NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 191, 13 August 1940, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Improved Carriages. The Taneatua railway express service has been improved by the adoption of a new and improved type of railway carriage, similar to those in use on the main north line. The carriages are modern in every respect, being airconditioned, with the vestibules at either end completely enclosed. The new service commenced yesterday. Song by Local Composers. One of the features at yesterday's luncheon of the Auckland Rotary Club was the presentation of "The All Blacks' Marching Song," the product of local composers. The words of the song were composed by Mr. John Farrell and the musical setting is the work of Mr. Howard Moody. The singer yesterday was Mr. Martin Liddle, who received an ovation from the large number of members present. Coping with Epidemics. In connection with necessary steps to cope with any epidemic, the DirectorGeneral of Health, Dr. M. H. Watt, advised the Auckland Hospital-'Tioard at a meeting last evening that it was the function of the board to take steps to provide accommodation and carry out necessary treatment during epidemics, but a survey of emergency accommodation was nearing completion, and the matter would then be further discussed. Pirongia Scenic Reserve. A further 50 acres has been added to the Pirongia Mountain scenic reserve by the exchange of privately-owned land for an education reserve, according to advice received by the Hon. W. Lee Martin, Minister of Agriculture, from the Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Laiagstonc. Mr. Langstone stated that the Department had been extending the reserves on the bush-clad Pirongia Mountain until it now held 2500 acres there. , Gamboots Approved. Purchase of one pair of gumboots was appproved at a meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board last evening. The secretary of the Auckland and Suburban , Local Bodies' Labourers and Belated Trades Industrial Union of Workers pointed out that one of their members, who had the job of scything grass to feed the rabbits at the Auckland Hospital, got his feet and legs wet. The board approved of a suggestion that a pair of gumboots should be provided for the particular worker. Niagara Wreckage. As a result of the last storm on the east coast, a quantity of wreckage from the Niagara has come ashore. The two lifeboats that were cast adrift have come ashore. One boat is completely broken up, but the other does not appear to be greatly damaged. The heavy oil from the ship is still floating along close to the shore, and in consequence the penguins are still suffering. Residents along the shore have attempted to rescue the birds, which are very tame, by washing the oil from their feathers.

Hymn Singers Unappreciated. . In a letter of complaint received by ■iho Hospital Board, the writer stated that during the visiting period at the infirmary a few Saturdays ago a party of young people came into the McKelvie Ward, and, unannounced, sang j hymns which the writer considered were lof a crudely religious sort. The Rev. W. C. Wood said that people should not be allowed to visit the board's institutions and inflict their conception of religious exercises on unwilling people. It was decided to refer the matter to Mr. J. V. Macky and the medical superintendent. Museum Exhibit. The study of the movements of peoples and forests through peat bogs is the unusual subject of the 1940 annual Carnegie Exchange exhibit, and Miss Lucy M. Cranwell, botanist at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, after devoting much research to the question, has prepared a most interesting exhibit, which will be shown in other museums of the Dominion as well as in Auckland. In the study a period of 14,000 years is traced, and specimens of peat and sphagnum moss that may later become peat are displayed? .Paintings and sketches by Miss Jocelyn HarrisonSmith illustrate in colour how forests have changed according to climate since the last glaciation of northern Europe. Auckland Gift of £5000. The Auckland firm referred to in a Da,ventry broadcast during the week-end as having-given £5000 to British war benevolent funds is John Court, Ltd., and the sum forms part of total gifts of £10,000 made by this firm some weeks ago, and which have been allocated after correspondence on the subject with the British High Commissioner in New Zealand, Sir Harry Batterbee. The offer of £5000 was stated to be in appreciation of the various efforts of the Services and the mercantile marine at the evacuation of Dunkirk, and is to be divided equally between the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen's Families' Association and King George's Fund for Sailors, this covering both the Royal Navy and the mercantile marine. Soldiers' Leave Ends. Two special trains left Auckland last evening, conveying troops to Trentham and Burnham camps, while the bulk of the Papakura and Ngaruawahia men also reached camp during the day, completing ten days' leave. There was con-i siderable movement of troops to-day, but by to-morrow the last of the. men will have resumed their training. There I were animated scenes at the Auckland station last evening, "where there was a I large gathering of relatives. Three fori mer members of the Auckland Artillery , Band were played on to the departure platform by the band, assisted by a number of players from the Akarana Girls' Band. The train drew out fr6m the station as the band played "Auld Lang Syne." White Ant in Power Poles. The concern that is being felt by electric power boards over the depredations of the Australian white ant in New Zealand was mentioned at yesterday's meeting of the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board by Mr. J. A. Nash, who produced photographs of destruction that had been wrought in power poles as well as buildings in Auckland. Mr. Nash stated that the Power Boards' Association had been asked to appoint representatives to an investigating committee which was being set up to make j recommendations. He , suggested that •the board's chief engineer, Mr. W. A. Waters, be one of the power boards' representatives on the committee because of his experience with the ant in Australia. The board agreed to this suggestion, and also decided to get a report on the concrete poles.