LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19663, 15 June 1927, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The weather was exceptionally cold (luring Monday night, when the temperature registered at Albert Park observatory was 30 degrees, or two degrees below freezing point. On the coldest nights last winter, July 6 and August 26, the temperature was 31 degrees. Early yesterday morning low-lying portions of the city were covered with a white frost, which was much heavier in the suburbs.

Suffering from concussion, Warwick Harvey, a grocer's assistant, aged 15, who resides with his parents in Mons Avenue, Dominion Road, was admitted to the Auckland Hospital last evening. The lad fell from his bicycle, and was found by a passing motorist. He was reported later in the evening to be comfortable.

When the log of the steamer Ngapuhi was taken on board when the vessel reached Tauranga from Auckland yesterday a bright piece of ivory was found in the cylinder. Closer examination revealed that a shark had evidently attempted to swallow the log, and in the process had lost one of its tooth. Tho cylinder of the log was full of water, which accounted for tho log running slow from the Old Man Rock to Tauranga.

Details of thefts from the dressing rooms of footballers were given at a meeting of the Auckland Football Association last evening. The Y.M.C.A. Club reported that during a game at Devonport last Saturday players had lost an overcoat, a pair of shoes, sums of money ranging from 3s 6d to 10s, handkerchiefs, and a silver matchbox. The matter had been reported to the police by the club. A similar complaint was received from the Tamaki Club regarding the same ground, while a referee reported the theft of money from his clothes from the dressing room at Blandford Park.

A steady demand for sleeping car accommodation has been a feature of the traffic on the Main Trunk expresses this winter. Twice during the past fortnight there have been small waiting lists of applicants for berths, tho names being taken only in case an intending passenger cancelled his booking. A new aspect is the readiness with which the extra charge for the "de luxe" sleepers is paid.

A coincidence probably without parallel was related by Professor F. P. Worley when addressing the Auckland Chemical Society on Monday evening. Professor Worley said the professors of chemistry at the Auckland, Canterbury and Victoria University Colleges each graduated in the same year and each, after sitting for final examinations abroad, returned as professors of chemistry to their own colleges.

Seven Tongans, who will man the motor despatch boat Hifofua, built at Auckland to the order of the Tongan Government, arrived by the Tofua yesterday. The vessel is expected to leave Auckland on its maiden voyage toward the end of this month. It is a trim little boat, 89ft. in length, 18ft. beam and with about 9ft. draught. Diagonally built of heart of kauri, it is designed to withstand the buffetings it is likely to receive from tropic hurricanes. The vessel will run between Nukualofa, Haapai and Vavau, in the Tongan group. When the christening ceremony in connection with the • vessel took place two months ago, the Hifofua resolutely refused to leave the slip, but was successfully launched the following day aim towed to Prince's Wharf to have a 100 h.p. semi-Diesel engine installed.

A report that what appeared to be a launch on fire had been seen was received by the Opotiki police from Mr. H. S. Webb, school teacher, Paerata Ridge, at about 4.30 p.m. on Monday. The boat was apparently a short distance from the shore. The police communicated with Mr. S. E. Brookes, owner of the launch Kirita, who immediately gave instructions to Captain Clark to make a search in the vicinity. A search was carried out for nearly three hours, but no trace of any boat was found. The police patrolled the beach to-day without finding any trace of wreckage. No Opotiki launch is missing.

Added interest to school life is given to the pupils attending the Hamilton High School by the introduction of community singing at the commencement of the day's work The whole school meets daily in the assembly hall at 9 o'clock. The principal, Mr. E. Wilson, reads a scriptural lesson and the pupils recite the Lord's Prayer. The assembled classes then sing popular public school songs.

When the caretaker of Stratford Mountain House, now closed for the winter, visited the premises on Sunday he found that several windows had been deliberately broken and the lock on the main gates had also been broken. Receptacles placed along the drive to hold water for motor-cars had been perforated by bullets.

The opinion that the proposed Waiuku Canal would be of great benefit to Auckland in increasing trade between Auckland and the Waikato was expressed at a meeting of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. It was considered that the canal would eventually pay for itself.

Scenes which made a vivid impression upon the minds of visitors marked the celebration of the King's Birthday at Apia, Samoa, according to passengers who arrived at Auckland by the Tofua yesterday. Particularly impressive were the fautasi races. Three long boats, manned by about 50 men each, all rowing in striking unison, proceeded about three miles out to sea, and then raced to the shore. Supporters of the various crews, each group decked in distinguishing colours,. watched and cheered from the shore. The Apia Turf Club also held a race meeting on June 3, and native sports provided yet another attraction in a memorable day's programme.

" Every man who will not consent to standardisation," said Major Talbot, of Nelson, at t..e Fruitgrowers' Conference held in Wellington a few days ago, " should be taken by the scruff of the neck and tossed out. Standardisation is and must be compulsory for export, but in practice it is compulsory for the local market also, because fruit must conform to certain requirements." .

A Wanganui man was approached recently by a stranger who inquired whether there were good opportunities of opening in business here. In answer to a question the visitor said he had como to New Zealanu from Ireland 70 years ago. "You must have been a small Jhild," said his companion, appraising his erect bearing. " I was 20 years of age," was the rejoinder.