NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 12, 15 January 1934, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Shoplifting Technique,

Tax Time Again. Those who are in the fortunate or unfortunate. position of having to pay income tax are informed that the flate of the next payment is February 8. If the demand, which will he sent out early next month, is not settled by March 1, additional tax will be added. Sports Postponed. Heavy rain set in about noon on Saturday, and continuing all the afternoon, caused a postponement of practically all local sports fixtures. Cricket competition matches, bowling, and the athletic carnival at Carlaw Park were all postponed, but yachtsmen went oh with their racing. Earthquake Recalled. One of the overseas vessels at present loading in the roadstead at Napier is the Northumberland, to which is attached paiticular interest on account of the fact that this vessel was in the roadstead at the time of the earthquake on February 3, 1931. On that occasion the vessel received a severe jolting as a result of the rising of the seabed, but no damage was caused. Relief Workers' Holiday. A large party Hamilton relief workers, with their wives and families, will spend a week's holiday at Tort Waikato, commencing on January 20. The Waikato Children's Camp League have offered their camp for use by the party, and it is anticipated that a splendid holiday will be enjoyed. Seventy applications have' been received from families wishing to attend the camp.

Gisborne Leads. Immediately the Blue Star liner Avelona Star arrived from London at Gisborne 011 Saturday morning and dropped anchor in the roadstead, a reporter got into touch with the ship's oflicer by the radio-phone installed by the Gisborne Harbour Board. "\oti are ahead of any port in the world." said the officer when asked his opinion of the installation, and he added that he could imagine no greater convenience to overseas vessels arriving in ports such as Gisborne than the radio-phone.

None Too Soon. There were dozens of smiling faces at the wool sale in Napier, and many expressions of good will and personal satisfaction. One man told some friends that, almost cxactly a year ago he received 3Jd for a certain line of wool. On Saturday last a similar lino was offered, and before lie knew where he-was a bid of 15d had fallen to his credit. His jubilation, states the "Hawke's Bay Herald," at the sudden turn of events found expression in his telling the news to around him (or so it seemed), and his winding up with: "And it hasn't come any too booh, either, but it'll do everyone good." German Tourist Drive. A reduction of 25 per cent on fares; still smaller parties to qualify for "group" rates; low fees for carriage of toboggans, skis, bicycles and folding canoes—these are a few items from the programme of the German State Railways. They represent the largest move to encourage passenger traffic in German railway history. The 25 per cent reduction is granted to all persons not resident, in Germany. Validity of the tickets is two months, and the reduction will also be available for journeys through Germany from frontier to frontier and back at a later date. Return through Germany must not be completed before the eighth day. Pledge of Friendship. A memento of an early acquaintance between pakeha traders and the line of Maori "kings" is in the possession of Mr. Stephen Liddell, of Gisborne, in the form of a handsomely carved walking stick, of a type which was a popular gift from Maoris to pakeha friends, says the Poverty Bay "Herald." The stick was given to Mr. Stephen Liddell's father when the latter was trading on the west coast of the island, and made frequent calls at Kawhia. The donor was Tawhaio, son of the paramount Waikato chief Potatau te Wherewhero, successor to Potatau in the Maori "kingship," and great-great-grandfather to the present Maori "king," who is to visit Poverty Bay at the end of this month. The stick bears a carved likeness of Tawhaio himself, and was .ij pledge of friendship with Mr. Liddell, sen., who was one of the first pakchas to come into contact with the heir to Potatau's title- It has been in the possession of Mr. Stephen Liddell since the death of his father, and has been carefully preserved, on the advice of a, well-known collector of Maori curids, who indicated to Mr. Liddell that it had a great potential value.

