NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 57, 8 March 1934, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Plank Collapses. An unrehearsed incident at the foundation stone ceremony in connection with the new Anglican Church at Gordtmton, near Hamilton, on Sunday was the sudden fracture of a plank on which several women were aitting. The ladies collapsed on the ground, but were assisted up, no bones being broken. Bumped a Wild Horse. A wild horse jumped from the bank on to the Taupo Road late one night last week iu front of a motor ear driven by Mr. H. Galbraith, of Waiotapu. The horse was struck and seriously injured and had to be destroyed. The car was extensively damaged, but Mr. Galbraith escaped injury. A New Glacier. An interesting reconnaissance of an incorrectly mapped mountain district, in which they discovered a large and apparently unknown and unmapped glacier at the head of the West Mathias River, was made by three members of the Canterbury Mountaineering Club who returned to Christchurcli last week. The party comprised Messrs. B. H. Stinear, G. C. Burns and L. K. Hewitt. A Veteran Runner. • In an evening sports meeting at Victoria Park yesterday a veteran runner, J. McKean, off a handicap of SOyds, won the 440 yds event. The handicap, of course, was a liberal one, but the time, 555, was good, especially considering that McKean is 07 years of ago. How many men of that age could run nearly a quarter of a mile at racing pace? Chilled Beef Cargo. The third cargo of chillcd beef to leave Auckland is to be loaded aboard the Blue Star motor ship Tuscan Star, which arrived from Napier this morning to complete loading for London. The first consignment, which left by the Sultan Star, was of about 1300 quarters, and the other shipment of 2000 quarters was taken by the Aveiona Star. The present shipment will bo about 2000 quarters. The Doric Star is due at Auckland from other New Zealand ports on March 15 to load for Home, and she is to be followed by the Sultan Star and the Trojan Stur. Cheaper Takapuna Fares. Last night the Takapuna Borough Council decided to write and thank the North Shore Transport Company, Ltd., for its action in reducing the 12-trip boat and bus tickets by 3d, and the 12-bus concession cards by 2d. The company was urged to consider the issue of period combined bus and boat tickets covering four sections, and also the further protest of Takapuna residents regarding the weekly combined tickets, which arc available to nonresidents at the same price as to local residents. Sale of " Pondo." "Pondo," a five-year-old male hippopotamus, has been sold by the Auckland City Council to the Perth Zoo. "Zulu," two years old, was sold to the Adelaide Zoo in December last. The pair of adult hippopotami at the Auckland Zoo have had four youngsters, two of which died. As the breeding of hippopotami in captivity is rare, considerable interest attaches to the Auckland animals. "Pondo" is practically of adult size now, and weighs over a ton. He will require a crato at least 10ft long for his Tasman crossing. The purchase price has not been disclosed. Clergyman's Complaint.

Recently the Rev. R. H. Trill, of Takapuna, complained to the Takapuna Borough Council conccrning a film which was screened at the Picturedromc, Milford, with the result that the council communicated with the censor of films about the matter. At last night's meeting of the council a letter was received from the censor stating that the film had been screened throughout Xew Zealand, and that Mr. Trill's complaint was the first lie had received. "It is very disappointing that the proprietor of the Picturedromc cannot obtain the film again, so that we could all see it," said Mr. T. M. Rollo, when the town clerk announced that Mr. L. L. Speedy had invited tho council to a special screening, but had to cancel the show because he could not procure the film. The council merely "received" the letters from Mr. Trill, the censor and Mr. L. L. Speedy. An Inaccessible Harbour Beach. For some time past several Stanley Bay residents have been considering the problem of access to that portion of Stanley Bay beach which lies between the Calliope Dock and the promontory near the Stanley Bay jetty. This is a fine stretch of sand, but is unfortunately inaccessible at high tide, either from the cliff or the rest of tho beach. At last night's meeting of the Devonport Council the borough engineer, Mr. A. T. Griffiths, presented alternative schemes of a tunnel through the cliff or a board-walk with a hand-( rail above high-water mark. This latter would be 365 ft long, and was estimated toI cost £354. The alternative tunnel scheme | would cost £.300. A stairway from the top j of the cliff was considered too dangerous to be practicable. A battered seawall with a promenade proposed as an additional alternative was estimated to cost £">OO. The council decided to take no action in the matter. Adjusting Devonport Rates. An important decision was made last evening by the Devonport Borough Council in j the adjustment of anomalies at present exist- ! ing on the rate collection of the borough. During the past three years several ratepayers have obtained revaluations of tlicir properties on a lower scale than the last Government