NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 2, 3 January 1942, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Seagulls' Nest ok Launch. Two seagulls are rearing a family on a launch moored- not far from the foreshore of St. Mary's Bay, Auckland. The site chosen for the nest was in the middle of an old motor-car tyre on top of the cabin, and in due course two birds were hatched. The young birds are able to walk, but the parents keep close watch on all intruders, and a launch which approached the-nest was attacked .by both. Unwelcome Downpour. Sunbathing was popular in the earlier part of yesterday, and not only on the beaches. It was not uncommon to see family parties soaking up the sunshine on their own lawns. Wind and sun were both warm until well on in the afternoon, when a black thunderstorm dropped heavy rain, and brought the temperature down 14 degrees. Many people were caught in very light clothing, and those without wraps felt the cold keenly. The crowds who had gone to the bays had an unpleasant journey home in their light clothes. Court Misled. The sound of an alarm siren heard in the Auckland Police Court at 9.30 a.m. on Tuesday brought everyone to attention. Members of the public were directed to make their way to the dispersal area, and the Court adjourned to await the "all clear." It soon became evident that there had been some mistake, as no further signals were heard and there was no general movement of the public. "Apparently the Court was misled," said Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., when he resumed his seat on the Bench a quarter of an hour later. "This is one of the great difficulties that is apparent. The alarm signal is not quite clear and distinctive." He said there had been difficulties in the past with ordinary sirens going, and people trying to distinguish whether it was a fire engine or not. There should be no mistake about the emergency signal from the start, and that was a matter for the authorities charged with that duty. It was ascertained later that the alarm was caused by the testing of a new siren on the Town Hall.

A special meeting of the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association is to be held on January 19 for the purpose of changing the name of the association. Particulars are advertised.