NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 189, 12 August 1935, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Lambing in Whangarei. Notwithstanding the very wot weather of recent weeks, lambing is satisfactory throughout the Whangarei district. One farmer reported that he had had a 50 per ccnt return without any loss and anticipated that his average would equal those of past seasons. The lam'bs are strong and doing well. Public Service Commissioner. "Public servants are not going to permit the retirement of Mr. P. D. N. Verschaffelt, Public Service Commissioner, to pass without recognition," states the current issue of the "Public Service Journal." "Subscription lists are now being distributed, and the deputyPublic Service Commissioner is advising permanent heads to assist wherever possible." Ravages of Chamois and Thar. The ravages of chamois and thar on mountain flora were referred to by Professor Arnold Wall in the course of his lecture yesterday at the Auckland War Memorial Museum on "Alpine Plants of New Zealand." These animals had spread to such an extent near Mount Cook, said the professor, that not one species of the great buttercup could now be found. A lantern slide, showing an area of Mount Cook, illustrated how chamois and thar had depleted the vegetation. Air Raids on Dominion Considered. Gas attacks cn the towns of New Zealand are apparently regarded as a possibility by the Taranaki branches of the. women's division of the Farmers' Union. The division wrote to Friday's meeting of the North Taranaki executive of the Farmers' Union suggesting that copies of the pamphlet issued by the British Government, dealing with precautions against air raids, should be procured. Some members regarded the suggestion as unduly alarmist, but it was decided to refer the request to the Defence Department for advice. Sign-posting Rivers. The council of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society on Saturday decided to arrange for the signposting of all rivers within its area. The delegates of the various clubs offered to do the work if the stencils were made available. It was felt the naming of the rivers and main streams would be appreciated by all. One delegate suggested that the work could be better and more thoroughly done if the association sought the co-operation of the Automobile Association and the Tourist Department. Mail Deliveries. A few weeks ago attention was called in the "Star" to the fact that newspapers from the South arriving in the expresses from the South on Saturdays, which used to be delivered on the North Shore by the only delivery on that day, were for some reason not sorted in time for delivery and were held over till Monday morning. Recently the old order of things has been restored, and those who expect printed matter from the South are glad to know that mail sorting has been speeded up.

Aircraft Petrol. To the list of purposes, for which motor spirit subject to n claim for tax refund may havo been used, the item "nircraft" has been included, according to new regulations issued in the "Gazette." When claim is made for a refund of tax on aircraft petrol, particulars of the number and liorsc-power of the engines, gallons per hour used, number of hours during the quarter the aircraft was in use, and the make of the machine must be supplied. The pre : ous regulations provided for tax refund claims at the rate ->f fid per gallon of petrol used in operating certain farm machinery and other plant. Widespread Fog in Week-end. The city and some of the suburbs were shrouded in a fog which came down on Saturday night and did not lift until late in the morning on Sunday. It was rather more dense than usual, and motorists going home late on Saturday night had to drive with more than ordinary care. One man tells how he drove into the wrong street, though he has been driving into one particular street for years. Conditions began to be foggy about 8 p.m. on the Saturday, and the mist grew steadily worse until the Sunday morning. It did not clear until late yesterday morning, when the sun shone brightly for the rest of the day. " Musical Background Lacking." In speaking at a) reception tendered him! on Saturday afternoon by the Auckland Society of Musicians, Air. Lloyd Powell, examiner for the Associated Board, said that people in New Zealand were not musically minded at all. ITe thought that a musical background was utterly lacking in the Dominion. In countries such ns New Zealand and Australia, the music teacher faced greater difficulties than in such places as Cheat Britain and Europe. In addition to teaching an instrument, the New Zealand teacher had to supply a musical background for the pupil. Even among advanced students of music there existed an amazing ignorance concerning the history of music generally. Mr. Powell said students of music, if they were to derive the greatest benefit and enjoyment from their art, should study the history ot composers and find out in what circumstances various compositions were written. Tale of an Umbrella. Two Auckland women entered a tram and sat down together. When they had almost completed their journey one of them struck