NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 233, 1 October 1936, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Sign of a Good Spring. A remarkable number. of prime spring lambs for the time of tlie year came 011 to the Westfielcl market yesterday. There were over 150 of them, more than ten times as many as at any previous sale this season. This sudden influx is due in part to the high prices up to £1 17/0, which have been realised during the past weeks, but the favourable early spring is the main cause. H.M.S. Achilles' Visits. H.M.S. Achilles the new cruiser, that is now the flagship of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, will now remain at her present berth at Western wharf until Monday next, and will thus be open to the public for ' an extended period. The visiting hours for the public 011 Saturday and Sunday will be from 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. On Monday the vessel will return to her berth at the Devonport naval base. Applications to Increase Rentals. So many applications have been made to the Labour Department to increase rentals under the Fair Rents Act that for some time a special inspector of factories has been exclusively engaged in interviewing tenants and landlords, investigating cases and in arranging agreements. Generally speaking, both landlord and tenant have adopted a reasonable attitude, and comparatively few cases have had to go before a magistrate for an assessment of rentals. In the majority of cases it has been possible for the inspector to arrange a settlement. Historic Pohutukawas. "Historicus" writes:—The photograph of New Zealand's first Parliament Building which was reproduced in Wednesday's "Star" is of more than mere local interest. The building I has long since disappeared, but the two pohutukawa trees still stand 011 the vacant section adjoining the Supreme Court. They are naturally much bigger now than when the photograph was taken, but their distinctive j branch formation is still easily identified, 'laving altered but little during half a century. | There was some talk of cutting the trees down when, in 1932, the section was cleared ] of its thick growth of grass and weeds. Fortunately, wise counsels prevailed. May they < long be spared —links with the earliest days of the colony, and objects of beauty at Christmastide, when adorned with crimson bloom. t

The City's Trees. From the gentle eminence—so difficult to realise as reclaimed ground —on which the Auckland, railway station is situated, it is possible just now to see a wonderful panorama of growing treos. From the group of exotics on Constitution Hill the eye travels to the slopes of Grafton Oullv, where the deep tones of native trees predominate; thence to the slopes of the Domain, now a medley of colour with the gokl-green tints of oaks and other exotics, and the gaunt pines on the skyline. Some picturesque trees grow on the old Parnell school site, which it is hoped soon will be taken for a park and children's playground—an amenity much needed in this closely-populated suburb. A Norfolk pine stands out well here, as also docs the group on Taurarua Point. The eastern cliffs would be much improved by the planting of pohutukawas irregularly, as the land indicates. Memorial Room at Mater Hospital. The memory of the late Mr. Dan Flynn, who was well known in Auckland in the coaeli-building trade for 35 years, was perpetuated yesterday by the dedication by Bishop Liston at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital of a memorial room. Many friends find relatives of Mr. Flynn were present, and the key of the room was presented : to the Bishop by Miss Peggy Flynn, a daughter. Giving thanks oil behalf of the Rev. Mother Gonzaga, Bishop Liston spoke of the good works and never-failing courtesy which had characterised the late Mr. Flynn. This definite expression of the esteem in which he was held by his friends would lessen the feeling of loss or separation. Mr. Maurice Flynn thanked the Bishop 011 behalf of the family. After the ceremony the visitors inspected the room, which has a magnificent view from the balcony. They were later entertained to afternoon tea by the Rev. Mother Gonzaga and the sisters.

Mixed September Weather. Temperatures in Auckland varied greatly during September, although the rainfall during the month was about average. A report by the official Government observer, Mr. S. M. Yallop, states that the feature of the month was that the weather was warmer, the sunshine registered being 20 per cent above the average for September. There was only one day in which the sun did not sliine. Temperatures recorded by a thermometer on prass ranged from 29 degrees to 52 degrees. Rainfall for the month was 3,Glin, compared with 2.74 in in September last year. Rain fell on 18 days, but a heavy fall of 1.43 in on September 27 accounted for the major portion of the total. There were two frosts registered in the city. The highest temperature was 03 degrees on September 17, and the lowest was 38.40 degrees on September 8. The total sunshine for the month was 184 hours 54 minutes, compared with IGI hours 18 minutes in September last year, when there were two days without sunshine. The greatest duration of sunshine on any day last month was 11 hours 0 minutes, which was recorded on September 8.