Blood Transfusions. A world's record for the giving of blood transfusions is claimed for a legless Aucklalider, Mr. C. R. Cliristey, of 13, Putiki Street, Arch Hill, who since September, 1928, has given 100 transfusions, the amount of blood being 9 gallons 48 ounccs. Medical authorities regard his service as extraordinary, and lie is looked upon almost as being a "blood factory." Mr. C'hristey has given as many as three transfusions within a week, and is always available when the emergency arises. According to Dr. J. W. Craven, medical superintendent of the Auckland Hospital, the blood dorter cheerfully gives a pint of blood, goes home and has a meal, and, perhaps within several days, he is ready for another transfusion. His means of conveyance is a small hand-propelled chair? Owing to his infirmity he is unable to find employment other than small repair work which he undertakes at home. Crippled in a bush accident 20 years ago, Mr. Christey lost a leg as the result of a motoring accident nine years later, and when the second leg began to give trouble he had it amputated also. Following the loss of his limbs, he suffered from blood pressure, and tests established that the blood was "high grade universal," which is the typo highly suitable for transfusions. Coinage Changes. "Business Man" writes: In conversation with a customer the other day, I happened to remark on the difference in weight between the new half-crowns and the old. This is not so noticeable in the single coin, but when three or four are taken in the hand at once it is very marked. My friend's comment was that the' lightness of New Zealand's new coin is a distinct advantage, as it obviates unnecessary weight in the pocket, and, after all, the latest type of half-crown has just the same purchasing power as its Imperial predecessor. He went on to recall an interesting suggestion made some years ago by a correspondent in the London "Times," namely, that the penny piece should be entirely withdrawn from circulation and that the existing half-penny should take its place, being ranked, of course, at the full penny value. This change should be accompanied by counting the farthing as the half-penny. I remember the. proposal, but so far as' I can recollect, it aroused but little public interest. Why, I do not know, for to my mind it is an excellent plan. The pennies, withdrawn from circulation, would yield a handsome return in the metal market, and the new penny (or old-time half-penny) would have fpll purchasing power, and be far lighter to carry about. Of course, when a new penny issue became due. it should consist of a smaller and even still lighter coin. In many respects the British coinage system is cumbrous and out of date, and a change is overdue. Curiously enough the Indian system of one, two, four and eight annas, with the rupee at 16 annas, and note denomination above, is of British orijpn, and it is certainly , one of the most convenient in the world.

