NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 208, 3 September 1935, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

" Not a Lawyer."

"I am not a lawyer, and I wish you would correct me if I transgress from the rules," commented a defendant in the Magistrate's Court, Hamilton, to the personally defending a charge that he had failed to register his dog. Glut of Cauliflowers. A glut of cauliflowers on the Hamilton market brought about some astonishing reductions in price in retail shops in Hamilton last week. Where a few weeks ago they were selling at prices ranging up to 1/, the juices dropped to a penny and twopence. According to one produce firm it had become unprofitable f6r glowers to consign cauliflowers to the market. " An Authority On Sheep." "Am I right in saying that you are something of an authority on sheep V asked the Crown Prosecutor, Mr. H. H. Lusk, of a police constable who gave evidence in a ease of alleged sheep stealing at the Supreme Court in Napier recently. The constable's reply raised a laugh: "I have learned more about sheep in the last two months than I had ever known before." "Hard on Strangers." During the hearing of a "sly-grog" ease ill the Supreme Court at Hamilton recently Mr. N. S. Johnson had elicited from a witness that it was a custom in the "sly-grog" business not to serve liquor to strangers. Anyone wanting to procure liquor had to be "introduced to the club." "This seems rather hard on strangers," commented Mr. Jusiice Callan amid laughter. Grog Money Restored. By the latest Order-in-Council published in the "Gazette" the restoration of money in lie-u of grog paid to teetotal aavnl ratings is announced. The allowance, which takes effect as from July 1 last, is at the rate of 3d a day, the amount not to exceed £1 1/ in anyone quarter. The restoration in New Zealand follows the recent restoration made in the Royal Navy. By the Order-in-Council teetotal ratings will have .12/ a year added to their spending money. Death from a Banana. A banana is not usually regarded as a lethal weapon, but an Invercargill resident made use of one to protect his household goods from robbery the other evening. Hearing a noise in his pantry, he opened the door and saw an intruder. He was unarmed, but his brain worked <|iiickly. Seizing a ripe banana, he dealt the thief such a blow behind the ear that it fell dead. He has come to the conclusion that mouse traps are not nearly as effective as bananas.