Farmers' Changed Attitude. The recent fall in the price of butter on the English market has had a far different cflcct than usual 011 the New Zealand farmer. A man who periodically calls 011 the farmers r in the Waikato recalls that 011 his last visit ; he met a chorus of complaint from farmers because the English market price was higher | than New Zealand's guaranteed price. He has just returned from another trip, and records ' that the farmers arc now firm supporters of the Government scheme—all because the price in England has dropped. Historic Pair of Handcuffs. A pair of handcuffs of historic interest 'ias been presented to the Canterbury Museum by Mr. J. Houlden, of Gliristchurch. They were issued to his grandfather, who was a special constable during the "wool riots" in Yorkshire during the 'thirties of last century, when there was considerable agitation because of the introduction of machinery in the wool industry, which, it was thought, would lead to unemployment. The handcuffs show that there has been practically 110 change in pattern during the last 100 years. Election Crowd's Good Humour. It was a good-humoured crowd that gathered outside the "Star" Office in Shortland Street last evening to watch the progress of returns in the Manukau by-election. It had not long to wait, as the final result was posted before 8 o'clock. Cheers rose as it was seen that Mr. A. G. Osborne, the Labour candidate, was in an unassailable position, and there was little comment on Mr. Doidge's figures. That was until the filial figures, when someone called: "Three cheers for Old 'Beaver.'" They were given with ironical emphasis. -

Albert Park Sparrows. On the top of the hill which forms AlbertPark there is an ancient palm tree. It is dusty and brown, with big thick leaves and branches. Several hundred sparrows have turned this palm into what might be well called "Sparrowvillc." As the sun sets there is a rustling and chirping as the little birds go about the business of going to bed. As the sun subsides so does the noise that the sparrows make. One sparrow after another gradually chirps itself to sleep. After a few minutes only a few sleepy sounds can be I heard, then there is silence as the daylight goes.

Travel Association Praised. 1 Commendation of its efforts to stimulate tourist traffic was received by the executive of the South Island Travel Association at its meeting from the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash. "I have noticed with interest the action taken at the- recent conference," said the Minister in a letter, "and I recognise that the objects of the association are very desirable. Any development of the tourist traffic must undoubtedly confer a benefit not only on the local authorities interested in transport facilities, but also indirectly on the residents of the districts patronised by the tourists." Service to Motorists. During the year ended August 31, 1G33 members have availed themselves of the association's "get you home" service, states the annual report of the Automobile Association (Auckland). The average cost to the association has been 11/10 a job, this figure being a penny less than that of the previous year. The technical engineer has given advice in 3235 cases, and nearly 500 members have availed themselves of the free legal defence service. The touring department has been active in signposting work, and signs may be seen as high as at the 0000 ft level on Mount Ruapeliu. Class-Conscious Drinkers. \arning to "chips" on a tramp steamer in the harbour, an interviewer was told,of the palmy days of the Thames-side shipbuilding, when by an unwritten law different classes of ship workers rigidly adhered to patronage of different houses of entertainment. The old carpenter went on to explain that' "Green's" (one of the Duilderb; head foremen were to be found at the Artichoke, other foremen tacitly giving their patronage to The Plough, watermen and lightermen drank at the India Arms and the Britannia. Shipwrights and joiners never dreamed of entering a publichouse where the labourers and sawyers took their ease. All the licensed premises were busy, and each set of patrons stuck to their recognncd tavern.

Eden Crescent. The okl paving stones in Eden Crescent which were laid down for a footpath in the early days of Auckland settlement are seeing many changes just now. The ultra-modernist block of Eden Hall Flats looks down on them, shoulder to shoulder with the old Wynyard Hotel, which is almost as old as the stones, and contemporary with a small portion of the structure of Cargen, once a gentlemen's club. General Whitmore's old home is gone, and the last relic of his garden—a magnificent magnolia tree —was felled recently to make room for garages. Another relic is the Campbell Brothers' store, with its quaint picture of St. George and the dragon under its gable, neatly done in coloured tiles. Next to this a modern commercial building is going up, reaching right to the walls of the old store. The modern buildings soon to be erected for Grey and Menzies will add yet another incongruous note to the still predominantly Victorian atmosphere of the Crescent. Many visitors to Auckland admire the gardens and trees to be seen from here, including a large iocaranda and a waratah in the gardens of buildings in Waterloo Quadrant.