NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 252, 24 October 1934, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

New Hamilton Bridge. Construction on the third of the six piers which will provide the supports for the new Hamilton traffic bridge across the Waikato River at Fairfield is now well under way, and 20 of the 120 piles comprising the pier have been driven. Tapering concrete piers will rest on the foundations formed by the piles. Twenty men are now employed on the work. Over 200 tons of steel, to be used in the superstructure of the bridge, have arrived at Mercer, and will be transported to the site shortly. A large quantity of shingle has been received for the manufacture of the concrete. Radios for Relief Camps. A decision was made by the Auckland Metropolitan Relief Committee yesterday not to supply radio sets to four isolated camps in the north. The Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, said that he did not approve of such luxuries being supplied. It was not the function of the committee. The honorary secretary of the committee, Mr. J. S. Brigham, presented a report that showed that in the Auckland Province there, were 150 camps, containing 2392 men, from which similar requests might bo expected. Several members of the committee commented on the use certain Government Departments were making of relief labour to carry out State work. Relief Assistance. The cost of relief was the subject of a report to a meeting of the Auckland Metropolitan Relief Committee yesterday afternoon. It was stated that the activities of the committee had been confined to services similar to those given during the past two years —the issue of boots, clothing and blankets, and the repair of footwear. During the past six months' period 4497 men had been assisted, as against 6222 for the whole of the previous year. The total cash received for the half-year was £8907, and of that amount £7089 had been received from art union proceeds. Applications for assistance did not ■show any signs of falling off, and there were still numerous-requests for help. , ' Future of Wool Uncertain. "It is impossible accurately to forecast the prices that will obtain at the forthcoming wool sales in New Zealand," said Mr. P. j Marshall, of the firm of Marshall and Com-j pany, wool brokers, C'hristchurch, who arrived at Auckland this morning by the Rangitiki after a four months' visit to Europe. It was, however, Mr. Marshall's opinion that the comparatively good prices prevailing at thei last sales would not be forthcoming during the coining season. "Higher prices are not indicated for some time to come," he said, "unless some unforeseen change takes place in the market." Mr. Marshall, who is accompanied by his wife and daughter, will arrive in C'hristchurch on Friday. Chukor at The Peaks. Information that two coveys of chukor of about 70 birds had been seen at Ha warden was placed before the meeting of the council of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society recently in the report of the game committee. The report stated that Mr. J. Quigley, of Ha warden, had recently seen the two coveys at the back of "The Peaks." It was very pleasing to find that the birds had become established in the district, said Mr. D. C. Wheeler, chairman of the committee, in submitting the report. He added that the liirds had been liberated two years ago. He did not know where the particular birds had been liberated, but the nearest point at which liberations had been carried out was a considerable distance from "The Peaks."

Day at the Zoo. A day's outing at the Auckland Zoo is to be arranged for the children of relief workers in the metropolitan area. This proposal was mooted by the chairman, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, at a meeting of the Auckland Metropolitan Unemployment Relief Committee yesterday. The day could best be arranged during the school holidays, as was done last year. The secretary, Mr. J. S. •Brigham, was authorised to confer with the City Council and the Transport Board to arrange for transport and admittance to the zoo. Committees affiliated ttf the metropolitan committee arc to be asked to co-operate in ascertaining the number of children likely to attend from their respective areas, and in arranging the lunch which it is proposed to provide for tho young visitors. Return of a Fountain Pen. The return of a lost presentation fountain pen sounds something akin to the Biblical story of bread cast upon the waters, reports a correspondent. The owner of the pen suddenly missed it only a few weeks after it had been presented to him. Thinking someone" else had considered lie had a better title to it, he dismissed the matter from his mind. About three and a half years later, while digging his garden, he turned the pen up. Taking it inside, he washed it and tried it; it still wrote, neither the ink nor rubber tube had suffered, and the pen is almost as good as when new. It still writes, in fact, it was used to indite this autobiography. Probably this incident is not unique with regard to fountain pens, but it is the first time the narrator has had anything he lost come back to him in good order and condition.