Establishment of Maori Pa. A sympathetic reception was gi"en by the Napier Harbour Board to a suggestion by Lady McLean for the establishment of a Maori pa on Quarantine Island, in the Ahuriri Lagoon. It was stated by the chairman, Mr. Trevor M. Geddis, that the land in question had been leased to the Government, and he thought that the board, as owners, should cooperate in any ti'ansaction. At his suggestion the matter was referred to the board's reserves committee. Over Sixty Years in One Street. To have lived for 61 years in the one Christchureh street, and to have spent all but seven of those years in the same house, is the unusual record of Mrs. Agnes Brown, of 38, St. Albans Street, Merivale, who celebrated her 88th birthday recently. Some additions have been made to the house, but two of the back rooms are those of the little cottage in which, during the snowy weather of a bitterly cold spring, Mrs. Brown began her life in New Zealand. Some of the originnl furniture is still in the kitchen, while on an old-fashioned dresser hangs a set of treasured blue and white Delft jugs which Mrs. Brown brought with her from Scotland in 1874. Bouquets for All. Bouquets were freely and appropriately distributed at His Majesty's Theatre last night for the opening night of "Judy Jinx and David." At the conclusion of the production, when the whole stage was filled with people young and old, there began a. long procession of presents of all sorts from the stalls to the footlights. There were the orthodox bouquets for the grown-ups. There were also bouquets for the children, but scattered among the flowers so daintily done up were boxes of chocolates, showing that those who gave the presents knew children. Of all appropriate "bouquets," though, by far the most was the gift of a bottle of milk to Ron Stevens, who played admirably the part of Pooey the Cat. Early War History. The publication in the "Star" of a photograph of a group of men who formed part of the Samoan Expeditionary Force has recalled to the memory of a returned soldier that on A'ugust 8, 1914, a party of Post and Telegraph territorials was dispatched by the Northern Company's s.s. Apanui to guard the Awanui wireless station. The guard consisted of Lieutenant J. Chivers, Sergeant F. Lawrence, Corporal W. Church and a score of sappers. They arrived at abc t 1 p.m. on August 10, 1914. About a fortnight later the guard was strengthened by the arrival of 27 Maoris of E Company, 15th North Auckland Regiment, and later still by 80 men of A Company, under the command of Captain troctor, who died about two weeks ago at Whangarei. At the time of the expedition Mr. V. Dunne, now of the mail room staff at the Auckland G.P.0., was in command of the unit with the rank of major. Girl Guides in Shorts? A suggestion that girl guides should wear shorts in camp has roused some of the older generation to indignant protest. In a, letter to the "Guider" one of these, signing herself "Early Victrian," draws a pathetic picture of somewhat corpulent commissioners doing "chores" and attending public functions in shorts, the argument being that if the concession is made for camp use it will gradually become the regulation I costume. On the other hand, it is contended that in camp shorts would be a much more convenient and tidy attire than the present overall, bulging above and below the belt. On another point of girl guide attire it is recorded in the magazine that the Imperial Council of the movement has decided that brown shoes and stockings are henceforth to be the regulation uniform. This question has yet to be discussed by the New Zealand commissioners. Dogs on Time Payment. The dog registrar at Onehunga reported to the Borough Council last night that lie had registered Oil dogs to date, and he expected to make it up to 625, using all the dog collars ordered this year. This number was over 200 more than was ever registered in Onehunga before. To secure this satisfactory result the registrar said he had paid over 1300 visits to the homes of the owners, going as often as seven times in some cases before collecting 7/6 for each dog. As a matter of fact, only 10 per cent of owners had paid the tax on the first visit. There were 175 dogs on time payment. Tills statement caused hearty laughter, which was increased by the next statement of the collector that he had beaten the City Council in the total number of registrations. . Mr. G. E. Haydon said the registrar had displayed great tact in gett:ng so many people to "pay up and look pleasant." To mark the council's appreciation of the registrar's tact and success he was voted an extra 3d per collar, raising his commission from 9di to 1/ each collar. |

Fruit Export Board. Notice that it has taken over complete control of the export of fruit from the Dominion as from August 1 has been given by the New Zealand Fruit Export Control Board. It is stated officially that the step taken by the board involves no practical change in its operations. Heating in Schools. When the question of heating in primary schools was mentioned at a. meeting of the Auckland Electric Power Board yesterday afternoon, t".e acting-chairman, Mr. 8. J. Harbutt, said that for some time past experiments with heating had been carried on at the Epsom School, and they had been creating a good deal of interest. iVJore information would be made available to the board on the subject at a later stage. New Zealand Tobacco Leaf. Good progress is being made in the preparation of the first shipment of Nelson tobacco leaf to England under the Government guarantee. This season's export will be made up of the surplus leaf over the growers' contracts with manufacturers. Provision has been made for a much greater export next year. Before the Event. "I suppose we had better shake hands before we start," said Mr. J. S. Tosland in greeting the chairman, Mr. W. C. Green, when members of the Egmont County Council assembled for a special meeting. The meeting promised to give cause for a lively discussion, and it was not long before there was a brisk encounter between Mr. Tosland and the chairman. The later stages of the meeting became more harmonious. Saturday in Gisborne. No support was given by the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce to a proposal from the Manawatu Employers' Association that there should be a national Saturday half-holiday. Mr. M. J. White sa"id that the New Zealand Drapers' Association held the view that the matter was one for the individual localities. Mr. T. Corson considered that the Saturday half-holiday was yet in the melting pot as far as Gisboi'ne was concerned, and it was not known yet whether it would be a benefit. The Manawatu letter was received. Long Cold Storage.

A critical examination of butter'after it had been in cold store for nearly four years was made by experts recently in Australia, and it was found to exhibit higH qualities both of texture and spreadability. It was originally treated by what is known as the Abel vacuum process, invented by Mr. Hansen Abel, of 'Auckland, and 11 boxes were put into store at a temperature of 9 degrees Fahrenheit. Some time ago samples of salted and unsaltcd butters similarly treated were examined after 10 months in store and were pronounced choicest grade.

