CITY AND SUBURBAN

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 186, 4 May 1929, Page 13

CITY AND SUBURBAN

HAPPENINGS IN AND ABOUT TOWN

Cabinet yesterday approved the extension of the lower telephone exchange cable system in the Petone West area.

Bond Street West has been closed for traffic in view of the danger that may be incurred by the demolition of an old brick wall adjoinin''- the Nimmo block (which is als to be demolished in the near future).

A large shark was seen cruising a >und the Queen’s Wharf yesterday morning, and particularly in the vicinity of berth No, 7. An albatross, a rare visitor to the Wellington waterfront, was also seen in the vicinity.

The programme to be broadcast tonight by Station 2YA, Wellington, will be interrupted at 8,32 to permit of a lecturette being given by Commissioner Hay. of the Salvation Army. His subject will be “The High Council and the Future of the Salvation Army.”

“A most magnificent service” was liow a councillor described the Wellington Free Ambulance at a meeting of the Alakara County Council yesterday. Last year, he stated, his children contracted scarlet fever, A doctor arrived and ordered that they be taken to the Hospital. “Within half an bout the Free Ambulance was out from Wellington,” he added. "It is really a wonderful institution, giving a first-class service.”

While riding pillion on a motor-cycle near the Basin Reserve, Miss Marjorie Kerr, of 31 Bidwell Street, received severe lacerated wounds on the right leg and foot, when the machine suddenly skidded and struck a lamp-post. After being attended to by the Free Ambulance Aliss Kerr, who was also suffering considerably from shock, was conveyed to the hospital.

Complaints were flying freely at the unemployed meet'” in the Trades Hall yesterday morning. “You are not hungry, are you?” inquired Mr. P. Fraser, AI.P., of a burly young fellow who occupied a prominent position in the front seat. “No,” promptly answered the youth addressed. “Pl ysically you don’t look hungry,” commented Air. Fraser, “but mentally you appear literally starved.”

Shortly after 5.30 last night two fire-engines whirled through Alercer Street, sirens wailing, to come to »'a halt in front of George and Doughty’s building in Victoria Street. With visions of a spectacular blaze a crowd soon collected, but there was no smoke or flame in evidence anywhere. Nor, as a matter of fact, did any exist. A line fault in the alarm system was the reason of the brigade’s turning out.

Following the recent fire in the Y.M.C.A., in Willis Street, and the consequent postponement of the opening ceremony in connection with the building alterations and improvements, the contractors have repaired the damage and the premises are ready for a resumption of the Association’s operations on Alonday next. The re-open-ing ceremony will take place on Tuesday, when the Alayor, Mr. G. A. Troup, will officiate.

Charges of behaving in a disorderly manner while drunk were admitted by two seamen, Patrick Joseph O’Driscoll, aged 28, and Bernold Carr, aged 29, who appeared before Air. E. Page, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Senior-Sergeant Butler stated that the men had told the police that their ship was leaving port, and as they were rather joyful about the idea of returning to England, they were celebrating it with a friendly struggle on the footpath. The celebrations were brought to an abrupt end, and cost the men 10s. each.

F. Cookson, a labourer, was working on the Aliramar cutting yesterday morning, when lie was struck by a fall of earth, with the result that be received injuries to the right leg. He was attended to by the Free Ambulance and taken to his home, 31 Wright Street.

Although only one vehicle is supposed to cross Kelburn viaduct at a time, tlie regulation is more honoured in tfie breach than the observance. Yesterday a well-loaded bus was closely followed by a large car carrying four passengers.

A man the worse for liquor strolled across Willis Street and in front of an oncoming tram. The driver succeeded in pulling up sharply almost within touch of the -man, who thereupon reeled against the front of the car and leaned against it. Finally he was assisted to the pavement, where he was taken charge of and persuaded to find his way home by more devious ways than the main streets.

While proceeding along Cambridge Terrace at about 11 o’clock last night, a motor-cyclist, C. E. Freshly, of 26 Garfield Street, Brooklyn, suddenly skidded, and was precipitated to the ground. He received injuries to his groin and a knee, and also suffered from shock. After being attended to by the Free Ambulance, he was conveyed to the hospital.

Richard Cook, who had a list of twenty-one previous convictions, was charged in the Alagistrate’s Court yesterday with a tenth statutory offence of drunkenness, and with a breach of his .prohibition order. Senior-Sergeant Butler stated that this was accused’s third breach of the particular prohibition order, and added that the Salvation Army authorities had offered to look after accused for a period. The Magistrate convicted accused and ordered him to come up for sentence within twelve months if called upon. A condition was imposed that he should go to the Salvation Army Home for six months.

The first shot the French fired on Moscow in “1812” at the Town Hall on Thursday night was so truly laid that it snapped one of the strings of Air. D. Lavin’s violin. This in an orchestra of 70 would have been of small moment were the player one of the back-liners, * but Air. Lavin happened to be the leader —a very good leader —and his loss at once became apparent For five minutes during the bombardment of Moscow he struggled to fit a new string (all experienced violinists carry spare parts on their person), but just as Aloscow burst into flames and the “Russian Hymn” began to come through, “La Alarseilles,” one of the lady firsts offered Air. Lavin her instrument, and thus armed he dashed into the fray and helped to rout the fleeing French.

A further adjournment lor one week was granted in the Alagistrate’s Court yesterday to Thomas Atkinson, Samuel Jones, and Emily Parker, who were charged with wilfully trespassing on properties in Alma Lane and Francis Place, after being ordered to leave by the City Council. The houses are to be demolished in order to make room for the new milk station. In asking for the adjournment, the city solicitor (Mr. J. O’Shea) said that he understood that Jones had gone out of his house and that Mrs. Parker was 'leaving on Tuesday. “Atkinson simply refuses to go,” said Air. O'Shea, “and I don’t know’ what to do with him. He hasn’t worked for years.” The Magistrate (Air. E. Page) told Atkinson that he must go as the matter could not continue as at present.