LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19809, 2 December 1927, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The sudden entry of a Jersey ball of gigantic proportions into the post office store at Penrose yesterday morning caused consternation among the staff. The ball had strayed from a herd that was being driven to Westfield. It exhibited no aggressive attitude, and Mr. L. Dodds, proprietor of the store,-gently using a broom, succeeded in pushing the unwelcome customer back on to the road.

While returning to his ship, the Pacific Transport, about 10 o'clock last evening, Mr. P. A Eyes, aged 26, slipped on the edge of the footpath and fell over the cliff opposite Pukemtro Chambers in Anzac Avenue He was taken to the Auckland Hospital by the St. John Ambulance and was found to be suffering from an injury to the right leg and shock

A 26ft fishing-launch owned by Mr J Sanderson, of Auckland, was burned to the water's edge off Tiritiri on Wednesday morning- The launch was new and was making her first trip She left Auckland on Friday, but engine trouble developed on Tuesdav morning and she was towed by the launch Whetu to a sheltered i~nv on the northern coast of Tiritiri While Mr Sanderson was preparing brnnkfast »arly th*) morn ing the kerosene stove exploded and set fire to the woodwork Within half-an hour the launch filled with water and sank. Mr. Sanderson had to make his escape in the dinghy, leaving all his belongings behind. He rowed to the Whetu and returned to port on lier the same evening.

While riding a pony along Cook Street, Howick, on Wednesday evening, Mary Kennedy, aged 12, daughter of the local constable, fell heavily owing to the girth strap of the saddle becoming loose. After medical examination at her home, it was found she was suffering from a fractured left arm and shock. The girl was taken to the Auckland Hospital.

Hampers will be available at Frankton Junction and Marton foir railway travellers from next Monday. Orderß may be given to train guards or at any railway station, and upon the arrival of the train at these stations the hampers will be ready. For three shillings cold meats, salads and fruit, will be packed, with aerated waters or tea, coffee or cocoa in thermos flasks. A deposit of 10s will have to be paid, this sum being returned at any station into which the hamper is handed.

The usual medley of sounds signifying the departure of the limited express were made almost inaudible last evening by the loud and insistent barking of a fox terrier puppy incarcerated in a crate in the guard's van. "Most dogs do not take kindly to train journeys," commented a guard, in explaining that the puppy would not be released until arrival in Wellington this morning. After .the express had gone the station was "trangely quiet

Complaints that some service cars raced along the Great South Road near Hamilton at from 40 to 50 miles an bomr was made by Dr. F. D. Pinfold, at a meeting of the Hamilton agency executive of the Auckland Automobile Association. It was resolved to advise the controlling authorities of the road between Auckland and Hamilton that speeding was being indulged in by service car drivers, and that they be recommended to put a stop to the practice.

Although the contract for the new hostel at the Waitomo Caves does not provide for its completion until next June, such progress has been made that the building can be ready for occupation in January if the Government gives the necessary direction. The roofing has been completed and the internal plastering is so well advanced that if it is desired to occupy the ground floor for Christmas the contractor can finish the kitchen, smoking and dining rooms, and a number of bedrooms. The remainder of the building could be turned over to the Tourist Department at the end of January. A decision has not been reached concerning this rush order, but since the old hostel has already been overcrowded this year tourists are hoping that the Government will make arrangements for the opening of the hostel before the holiday sejison is past. A Tauranga settler recently sold an excellent line of 72 fat bullocks to an export firm. The returns show that the freezing weights worked out at an average of 9871b, which is said to be an Auckland weight record for such a line of freezers. The Controller-General of Prisons has accepted the offer of the New Plymouth Rotary Club to provide a Christmas dinner for the inmates of the New Plymouth gaol. Replying to the Rev. I'. R. Richards, who applied for the permission, the Controller-General thanked the club for its interest in the wolfare of the prisoners. It could make arrangements for any day suitable to it. The date will be Christmas Eve night. Auckland's claim to have secured a record entry in its competitions festival this year was mentioned at the annual meeting of the Wellington Competitions Society this week. "I think it is rather humorous." said Mr. B. P. Gully, who presided "Auckland claims to have had 2652 entries, though on our own system of computation the actual figure would be 1773. Moreover, our own rocord, in 1924. was 3040 entries." "It might be a record for Auckland," said a member "No; they claim that it was for New Zealand," said a second speaker. "They usually do that in Auckland." "Auckland is New Zealand," interjected a third, amid laughter. Everybody then felt happy. Writing to a lady tn Palmerston North, a Sydney resident stated that another collision in the harbour was narrowly averted recently On this occasion it was a ferry boat from Circular Quay to Manly and a small steamer which were involved The passengers, who received a great fright, rushed for the lifebelfcl: with which ferry steamers are plentifully supplied, but fortunately they were not required The opinion that trophies should re place money prizes to a greater extent in competitions festivals was expressed at the annual meeting of the Welling ton Competitions Society on Tuesday evening. "There are too many money prizes," said Mr. W. McLay, "and this is inclined to develop professionalism. I think it would be better if some were cut out and trophies given instead. It seems that some children attend all festivals, and enter in nearly all classes. One might call it ' pot hunting.' " Other speakers, including Mr. 11, C, Tonks, shared these views, and Mr. Tonks said that he had talked the matter over with the city organist, Mr. Bernard F. Page, who was of the same opinion.