Medical Party's Visit. After "a marvellous time and a wonderful reception from the local doctors," the party of doctors from fireat Britain continued their journey to Melbourne to attend the B."M.A. conference by the Aorangi late last night. More than 200 doctors and their friends visited Kotorua by special train yesterday, and were accorded a civic and Maori welcome at the model pa. They were greatly interested in the geysers aud other thermal activities, and were impressed by the size and cleanliness of the baths and their health-giving properties. Returning just before their ship sailed, all agreed that their trip to Rotorua, although arduous, had been well worth while. Unusual Power Fault. During a gale last week an unusual fault developed in the Auckland Electric Power Board's system in the Hobson Street urea. Two loops in a cable which was suspended on a pole carrying both direct and alternating current were blown together, with the result that they became welded together. Not a little trouble was caused, principally through the blowing of fuses. A report to this effect was made at a meeting of the board yesterday by the general manager, Mr. R. 11. Bartley. He said that though the board wur not legally responsible he had taken the responsibility of righting the damage without charge to the consumers. Mr. Bartley'e action in this connection was confirmed by the board. Visiting Doctors* Discussions. "While we have been in Auckland we have had fairly important discussions upon medical practice in England and in New Zealand," said Dr. H. S. Souttar, chairman of the party of doctors on their way to attend the B.M.A. conference in Melbourne, before sailing by the Aorangi last night. Dr. Souttar expressed the hope that the results of these discussions would be of general value to the Dominion. The subject of national health insurance had been included, and it was understood that this was likely to play an important part in New Zealand in the near future. There were three experts upon this subject among the party, including Dr. H. Guy Dain, chairman of the insurance Acts committee. Power Supply Extension. The Bcaehlands and Maraetai districts have now had the benefit of supply of electricity for six months, a..d in that period the supply authority, the Auckland Electric Power Board, has received gross revenue amounting to £104. In the first three months the revenue amounted to £89, whereas the months of April, May and June produced £74 only. Reporting on the financial position of the extension to yesterday's meeting of the board, Mr. R. H. Bartley, the general manager, said it was somewhat difficult to forecast the annual revenue on the basis of the monthly receipts, as many of the consumers were paying a minimum' charge and not using any power, but as soon as the summer months arrived power would be used. Then the amounts already paid in the minimum charge would be offset against the consumption on the basis of an annual consumption. It would appear, therefore, added Mr. Bartley, taking a fair view of the position, that the annual revenue would be approximately £250 net. In September, 1033, he had estimated the net revenue at £270 a year, and from the figures presented it would appear that the amount received would not fall very far short of the mark. The consumers now connected in the districts numbered 07.

Overhaul of Aorangi. An extensive overhaul is to be 'undergone by the Royal Mail liner Aorangi at Sydney in the near future, and she will not return to Auckland for over two months. The vessel, which left for Sydney last night, will go from the latter port to Melbourne. Afterwards she will return to Sydney, where ehe will be withdrawn from commission and replaced in the Vancouver service by the Monowai. The Aorangi is to have her periodical overhaul and refitting, but in addition a considerable amount of work will be done in modernising all the cabins on C deck and some on D deck. Private bathrooms will be fitted to most of the cabins, and refurnishing will also be undertaken. Recently over 28 staterooms on C deck were enlarged, and the work of generally improving the vessel will be continued while she is out of commission. The cost of the proposed work may exceed £60,000. The Monowai has been undergoing overhaul at Wellington since July "7, and she will be recommissioned this week, a: 1 sail for Sydney on Friday. The Monowai will leave Sydney on September 12 and Auckland on September 17 for Vancouver, via Suva and Honolulu. On her return to Sydney on November 2 she will be transferred to the intercolonial service, relieving the Marama. The Marama will then make her appearance in the Melbourne-South Island-Wellington service. She will leave Melbourne for Bluff on her initial trip on November 7.