Pink Lemons. Pink lemons are being grown in California. They are growing on one tree in « grove which "has become a Mecca of astounded scientists who gaze at this phenomenon witn awe and periodically and gravely pinch themselves. The skin and fruit of the lemons are a vivid pink, but this is not the only strange feature about the tree. The trunk and branches are striped, while some of the branches are white and others green. The white boughs arc quite barren. Plague Of Flies. While there may be an element of mystery as to where the flies go in the winter time, residents of Napier South claim that there is no dark secret concerning their whereabouts in the summer. Many residents of that area have been complaining bitterly of a plague of house flies, which lately have invaded homes and Jiave caused considerable annoyance. It is the opinion of many that the bed of the Tutaekuri River, which contains many dry stretches where there are a large number of rotting fish, is responsible for these pests. Whale Hunting. Whale hunting with a machine gun is unusual. On a recent morning the Nelson pilot launch, armed with a machine gun and manned by several willing hands, set off in ! search of a whale that has been haunting the bathing beaches at Tahunanui for some time past. After cruising for an hour without success, the monster was seen coming towards the launch, and when 15 yards from the bow, came to the surface to blow. The gun was immediately in action, and several shots found their mark. The whale dived at once and was not seen again. Chinese Opium 'Smokers. Mr. W. Wall, a Chinese student at Canterbury College, who gave an address at the annual conference of the New Zealand No More War Movement in Christchurch liist week, was asked whether he considered as harsh enough the penalties inflicted on Chinese convicted of smoking "opium in New Zealand. "As far as opium dens are concerned, the lines have never been harsh enough," was the reply. "Chinese opium smokers should be kept in detention for a period, and in such a way that medical aid can be secured for them in the prevention of their craving. But what I do object to is the attempts which are made to shift the responsibility from the shoulders of the few opium smokers to the race as a whole." Education and Honours. "There seems to be a feeling In the minds of many that one thing, that does not require recognition is anything connected with education," said Dr. H. G. Denham, chairman of the board of governors of Canterbury Agricultural College, when conveying members' congratulations to Professor R. E. Alexander, the director, 011 having the honour of C.M.G. conferred on him. "Many people look 011 educational work as service that is to bo given and the value to the community is seldom assessed,'' added Dr. Denham. "This is the second time in two years that the value of work for education has been recognised. The first was Dr. .T. Higlit and the second is Professor Alexander, and this seems to indicate a change of mind in the powers that be that is all to the good." Sportsmanlike Rivalry. As an example of the friendly feeling existing between the Lincoln Ellsworth Expedition and the Byrd Expedition, both of which are seeking fresh discoveries in the Antarctic, the Bear of Oakland, Admiral Byrd's auxiliary supply ship which sailed from Wellington 011 Thursday for the South, will carry down to the Wyatt Earp a number of radio tubes to replace those which arc reported to have been broken when the vessel was "bucking" the ice. This action is only in conformity with a statement made in Wellington recently by Rear-Admiral Byrd, who said that, Lincoln Ellsworth was one of his oldest friends, and that rivalry between the two expeditions was but one of a sportsmanlike nature. Preparations at Mangere. A wireless message from the Southern Cross on Saturday afternoon to the effect that owing to bad weather the 'plane might make for Auckland instead of New Plymouth caused considerable interest. The message was broadcast bv IYA about 5 o'clock. Members of the Auckland Aero Club stood by at the Mangere aerodrome, ready to prepare for the landing of the monoplane, but another message from Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, received about 0 o'clock, stated he was proceedin it to his original destination and would land a ° New Plymouth. Customs officers at Auckland were held in readiness to clear the small amount of luggage brought by the airmen should they land at Auckland. When the second message came through they were able to leave the passing of (lie visitors' luggage to the New Plymouth officials. Tramping Club Assists. While in the southern fiordland at New Year, members of the Hutt Valley Tramping Club assisted in carrying out of the bush a tramper from Invercargill, David Pickford, aged 28, who had been injured in a fall over a cliff in the Cleddau Valley. They took him to the Milford Hostel, where, after a wait of several days, he was put aboard the Monowai and taken to Duncdin, where lie was admitted to the Dunedin Hospital with injuries to his back. The party of 33 Hutt Valley Tramping Club .members happened to be. at the Milford Hostel after walking over the Milford Track from Lake Te Anau, when news of the accident was received there. The man to whom the mishap had occurred was one of two who had. joined a party of five going from the Eglington Valley to Milford with the intention of walking back over the Milford Track. Mr. Piekford's companions were not fit enough to cary him, and 12 of the Hutt Valley trampers went out over the rough bush tracks that had been cut by the surveying party for the purpose. They improvished a stretcher and carried the disabled man to the hostel, setting out early in the morning, and arriving back late at night.

During the Christmas rush in Sydney, over a period of days 10 or 12 persons were arrested daily for shoplifting; yet the police think that in r\ish times, with/ shops crowded, the number of arrests to the number of '"lifts ' is very few indeed. Articles to the value of thousands of pounds are never recovered. Shoplifting is a common rather than a specialist practice. The "Sydney Morning Herald" of December 23 states: "Very few professional thieves are shoplifters, because they soon become known to the detectives employed by all the large firms and they are generally watched from the time they enter a shop until they leave. . . Arrests are generally effected without trouble, but struggles sometimes occur> A woman detective noticed a man slip three shirts under his arm and run into a basement of a Pitt Street store on a recent afternoon. She caught the man running upstairs to an exit. The man struggled, and employees were prevented from reaching him by the crowd that gathered round the struggling pair. The man finally lacerated the detective's hands and face with his fingernails, and then ran up some stairs. But the sound of the scuffle had attracted three men, who threw themselves on the fugitive when he reached the top of the steps."