NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 162, 10 July 1940, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Otitori Bay Improvements. The Auckland Harbour Board has approved of the Waitemata County Council carrying out improvements at Otitori Bay, Titirangi, where it was proposed to construct a seawall and batliing shed accommodation. Salmon Come North. A salmon was recently observed spawning in the headwaters of the Kangitikei River system, between Mangaweka and Tauuipe. This .1* northernmost spawning of the fish, so far recorded on the west coast of New Zealand. Following reports of salmon in the Manawatu, Otaki and other rivers in the district, tin officer of the Fishei-es Rb-caicli Department carried cut to estimations In the river* concerned, and recently caught a spawning salmon in the Kangitikei. Dog Owner's Hard Luck.

Expressing the view that she should get a refund, a woman put before tlie Mount Albert Borough Council last evening a letter in which she alleged that, just after she had paid the 7/0 license fee for a six-month-old puppy and had given it the medicine which was supplied with the collar the dog took ill, and became so bad that the services of the S.P.C.A. were requisitioned. For those services she hud now received it bill for o/. The letter was referred to the legal and finance committee.

Shots at North Shore. For the second time within two days a warning shot was iired by one the coastal batteries at 11.15 last night. The shot was fired across the bows of an outward-bound fishing vessel which had allegedly failed to comply with the port regulations. Stopping immediately, the launch reported to the examination vessel. The other incident occurred shortly beforo 11 a.m. on Monday, a launch being halted by a shot directed across its bows because it was leaving harbour by other than the proper channel. The usual 4in plug shells were fired on both occasions. Rental of Clubhouse. A letter from the West End Rowing Club was received at a meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board yesterday afternoon stating that the club was not in a position to accept the board's terms for tho rental of their clubhouse at St. Mary's Bay boat harbour, and asking if the board was prepared, and. on what terms, to enter into negotiations for the purchase of the building outright. It was decided to reply that the board was not prepared to sell the building, and in the event of the club not occupying the premises, to use them for the purpose of providing accommodation for other boats at rates to be fixed. Whale Fossil History. The opinion that a giant fossil skeleton found in a 1000-ton block of limestone in the CJreymouth Harbour Board s quarry at Cobden was that of a whale was expressed by the director of _ the Dominion Museum, Dr. W. R. B. Oliver. The director said the geological formation of that district gave the clue to the problem. It belonged to the Tertiary, period, when there ..was a greai. development of whales. Skeletons -of whales commonly appeared in. the fossils of that age, in New Zealand and elsewhere, notably Europe and North America. The giant prehistoric reptiles, of which fossil remains were sometimes found, belonged to an earlier j>eriod, the Cretaceous, and would not be found in Tertiary deposits.

Mysterious Explosion. \ Mystery surrounds a heavy explosion j which was heard by residents in widelyscattered areas of the Seddon district, Marlborough, shortly before nine o'clock 011 Tuesday morning. Searching inquiries have been made. The explosion rattled, windows ill houses at Wairau Bar and Seddon, which are approximately 12 miles apart. Most people ill Seddon were of opinion that the explosion occurred in the direction of the sea, and this causcd a thorough search to be made of the coastline from Lake Grassmere to the mouth of the Awatorc River. It is known that an earthquake fault exists in the Awatcre Valley, and some consider that the explosion, which was followed by a long rumble as of a heavy, fall of rock, must be concerned with this fault. Investigations are still proceeding.

Farm Accommodation. "It is the desire of the Government that every effort be made to encoiirago farmers to erect permanent accommodation 011 their farms for married workers," wrote the Minister of Housing; the Hon. IT. T. Armstrong, in a circular received by the Waikato County Council. The Minister added that in cider to provide a further incentive to promote rural housing a bonus or subsidy of 10 per cent would be granted oil the cost of the buildings erected under the Rural Housing Act, provided the work was commenced/ not later than December 31 next. It was pointed out that the bonus would have the effect of improving the security of the lending local hotly, quite apart from the practical assistance given to the farmer. The Minister said the subsidy meant that for a loan of £5-10 a house costing approximately £000 could be built. A resolution applying to the Government for a loan of £30,000 for rural housing in the .county was passed. Four applications for loans under the Housing Act wore approved.

Gymnasium for Papakura Camp. The urgent need of a gymnasium at Papakura camp "was again stressed at a meeting of ,tho executive and finance sub-committee of the Auckland Metropolitan. Patriotic Committee last evening, when .Mr. G. Bush suggested that rather than court further delay the committee should purchase a marquee costing £315 for immediate use. He pointed out that there was nowhere at the camp for physical exercises in wet weather or at niylit. It was decided to leave the matter iii the hands of tlio chairman, A Sr. J. A. C. Allum, to communicate with the Minister of Defenco, the Hon. F. Jones, and to act failing satisfactory assurances that the gymnasium would be provided. The sub- ! committee also authorised the expendii ture of £300 for floor coverings for the eight officers' and non-commissioncd officers' messes at the cam]). Lieutenanti Colonel T. 11. Dawson said it was unusual to seek aid for officers' amenities,- , but it was thought that as the officers were at the camp for only short periods exception could be "made. It was also decided to ask the women's activities sub-eommittee if they would providecurtains and cushions.