NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 210, 2 June 1936, Page 11

NEWS IN BRIEF

Thorndon Ramp Discussion on the question of constructing an overbridge or ramp to connect Waterloo Quay extension with the Hutt Hoad was taken in committee al. the meeting of the Wellington City Council Inst night. The Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, appeared to be about to make a statement to the council on the subject, when the city solicitor, Mr. J. O'.Shea, spoke to him and the Mayor said that consideration of the question would be taken in committee, as some points wore subject to negotiation. Discussions have been proceeding for some time as to the shares in which the cost is to be borne by Government departments and rhe local bodies. King’s Birthday a School Holiday. Although in the list of school holidays for tiie current year the King's birthday is set down for June 3. the Wellington Education Board has decided that this holiday will now be observed on Tuesday, June 23. in honour of tiie birthday of King Edward VIII. Oil Drum Bursts. While a lorry was rounding the corner of Boulcott Street beside Plimmer’s Steps yesterday morning a drum of oil, which was part of the load, fell off and burst when it struck the ground. The oil spread over almost the entire road surface at the corner, making a slippery patch that was especially danserous for vehicles on the down-grade from The Terrace. Sawdust and sand were scattered to minimise the risk of skidding. Sunday as Show Day. “Sunday is the great show day in Manila,” said Long Tack Sam. the well-known entertainer, who is appearing in Wellington at present. “It is the one day of the week when all cease work and look for some form of plea-sure-—just the same as it is in America, especially South America. In order to cope with the crowds we had to give seven shows on Sunday—fourteen hours’ hard work. No 40-hour week there yet.”

When the Borer Hops. “Ordinary building matai is the worst wood that can be used for houseconstruction,” said a building inspector yesterday. “There is a world of difference between o.b, matai and heart matai, just as there is between o.b. and heart white pine. There are houses of heart white pine in Marlborough still doing duty after 70 years. Some people think that white pine is most vulnerable to the borer, blit I tel. you the borer will hop over white pine to get at o.b. matai.” A SJirewd Fraud. It is understood that a bank was defrauded of £BO by a clever rusje during last week. A man opened an account at tiie bank recently by making a do posit of £lO. A few days later he wrote a cheque for £9, and presented it to the ledger-keeper, who returned it marked for payment. Instead of go ing to the teller to cash the cheque, the man left the bank and returned after having made two. small but vital al terations. “Nine” was made to read “ninety” by the addition of the letters “ty,” and an extra nought was added to the numeral. Being marked the teller paid out the £9o—and the drawer disappeared. Burgee for Yacht Squadron, The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron has received a burgee from the Royal Ulster Yacht Club, Ireland. The flag was brought from Ireland by Mr. M. M. N. Corner, a member of the 1935 All Black football team, who was a guest of the Ulster club during the tour of the All Blacks in Ireland. In a letter asking Mr. Corner to present the burgee to the squadron the secretary of the Royal Ulster Yacht Club, Mr. R. A. Barbour, extended his club’s hearty greetings and good wishes for the success of yacht racing in Auckland, where the Ulster club had no member to fly its flag. The burgee is blue, with a crown over the.“ Bed Hand of Ulster, on a white ground. Easier Motor Licensing. “I think this executive can take the credit for having brought about better service,” said the chairman of the Automobile Association (Wellington), Mr. E. A. Batt, speaking at a meeting of the association’s executive last night of the manner in which relicensing of motor-vehicles had proceeded this year. Mr. Batt pointed out that a larger staff than previously had been employed, and it had worked extended hours to give those who worked during the day opportunity to attend the office. Also the form had been simplified and people had been allowed to take the forms out of the office for filling in. The questions which had been eliminated, such as that asking the horse-power of the car, wanted for military reasons, could not have been very necessary, since it had been found possible to eliminate them. These changes in the system bad been suggested to the Ministers concerned by the association.