Briefly

Northern Advocate, 26 December 1940, Page 7

Briefly

Bath Salts.—Among the most popular of Christmas presents to North Shore residents were bath salts. These were made necessary, friends of residents considered, to offset the state of the water supply. It was agreed that the odour of the water, which was bad enough when cold, was almost too terrible to be borne at hot-bath temperature. There was no suspicion of resentment on the part of recipients, but bath salts were indeed a necessity. Hotels Full.—Auckland hotel accommodation was taxed to the full on Christmas Eve, all available rooms being taken. One hotel commenced to turn people away at 1 o’clock in the afternoon and inquiries were still being made at a late hour. A greater number of visitors arriving today for the commencement of the holiday racing season will further complicate the position. Accidentally Shot.—A shot in the abdomen was- suffered by a soldier. Gunner A. French, on Christmas Eve when a rifle he was handling in one of the buildings of a coastal defence battery encampment accidentally discharged. He was taken to the Auckland Hospital and it is reported his condition is not serious.

Race Cancelled.—Acting on advice from the naval control service, officials have cancelled the annual Christmas yacht race from Auckland to Tauranga. The official reason was stated to be that the normal course taken for the race would have taken the competing yachts over areas recently described as being dangerous for navigation. This is the first time in 20 years that the race has been cancelled.