NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 49, 27 February 1935, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Seekers of Work

More than 200 men and youths, the ages Tanging from fifteen upwards, gathered, at the New Zealand Institute for the Blind at Parnell at 9 o'clock this morning in response to an advertisement for a porter for the institution. Many of the applicants had come long distances, and there were dozens of bicycles propped up against the neighbouring fences. Flame from Footpath. A blue flame which burst from the top of a water main plug at tho corner of Broadway and Station Street, Newmarket, astonished paseere-by, and gave warning of a shortcircuit in an underground power cable. The flame, which was about ISin in 'height, burned for about 15 minutes, surrounded by smoke which issued between the concrete Hags of the footpath, but went out immediately tho power was cut off. The cable, which had been in rise about 10 years, was only slightly damaged. Cold in Cambridge. Following thunders tornis and heavy showers, there lias been a distinct change in the weather in this district, the nights being very cold (says tho "Star's" Cambridge correspondent). The sharp drop in tho temperature Jiae been felt keenly by tho residents after the hot weather associated with the drought period. The- minimum readings at the local climatic station for the past four days aro as follow: Saturday, 50.8 degrees; Sunday, 40.5 degrees; Monday, 32 degrees; Tuesday, 49 degrees. Fell Into Railway Tunnel. A seafaring man who was travelling to Auckland to rejoin his ship had a remarkable adventure south of To Kuiti on Monday night. He was travelling on the Limited, and by mistake opened the carriage door as tho train was passing through Poa-te-Roa tunnel. He fell between the train and the tunnel wall. When he picked himself up ho- found the only harm he had suffered was abrasions to his forehead. Somewhat dazed, he saw a pinpoint of light, and ultimately got out on to the road. He was given a lift into To Kuiti by a commercial traveller. Tomatoes Unsaleable. Perfectly good tomatoes are rotting on the vines and on the ground in many market gardens in the Hastings district. A Pakowhai i resident showed a visitor his tomato crop andj stated that tho price did not warrant him touching the fruit (or is it a vegetable?). "The best price I can get in *d per lb," he said, "and to attempt to market them at that price ie throwing money away, because my account sales would show a debit instead of a credit." In many other gardens a similar state of affaire exists. The Pakowhai man also pointed to large vegetable marrows, which, he said, were practically unsaleable, and the beet ho could hope for was Jd each. Waterspouts in Gulf. Several waterspouts, rarely seen in the Hauraki Gulf, were observed yesterday afternoon. Tho steamer Hertford, which arrived from London at :5.40 yesterday afternoon, reported sighting a large waterspout early in the afternoon at a distance of about five miles, apparently close to Cape C'olville. Another was watched from a distance of about 3$ miles by tho crew of the Auckland Harbour Board launch Waitemata shortly after six o'clock, when the launch was taking a pilot out to the steamer Antiope. It appeared to be. between Tiritiri and The Noisies, and was visible from Takapuiia. A smaller waterspout was also seen from the Antiope as she was coming into port. Art Union Policy. The general policy of the Department of Internal Affairs regarding the allocation of art union proceeds was outlined in a letter from the Under-Secretary to the Department, which was received at a meeting of the Opawa Public Library Provisional Committee. An application from the committee for a grant from the proceeds of one of the art unions for the purpose of stocking and equipping the library which the committee hopes to have built at an early date was refused by the Minister. Mr. Fraser stated that requests for art union benefits for fresh -capita] expenditure could not 1)0 looked upon with favour at the present juncture. Under existing conditions the policy was to- devote the profits of art unions as far as possible in assisting organisations of a national character, and more particularly those providing social services of a charitable and philanthropic nature. Alsatian at the Door. Placing himself on guard in the vestibule of tiie Avondale Public Library last night, a large Alsatian dog threatened a number of subscribers, who were unable to pass the animal and enter the library. Several tried to coax the dog, but it refused to make friends, and turned fiercely on those who attempted to either enter or leave the building. Those inside retreated by the rear door, preferring to leave the snarling dog to himself. Constable C. 11. Maisey was summoned, and he arrived with a shotgun. He tried persuasive methods on the Alsatian, which bared its teeth and snarled at him. The dog then made off along St. George's Road, but later returned to the library, only to be driven off again by tho constable. Constable Maisey stated that had the dog bitten anyone he would have had every reason to shoot, it. Tie hopes to be able to trace the owner of the dug, who will no doubt be prosecuted.