her foot against something on the floor, andj on looking down saw that it was an umbrella which had obviously been left behind by the previous occupant of the scat. "If I were not honest I could have a new umbrella for nothing," she remarked to her friend, but she left the umbrella where it was. When the women alighted the umbrella was still on the floor, but as the car was moving off again it was noticed by the conductor. Believing that it had been forgotten by one or other of the passengers who had just vacated the seat, the conductor picked it up, rushed to the end of the car, which was quickly gathering speed, and, without asking any questions, tossed it on to the footpath in front of the two women. As there was no other tram in siglit, one of the women picked up the umbrella and took it home with her, but it is likely that it will shortly be handed back to the tramway authorities for placing in the lost luggage depot. Surf Boat for Piha. The difficulty that has been experienced from time to time in effecting rescues from the beach at Piha lias determined the Piha Surf Life Saving Club to purchase a standard surf boat from the Bronte Club, of Sydney. Inquiries, it is understood, were made for a suitable boat in Auckland, but the only quotation received was one of £110, for the hull alone. Thereupon it was decided to accept a Sydney offer of a second-hand boat fo.- £00, subject to an inspection. The craft under offer has been specially designed for the surf, is 22ft in length and has a beam of sft 3in. Five men can handle it, as it is comparatively light. Buoyancy tanks are fitted, while a standard surf belt and 200 yds of line are placed in a forward position. The equipment also, includes four 13ft oats, and a sweep oar at the stern to give control. The two centre seats are removable, so that a patient can be placed on the floorboards if necessary and resuscitation carried out immediately. The enterprise of the Piha Club is warmly praised by those interested in life saving, for the club has been in existence for two seasons only.

Hospital Appointment. Mr. E. H. Potter, a member of the Auckland Hospital Board, has given notice to move at the next meeting of the board on August 20 to rescind a resolution to terminate the appointment of Dr. H. L. Gould, assistantlncdical superiv(tendeiit at the Auckland Hospital. The board decided to give Dr. Gould a compassionate allowance equal to three months' salary. Paeroa-Pokeno Railway. A decision to urge the Government to give serious consideration to the construction of the Paeroa-Pokeno railway in the event of renewed Public Works activity was made by the Paeroa Borough Council at last week's meeting. The Mayor, Mr. W. Marshall, who introduced the matter, said that a strong case could be made out for the railway, and if there was to be a renewal of Public Works activity it should receive very serious consideration. H.M.S. Dunedin at Samoa. "The visit of H.M.S. Dunedin to Weslern Samoa in June must be recorded as one of the highlights of 1035," states the current issue of the "Public Service Journal." "With weather conditions at tlieir best, tests of skill and other entertainments were indulged in (hiring the flagship's three days' stay. The golf resulted in the visitors taking the honours by one game. The locals secured a meritorious win at tennis by seven sets to one. At cricket the Dunedin team declared at six wickets for 71, and at the call of tiino the local team had made 07 with the loss of two wickets. The Navy showed their superiority on the rifle range, having a margin of 35 points." Well-timed Hole-in-one. A match on the Westown golf course. New Plymouth, had a sensational ending at the twenty-fourth hole 011 Friday, when one player, H. Bullin, holed his tee shot to win the gamo he was playing against M. Lobb in the quarter-finals of a club cup competition. Lobb was one down and two holes to play, but he squared the game, with a birdie three at the last. Under the rules the pair then had to go on playing in sections of three holes until a decision was reached. At the twenty-first they were all square, and the position was still the same on the twentyfourth tee, from which the pair had to play a one-shot hole. Lobb placed a fine iron shot 15ft from .he flag, but Bullin holed his tee shot to end the game in a remarkable fashion. Blossoms Herald Spring. Among the hundreds of Auckland motorists who enjoyed a drive under perfect conditions yesterday afternoon there were many who noticed that fruit trees are taking on their spring attire. At the present time it is more the exception than the rule for the trees to be at their glorious best, but over the metropolitan area there are quite a large number of exceptions. Some of the trees have been covered with blossom for several weeks now, but they are still sufficiently rare to command attention. In the Epsom district there is a cherry tree which is a perfect picture, while peach and nectarine blossoms are to be 6een. Horticulturists see in the early flowering of the fruit trees an indication tiiat Auckland is to experience an early spring, which, after a phenomenally wet winter, will be generally welcomed.