Bagdad a " One-day " Trip. "If anybody had told me, twenty years ago, that Bagdad could be reached in less than a day, I should have laughed at them," said an ex-serviceman, recalling that the journey to the Mesopotamian city used to occupy eix weeks. The non-stop run of the old White Star liner Medic took five weeks from Southampton to Basra in 1916, and even under the most favourable conditions, after the capture of the ancient city, the following March, the journey in a river steamer up tho Tigris was rarely made in seven days. It was no uncommon happening for the paddle steamer Blosse Lynch, the veteran of the service, to be stuck for hours on a sandbank. During the river war, splendid work was done by the Moth, the Mantis and the Gadfly, naval "warships" of 3ft draught, but carrying (iin guns, in co-operation with cavalry and infantry. However, on one occasion the Mantis herself had the experience of running aground for a long spell. The Navy "took it hard." Too Much Value on Exams.

"We are running examination mad," said Mr. R. M. Strang at a meeting of the Invereargill Chamber of Commerce, when the question of commercial education certificates and the school certificate examination was being discussed. "If a boy applies for an office boy's job nowadays, business men turn him down just because he does not possess a matriculation pass," lie commented. Mr. Strang went on to outline the case of boy? who just failed by a mark in one subject of an examination, and were penalised accordingly. The examination did not take into consideration the personality or character of the entrant. Some boys were more brilliant than others, and it was a wrong principle for any business men to turn down boys in a wholesale way just because they had not passed in every subject. "Why not see the boy," he urged, "and see if he has any particular ability? Many boys not too successful scliolastieally possess good approach and are quick to observe and assimilate the things that matter in commercial life." Mr. Strang said he condemned the present methods of selecting boys for certain work, and considered that far too much value was placed 09 examinations.

Cult of the Budgerigar. The budgerigar lias become a very popular bird in Auckland, and a local society has been formed of owners. A start was made with less than 19 members a little over two months ago, and the membership is now approaching the hundred mark. Community Lighting. Through the Waitemata Chamber of Commerce, the Waitemata Power Board received at yesterday's meeting a petition from Devonport shop owners asking the board to consider reducing the cost of the community lighting in Devonport. "At present the position is very unsatisfactory," stated the petition, "in as much as only about half of the shopkeepers are taking advantage of the scheme. If you will grant a reduction of the cost, we will undertake to wait on the tradesmen not participating and endeavour to get them to join us, and thereby putting the community lighting on a more satisfactory and ftniforni basis." The petition was referred to the board's executive. Telephone for Northcote. Another telephone is to be provided at the upper end of Xorthcote, according to information received at a meeting of the Xorthcote Borough Council last evening from the Postmaster-General. That official stated that provision for a public telephone had been placed on the schedule of works for the current year. The situation is at the corner of Gladstone and Onewa Roads. The Mayor, Mr. R. Martin, stated that a month or two might elapse before the installation took place. Mr. A. Harris, M.P. fo>; Waitemata, is to be thanked for his efforts in the matter. He also wrote to the council confirming the Post-master-General's promise. Protest by Farmers. A meeting of over 100 farmers of Helensville and surrounding districts was held in the Woodhill Hall last evening, to consider the Dairy Commission's report. Resentment was expressed at the Government's policy of rush legislation, and after lengthy discussion it was unanimously resolved that, as there is no immediate relief arising from the recommendation in the report, the Government he asked to suspend all legislation arising therefrom during the present session, so as to give -the dairy industry time to consider the commission's recommendations. The resolution has been telegraphed to the Prime Minister, the member for the district, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. M. J. Savage. The Navy Helps Yachting. For several years the Xcw Zealand branch of the Royal Xavy stationed at Auckland has taken a very keen interest in the sport of yachting. The cruisers have been placed at the disposal of the Anniversary Regatta Committee 011 several occasions, while the whole ship's company, from Vice-Admiral Burgos Watson to the lowest rating, have shown a keen interest in the sport. At a meeting of the Yachting Association last evening an offer was received from the Xaval Sailing Club to give the use of ten sailing whalers to the local yacht clubs, who will man them with their own members and hold races on January 19, April 13 and 27. The Xaval men also offered to donate prizes for these races. Xeedless to say, the offers were readily accepted, and already keen interest is being displayed in the personnel of the various crews for the events. Truck of Blazing Chaff. A truck of chaff blazing furiously in a strong south-west wind presented an impressive sight to a number of persons who gathered at the Papanui railway station, Canterbury, one evening last week, soon after the north train had arrived. A few minutes earlier the stationmaster had noticed smoke issuing from underneath a heavy tarpaulin which covered the truck, and had at once proceeded to have the truck uncoupled and removed to a side track. The tarpaulih had been taken off, and six tons of chaff in bags underneath immediately roared into flame. Chemical fire extinguishers from the station and from a nearby factory were turned on to the blaze, but it was not until the arrival of the Central Fire Brigade a few minutes later that it was subdued. It is thought that a spark from the engine was the cause of the trouble.

