NEWS OF THE DAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 294, 11 December 1943, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

lost Sack A well-filled sack lying in the gutter at the corner of Kitchener Street and Victoria Street East attracted the attention of passers-by yesterday afternoon. It had obviously been swung off the rear of a motor vehicle as it turned the corner. As is was too.heavy to carry away, it, was allowed to remain, awaiting a claimant.

Lights On On several occasions people have drawn attention to alleged waste of electrical power, because they haye seen certain street lights burning in daylight. These lights are in use to ascertain whether lighting circuits are functioning properly. The 'quickest and most effective way is, according to experts, to liven the circuits in daytime to enable failures to be quickly detected and repaired with a minimum of labour and transport. School Display A display of the work of pupils of the Otahuhu Technical High School was on view for the annual parents and visitors' day yesterday, and many took advantage of the opportunity to see the results of tne school courses. Present pupils acted as guides for the visitors. The day s programme included a parade of pupils in the house groups, folk dancing, singing and a physical drill exhibition by the boys. Trapped Rah ■ A record is claimed for a Victoria Street shopkeeper who discovered yesterday that he had caught no fewer than 12 rats together in one trap. They ranged from unpleasantlooking old-man rats, some of which appeared to be at least 12in in length from tip to tip, down to youngsters. One baby rat had been killed by the others and partly eaten overnight. The trap is of the cage variety, built in the shape of a pyramid, with an opening at the top. Kats which climb in are discouraged from essaying the climb back by a circle of converging wire spikes around the entrance. History in Dreamland With two of his household of four sitting for the university entrance examinations in the past two weeks, a Takapuna man must have been affected bv the atmosphere of the liome for on going to sleep he found that his dreamland was an examination room, with the subject history. Among the series of short questions in front bf him was one which asked the name of the G.0.Q., N.Z.E.F., in the Middle East. This name he could not recall at all in- his dream, but to an effort to • get .at least some marks he made this answer: "I toow his name well. He is a man renowned for his personal bravery, and is the same Freyberg as swam ashore at Gallipoli."

Past Students* Sacrifices At least 1186 past students were known to be serving with the armed forces, stated the principal of Seddon Memorial College, Mr. G. J. Park, in his annual report. Decorations of which advice had been received numbered 20, while the number of those who had lost their lives stood at 74.

"Block-Buster" Egg Outsize specimens are interesting, whether animal or vegetable, and a hen's egg laid three days ago at Onehunga is no exception. An absolute block-buster beside the ordinary fowl yard product, this measures three inches and one-fifth in length and. weighs four ounces and a half, filling the hand. Produced by a Black Minorca fowl owned by Mrs. M. McGarry, of Pleasant Street, it would be first choice for a rowdy at any old-time vaudeville. Buckets After a shortage of children's tin beach buckets, which has been acute for 12 months or more, the fond mother of three young Aucklanders was delighted to discover buckets on display again this week. She promptly bought three and took them home. During the day father also chanced across the display; bought three and took them home. His sister, who is staying with the family, saw them as well on an independent visit and; knowing the youngsters' desire, she also took three buckets home. Overstocked by six tin buckets,' the family is now exploring the demand among nieces and nephews. Careers A strong recommendation to parents to seek the advice of the guidance counsellors on the stall before placing their boys or girls in employment was made by the principal of Seddon Memorial Technical College, Mr. G. J. Park, in his annual report. "The judgment of trained counsellors is relied upon to a greater extent overseas than in New Zealand," said Mr. Park, "possibly because our industrial life is simpler in this small country. But in Auckland, at least, it is becoming more complex, and there is far too little planning for the future of young people. What there is may be often based upon wrong assumptions or even ignorance. ,

Eyesore Becomes Garden At the foot of Fort Richard Road, running through to Park Avenue, at Otahuhu, is a piece of land which for a number of years was an eyesore, being overgrown with gorse and blackberries. It was always a source of worry to keep tidy. Lately the industry and enthusiasm of a few adjoining neighbours have worked a transformation, and the large area is all under cultivation as a vegetable garden which would gladden the heart of any "Dig for Victory" enthusiast. It' is an outstanding example of what combined effort can do to produce a wonderful profusion of excellent vegetables.