News Of The Day

Northern Advocate, 25 May 1939, Page 6

News Of The Day

“Black-Out” In Whangarei.

A fault on. the main transmission line between Portland 'and the substation caused a complete “blackout” in Whangarei last night, the whole electrical service being out of laction between 11.30 and midnight. A change-over to the stand-by line was effected as quickly as possible, and the main line will be repaired on Sunday. ■Jf ■X' TV

Wellington Harbour Board Chairman. By seven votes to three, Mr M. A. Eliott defeated Mr C. H. Chapman, M.P., in an election held last night for the chairmanship of the Wellington Harbour Board. Labour members supporting Mr Chapman’s nomination protested against the departure from the rotation system and alleged political prejudice.

Otamatea And Subsidised Work. “Our staff and machinery had to concentrate on works subsidised by the Government to the detriment of some of our b'ackblock roads, but this cannot be avoided without increasing our engineering staff,” said th£ chairman of the Otamatea County Council, in his annual report yesterday. “This is regrettable, but our staff have, by dint of hard work and long hours, accomplished a splendid year’s work, and are catching up on the work that had to be delayed. I would like to pay la tribute to our outside staff and contractors for their excellent service which has helped considerably in keeping down our costs, and in making it possible’ to carry out the expenditure of Government subsidies.”

Peak Overdraft Reduced

“During the month of February, the overdraft of the Otamatea County Council rose to a record figure of £12,000, but by March 31, the clerk and engineer had managed to turn this into a credit of nearly £SOOO. Great credit is due to them and the staff for this achievement,” commented the chairman, Mr Rodney Coates, in presenting his annual report to the Otamatea County Council yesterday.

Otamatea Supports Harbour Bridge “I think we are getting closer to Auckland every day,” said Cr. T. H. C. Snelling when the Otamatea County Council were discussing a letter from the Auckland Harbour Bridge Association, asking that the council pass a resolution urging the Government to appoint a commission to inquire into the desirability of the harbour bridge. “Every day,” continued Cr. Snelling, “the roads are improving and scoresi of people now make the return trip; to Auckland in the one day. If we; support the inquiry we can do no, harm.” The council concurred with; this view and decided to support the; association’s request for an inquiry. .

The Whole Truth.

“You fellows please yourselves what you put down. I am only telling what I see and what true,” a Dalmatian witness, when being hotly questioned by a solicitor qt an inquest in Whangarei yesterday. * * * Verbal Fishing Expedition. “I am here on behalf of the employers;- but if my friend desires to m'qke this a fishing expedition then I am in also.” One solicitor’s opinion of - the questions that were being asked by a colleague appearing for the relatives of a deceased employee at an inquest at Whangarei today.

Social Security Form Shortage. With a large number of applications coming forward, there was a temporary shortage of social security and income tax return forms at the Whangarei Post Office early this week. As a result for two days a large number of taxpayers wer,e unable to secure forms to fill in their returns. Full supplies, however, are now to hand. ■ •x- * * School Boy Patrols to Control Crossings. Road crossings opposite the Whangarei and Whau Valley schools are to be controlled by school boy prefects before and after lessons and at lunch time. Teachers are co-operating with Mr H. K. Ford, Whangarei A.A. patrol officer in introducing the system, whereby certain senior boys are selected for this special duty. With red. arm bands and flags the boys will marshall the younger children at the crossing and give the all-clear signal when traffic is out of range. School boy patrols are already doing good work at Whau Valley, and the service will be introduced at Whangarei on Friday .afternoon when Mr Ford will instruct the young “traffic officers.”

Life Insurance will not replace a life —but it can replace an income. Information gladly given by Neal Armit, A.M.P. Society, Whangarei. Al 4.