Carrion Beetle. Entomological experts at the Plant Research Station in Palm-erston North have succeeded in establishing tlie identity of the beetle which flew out of the moss and soil packing of a plant opened last week by Mr. E. Jones, of Palmerston Xorth, after it had been imported from Holland, states a Palmerston daily. It is tho first time the iimect, a carrion beetle, which has ite habitat in the older European countries, has" been seen in New Zealand, but it is stated to be of no economic consequence. With two orange bands in vivid markings across its black back, the winged beetle, which is about the size of a large bee, has an unusual life history, with which are associated some very unpleasant habits. Two of these beetles, when they find small birds, tiny snakes, or mice dead, begin digging operations, and quite rapidly bury the bodies. They have been known to take them a foot deep. Then they lay eggs in the carrion, upon which the- larvae subsequently feed. Geophysical Prospecting. Some idea of the advanced study of geophysical prospecting at the Colorado (United States) School of Mines was given to a Wellington interviewer by Dr. C. M. Focken, lecturer in pbysiee at Otago University, who has returned from America, where lie spent 15 months. He was recommended by the Xew Zealand Oovernni-ent for the Commonwealth Fund Fellowship, which was set up by the late Mrs. Steven V. Harkness to promote education by travel, and general amity between British and American people. "Studies in geophysics," said Dr. Focken, "do not replace geology. Geophysics is, however, the science of determining by physical means on the surface the nature of the underground structure. It is largely of use to the Government of this country through the work of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Kescarch, and is applied to keep up gold production in the mining industry." Dr. Focken stressed the importance of the science for oil structure work. Through geophysics, many big finds had been made by oil companies in America. , i

Satisfactory Peach Crop. A fairly good season has been experienced by peach growers until the last rain, when much of the fruit was damaged by rot. However, the early and main crops were harvested in excellent condition.

Letters on IYA Mast. Two of the huge electric letters forming the call sign of IYA were erected this morning on the mast on top of the studio in Shortland Street. Each of the four sides of the mast is to carry a block of three letters, one below the other. Each letter ie 12ft high and over a foot wide. They will be lit by mercury vapour in a new shade of gold, and will be visible for many miles in all directions. Distance Lends Excitement. A recent visitor to Australia has forwarded to tho "Evening Post" a copy of the "Sunday Sun and Guardian," published in Sydney. On February 10 tha,t newspaper contained the announcement under the beading,. "Happenings of the World Last Week" — "Wellington: Volcanoes Surrounding the City Erupt. Mount Xgauruhoo Sends Columns 4000 Feet High." Ngauruhoe is some 200 miles distant from Wellington. Exhausting Escapes. Fatigue and exertion to people coming down long fire escapes was illustrated by Mr. V. E. J. Hean, in an address to the Fire Engineers' Conference at Ohrietchurch on fireprotection design in buildings, the "Times" reports. He said that in one of the big New York skyscrapers three athletes were asked to go from top to bottom of an outsido escape. They did so, and on arrival at the bottom were "llab out" —exhausted. Cases had boon known where people had been carried off on stretchers after escaping. Car Loses Wheel. Pedestrians and motorists were surprised to sec a motor car wheel careering along Customs Street West towards.the intersection of Queen Street on Monday afternoon, without any apparent reneon for its solitary trip. One of tho onlookers chased it and retrieved it, wondering what to do next. However, the owner was quickly on the-scene, and the reason was evident when it was seen that a large touring car had its axle resting on the asphalt, on ithe other side of Customs Street. The wheel had crossed the road and set oil' back to Queen Street.

