NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 121, 18 November 1931, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

City Traffic. City traffic, from the figures quoted in his address last night by tho Chief City Traffic Inspector (Mr. L.' S. Drake), is heaviest in Jervois quay between Harris and Willcston streets, where on an average 1056 vehicles pass in an hour, counting both ways.' Next comes Customhouse ■ quay, between Brandon and Johnston streets, with 976 vehicles per hour. Popularity of Air Mail. A total of 3153 .letters were dispatched from New Zealand to connect with the Australia-London air mail. Of this number tho Ulimaroa, sailing from Auckland, took 1555, and the Marama, which sailed from Wellington, 1598. Lower charges accounted for an increase in the number of letters, compared with previous occasions. The ■two mail flights organised by tho linporial Airwayß .earlier in the year carried 452 and 308 New,. Zealand letters respectively. Then the fee was 2s per half-ounce, but on this occasion the fee was reduced to Is 3d from New Zealand. Another reason ior the increase in the number of letters carried was the "stunt" of an Invercargill-Auck-land flight collecting an air mail on the way. This was not attempted on the previous occasions. What use was made of this flight, and of tho return one from Auckland to Wellington, as far as internal mail is concerned, will be made known later when the figures aro available. Bees in Motor-cars. A swarm of bees, evidently looking for some suitable place to settle, caused mild consternation among motorists whose cars they invaded in Khyber Pass road, near Newmarket, at about 2 p.m. on Monday (states the "New Zealand Herald"). Several' drivers, who had been travelling with the windscreens open on account of the heat, drove straight through tho swarm, and wero surprised and dismayed to find their cars harbouring literally hundreds of. bees? At one time several cars wore stopped at the roadside with all their doors and window's open, whilo the owners expelled the invaders. In spite of the proverbial ferocity of swarming bees no one complained of having boon stung, and the bees soon disappeared. Kiwi in Captivity. A kiwi was discovered recently by Mr. Harry Draper' on his farm at Maungaturoto, and it is to be taken to the bird sanctuary on Little Barrier Island (states the "New Zealand Herald"). The bird, a fine specimen, is fully developed and in excellent condition. It was found among some high fern which Mr. Draper was cutting with a slashhook, and it was only by the greatest good fortune that the bird was not injured. Mr. Draper immediately caught the kiwi and placed it in a box, where it has since remained. For a number of days the kiwi was in the care of tho police, at Maungaturoto and later at Wark'worth, pending arrangements to have it transferred to the Little Barrier Island, where there aro several other kiwis. The bird is now fairly tame, and has grown accustomed to lifo in captivity. It has been fed largely on insects and grubs, which it has readily consumed. It is hoped that tho bird will thrive at ( tho sanctuary, _ as' good specimens" of kiwis are becoming increasingly rare. Society's Heavy Loss. . A Joss of between £450 and £500 was made on tho Auckland Amateur Operatic • Society's, ..production, "A Greek Slave," which on Saturday concluded a season of nine nights at His Majesty's Theatre, Auckland,, states the "New Zealand Herald." Although tho theatre was fairly well filled on tho last night, poor houses wero experienced during the remainder of the season. Speaking from the stage at the conclusion of Saturday night's performance, Mr. F. E. de Guerrier, chairman of the committee, said that owing to the financially difficult times through which, tho city was passing) a large number of the society's subscribers and supporters had been unable to assist the society' this year as they had done in tho past. The expenses of producing "A Greek Slave" had amounted to over £1200, but whereas last year's production, tho revival.of tho locallywritten play, "Tutankhamen," had netted from , £1400 'to £1500, "A Greek Slave" had taken only half that amount, from the financial -standpoint tho production coul^ therefore only be regarded as 'unfortunate. Suppressing Names. "Are there any special reasons why publication of the accused's name should be suppressed?" said Mr. E. D. Mosley, S.M., in tho Magistrate's Court at Christchurch (reports tho "Christehurch Times"), when a roquost of that nature was made by counsel. "I am not going to make a practice of suppressing names of accused in cases where a remand is granted. Tho publication of, tho name does no harm if tho accused is found not guilty. If he is f6und guilty,, the public should know about it." Sloops' Movements. The war sloops Veronica and Laburnum came out of dock at Auckland on Monday morning and berthed at Sheerlogs Wharf to complete refitting, states "The Herald." After tho work has been completed the two warships will make a short cruise on the coast. The Laburnum will lcavo for tho Hauraki Gulf on 30th November and will return to Auckland on 11th December. On 21st December she will leave for Whangarei and Port Fitzroy, returning to Auckland on 22nd January. The Veronica will leave for the Hauraki Gulf -on 7th December to carry ' out exercises. She will return to Auckland on 23rd December and remain in port until 11th January, when sho will leave for Tauranga and Russell, returning from thoso ports .on 28th January. Excitement on the Stage. An exciting incident occurred during tho progress of tho period comedy, v'And So to Bed," last evening, telegraphs "The Post's" Auckland correspondent, when a large Elizabethan collar worn by Mrs. J. W. Bailey caught fire. The incident occurred soon after the play commenced. Mrs. Bailey, in tho character of Mrs. Pepys, had just made her entranco, and moved unconsciously near to a lighted candelabra. The collar immediately caught fire. Her husband, who was also taking part in the production, dashed across the stage and extinguished the fire with his hands. Chichester in England. Advice" has been received that Mr. F. C. Chichester, who crashed in Japan while on j, flight to Tokio last August, is now in England. The Guild of British Empire Air Pilots and Air Navigators awarded the Johnson Memorial Prize to Mr. Chichester for flying from Now Zealand to Norfolk Island by means of solar, observation, and probably that is ono of the main reasons for his visit to England. His future plans are unknown.

Councillors as M.P.'s. Members of tho Wellington Eatcpaycrs' Association nt their monthly meeting on Monday expressed themselves as viewing with concern that no fewer than seven city councillors were desirous of contesting city seats. lii the face of the serious state of tho city finances, involving heavy responsibilities upon all councillors elected to safeguard tho interests of ratepapers, it was considered by the meeting that any councillor striving to attain Parliamentary rank wasunable to do full justice to electors. Drought in the South. ■ vJParched1 pastures are causing stock owners in Canterbury and North Otago considerable anxiety, owing to scarcity of feed, says an exchange.l In Oam'aru the effect of the drought is very; noticeable. ; Crops throughout South Canterbury—particularly oats, barley, peas, and turnips—arc-in need of, rain, and in several; districts water .has to bo carted for, household purposes as well as for" stock.'Farmers state that if rain docs not come within a fortnight many crops will receive a serious setback. North Canterbury pastoralists and agriculturists' also aro anxious for some rain, but' the country there does not present Buch a dry appearance as on the southern side of the Ashburton Eiver. '