Housing Scheme. The Mount Albert Borougli Council decided last evening to defer for consideration the taking over of an area of 8J acres in Sandringliara Road and embarking on a housing scheme. The trustees of the Carrie Trust Estate said that they were prepared to accept a reasonable figure for the property, and, as the council was carrying out drainage work in the area, there would be much of the material for roading. A plan for 40 building sections had been prepared in 192" and tentatively approved. The Mayor, Mr. R. E. Ferner, said that there was 110 housing shortage in the borough, and he did not think that the council could enter into competition with its ratepayers. Mr. V. A. C'ovle said that there was no actual housing shortage, but the price might be so low that the scheme might be advantageous. The property, being close to trams and a school, was suitable for workers' homes. The council decided to get a joint report from the town planning committee and the legal and finance committee.

How to Relax. "Old Soldier" writes:—The views of the Scots doctor, published in the "Xews of the Day," interested me greatly, particularly his statement that it is of vast importance to know how to rest and relax. In this connection my own experience may be of interest. While soldiering in Mesopotamia during the war I happened to notice the attitude almost invariably adopted by the Arabs when taking a rest. It was to lie flat 011 the back, with the right arm lying, bent at the elbow, above the head, and the right knee raised. Probably there is some physiological reason, connected with the action of the heart, as to why this position gives the maximum of rest and relaxation to the human frame. Anybody who tries it, when exhausted, either by long exercise or a sudden burst of activity, will be able to testify to its recuperative effect. On long and tiring marches over the Mesopotamian plains, I used to spend the brief fiveminute halts in the position mentioned, with the end of my horse's curb rein over my left wrist. I can recommend the "Arab rest" to the tired fast bowler or the lawn .tennis player who is feeling pumped out, but has one more set to play.

A Lyrical Business Letter. It would seem that the enterprising business houses of India are locking for a footing in the New Zealand market for sports goods, states the "Southland Times." The representative of 0110 Indian factory has recently been in the Dominion, and noted Xew Zealand requirements, for in a letter received from him since his return to India he states that he has explained those requirements to his factory, and, where necessary, changes are being made in the method of manufacture. The lines specifically mentioned are hockey sticks and cases for both Rugby and Association footballs. The phrasing of the letter is quaint. It reads: "I present due compliments from my native land, where I reached safely, and know not how to thank and repay deep debt of gratitude and the hospitality you showered on me when I frequented your wonderful land. Your business confidence placed in me is really noteworthy, and I implore heaven's assistance to turn all vows practical." And, in conclusion: "Your sweet company and remembrance is really unquitable, and the soothing balm for me would be to see myself once again amongst you all in cheerful mood than before. Pleas© do not forget." ,