LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19805, 28 November 1927, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

After an uneventful voyage the liner Athenic arrived at Auckland from Liverpool last evening. She brought 232 as sisted immigrants, the majority of whom are Scottish domestic servants. About 80 of the party have been nominated for situations in Auckland and the remainder will leave for the Soutlh by train this evening. A 'philatelic rarity, a pair of the original 1855 issue of New Zealand penny stamps, has been brought to light by an Auckland collector, Mr. A. Brodie, of Gillies Avenue, Epsom. Penny postage was not in vogue in tho 'fifties, and the issue was intended for uso only upon letters sent or received by members of tho naval and military forces. Only 12,000 of the stamps were printed, and it is stated that about 16 aro known to bo now in existence. Mr. Brodie obtained tho pair of stamps at Tauranga. Single copies aro catalogued in London at £3O to £6O, and tho value of the pair is probably £l5O. If tho envelope had been preserved with the stamps upon it, the value would have been still greater. When the premises of Mr. E. C. WestI wood, chemist, of 599, Mount Eden Road, were opened on Saturday morning, it was discovered that burglars had broken in during tho night. In addition to a small sum in silver tho intruders took several bottles of 6cent and somo soap. Entrance was gained from the rear of the premises. In the rush at the Auckland ferry wharf early on Saturday evening, Mr. Enoch Winch, aged 70, residing in Couldry Street, Eden Terrace, slipped and fell into the harbour, when stepping from a Devonport boat. A sailor from one of the warships promptly went to his assistance. Mr. Winch was removed to the hospital by the St. John Ambulance, and was found to be suffering from abrasions received when he struck the piles of the wharf.

Fow who witnessed an hilarious demonstration on the part of two Scottish girls when the Athenic dropped anchor in the harbour last evening. realised that a three years' romance was on its last lap. The effusivo welcome was directed at two young men who circuited the ship in a launch. The two girls were friends in Scotland, and three years ago their fiances carne to Now Zealand together. One has been farming in Nelson and the other has been following the engineering, trade at Palmerston North. Two marriages will take place immediately.

The street beautifying scheme of the Mount Albert Borough Council is making steady progress. Referring to the matter on Saturday the Mayor, Mr. L. E. Rhodes, stated that grass-sowing • had been completed in the newly-formed margins of the footpaths in Malvern Road, Seymour Street and Street. Further sowing, he added, would now be suspended until next autumn. A nursery plot for the propagation of seedlings and trees had been fenced aud prepared on the borough quarry property off Woodward Road. Good results, said Mr. Rhodes, were anticipated from this excellent innovation.

" The atmosphere of a gaol is ideal for study," said the Rev. H. Whitby James, formerly of St. Mary's Church, Tenby. South Wales, who arrived at Auckland by the Athenic yesterday on his way to take charge of the Church of England parish at Tinui, Wellington. Mr. Jatnes was one of 300 e.v-soldiers who completed their theological education in the disused Knutsford Gaol. He states the surroundings of the converted penitentiary were conducive to a massed concentration on preparation for tin church. During the war Mr. James was assistant to an army chaplain. He is one of the first ex-service candidates of the Knutsford Gaol "University " to answer the World Call for mission work in this part »»f the Pacific.

With a view to easing the acute angle at the corner of the main New North Road and Argyle Street, the Mount Albert Borough Council has acquired a portion of the St. Enoch's Church property for the purpose. The intersection of Western Springs 'Road, opposite, has recently been treated in a similar manner. Permanent, construction works in Malvern Road, First Avenue and Argyle Street are now making good progress, said Mr. L. E. Rhodes, the Mayor, on Saturday. Australian treasury notes are not such a satisfactory means of currency in NewZealand as may bo supposed. A ton shilling note issued by the Commonwealth was accepted by a Hamilton businessman on Saturday at par. On depositing ifc in the Post Office Savings Bank he »vas charged 8d exchange. British treasury notes are accepted free of exchange by the post office. Following the practice of the iast threo 3 cais > Mount Albert will have a "cleanup" week early next month. The district has been wpll cleaned up in the past, and it is the policy of the present council to maintain the present high standard, the borough enjoying a reputation for satisfactory health statistics.

Through the non-arrival of complete materials from England the provision of additional telephones in the Auckland district has been somewhat delayed. Within a month, half the number on the present waiting list is expected to be connected to the various exchanges. More instruments are being installed each day, but connections will not be made until the last por tions of the intricate mechanism for installation on the switchboards are landed in three or four weeks. It is stated there are over 600 names on thf. waiting list. Land-tax remaining unpaid after to-day will carry a surcharge of 5 per cent. The tax fcli due on November 7. Plans have been approved by the Mount Albert Borough Council for a public convenience to bo erected on Edendale Road, between New North Road and the overhead footbridge. Suitable accommodation will be provided for both sexes. Tenders are returnable a fortnight hence. Similar conveniences will later be erected at the Mount Albert tram terminus and at Edendale. A decreaso in the number of-men seeking employment at tho Auckland Labour Bureau was recorded last week. There were 501 names on tho roll on Saturday, compared with 565 the. previous week, and 566 the week before. Of the number, 445 were classed as fit foi heavy work, and fit for light work. The number of men placed in employment during the week was 128, compared with 120 in tho preceding week.