NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 188, 8 May 1934, Page 10

NEWS IN BRIEF

Road Conditions The Wellington Automobile Club reported last night that the Happy Vailey* and Akatarawa roads were still blocked, and that the Porirua crossing was clear for cars, but still required a careful approach. Accession Day Salute. Yesterday at noon a salute of 21 guns was fired from Point Jerninghani in recognition of Accession Day, This year Accession Day—the anniversary of the death of King Edward VII. who was succeeded by King George V. on May 6, 1910—fell on Sunday, and for that: reason the customary firing of the salute was postponed for 24 hours. New Plaza Theatre. Preparations are now being made to build the facade of the Manners Street entrance to the New Plaza Theatre. This entrance will span the frontage of two shops. It will be erected in reinforced concrete, which will be superimposed on the old building. The theatre itself is an entirely new structure of brick, with steel standards. Empire GamesAn application from N. F. Cooper, of Auckland, to be included in the team to represent New Zealand at the Empire Games was declined by the Council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association last evening. Cooper stated that he was willing to pay hii> own expenses, but the general consensus of opinion was that he was not up to standard. The view was also expressed that to grant the application would mean that an athlete could buy his way into the team.

Smith Family Clothes. Another distribution, of clothes for the needy will be made by the Smith Family at its depot in Wakefield Street to-day. Though the appeal was made nearly a month ago parcels of clothes were’being received every day from far and near. Among recent contributions were parcels from well-wishers as far away as Kum-ara and Hokitika.

Automobile Club Service. Likening the inquiries for information made to the office and the secretary by non-members to going into a shop and asking for goods for nothing, the executive of the Wellington Automobile Club last night reaffirmed its decision of 18 months ago' not to supply information to noh-members. It was stated that 45 per cent, of the motor registrations in the district were memhers of the club, representing 70 per cent, of private car owners.

No Shipping Arrivals Yesterday. ■ With the exception of the small coastal motor-ship Taupata, which put back to port owing to heavy weather, not one vessel arrived at the port of Wellington yesterday. Monday is usually a slack day for arrivals, but very rare indeed is the day which shows an absolute blank in the arrival column of the Harbour Board’s records. The Taupata left at 3.45 p.m.' for Nelson, and arrived back at her berth,again at 4.35 p.m.

Labour Councillors Praised. At a recent meeting of the Wellington Labour Representation Committee a motion was passed expressing appreciation of “the persistent efforts of the Labour representatives on the City Council in endeavouring to secure the restoration of the wage and salary cuts to the City Council employees.” The resolution also congratulates them on the measure of success which their advocacy has achieved in obtaining the 5 per cent, restoration.

Automobile Chib Signposts. In the territory of the Wellington Automobile Club 372 signposts and 639 signboards have been erected, according to a report presented by the roads committee to the executive of the club last night. Signposting work now in hand consists of rehovatioi of the signs between Karori and Makara, Makara and Johnsonville, and on the Hutt Road to Khandallah. The total mileage of highways in the club’s territory is 175, . subsidiary roads representing 646 miles. ',

Fine Stag Shot. A fine stag was-shot recently near the old Hoehstetter claim, a few miles from Ahaura, Westland, by Mr. George Hahn, jun., of Ahaura. The bead is considered one of the best obtained in the Grey district for years. It had a spread of 40 inches and a length of 41 inches. There were 13 fighting tines and 15 points. The weight of the bare skull and horns was 13 pounds. The shape was very even.

Insufficient Capitation. “The majority of the Wellington city schools are of the old type, and must of necessity require additional care and attention, but the committees do not receive any additional capitation grant,” states the executive committee of the Wellington School Committees’ Federation in its annual report “A flat rate is set, irrespective of whether it is a new school or an old one. A little elasticity in the payment of capitation grants would be beneficial not only to the committees but to the Education Department.” Petition in Divorce.

A decree nisi was granted Matthew Henry Hardie, seaman, of Wellington, against Millicent Hardie on the ground of adultery by Mr, Justice Reid in the Supreme Court yesterday. The case was set down to be defended, but there was no appearance of the respondent or the co-respondent, John Porter, and after a short retirement the jury returned a verdict that adultery was proved. Mr. A. B. Sievwright appeared for petitioner.

Paintings Sold. Tlie following pictures in the New Zealand Academy’s autumn exhibition have been sold: —“The Encounter” and “Belter Skelter,” by A. S. Paterson: “Meditation.” by Marcus King: “Roofs.” by Nugent Welch: "Early Morning. Lake Taupo," by W. M. Barratid: “The Incoming Tide.” by Dorothy H Jones; and “Early Morning. York Bay.” by D K. Richmond. The exhibition, which is at the Whitmore Street Gallery, will be open every day and evening this week.

College Memorial Hall. The prospect of an early start in the erection of the Old Boys’ Memorial Hall at the Christchurch Technical College was referred to by the chairman (Ur. .McGregor Wright) in his report to the monthly meeting of the College Board of Governors. The accommodation that would be provided. Mr. Wright stated, would be rather less than was needed, as the funds available did not allow them to carry out the whole scheme ns originally proposed. The hall would seat BSo' persons, and the stage and basement accommodation would he good. The extra seating required in the hall would have to be provided at a later date by the erection of a nailery to seat possibly 250 persons That was being provided for in the present plans.