has been remarkably good. Twenty-one mid-week gatherings and one Sunday evening concert were held, and the collections totalled £575 11/7, a substantial assistance to the Mayor's fund for the relief of distress in the city. , Long Car Queue. Frequently during the peak period from 8.30 to 9 a.m. motor cars entering the city over Graf- . ton Bridge extend more than half-way along it, 1 but the longest seen on ordinary traffic days occurred at 8.50 this morning, when there was a queue of cars the full length of the bridge, 973 ft. It took three "cuts" by the pointsman- to get clear, the actual time being just under three ■ minutes. 1 Books For School Libraries. The Auckland Grammar Schools hoard of governors has decided to make a grant to all the schools under its control for the purchase of new library books. It was agreed that, with the exception of the school at Takapuna, the , grant in each case should be one of £10. In regard to Takapuna it was decided that, as the school was a new one with only a small library, 1 an extra £5 should be granted. Onehunga Jubilee Ends. The final function in the celebration of the diamond jubilee of the Onehunga School took place yesterday afternoon, when the children were entertained by the jubilee committee. Mr. E. V. Sutherland, chairman, gave a brief address, | and then delighted between COO and 700 scholars by providing them with a bountiful supply of refreshments. Oheers for the committee and teachers concluded the proceedings. Poor Birkenhead Lights. Complaint that the lights in the borough were not giving good service was made by members of the Birkenhead Borough Council last ' night. The Waitemata Power Board is to be asked to adjust the lights. Many lights in the borough were out of focus, said Mr. R. R. Hayman, and the borough was not getting an amount of light proportionate to the price paid each year. An improved lighting unit is to be asked for the lamp at present at Highbury Corner. In Search of Help. Experience has shown that if you want help of any kind, an advertisement in the "Auckland Star" is the most certain way of securing it. A man who advertised for a farm hand last week had over thirty applications within twelve hours, from which he selected two first-class men. Unemployed labour, and this applies equally to country labour, gravitates to the city. The "Star" is the newspaper with a complete coverage of the city and suburban area, and is eagerly scanned by every out-of-work individual in the district. Measuring Spoons. v What is a measuring spoon? That was a question asked at yesterday afternoon's meeting of the Auckland Grammar Schools Board. "Wasn't it one of those things that Oliver Twist got hit on the head with?" asked a member. The chairman explained that the spoons were required at the Epsoin Girls' Grammar School for use in the cookery classes. The_ spoons would allow cooking recipes to be mixed with a minimum of delay. It was decided that the spoons should be purchased in Dunedin at a cost of £2 8/, as they were not procurable in Auckland. Old Railway Carriages. • The use of old railway carriages on private properties was again briefly discussed at last evening's meeting of the One Tree Hill Borough Council. Mr. C. L. Slyfield reported that he had inspected the carriage on a property in Wheturangi, Road, about which a complaint had been received. It did not appear to him to be an eyesore. It was decided that the carriage, which is to be used as a combined children's playroom, office and sewing room, should be allowed to remain in its present position, subject to the satisfaction of the building inspector, and that in future similar applications should be treated on their merits. New School Baths. Intimation that the new swimming baths at the Epsom Girls' Grammar School will be officially opened on the first Friday in November has been received by the Auckland Grammar School Board. The pool will be known as the "Morrison Bath." Mention was made of the fact that the cost of water each time the bath was emptied and refilled would be £3 15/. Members expressed the opinion that the pupils of the school should be commended for their efforts to raise funds for the building of the baths. One member facetiously suggested that the chairman, Professor A. P. W. Thomas, should officially open the pool by taking the first neat header into if. No Short Cut To Prosperity. "It is necessary to be on guard against quack remedies," said Mr. A. C. Mitchell, president of the New Zealand Employers' Federation, when referring to prevailing difficult times at the opening of the annual general meeting of the federation at Wellington this morning. There was, he said, no short cut to prosperity. A country was only a multiplication of individuals, and in face of the fact of the diminished national income they would have to work harder if possible, and be content to accept less for their labour until the price level was restored. Industrial expansion in New Zealand was possible on sound economic principles if confidence could be restored sufficiently to attract capital. Newmarket Finances. The half-yearly statement of the finances of the borough of Newmarket was presented at last evening's meeting 'of the council. The total receipts were £14,643, compared with £15,028 for the same period last year, and expenditure almost unchanged .at £13,732, as compared with the £13,576 of last year's period. Rates of £6713 collected show a drop on the half-year of 1932, when they stood at £8499. The statement of accounts of the Newmarket Relief Fund for the past 14 months showed that the credit bal- 1 ance had been increased from £192 to £322. Receipts from Sunday cinemas, £1076/ accounted for the greatest income of the fund. The prin- < cipal payments were £457 for groceries and £204 for ooal and firewood. Complaint Against Motorists. A complaint that his gateway at the top end . of a "blind" road was frequently used as a ■ turning point by motorists was received by the ' One Tree Hill Borough Council from a ratepayer ; last evening. Twice last week, said the com- • plaining householder, his gate. had "been crashed ■ into when closed, necessitating practically a new gate. On one occasion a car had turned into the gateway just after the householder had removed J a step-ladder, which he had 'been using when cut-, . ting a hedge. If the car had arrived a minute earlier, an accident might have happened. The . householder suggested that a circle should be formed at the end of the road to give vehicles 1 more room to turn. The foreman was instructed 1 to bring down a report. '• The Mayor's Daughter. ■ An unusual presentation was made during 1 the supper adjournment at last evening's meeting of tlie One Tree Hill Borough Council. The < presentation, which was made by the deputy- 1 Mayor, Mr. C. L. Slyfield, marked the occasion i of the birth of a daughter to the wife of the i Mayor, Mr. I. J. Goldstine. The Mayor was s asked to accept a silver christening cup, carry- 1 ing the following inscription: "To commemorate < the birth of Margot Ann, daughter of the Mayor i and Mayoress, One Tree Hill, Borough, with best ; wishes from the council." Mr. Goldstine was j kept in ignorance of the proposed presentation, < and his surprise was increased when his mother ] appeared at the handing over of the j cup. In thanking his council for the gift, < the Mayor said that he was puzzled to know j how they had learnt his daughter's names, as he < had only registered the birth that afternoon, ;