NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 128, 1 June 1936, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

• West Coast Railway. It is reported that the proposed Inanga-liua-Westport railway is to be completed by the Government, and that a start will be made with the work within the next fortnight. 0111I'ials of the l!ailwav Department and the Public Works Department inspected the proposed route last week. The distance between Inangahua and Westport is 28 miles. The work was started in the time of the late Mr. Richard Seddon, and then abandoned after 12 miles of formation work had been completed. It was recommenced about seven years ago and abandoned for a second time in 1933 after further formation work had been done. Motoring Popular. The beautiful sunshine of yesterday attracted more than the usual number of people to traverse the highways and byways in motor ears. Thp roads leading to and from the city and suburbs were particularly busy, and one direction was as popular as another for leisurely driving. The heights of the Waitakeres were well patronised, and from there wonderful views of the city and harbour were unfolded. Tt was noticeable that most of the cars had their new number plates affixed in preparation for to-day, the old being due to be discarded at midnight last night. Unpunctua! Juryman. The failure of a juryman after the luncheon adjournment to return at the appointed time caused a delay of 10 minutes in the resumption of the Supreme Court at Napier. - The excuse given by the juryman was that he thought the Court resumed at 2.30 p.m; and not 2.1 r>. Mr. .Inslice Reed's glance singled out the late-comer as he turned to the jury at the conclusion of the day's sitting with the remark: "The jury is excused until 10.1."i o'clock to-morrow inornimr—not 10.30." A Lucky " Penny." The small boy of two years was giving mother a good deal of trouble as they wended their way through a busy department store on a recent afternoon. Like most children of llis age he fancied everything his eyes rested on, and with a "Look, mummy!" hindered his parent at every turn. "Look, mummy, a penny!" he cried, as he quickly stooped and picked something from the floor. It was not one penny, but a note of no small denomination. To the child mind, however, it was a penny, but the parent is .still wondering how her hby knew its worth. Electrically-charged Water. The water from the tanks housing electric eels at the aquarium in the London Zoological Garden's, Regent's Park, is in considerable demand l>v the public, according to a British medical journal. The water is used for drinking purposes, and is stated to have a beneficial effect on people suffering from rheumatic troubles. American doctors are experimenting with water electrically charged by means of a revolving glass bulb containing mercury, and samples of this instrument have been sent to an Auckland doctor. Electrically-treated water is also claimed to prevent rusting, and some of the Canadian railways, it is reported, are using such water. Fire Destroys Mail Truck. When a mail truck engaged on the servce between Taneatua and Gisborne was destroyed by lire on Friday night, one bag of papers from Gisborne to Auckland and two parcel receptacles from Opotiki to Auckland, and another parcel ■ receptacle intended for -Wellington, were burnt, according to a report from the postmaster at Gisborne. The latter has now advised the Auckland Post Ollice that following an inspection at the scene of the fire no further salvage is possible. Among the ashes the charred remains of shoes, boots and clothing were seen, but it appears possible that those items were included on the truck as freight and not as mail matter. Comfort in Air. Up-to-date American methods of ensuring comfort in the air are being followed in commercial aviation in Australia, states Mr. Harold Gatty, who arrived in Auckland by the Monterey on Saturday. The new Douglas airliner, which had been built for a service to Tasmania, carried 14 passengers, two pilots and a hostess. It was the duty of the hostess to see that passengers were comfortable, to point out places and objects of interest, and generally to attend to their wants. Australia, Mr. Gatty added, was making a "fine job" of aviation in general. There was. already a radio beacon between Canberra and Sydney, another was being built between Canberra and Melbourne, and further instal'ations 'were planned. Enter King Winter. Carpets of white were laid in most suburbs of Auckland this morning for King Winter. Although many of the mornings and evenings in May were cold and there were several frosts, this morning was probably the coldest of the year to date. Most lawns and gardens were covered with frost, which was particularly severe along the Great North Road at Western Springs. There is usually a trickle of water over the footpath from the clay bank of the City Council reserve in Western Springs, hilt this morning it was frozen. A determined resistance to the invasion of King Winter is still being offered by the cohorts of King