NEWS In BRIEF

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 165, 15 July 1939, Page 11

NEWS In BRIEF

Gannet Sanctuary.—Gannets have been arriving at Cape Kidnappers since the middle of June and this unusual procedure drew interesting comment from the honorary ranger, Mr. D. G. Williams. The usual time for arrival of the first flock is the middle of July, but two fishermen noticed the early arrivals and when the ranger visited the sanctuary thie week several hundred birds were there. Since the Cape Kidnappers sanctuary is believed to be the only gannet nesting place on the mainland in the world the problem of whether they leave Xew Zealand waters is worthy of special investigation.—P.A.

Muster Parade. —As a voluntary auxiliary of the Territorial Army, and entirelv self-contained, the first muster parade" of cla66 2 of the National Military Reserve, which consists solely of ex-servicemen, will be held at the Drill Hall next Friday evening. The commander provisionally appointed is Lieu-lenant-Colonel A. D. Jack, who served with the First Auckland Battalion and Trench Mortars in France, and after the wer joined the Xorth Auckland Battalion. The duties of the ex-service-men's force will be the provision of guards at vital points, the protection of the fortress area against aircraft, the augmentation of fortress troops, the defence of secondary ports, and antisabotage responsibilities.

Road Fatalities.—Tlic final traffic accident figures for tlie year ended March ."Jl were announced by the Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Seni]i]e. They show that during the 12 months under review 24<> person* were killed and 0<535 were injured on the roads, bringing the total for the past five, years to more than 1(100 killed and "approximately 20.0(10 injured. "The denth rate per 1.(1(10.000 gallons of petrol consumed has dropped steadily from ,'{.l9 in J!>:s."> to 2.(i!> in l!>:i!»," said Mr. Semplft. '-Siniilrirly, tho niiniber of deaths per 10.000 motor vehicles hae decreased from 9.03 in 1 !)."?."> to S.Sf> in 1!I3O. As far as is known, Xew Zealand still h«s the lowest death rate per 10.0(10 vehicles of any country in the world.—l , .A.

Japanese Take Photos.—Some Akarr.a residents who saw two Japanese visitors armed with binoculars and cameras taking photographs of the Akaroa harbonr during the week became resentful and are said to have complained to the police, although so far no complaints have reached the headquarters of the police in Christchurch. It was stated in Christelmreli that Akaroa is not gazetted as a fortified area, and that there are no restrictions on the taking of photographs there, or at any unfortified area. The authorities were disinclined to attach any significance to the incident, stating that photographs of Akaroa harbour from most vantage points were easily procurable anywhere in Xew Zealand, and in many other parts of the world. The Japanese vessel, Sydney Muru, whieh visited Lytteiton during the week left to-night lor Japan.—P. A.

Fall Pay for Unemployed.— The Dunedin City Council has been advised that the Government is anxious to provide work for 150 men on the unemployment register for a period of three months and is prepared to offer the council full pay subsidy if work can be provided for- these men. Arrangements have been made to absorb the men on various works.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Fire in Sawmill.—Machines from the Eemuera and Parnell first stations were sent to the Tamaki Sawmill Company at the corner of the Great South Road and Manukau Road about 11.23 p.m. last night, where a small fire had broken out in a sawdust hopper. Slight damage was done to the hopper and the outbreak was extinguished without difficulty.

Power Pole Smashed. —A power pole outside 28, Auckland Road, between Royal Oak and Trafalgar Street, Onehunga, wae knocked down early this morning. It is not known who was the driver of the vehicle which caused the mishap.

Cottage in Sea of Mod. —Failure to provide suitable accommodation for a sha re-milker employed by him resulted in a fine of £10 being imposed on Arthur Cresswell Saxton, farmer, of Meremere, by Mr. A. Coleman, S.M., in the Hawera Magistrate's Court. "The small cottage was completely surrounded by a sea of mud, and it had to be seen to be believed," said Mr. G. G. Atkinson, inspector of factories. "Cows, pigs and fowls were allowed to roam as they liked. The pigs were using the waste water as a wallow."

Flags to Fly Again.—ln connection with the Centennial celebrations at Russell, it is proposed to fly the two flags that are interwoven in the early history of New Zealand on the historic staff that stands on the hill dominating the town. These flaps are the Union Jack and the flag of the Confederated Tribes of New Zealand. The latter flag is bow the house flag of the Shaw Savill Company, and the consent of the company has been received to the flying of the flag. The staff was cut down by the Maoris during the wars, but later reerected and the flags were then flying side by side.