LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17696, 3 February 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Prices for beef at the WestSeld fat stock sales yesterday showed a further slight decline compared with last week's rates, competition being dnll and freezing buyers doing very little. Extra choice ox sold to £2 10s per 1001b., choice and prime at from £2 4s to £2 9s, ordinary and plain at from £2 23 to £2 ss. For sheep, penned in large numbers, competition was keener and prices better than last week. Good wethers made from £1 7s 6d to £1 12a, ewes £1 4s to £1 9s 6d, and lambs from £1 3s 6d to £1 13s 3d. Pig 3 were yarded in average numbers, and sold at about last week's prices. Heavy baconers realised from £4 6s to £4 19s, and heavy porkers at from £3 10s to £3 15s.

The outward-bound tramway traffic in Symonds Street was blocked for some time last evening owing to a car running off the rails when turning into that thoroughfare from Karangahape Road. Happening as it did at about 5.20 p.m. the delay affected several hundred homegoing passengers, and, by the time the derailed car had been placed on thei line again, some 30 following trams Were lined up behind each other nearly as far down as the Wakefield Street stopping place. No damage res-ulted to the car which had left the line, nor to the track iteelf.

An exceptionally high standard was maintained by the secondary department of the Waihi District High School last year, and a high percentage of examination passes obtained. Reference to this fact was contained in the inspector's report on district high schools received yesterday by the Education Board, which decided to write to the headmaster and staff congratulating them upon their success. A copy of this school's record in examinations is to be sent to other schools and headmasters are to be asked Ldtf 3nnUal re P° rts of examination

The patient suffering from " alastrim " supposed to be a form of mild smallpox, who was removed from the steamer Waiwera and isolated at the quarantine hospital on Motuihi Island, continues to improve. No infection has developed among the crew of the vessel. It will be some days yet before the results of their vaccination will be ascertained.

The quarterly criminal sessions of the Supreme Court at Auckland will open on Monday. Mr. Justice Stringer will preside. His Honor will hold a Chamber sitting at 10 o'clock to-morrow morning.

" More than ever before appreciation has been shown this year of the students' opportunity to attend suitable course* of lectures at the university," said the principal of the Training College, Mr. H. G. Cousins, in hie annual report to the Education Board yesterday. " This was particularly the case with the male students, all the second year men, with the exception of four, sitting for some portion of the B.A degree or Teachers' Class B examinations. Tha amended university regulation, which allows two subjects, instead of three, as the minimum for the first B.A. examination is suiting our college well, and has done much to stimulate interest in university work." The report added that the compulsory attendance at certain university classes, as required by the Training College regulations, had been less satisfactory. This, however, had always been a matter of difficulty, and had led to the adoption of a new plan under which much of that work would be undertaken by the college staff.

The Auckland Bands' Association applied to the Newmarket Borough Council last evening for a donation to enable it to represent Auckland at fie forthcoming Nelson and Dannevirke Brass Band contests. The applicants claimed thai their association had definite objects in view, namely, to elevate the standard of music, and to regularly visit and play at the hospital, mental hospital, Institute for the Blind, Costley Home, and other institutions, for the benefit of the inmates. They etated that during the war the various bands rendered valuable service to the country, being utilised on 1243 occasions. For this they received very little recognition. Their appeal had been rendered necessary owing to the financial failure of the military tattoo recently held in the Domain. Tha stnn of £2000 was required by the association. The council decided to take no action, pending further inquiry into the matter.

A billiard saloon keeper of Aria, Richard Pau Cobnrn, has been adjudicated bankrupt. The first meeting of creditors will be held at Te Kuiti on Tuesday.

A rubbish fire in Bell Road, Remuera, resulted in a call being received by the Remuera and Parnell Fire Brigades yesterday at mid-day. The flames were speedily extinguished, no damage being done. The Mount Albert Fire Brigade received a call to a grass fire on the Euaton Estate at Edendale. The fire was put out without difficulty.

The issue of a quarterly official journal for teachers was decided upon by the Auckland Education Board yesterday. The question was brought up by the supervisor of manual and technical training, Mr. J. P. Kalaugher, who suggested that the board should publish a bi-monthly bulletin, which would be of direct use to teachers taking classes in elementary agriculture. The secretary, Mr. E. C. Purdie, favoured the issue of an official pamphlet, incorporating an agricultural section, by means of which the board could announce matters of importance, and thus effect a considerable saving in stamps and circulars. The cost of comiminicatins: with over 350 schools was great. It was decided to try the scheme for one year.

A team of sir members of the Newmarket Fire Brigade is to proceed to Napier at the end of this month to take part in the fire brigades' demonstration to be held there. At last evening's meeting of the Borough Council a subsidy of £20 was voted towards the expenses of tie team.

A meeting of the Auckland branch of the Seamen'a Union has been held in connection with the dispute with the employers regarding the cost-of-living bonus. No settlement has been arrived at, but it is understood the matter will be again discussed at a further conference on Tuesday next.

An elderly man. Thomas Ormiston, 66 years of age, residing with his son-in-law, Mr. T. Meek, of 13, Regina Street, Grey Lynd, was found yesterday morning suffering from a severe gash on the throat He entered the house about/nine o'clock, going to his room, where Mrs. Meek found him shortly afterwards with his throat gashed. After receiving medical attention he was removed to the hospital. His condition is not regarded ad dangerous. According to his own statement he had not been sleeping well of late.

Permission to graze stock ha the Mount St- John Domain was refused by tho One Tree Hill Road Board last evening. The applicant offered to pay reasonable rent, but the chairman, Mr. H. B. Dobbie, said the board had already made up its mind that cattle were a nuisance in the Domain.

An unusual testimonial of public appreciation was presented to Mr. G. M. Stone, Mayor of Miramax, at a gathering to mark the amalgamation of the borough with the > city of Wellington. It was a surveyor's tape bearing the signatures of all the residents of the district, and bearing the message " Miramax's measure of appreciatkja." The mayoral chair, which he had occupied for eight years, was also presented-to Mr- Stone.