LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Northern Advocate, 20 July 1917, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Diversified general reading matter on the first page of to-day's "Advo* cate" includes an article which has reference to the export of New Zealand butter, a Ministerial utterance anent the possible reduction of reinforcement numbers, in memoriam verses, and casual topics. Page 4 con. tains Scout notes, latest commercial news, and the details of an industrial agreement between slieepowners and shearers.

According to the "Monthly Abstract of Statistics for June, as compiled by Mr R. R. Hunt, secretary of the Auckland Railways League, the number of men engaged on North Auckland railway works were as follow: —Whanga-rei-Main Trunk 190, Kaiwaka northwards 125, and Kawakawa-Hokianga 36.

The stormy weather conditions resulted this morning in a severance of telegraphic communication between Whangarei and Auckland for an lioiri' or two, but the service was subse.quently restored. The Whangarei office has not been apprised of the exact 'Jocality where the- break occurred; At the quarterly meeting of the Workers' Educational Association in Auckland striking evidence was giy&n of the growth of the movement. The reports of the different branches were read, and it was stated that those. recently formed at Hamilton and Whangarei were flourishing. Many correspondents had asked for information concerning the Association, and not a few had suggested the formation of branches in more centres. This morning the First Auckland Military Medical Board attended at the Whangarei Courthouse for the examination of a large number of reservists mostly drawn in the Ninth Ballot. The Board's personnel consists of Surgeon-General.. Skeriliali, tji&ut.u.G&lohei Macdohtiell, Captain Crawford (Dental Officer), Lieut. Bailey (Attesting Officer), Sgt.-Major Leyland, and Lauce-Corporals Day, Henry and Longdill. It is expected that the Board will be occupied to-morrow and on Monday in 'disposing of all the cases due for examination.

The Whangarei Fire Brigade yesterday afternoon went out with the engine to the hospital for the purpose of carrying out a daylight practice. . The journey was perfdrmed in 4% minutes, and tne water was on in five minutes from the time of receiving the call. Considering that the distance from the fire station to the hospital is not less than a mile and a-half, and that the usual traffic had to be allowed for, this must be considered quick time. The weight of gear on the car was over half a ton, and, with the six men aboard the total weight carried was about a ton. It was found that the pressure was ivery poor, and would only give one satisfactory lead. In view of the pressure being so poor— water having to travel a mile and aquarter through a four-inch main—it ia considered that if the 12-inch main were tapped where it leaves Otaika road to go over North '& property, with aii 8-iiich main brought up the road between the cattle-yards and Nbrth's and connected on to the four-inch niaiii in Maunu road, it would bring pressure up to about 140 lbs. per square inch at the Hospital. This would then give two or three very good leads.