NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 278, 23 November 1934, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Further Christmas Mails. Further Christmas mails suitable . for sending- a Brett's Christmas Number to friends abroad" will close in Auckland. 011 Monday, to catch the Maunganui which leaves Wellington •on the 27th for San Francisco. The mail closes at the chief post office at 1.30, and is due in London 011 the day after Boxing Day. The postage via America is 5d per copy. Ratepayers Considered First. When principles Regarding local works were discussed by the Takapuua Borough Council last evening, the Mayor, Mr. J. Ouiniven, said that consideration of the ratepavers was the first policy to be observ od by every local body, and that while treating the

working man with fairness, it had to be remembered that the council was entrusted with the money of the ratepayers, and in that case it was essential to rule, not by the heat t, but by the head. Brightening Up. The approaching visit to Auckland of the Duke of Gloucester has increased the demand for the services of painters and exteiioi decorators. In various parts of the city, public and private buildings are beginning to wear an appearance of freshness and that air of prosperity which only new paint can impart. The repainting of the North Shore ferry tees has been practically completed under an attractive colour scheme, which incidentally has provided a maximum of light under the arch shelters. Motorist's Prompt Action. Some decidedly quick thinking was demanded from Mr. J. H. Chessman, of Grovetown, while driving towards Nelson the other day, reports the "Marlborough Express." Mr. Cheesman was negotiating the portion of highway near the old Blackball mill when, at a spot where the roadway had slipped away at the edge of a steep drop into the Pelorus River. he encountered a party of girls, who were driving towards Havelock. To have continued 011 would have meant edging the other

vehicle, oil the road, with disastrous results, and Mr. Cheesman chose the only alternative and ran hard up into the bank. The inside front wheel of his car, together with the mudguard, was badly damaged, hut fortunately no one was hurt. The car was towed back to Blenheim for repairs. Big Hitter Breaks Window. Many cricketers hit "sixers," but few have the distinction of shattering windows in the process, as nowadays house builders in the vicinity of recreation grounds have the good judgment to erect their homes outside the range of big-hitting batsmen. T. A. Harpur, th<j Old Collegians colt, playing against West Christciiurcli at Rugby Park on Saturday, however, "bagged" a window and five "sixers." He showed scant regard for the bowlers, and

lifted most of them out of the ground. One bi« hit cleared the pavilion, and the ball struck the feuce behind, and ricocheted from there through a window at the rear of the building. No doubt the question of responsibility for the damage will be argued between the Canterbury Rugby Union and the Canterbury Cricket Association, comments the "Christchurch Times." A Few Hectic Moments. Last Friday evening the driver of a service car was cranking his engine in the main street of Hawera, when the vehicle suddenly shot forward. After pushing a sedan car, parked a few yards away, on to one footpath, it mounted the other directly opposite. Great presence of mind was shown by the driver, who ran after the vehicle, jumped inside, and managed to stop it just as it was on the verge of crashing through a large showcase in the doorway of C. C. Ward's drapery establishment. In the meanwhile the sedan car

had flattened to the ground a verandah post, but halted within a few feet of the windows of Murcli's drapery story. A slightly bent bumper on the sedan car and a fallen signboard outside a shop was the only damage done. No Need for Anxiety. The fact that several residents at Stewart Island had been very much worried over the numbers of dead mutton birds to be found on the beaches all round the island was mentioned by ill*. R. A. Falla, M.A., ornithologist of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, who, in company with Mr. A. W. B. Powell, conchologist, has been conducting a biological survey of the island since October 24. The residents, he informed an Invercargill reporter, had feared that with the thousands of birds which were dead, the industry might be adversely affected. "We made some interesting observations on the birds, which appear to be in good condition and breeding in great numbers this season," he added. "I examined several hundred dead birds, which turned out on investi-