Broken Glass on Road. A mischievous .act was reported to the Waikbnaiti Comity Council (North Otago) by the traffic inspector, who stated that during the- month a report had been received that there were a number of broken bottles on tho main highway between the Waitaki bridge and HHderthorpe, and upon investigation it was found that nine bottles had been deliberately thrown on the road, broken glass being scattered over a distance of approximately two miles. The inspector reported that it was impossible to remove .ill the glass, but all that was visible was removed. The Resolution Habit. When an invitation from the Takapuiia Borough Council to n meeting at the Auckland Chamber of Commerce room to discuss unemployment was read at the meeting of tho Xorthcote Borough Council last night, tlie Mayor, Mr. R. Martin, expressed the opinion' that such gatherings were perfectly useless. Experience had shown that shoaks of resolutions had been forwarded to the Government as the outcome of many similar meetings. A common fate seemed to befall them all —to lie given a restin: place in the pigeon-holes. Tlie council agreed to accept, the invitation to attend the meeting convened for Monday evening. Morningside Timber Fire. "We hope to be able to prove that the cause of the recent lire ;it the Morningside Timber Company was a spark from an engine and we hope to be able to call the attention of the Department to the number of tires which break out through this cause,', , sai-.l Mr. J. J. Kingston, chairman of the Auckland Fire Hoard, at its meeting this morning. The chairman mentioned that no date had yet been fixed for the colonial inquiry into tlie lire. It was hoped that the magistrate, in giving his verdict, would be able to add a very strong rider, in referring to the superintendent's report, the chairman also mentioned that during the month railway engines had caused 43 lircs. No Harm Done.

''That is the sort of thing that mijrlit bo done by anyone," remarked Mr. T. E. Maunsell, S.M., at the I'icton Court, when a man appeared before him charged with that, on February 10, lie had been found without lawful eNcuse, hut in circumstance* that did not disclose siii intention to commit a crime or any other offence, on board a launch in the harbour. Accused explained that lie had been swimming, and had boarded tlie launch for a rest. Sergeant .T. Smythe, who represented the police, stated that in the past some of the launches had been damaged l>y youths, and the case had been brought only ns a warning to others. The man was convicted and discharged.

Bush Fired by Lightning. An electrical storm of extraordinary nature war; experienced in tlio Miro district on .Mondav afternoon, writes the "Star'u" Cambridge correspondent. About 4.20 p.m. sheet lightning coiiiineiiccd, and was followed by a great flash in the shape of a loop, which burst with "a shower of sparks at the edge of the bush, setting a number of trees alight..Several minutes later a similar flash occurred about a quarter of a mile distant, and more treee were *et, on fire between the two points. Almost immediately a fireball, with a long tail, fell in a cleared paddock on the property of Mr. 11. P. Hewitt. No damage to stock or buildings was reported, but in the evening about 20 to . - i() trees along the edge of a clearing burned fiercely. Protection from Water. Fire protection design in buildings is concerned just as much with cheeking damage by water as with fireproofing, said Mr. V. K. J. Hean, assistant city architect, in an address to the Fire Engineers' Conference at Christchnrch. He stated that in many cases much more damage was done by water than by fire. Consequently a large part of fireproof construction was to ensure protection from water. Scuppers had been introduced, and lift and other wells isolated by copings. Xew types of concrete had been introduced to withstand beat without cracking except under extreme temperatures, and thus would not allow seepage through being porous. Attention had also been paid to construction joints. Water might leak through at these joints and damage well surfaces and ceilings. Motor Troubles in Flood. Close on 100 calls were made on Saturday on New Plymouth garage staffs by motorists whose cars were choking with wet ignitions or wet coils. After being attended once, however, most drivers learned to dry their own motor equipment without calling in experts. Some motorists approached the treacherous areas, mainly the centre of the town or the railway station corner, with the painful respect that denoted a certain lack of faith in their machines. Others drove at. the sheets of water with a fine careless confidence, neither accelerating nor braking. Others again dashed across the water in a splendid halo of spray, which was tossed up high over the hood. Now and then, to the annoyance of garage staff and spectators, a driver with over-much bravado would plunge recklessly into water that reached over the wheels and swamped tlie outraged engine. i