valuation, with consequent benefit to themselves in lesser rate payments. Acting on the advice of the solicftor of the Municipal Association of New Zealand, the Devonport Council has now decided to revise the rates on the whole of the borough. The rate collection for 1934 will therefore be made on 75 per cent of the values registered on the borough books" on properties which have not recently been revalued. It is anticipated that tliis will level up a disparity of approximately £3000 in the current rate receipts, and will place all ratepayers on an equality of payment. The town clerk was given authority to proceed with au analysis of the valuation roll to ascertain the necessary rating equation. A Youthful Yachtsman. The yachtsmen of Manukau are annoyed, with good reason. And the object of their dislike is the smaller fry of the district. For some time past, complaints have been made at the clubs against the playful inetlio-U or the children with regard to yachts lying stranded by the tide or in shallow water. The new anchorage basin at Onehunga is emptied completely at low water, and children go out to the boats and clamber aboard. Yesterday morning one such youth, well under ten years of age, was inconsiderate enough to haul up the anchor of a yacht while she was stranded. He then proceeded to climb into the cabin of another yacht in a few inches of water. The tide came up. floated the unattached boat over against the sea wall, and surrounded the other vessel with a wide expanse of water. The witless youth howled lustily, not knowing that there was only a foot or so of water beneath the yacht, and was perforce dumped unceremoniously on his feet and splashed, ashore by a disgusted "rescuer." The other yacht was saved from damage in bumping against the sea wall by two or three other young men, who took her back to her moorings. ,|

City Assessments. Fewer objections have been rcc-Cived this year compared with last year in connection with Auckland city rate assessments. The city valuer (Mr. P. J. Notley) stated this morning that the situation was much easier than last year. Twelve hundred objections had been received, but many would be settled before the Assessment Court sat on April 18. In all probability Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., would preside. Interesting Exhibit. The executive committee of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association have deposited an interesting exhibit in the War Trophy Hall at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. It is the membership card of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, which was made out by the association on May 11, 1020, when he was in Auckland. He was proposed by 13/1031, James Melling, and seconded by 8/1025, Ernest P. Andrews. The card will remain at the museum as part of the war trophy collection. Middle-aged Man's Cycle Feat. A fine cycling feat was performed by George Warmington, of Maketu, advisee the "Star's" Whakatane correspondent. Commencing at Maketu at 4 a.m. on Tuesday, Warmington reached Taneatua, a distance of 48 miles, by 7 o'clock, where he made a halfhour stop for breakfast. Continuing, he reached Opotiki at ten o'clock, a distance of 78 miles. After three hours at Opotiki, he commenced the return journey against a strong head wind. A short stop was made at Taneatua, after which a non-stop run to Maketu was made, the cyclist reaching his destination at 9 p.m. The total distance covered is approximately 157 miles, and in view of the fact that Warmington is past middle age, this feat is a creditable one. Grass Seed for England. Grass seed formed part of the Doric Star's cargo for England from Gisborne at the end of last week. In all, there were 10 sacks of seed, eight being of clover and the remaining eight of ryegrass. It is not new for clover to be shipped from Gisborne to England, but there have been no consignments for some time, because local values have been high enough to make it unnecessary to try out export markets. Ryegrass seed lias frequently been sent to Australia from Gisborne; in fact, Poverty Bay ryegrass has created a good name on the other side of the Tasman. So far the English market has not been tried with any great quantity from this district, j The quantities loaded last week arc only small, and suggest that it is but an experimental shipment. The Souvenir Hunter. History in the air and on the racing track surrounds a small collection of souvenirs owned by Mr. C. Johnson, of Auckland. Secured across his office door is a propeller blade of the Faith in Australia. It was in commission on the flights from Australia to England, the record flight from England to Australia, the Tasman crossing and the first air mail from. Auckland to Invercargill. A crack near the centre bears evidence of the tragedy which rendered the propeller useless for further flying, the fracture being occasioned in the fatal accident at Wanganui, when a mechanic was killed in starting the engine. A cane chair also from the Faith in Australia, which was used by the wireless operator, is in che collection. A spark plug from the Southern Cross, and a pair of racing shoes worn by Phar I.ap completes Mr. Johnson's present gallery of souvenirs. Winner's Luck Holds Good.