gation to belong to the Tasmanian variety, which, as far as is known, does not breed in these waters. The Tasmania]! mutton birds are slightly smaller aiul slightly different in colour. There were thousands of (lead bird*, particularly at Mason's Bay, and apparently thev had been blown off their course by a storm and died of starvation and weakness." Empanelling a Jury. Special jury work, despite the fact that it carries a much more substantia] remuneration than in the case of a criminal trial, is not a particularly popular duty. When a jury was. being empanelled at the Supreme Court this week, some of the 24 from whom the jury was to be drawn were hoping that their names would remain in the ballot box when the twelve had been selected. Of those whose names were drawn, two mentioned factors which they considered made it inadvisable that they slrauld not judge the case. One was an accountant who had been employed i

for some time by the defendant, and the othel was a personal friend of one of the parties. With the concurrence of counsel, both were stood aside. When the panel was completed his Honor announced that it was not convenient to hear the case that day, and that it would be adjourned until Tuesday next. A further complication then developed, for the juror whose name had been called last in-j

formed his Honor that he had to go into hospital next week. This situation was referred j by the judge to counsel, one of whom replied) tiiat ho would not like to detain a man on the jury even if hospital was the alternative. Accordingly another name was drawn from the box. Unappreciated Police. Alertness. Police alertness and mere circumstance led to an amusing incident at New Plymouth on Thursday, when two surveyors on the borough council staff, engaged on determining the line of the okl sewerage system beneath Courtenay Street, became highly indignant at what they believed to bo one of those thefts "of a particularly mean nature" referred to so often in magistrates' courts. They had left a sugar bag full of toob and spare clothing in a conspicuous position in the middle of the street while they walked a few chains away in pursuit of the job on hand. When

it was necessary to obtain one of the tools from the bag, they found that the entire outfit had disappeared, and they departed full of complaint to the police station nearby. In the meantime the argus eyes of two police sergeants on duty in the office had fallen on the forlorn bag just at the moment a motor car of ancient vintage passed by. A constable was dispatched hastily to take the number of

the car from which the was. believed ty have fallen, and the jetsam was taken into custody before anyone else decided to take a hand. Inquiries wore thorough, and ownership soon determined. Possibly thq best part of the joke was provided when one of the surveyors returned to the council oflic.es and was informed that he need not rifa* the police station, as had previously been.requested.

Tar-sealing at Takapuna. The tar-sealing of Shakespeare Road carriageway at Takapuna was further discussed by the Takapuna Borough Council last evening, when it was decided that the roadway should bo 20ft wide. The contract is to he carried out by the Auckland Gas Company, and the levelling will be done by the council. About a mile of the road is to be sealed, from the foot of Sheriff's Corner to the concrete stretch in Taharoto Road. Where Patients Pay Up. "Last month (October) was a good one for the collection of patients' fees —one of the bos*- for the year," reported the managing secretary, Mr.*A. J. Phillipps, to the meeting of the Palnierston North Hospital Board recently. He stated that at September 30 the fees received had been £200 below the estimates for the first six months of the financial year, but now they were within £70. If the collection of fees could be maintained at the

sami» rate as during October, the position at March 31 next would be satisfactory. Maintenance expenditure was overspent by about £2000, due to the number of patients averaging 20 more than anticipated for the six months. Charitable aid expenditure was still within the estimated figures, and a little less than for the corresponding period of last year. Anything But Quiet. Quiet is usually expected to pervade an examination room, bift at St. Andrew's, Palnierston North, recently, when an economics papei for degree students was in progress, there was just a little static. There were the aeroplanes zooming overhead; in* a building ne\t door the organ was complaining and the hymn singers were not quite at their best, hi the near distance a leashed dog lamented his fate, and down the street shrieked a heavy car with horn button depressed. The mid-

aflernoon train rattled through the city practising a penetrating new whistle. Then the meeting next door adjourned, and in the confusion a distracted baby aired his displeasure with the world. But for these trilling discoids," the peace of an oppressive summer afternoon reigned supreme. Greetings to Auckland. The captain of the P. and O. liner Strathaird yesterday wirelessed a message of greeting to the Mayor of Auckland. The message read as follows: "On the occasion of the inauguration of P. and O. pleasure cruises to Xew Zealand, SOO passengers on the Strathaird, the great majority of whom are on their first visit to the Dominion, are looking forward with pleasurable anticipation to their arrival at Auckland. Everyone on hoard joins

