LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17910, 12 October 1921, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The recent copious rains have had a good effect on the strawberry crops in the Anckland district, and it is expected that a plentiful supply of excellent berries will soon bo placed upon the market. Growers, who were very doubtful regarding the prospects a few weeks ago, are now confidently looking forward to a good season. There is little or no demand for imported coal in Auckland at present, due to the fact that local reserve stocks are fairly considerable, and the output from the Waikato mines is equal to require ments. A circular sent out to large consumers of coal by one of the large coal dealers in the city, offering to sell imported coal at 2s a ton over cost price, has met with practically no response. Writing from Tawhai Camp, near Waimarino, on Sunday, Mr. John Cullen said:—Ruapehu has been emitting a large column of steam this morning, but as the top of the mountain has only been visible for half an hour during the last few days one cannot say whether the thermal activity has been continuous or intermittent. Ngauruhoe has been obscured with clouds since we arrived till this afternoon, when it cleared for an hour or so, showing a great amount of white billowy steam issuing from the crater and drifting down into the Mangatepopo Valley. Occasionally dark coloured steam rushed up for a few minutes. Loud rumbling from Ngauruhoe came frequently, but no earthquake shocks. A fire started at 8.2S o'clock last evening at a blacksmith's shop in Sturdee Street, owned by A. and T. Burt, Ltd. The alarm was given by Sir. E. Twohill, manager of the Sailors' Home, who noticed a smell of burning and investigated. The City Fire Brigade was summoned and used chemicals to suppress the outbreak, which was confined to a quantity of sawdust and boxes. The cause of the Hre is not known.

The prospects of the coming stone fruit season are regarded as very favourable. The unusual spell of fine weather during the blossoming period caused the fruit to set well, and the trees generally are now looking remarkably healthy. Given freedom from injurious winds, the approaching stone fruit season should show a decided improvement upon the indifferent yields of several previous seasons.

Measures for the better control of the passenger traffic at the ferries were approved by the Harbour Board yesterday. A recommendation from the board in committee, based on one made by the traffic inspector, was brought down to the effect 'hat movable fences be provided on the eastern berths, to provide better supervision during rush hours. it was further decided to authorise the erection of a short fence and gate on the Devonport berth, to better regulate the normal traffic

To-day is the 22nd anniversary of the commencement of the South African war. President Kruger's ultimatum to the British Governmen*, which was presented to the British agent at Pretoria, on Octo. ber 9, 1899, requested an assurance by the evening of October 11 that the British troops on the Transvaal border would be immediately withdrawn, that reinforcements that already had arived in South Africa would be removed within " a reasonable time," and that any troops then on the way would not be" landed. The reply refusing compliance with these demands was handed to the Boer Government on October 121 On the same day the first- blow in the war was struck bv an attack by the Boers on a British armoured train, between Capetown and Kimberley.

Beneficial rains have fallen along the west coast, and the general opinion of farmers is that not for yeare have such ideal conditions prevailed for dairying, telegraphs our Wangsnui correspondent.' Cream is pouring into the factories.

The increased Australian tariff was brought under the notice of the Auckland Industrial Association yesterday afternoon, in a letter from tone Department of Industriej and Commerce. The letter stated that New Zealand would suffer under the tariff until reciprocity was arranged between the Dominion 'and A astralia. The duty of 30 per cent, on chamois leather was piven as an instance and the letter stated that though XewZealand chamois had gained a favourable position in the Australian market, the new tariff would probably prevent its having a chance in competition. The new tariff was calculated to brine about the establishment of every possible industry and che next few years would see considerable industrial progress In Australia.

"While acknowledging the difficult and trying work of the police force, I wish to sp-ak of the practice of some officers in advising or persuading an accused person to plead guilty on the promise of a light sentence," said the Rev. K. C. Budd, secretary of the Dicharged Prisoners' Aid Society, yesterday. Speaking at some length on the matter, Mr. Budd contended that it w.i.s wroiii- to hold out either promise err threat in dealing with an alleged offender. He illustrated his contention by quoting a case which occurred in England, where a prisoner had been discharced when a police, officer admitted having threatened him.

The annual examination conducted throughout the British Empire by the Institution of Civil Engineers, Lond'on, is being held this week. There are six An'ekland candidates who are being examined at , th *,- To n- n > 1 '- Mr - J Ashley Hunter and Mr. \\. E. Bush acting as supervisor?.

A request for co-operation in regard to the observance of Nelson Day was made to the Auckland Presbvtery last evening by the Auckland branch of the Navy League. The letter was "received " without discussion.

"It sounds like bad language," said a minister at the meeting of the Auckland Presbytery last eveninj. when a letter was read, in which reference was made to " The** P, classes." •' Hardly Presbyterian," was (he comment of" another minister, and when the laughter had subsided the clerk smilingly stated that he was only reading what, was in the letter It appeared that the •• R " classes merelv referred to certain Bible lessons.

Carriers are in future to be on the same footing :is taxi drivers in r-spect of the Harbour Board's retaliation requiring ihem to stand bv their vehicles when on the. wharves, instead of being allowed to go into the sheds in quest of work. This decision was arrive.! at yesterday bv the board, at the request of 45 taxi-drivers who had sent in a petition on the subject.

Many strange article? are brought to Wlit from the bed of the Wa.ifcrunta Vrv tbo Harbour Board's su.'lloll dredtrer. The latest example was deemed to be so unique, that it wa<s exhibited to (he memben of the board at the meeting yrs . toHav affornooi-. Tin's whs a. steel haf. hway cov.'r. measuring oypr 2ft either way, -md 541b. in weight It, was picked up by the dredire recently, a.nd passed thrciu'n the cutter knives' which sliced through the 316 th in. p!.if« f or a length of a. foot; it then became jammed in the 27in. suction pipe The engineer, Mr. \V. ]J. Hatm-r. in his mcnthly report., stated that the dredger had r! ,ne excellent work, but bad been stooped too frequently to clear wire rope, ships' -iu'-riiig, and other rubbish picked up from ;),e harbour bed. Sue), materia! was verv trnnblesoTOe and costly to the dred-er-; TI- suggested that a severe peniltv he imposed upon persons deposit ing any of it i,, the harbour.

The General As«en.blv of the Presbv U-nan Pii.tr. h U to be invited to meet 'in Auckland next year. This .h-cision was rea.hed ~1 .),, mMin.- ol Iho Auckland Presbytery i;..»t evening. Thi, year the General Assemble meets in Dunediri opening on November 15.