LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18692, 24 April 1924, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

There will be no publication of the Herald to-morrow (Anzac Day). As a matter of convenience to the public, the Queen Street office will be open in the evening from 5 to 10 o'clock for the receipt of advertisements for Saturday's issue. The fact that during the past two years no dwellings have been erected in Newmarket, was revealed in the annual report of the Mayor, Mr. S. Donaldson, to the Borough Council last evening. The total value of tho building permits issued during the year was reported to be £38,551, compared with £66,405 in the previous year. Alterations and additions to existing buildings accounted for £4892 of the total.

The weather at Auckland yesterday was very changeable and unsettled. The conditions were very boisterous and wet in the early morning when the wind blew strongly from the north-east, accompanied by frequent rain squalls. About 10 a.m. the wind changed suddenly and blew strongly from the west for some time, causing a considerable sea in the unsheltered parts of the harbour. In the afternoon the wind moderated and the conditions improved, fine weather being experienced afterwards. The barometer, which had registered 30.00 in. at midnight on Tuesday, fell to 29.80 in. by 10 a.m. yesterday. It rose afterwards and last night the reading was 29.95 in.

Striking , evidence of the growth of the administration of the spending departments of the City Council is given in the estimates for the current year, which were before the council at its special meeting last evening. It was shown that the expenditure from the general account in 1915 was £114,334, whereas the estimated expenditure for the current year was £231,970. Commenting on the figures, the Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, said that no relative comparison could bo made with these figures, for not only had there been a normal expansion, but by the amalgamation of many districts the area of the city had greatly increased. It had also to be remembered that the general raising of the standard of requirements had imposed added burdens in the matter of expenditure. It should also be noted that in addition large and steadily maintained works had been carried out on loan moneys.

Police Court business to-day is likely to be curtailed, owing to the inability of certain necessary witnesses to attend because of the strike. In their absence it is probable that a number of prosecutions may bo adjourned.

The military pageant held in Auckland recently resulted in a profit of £600, the receipts totalling £1611. The Management Committee of the Auckland Military Sports Association has decided to place £400 of the profit in a trust account in the names of Major Finnis and Messrs. «T. Carlaw and J. P. Kalaugher. The committee also decided to hold the annual boxing tournament in the Drill Hall on July 28, 29, and 31.

A petition in bankruptcy has been filed by Frank T. Irvine, butcher, of Te Kawa. The first meeting of creditors will be held at Hamilton on Wednesday, April 30.

The sum of £1500 was set aside by the City Council at its special meeting last evening for the improvement of Parnell Park and "KilbTyde," the former residence of the late Sir tJofin Logan Campbell, but now the property of the city. In his report, the Mayor stated that expenditure on this property had for the past few years been greatly restricted, with the result that it was not at present in a creditable condition. As this area appeared to have the strongest claim of all ,the parks, an increased vote had been provided. The vote for Myers Park was also increased to £1500 to provide for the construction of a new approach from Karangahape Road.

The foundation stone of the Presbyterian Church at Parakai, Helensville, was laid by Miss Campbell on Saturday, after a short service read by the Rev. N. 0. White. Addresses were given by the ministers of other local churches, and the desire was freely expressed that the church, when completed, should be used for all services. Mr. White expressed his appreciation of the help he had received from friends far and wide, and it seems almost certain that the amount aimed at will be reached by the time the church is finished.

Information is being obtained by the City Council as to the cost and modern designs of an aquarium, which it is considered would be a further great asset to the Auckland Zoological Gardens. Recent expert visitors have advised that with the wealth and* variety of fish in these Pacific waters, a marine aquarium of great value and interest could bo established.

The Health Department is to be requested to explain in language free from technical terms the results of all water analysis, in order that a layman may leidily glean the degree of purity of the supply. This request was decided upon by the Birkenhc-ad Borough Council last evoring. The town clerk reported that the Government bacteriological report having disclosed bacillus coli present in tho sample of water taken from the pumping station this month, the strength of the chlorination had been increased with satisfactory results.

The bakers and pastrycooks' exhibition will be held in one of the sheds on the Prince's Wharf on May 29, 30 and 31. It was hoped that the Governor-General would have been able to open the exhibition, but Lord Jellicoe, in reply to an invitation, stated that owing to engagements in the country he would be unable to do so. The exhibition lapsed last year owing to lack of suitable accommodation. The last one in 1922 was held in Auckland, and proved a great success from all points of view. The space available this year is more than double that of any previous occasion.

Certain alleged idiosyncrasies of the ferry clock are' to bo brought under the notice of the Harbour Board by the Birkenhead Borough Council. The latter decided last evening to inform the board that more than half-a-minute elapses between the chime and the striking of the hour, and that the clock chimes the quarters before the hands reach the figures on the dial. Inconvenience results, as people sometimes miss the ferry boats, which observe punctuality as a rule.

There is a possibility, says the Grey Star that Lake Moana or Lake Kanieri will be the venue for the next race involving the sculling championship of Australia and New' Zealand. The holder of the title, J. P. Hannan, writes to say that he has received a challenge from Dick Arnst, and is willing to race at the end of April or early in May. "Post Card Day," part of a Dominion advertising scheme, fixed by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce for to-day, has been deferred on account of the strike.