with me in sending friendly greetings." In the absence of the Mayor, the reply was dratted by the deputy-Mayor, Mr. J. Entrican. It read as follows: On behalf of the Mayor and citizens, I extend a cordial welcome to -the visitors arriving. We trust that their stay will be of such a happy nature as to afford most pleasurable'recollections of our city. We sincerely reciprocate your kind greetings." Saved from Card Sharpers. The alertness of a London police constable saved Mr. J. C. C'adcnhead, who has just returned from a nine months' trip abroad, from being victimised by card sharpers (states the "CTiristchurch Times"). Mr. Cadenhead was approached by a well-dressed man of about 50 at Paddington station, London, and after they had been in conversation for some time they decided to travel together. When they settled in a carriage four other men came along, but two minutes before the train was due to depart a constable came up, caught Mr. Cadenhead by the arm, and said, "I want

you." Mr. Cadenhead tried to break himself free, but the constable pulled him to the platform, and then told him to find another carriage, as lie had been in with a notorious gang of card sharpers. Mr. Cadenhead felt very grateful to the constable for his friendly action. Whales " Having a Scratch."

The novel experience of witnessing two large, whales undergoing a very effective "spring clean" fell to a New Plymouth launch party fishing off Cape Egniont a few days ago. The incident took place off Puniho, where the party perceived two 00ft whales dashing up and down in the shallow water over n reef. The whales were making a terrific din and raising clouds of spray as tlicV thrashed about in tlje shallows. They did not appear to be either stranded or feeding, so that the party concluded that they were using the reef as a

sort of "rubbing post," to get rid of marine parasites. After a time the two monsters tired of the sport in the reef, and swam lazily out towards the boat. They showed not the slightest timidity, but on the other hand were not aggressive. The marks where the rocks had scored their flanks could be seen easily, but the whales were in 110 distress. Mutual Publicity Exchange. An Onehunga resident who lias struck up a friendship by correspondence with a resident, of Culver City, Hollywood. Los Angeles, forwards extracts from her friend's latest letter, in which she writes: "We love to hear all about that great country over there. It is beautiful. I take the pictures to the office where I work, to let others enjoy them too. Xo, I have not heard anything about your hot lakes district, and will be very much interested to hear about it. We nil just love to hear about New Zealand." The Californian writer, whose postal address is 5520, Burchard Avenue —evidently a street of great length—

adds interesting and informative remarks on local scenes and the daily life of Culver City folk with a view to giving her New Zealand friend a correct picture of life in a Californian city. These include the ofTiee she works in, a great movie picture studio employing 2800 people, and the town and home routine, with comments 011 the differences noted between the Californian customs and those of New Zealand, as gleaned from her Onehunga friend's letters. It is a mutual publicity exchange. Ancient Scots and Maoris. A correspondent writes: —A Scot who says he has heard throughout a long life that the old Maori chiefs of a former day were very like the Highland chiefs of Scotland, both in their demeanour and their ways of life, recently made a tour through New Zealand. What disappointed him a little wa3 that while there must have been a very large] Maori population here for a long period of; the country's history before the white man came, there were so few traces of really 1 thorough old fortresses. In the twelfth cen-| tury in both Scotland and New Zealand there would not, according to tradition, be muchi difference in the civilisation and culture of the two peoples. Yet in the former country atj the time mentioned, before castlcs were built j

of stone, the fortifications were built of great mounds of earth surrounded by deep ditches. The marvellous stability of these places is shown by the fact -that some of them have outlived the more recently built stone defences. Even in those rude days provision was always made for the people to have a space specially for worship. He has found little out here in the way of what could be called ancient fortifications except those built or tunnelled in the ground, which, while inferj >r to, reminded him a little of the Picts' houses of the very earliest Scottish occupation, after the lake dwellers had had their. day. He was not a prophet, but when the old Maoris told him what Kupe and Toi had done as early as 000 A.D.. and what wonderful! voyages they took, exceeding anything recorded in ancient history, he thought that! they might be wrong in their dateSj because, such men should have left behind them greater permanent evidences of their occupation of a' country where warfare was common, 1