Much comment on an apparent ruu of luck \l«s made at the Morrinsvillc A. and P. Show yesterday when it was announced that the winner of the champion hunter event, which carries a prize of £25, was Mr. J. S. Gassidy's horse Mick. The previous day's paper had announced that Mrs. J. S. Cassidy, of Kereone, Morrinsville, was a member of the "Coon Can Syndicate," winners of the third prize of £1250 in an Australian sweepstake. The success of Mrs. Cassidy's horse was all the more remarkable bccausc she had only purchased it during the year, and previous owners had not had much success with it in hunter events at shows. Mick was practically the "outsider" in a class of a dozen which included such noted performers of the show ring as Ginger Mick, winner at tin: Royal Show at Auckland, Toby, champion at Matamata Show, and Kismet, champion at Cambridge Show.

Weil-Dressed Maoris. Visitors to Parikino (Wanganui district) 011 Saturday remarked 011 the smart appearance of the up-river Maoris who were present at the sports, states the Wanganui "Herald." The young men and women all wore good clothing, although their choice of colours was perhaps a little daring, but there was nothing in their appearance to suggest bad times. The Maoris have suffered hardship along with the pakeha, but many of the young men especially are a long way better off under the relief ! work schemes than they were before the hard times. The community life of the pa enables I the Maoris to make their money go a long way further than (lie pakeha is able to in the town, and the ready money they make on the road these days places many of them in a better position than when they stayed around the pa all way, working only when they chose. Waste from Leaky Tap. The astonishing amount of water which can be lost through a faulty tap was shown during a claim made by the Christchureh City Council on a. property owner. The defendant was the landlord of four shops. The normal consumption of water for the shops, which were supplied through one meter, was 25,000 gallons during the winter and (34,000 in the summer period. The meter was read every six months, and the September reading in 1032 showed that 25,000 gallons had been used. The allowance was 72.000 gallons. A further reading in January, 103.'<, showed that from the time of the previous reading .SI 1,000 gallons had been used. The abnormal consumption had lieen accounted for when a half-inch tap at the back of one of the shops had been found running. The tap had been turned off, but the flow was not shut off. The inspector who carried out an examination put a new washer in the tap, with the result that during the next three months only 11,000 gallons were used. The Big Gun. The .report that the gun-pit 011 Mount Victoria was now almost half tilled in was made to the Devonport Borough Council last .night. This recalls the existence of the big gun which was laboriously hauled up the steep .mountain slope more than 20 years ago for the purpose of Auckland's defence. The groove leading up the slope from the main street of Devonport was dug to provide a track for the heavy artillery. With great 'effort the heavy-calibre piece was pulled to its position high 011 the mount by a system of pulleys and hydraulic power. Everything was ready for the test, and the muzzle of the bin gun belched forth one charge. Half the windows in Devonport were immediately shattered by the concussion, and a crack is reported to have developed in the reservoir nearby. With that discharge the gun apparently proved itself one way or another, for it has not been tired since, and the cost of letting it down the mountain side' would not warrant its sale as scrap metal. So it is being dug under permanently, leaving only a grass-grown groove up the slope to show that it was ever taken there. Incidentally, the council received an offer a short time ago for j! any old guns they might wish to dispose of : as scrap metal. The only guns left now arei in the Windsor Reserve, but the council is not eelling. What guns they have, they hold. J.