LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17981, 5 January 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

A Pre??, Association message from Wellington last night stated that the Ulimaroa would arrive there from Sydney at 5 p.m. to-day, and the Marama from the same port to-morrow morning.

The three Main Trunk express trains which left Auckland for Wellington yesterday carried an aggregate of about 1100 passengers. The afternoon train and the first evening train each consisted of nine passenger carriages, and there were about 350 passengers on each express. The second train in the evening consisted of 11 passenger carriages, and carried about 400 passengers. It is anticipated that the outward passenger traffic will be fairly heavy until Sunday, after which, according to the present schedule, the extra express leaving in the evening will be withdrawn.

Marketable fish is very plentiful in Auckland at present, ajid ample quantities are obtainable in the shops at comparatively low prices. The demand is usually weak at this time of year. Schnapper is the principal line on hand, and Bchools of this fish are keeping more inside the gulf than has been the case in other seasons. The operations of the trawlers are consequently centred nearer the port than is often tho case. The fish are, on the average, noticeably small in size.

The north-east wind which made matters so uncomfortable for picnickers ou the Waitemata Harbour and in the gulf on Monday and Tuesday did not affect tho west coast. At the Waikato Heads parties of campers were able to cross th'i bar in their launches and fish in the deep water bevond. A party on Mr. C. Roose a launch Aurora on Tuesday caught over 100 large schnapper in a little over an hour. Sport among the kahawai in tho estuary was also good.

The imposition of the amusement tax, which came into force on Monday, has evoked little comment from picture theatre patrons. In most cases they have handed in to the ticket sellers the correct amounts for their seats, including the tax. As the holiday programmes have been attracting more than the normal numbers of visitors, it has not. yet been possible to ascertain the actual effect of the extra taxation. Comparative figures will bo more readily obtainable in a -week or two. The lowest-priced seats in the picture theatres are not taxed, so that only tho people who prefer the more expensive seats are affected by the additional impost.

The beach carnival, in aid of the Titirangi fallen soldiers' memorial church fund, which was held at Titirangi Park on Tuesday, was largely attended, there being over 1000 people present. The majority travelled by motor, but several parties went by launch from Onehunga. The Hon. C. J. Parr, M.P. for the district, was among those present. A very pleasant day was spent by all present and it is eipccted that the church fund will benefit considerably as a result of the carnival.

The spread of flames from a copper fire to the contents of a washhouse led to a. visit being paid by tho Mount Eden Fire Brigade to Milton Road; Mount Eden, at 11 a.m. yesterday. The outbreak was suppressed before much damage had been done.

Visitors to the late Waikato Sanatorium site state that the building and grounds, recently closed as a sanatorium, already show signs of neglect and disrepair. It is understood that as yet nothing has been decided by the Government as to what use is to be made of the property. The first of the sanatorium buildings were erected in 1903, the institution being formally opened in December of that year.

The fear expressed in Australia recently that Mr. Henri Verbrugghen, conductor of the New South Wales orchestra, will UOt return to Australia at the expiration of the sis months trip which he proposes to make to Europe at the conclusion of the present New Zealand tour, was set at rest by Mr. Verbrugghen last evening. Addressing the audience at the Town Hall Mr. Verbrugghen referred to this matter and said that he had been leading a life of strenuous work and had decided to take a rest. He never had any intention of not coming back and if he had his choice he would rusticate- in Australia or New Zealand. He wished to visit his aged parents whom he had not seen for eight years, and was going to Brussels to visit them, and if feasible would bring them back with him. He mentioned that he proposed leaving Australia by the Niagara on February 21.

Although there is yet no immediate prospect of passenger trains running through the Otira tunnel, passengers on several occasions have had reason to bo thankful that the tunnel is as near completion as it is. Recently there was another slip on the road over Arthur's Pass, and passengers from the West Coast to Christchurch went through the tunnel in trolleys.

The next issue of the New Zealand Tear Book will find it restored to its former size and circulation The Minister for Internal Affairs has authorised a policy which will result in the permanent improvement of the volume as a full and authoritative book of reference on all branches of the Dominion's activities, and all aspects of her social and economic characteristics and progress.

Some very fine evolutions at a height of about 10,000 ft. were carried out by an aeroplane en route to Lyall Bay on a recent evening. Flying over Wellington at about 4000 ft., the machine started to climb when over Mount Victoria, and reached a very high altitude in a very short time. A nose dive wag the first performance, and the machine resumed her climb, after falling several hundred feet, following that with a loop and spinning nose dive, one of the most spectacular feats an airman can perform. Before resuming "straight" flying to the hangar, the airman flew upside down for a brief period. The sight of the machine performing at such an altitude was described'as impressive.

A rusty three-legged cast-iron pot, which was part of the price paid to the Maoris for Wanganui, has been placed in the Wanganui museum. It was secured from a native at Pitangi, on the Wanganui River.

Various /umours have been in circulation of late to the effect that the Mormons are purchasing, or have purchased, a block of land in Southern Hawke'a Bay for the purpose of forming a settlement of Latter Day Saints, says a Danneyirke paper. In conversation with a prominent Mormon leader of the district, the journal learned that there is an intention on the part of that body to acquire an area of some thousands of acres, but whether in Huwke's Bay or elsewhere is not yet decided. The informant stated that several places are under offer in different parts of the North Island, and an option_ hasbeen secured over some, but no decision will bo arrived at until the New Year, possibly not until March. It is understood that tho land will be used for farming purposes, probably being, cut up into suitable areas for the young students.

During a discussion on the question of rat extermination in connection with plague prevention, at a meeting of the Blenheim Borough Council, one of the members said that the Minister for Health was very panicky over the matter. The speaker said he thought the rat campaign should be more assiduously prosecuted in the cities beloro action was forced on the smaller towus. " Why," ho exclaimed, " if you want to see rats you fhould go to Wellington! I walked round the G.P.O. there one wet evening in September, and the rats iveio ei> numerous they tripped