LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19512, 16 December 1926, Page 12

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The fact that a large percentage of the prize-winners at the Auckland Girls' Grammar School wore their hair long was commented upon by the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, in presenting the prizes yesterday. He said he had always admired Samson in biblical history because he wore his hair long. (Laughter.) Samson's success lasted so long as he wore his hair long. A large number of the prizewinners that day had retained their hair, and he suggested that if girls wanted to win prizes next year it would be a good tip to keep their hair long. (Loud laughter.) A young man concealed himself on board the Union Company's steamer Kaitoke at Suva and was not discovered until the vessel had been four days at sea. The officials of the steamer suspected he was on board but repeated searches failed to locate him until Tuesday evening when he went on deck for fresh air. On arrival at Auckland yesterday morning the man was arrested, The first cases dealing with enforcement of the law that motor-lorries must be fitted with reflectors were heard in the Police Court yesterday. "The, law says that al' lorries over two tons must have reflectors," said Sergeant Calwell, in prosecuting Herbert M. Anderson and Albert Davidson " They ought to carry a periscope and then there would be no excuse for not seeing behind them," remarked Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in imposing fines of 10s, with costs. " Secondary school-work is a very serious matter for the average girl and makes a great demand on her energies, said Miss E. M. Johnston, headmistress of the Auckland Girls' Grammar School, at the prizegiving ceremony yesterday. " I feel, therefore, that while a girl is at school other interests should, as far as possible, be kept in the background. Growing girls cannot, for instance, do satisfactorily the work that is required of them in secondary schools, where a liir.h standard must bo attained, without risking the serious impairment of their health. ,The study of music for recreational purposes-r----even examinations in music if they can be taken in a girl's stride —are not open to these objections, but anything beyond this the secondary school girl should not attempt." Tho pleasure of a former New Zealander now. resident in Brisbane, Queensland, on receipt of a copy of the Auckland Weekly News is happily told in a letter to a Masterton business man. The Queenslander writes Now without kissing the blarney stone, I can tell you that the Auckland Weekly News has given me more pleasure than anything of a like nature that I have, received for ages. I was to have gone out last night, but, much to the surprise of the rest of the f family, stayed at home and spent the evening again in New Zealand alid finally • had them all around me enjoying it also. I always did like that paper and consider the 4 lay-out ' and illustrations an absolute masterpiece. In fact, after my brother-in-law has had it, I intend posting it home a cousin in England with instructions, after ho has seen it, to send it on to an English uncle. So you see how you are advertising your native land —ought to get a , commission from thei Tourist Department, eh 2" A proposal by the Waiuku Town Board to borrow £2OOO to purchase and equip' premises in Down Street, as municipal • buildings was defeated by a large majority at a poll of ratepayers yesterday. The voting was :—Against the proposal, 103; for the proposal,. 28. The number of ratepayers on the roll was 365. Approval, of the proposed establishment of a school on Rangitoto Island was expressed in a, letter received from the Education Department by the Auckland Education Board yesterday. It was stated that the Harbour Board had agreed to provide buildings at an estimated cost of £2OO, consisting of one class room and. a room in which a young male teacher could be housed. The department approved of the suggestion and asked that the board take the necessary steps to establish the school. Arrangements were left in the hands of the chairman, Mr A. Burns, with power to act. Motorists report that the whole length of road> from Auckland to Kaitaia, via Whangarei, Mangakahia Valley, or Mangamuka Gorge is now in splendid condition, states a : message from Kaitaia. ' Already 20 motors have come through to Kaitaia. , The beautiful scenery of the gorge will make the route popular during the summer months. The great change in t-lie manner and bearing of the young girls of to-day and those of years ago was referred to by Dr. E. ' Roberton at the annual prize-giving fceremony of the Epsom Girls' Grammar _ School last evening. He stated their grandmothers and great • great grandmothers were brought up in a much stiffer atmosphere. The girls of to-day were very free and there was a danger of their freedom of thought and action being exaggerated. If the girls got into habits of controlling small things in speech and in action and also of thinking of others he did not think that freedom would do any harm. A poll of New Lynn ratepayers will be taken, next • Monday on a proposal to borrow the sum of £SBOO for various street improvement works. This is the first instalment of a comprehensive scheme for improving the roads of the district and comprises those streets which a>re most urgently in need of remaking. The Wellington Zoo population is to bo considerably increased during the next few weeks as several new animals are on their way to Wellington. Three spider monkeys are due by th® Ulimaroa from Sydney and two pairs of lemurs are expected via Auckland in a day or two. The American bison presented by the Canadian Government are also expected shortly. A young female elephant from Madras is on her way and a tigress to replace the animal that died a few months ago is believed to be on the water. " I wish to make a protest against the too common practice of allowing school girls to enter into social activities as fireely as their elders," stated Miss, A. C. Morrison, head mistress of the Epsom Girls' Grammar School, at the prizegiving ceremony last evening. "This is not favourable to their healthy development, either physically or mentally. There will be time enough for public amusements after the school years are over." Permits for buildings .valued at £189,835 have been issued by tho One Tree Hill Road Board since tho beginning of this year. The building tn the district up to December 13 comprises 210 new houses and additions .and garages,-to the value of £9123. If ordinary averages are maintained during the next fortnight the total value of Luilding in the district for the 12 months will reach £200,000.