Shocks from Telephones. Several users of one of the pennv-in-the-slot telephones at tho hospital corner have complained of receiving clectric shocks from tho earpiece. One highly strung woman, on feeling the sharp tingle of the power 011 the side of her face, staggered from the box. However, Mr. Macey, supervisor of the Post and Tclep'aph telephone branch, explained that telephones were worked from batteries only. The voltage at the exchange was 4fi, and of that only a proportion reached the telephone box. Most of the earpieces were now made of non-conductive vulcanite, and as shocks could occur only with tho old metal earpieces they were very rare. The present case was probably due to a fault in the wiring. Apart from the unpleasant feeling there was 110 danger. The fault had now been rectified. Thrills of Shield Rugby. Seldom in recent years has there been such excitement at a Rugby match as in that between Auckland and Canterbury at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon, when Canterbury won the Ranfurlv Shield. Throughout the match the large crowd 011 the terraces were continuously rising to their feet with shouts of delight as the teams alternately attacked. Seldom has there been such excitement as ir the last minute of tho match, when Auckland, faced with inglorious defeat, launched ar attack from their own goal line which ended in seven backs handling the ball before the Canterbury line was reached. There followed one of the most hectic 30 seconds an Auckland Rugby crowd has seen for many a day. A penalty goal 011 the call of time raised Auckland's hopes high, but tliey were shattered as Bush's kick—he had scored ten points with his boot —sailed outside the posts. There was a further scene of excitement as the crowd rushed the field to congratulate the Canterbury players. That Railway Gap. "If we win Mr. Ccatcs over we will get the line," confidently asserted Mr. W. T. Churchward when the matter of the completion of the South Island Main Trunk railwaywas under discussion by the Marlborough Progress League recently (reports the "Express"). After referring to Mr. Coatos' former advice to the league "to be ready at any time to accompany me in an inspection of the line," Mr. Churchward went on to suggest that 011 his return from London Mr. Coates should be invited to visit Marlborough and carry out the long-deferred inspection. They could meet him 011 the spot, and a number of arguments that had been advanced in favour of the line's completion and which had been misconstrued in some quarters could be discussed. In this connection one of the most important arguments, and one that had not been grasped, was that the additional revenue produced from the completed line would be more than sufficient to pay the interest on the £1,000,000 required to remove the gap. Mr. Cliurchward's suggestion received an enthusiastic reception, and it was decided to hold the matter over until the next meeting, when the railway committee would be in a position to present the case. Politics Before the War. The statement made by Mr. A. Harris, M.P., that 110 will retire from political life at the end of the present Parliament brings to mind how the population of the North Shore has increased since he addressed his first political meeting at the Masonic Hall, Devonport, 011 September 4, 1911. At that time the Waitemata electorate included the four North Shore boroughs and parts of the Waitemata County. The contest in 1911 was a threecornered one, Messrs. W. ,T. Napier, E. W. Alison, jun., and Harris being tlio candidates. It was one of the most strenuous fights in the Auckland Province, exceeding in intensity those of Parnell and Grey Lynn, where Sir John Findlay and Mr. Dickson were candidates for the former seat and Sir George Fowlds and Mr. Payne for the latter. The first ballot at Waitemata gave Mr. Napier a majority, with Mr. Harris second and Mr. Alison third. Then the fight was renewed, Messrs. Massey, Carroll, Harris and others taking part. At one meeting Mr. Massey did not reach a meeting till 10.30, but the crowd waited and gave him a great reception. Mr. Massey wanted to keep the seat a Reform one because he was fighting strenuously so that his party might gain the Treasury benches. Never was a political campaign waged with such enthusiasm, and the day of the second ballot was a memorable one. The weight of the Alison vote was thrown behind Mr. Harris, who eventually won by nearly 400 votes.