Sun, and the brilliant sunshine yesterday afternoon attracted many people to the Auckland Domain and other parks. Big Hui at Tikitiki. Not since 1020, when the East.Coast was visited by the then Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, has Tikitiki (an East Coast native centre) been the scene of such activity as has been displayed during the past week in preparation for a hui. The meeting opened on Friday with the arrival from many parts of the North Island of tribal delegations sent to take part in the dedication of a new dining hall on the Tikitiki marae and to share in the ceremonies relating to the unveiling of memorials to two prominent N'gatiporou personalities, the late Lady Ariliia Xgata and the late chief, Rauhuia Tawhiwlii. Approximately 2000 . people, were gathered on the marae on Friday, and a further 1500 were expected next day. The hosts turned out in their best tribal regalia to welcome friends from other parts, and also to take part with them in the customary mourning for those of the Tikitiki marae who have passed away within the past year. Hero Worship. Ballboys were present in abundance when the Auckland Rugby football representatives arrived for a practice at the Devonport Domain ground yesterday morning, and every kick by one of the "reps" was chased by a small crowd of urchins. Most interest, however, seemed to centre around the All Blacks in the team, all of whom were pointed out with a certain amount of awe as men who had reached the highest pinnacle of football success. When the scrums began to pack down a number of youths on the sideline were called over to hold them up, a favour that they were not at all loth to grant. The urchins gathered round to criticise and to watch Hadley hook it out .to the half. Imagine their chagrin when the central man in the horde pushing against the "reps" man : aged, to beat the All Black for the ball, which trickled out from the back of the opposition pack, to the accompaniment of cheers from the spectators. That must have put Hadley on his mettle, for after that the ball shot out with such speed that Thompson, the halfback possibility from- College Rifles, scarcely had time to get round to the rear of the scrum before 1 the five-eighths were up and calling for tlio ball. The ballboys' faith in the might of the All Black hooker was completely restored.

Building Activity. i A feature of building in tlie city area for the ]»ttst five months of the year has been the increased number of permits for dwellings, lot being granted for that period of this year as compared with 91 for tli<; first five months oi last year. The activity has been most pronounced in the outer portions of the city, and particularly in the St. Helier's district. Went Out With Carriages. "I always regret that witnesses will not use the 'expressions 'off-side' and 'near-side when referring to vehicles," said Mr. Justiec Blair in the Supreme Court, Wellington, during the hearing of a claim for damages arising out of a motor accident. "Tt would be much plainer," -his Honor added, "but unfortunately it seems to be a lost art." "It went out with carriages, I'm afraid, sir," counsel replied. Low Living Costs. . The cheapness of living in parts of China aiftl Japan impressed Mr. J. A. Peacock, of Auck- , land, during the world tour which he completed 011 Saturday with Mrs. Peacock. "You can hire rickshaws in Pekin at the rate of about .Id an hour," instanced Mr. Peacock. | "In fact, I believe rickshaw runners only get \ about 5d a day for their work. I heard of one man who earned £1 a month, 011 which ' he kept a wife and children." Costs were higher in other parts, however. See Devonport First. . "Do you know that this is the first time . I have been up heresaid a Devonport man , yesterday morning after he had walked to the ; top of the borough's highest piece of land— 1 Mount Victoria. And the man who made this ; remark had lived in the North Shore borough . for 20 years. His two companions, who invited him to take the short walk to the summit, where the signal station is situated, [ thought this very strange, particularly as the man who had been for two decades in Devonport lived almost at the foot of the hill known as the "mountain." The latter thought the views to be obtained from the top were beau- . tifill, and for fully live minutes he raved about tlieni. "Much better than Mount Eden," he said. "The council ought to do the place up a bit—make it more attractive, and perhaps Jiuild a tearoom 011 the top to attract people to this delightful spot," he added. Faith, Hope and Charity. Another art union has been drawn, and another hatch of- ticket-buyiiig-names that have brougjit. luck in varying degrees has been published. "Two Mugs" took the first prize. Who knows whether or not it will prove that they were "mugs" to let all that money rush upon them ? The second prize went to an example of f'aith —"The Winner," he called himself. There is faith, too, in "At Last," "Just Me," and "Yes, it is at last." There is hope in "Hope So," "Big Surprise" and "Here's Hoping." And there is charity, perhaps, in "The Rent," and "Mona and Brown Need It." But faith, hope and charity are not the only impulses to ticket-buying. "Renovate" will be able to do quite a lot with £10. "Who Said So?" got his win with sheer pessimistic incredulity right from the beginning. "My Oaths," said another. Luck came, too, to ' "Five Deluded Idiots" and "The Last of the Mugs." Quick-Change Artist Blunders. One of tlie many Auckland motorists who unconcernedly committed a breach of the regulations and changed his number plates several hours before the old registration year had expired did so when the family was waiting to be taken out for the usual Sunday afternoon drive. For this reason he worked hurriedly, and within a few seconds the 19353(5 plate at the front of the car had been taken off and the new plate firmly bolted on. More smart work with spanner and screwdriver and the old plate at the rear was also lying on the garage tloor, but then came a setback. The second of the new plates was nowhere to be seen. A search inside, around and underneath the car proved in vain, as also did some severe bullying, of. the juvenile members of the family, who-had been interested spectators of the number changing. Father was completely at a loss to think where the missing article could have gone, and was about to abandon the search and replace the one old plate that he had taken off when he had a brain wave. A couple of strides took him to the front of the car, and at once the mystery was solved. In his hurry to get his car- and family 011 to the road he had picked up the two plates together, and bolted them both 011 to the front bracket. Sensational Race. Although the race for the Great Northern Hurdles at Ellerslic took less than five minutes to run—to be exact the time was 4m 4ls—it was packed with thrills, and the incidents will be long remembered by the crowd of 1(1,000 people who were present. Of •the 13 starters six fell, including the first and second favourites, Jolly Beggar and Scotch Nation, the latter breaking a leg. Jolly Beggar fell at the last hurdle but one, when lying second. At this time Clarion Call was the best part of 100 yds in front, and victory for him looked certain. However, at the last hurdle he hit hard and dislodged his rider, C. Thomson, out of the saddle. Thomson was not thrown directly to the ground, but for a moment or two he clung to the horse's neck, and then gradually slipped, to the ground, all the time hanging 011 to the reins. lie made desperate attempts to get back into the saddle, the crowd watching at a high pitch of excitement. While this was happening Prince of Orange', who had been a long way back, was approaching the last hurdle, and, making a fine jump, he went on to win the race. Thomson, seeing the horse go past, realised that the race was won and lost, and made no further attempt to mount Clarion Call. He led the horse back to the enclosure. Besides Scotch Nation and Jolly Beggar, Master Musk, Count Roussillion, Contact and Benighted fell. A. McGregor, rider of Master nsk, broke a leg. On Board the Queen Mary. On her maiden voyage to New York across the Atlantic tlie giant Cunarder, the Queen Mary, carried infinitely more than the 2000 passengers stated to be aboard. By the use of a little imagination wireless enthusiasts the world over were .able to enter intimately into the life aboard the vessel, for that life was described bv a body of announcers from tlie British Broadcasting Corporation. If you were listening-in, you were taken all over the vessel from the crew's quarters to the bridge, where the commander,. Sir Edgar Britten, spoke. If you liked you could go back in the luxurv of the first-class lounges. You could have the librarian. Mr. Watkinson. pickout a book for you. You- could order tlie daintiest meal you could desire from the chief. M. Ricot —the best people. of ( course, have a French chef —and you could have' been told that he is lord of an all-electric kitchen, with five assistants and 200 cook and pastry hands. Perhaps you have forgotten your dress studs, or have lost one. The shopping centre —not | the "shop," you will noticc —is a place .where, according to the announcer, "one can purchase anything from a needle to a Gainsborough painting-—even the special dress tie you have forgotten to bring." The crew, one gathered, were justly proud of' their quarters. One of /them mentioned that tliey we're pro- j vided with two-berth cabins and hot and cold water. -.Theuj the commander spoke: "You have heard descriptions of the Queen Mary, and life 011 board the great vessel." he said. "Everything is workiug very smoothly. Tlie ship left oji schedule. There is a northeasterly- breeze, and our, estimated position is latitude 46, degrees north, longitude 33 degrees j IS minutes,, and . the average speed about 29 knots/' Though there are places on the liner where you cannot see the sea, a typical touch of the sea brought the broadcast to an end. They were twp notes from the ship's bell, and the ringing cry from the look-out, "All's 'well!" ' ....... j