LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19953, 23 May 1928, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

There was a record number of patients in the Auckland Hospital yesterday, the total being 663. All available beds are occupied and use has been made of lounges in the various wards, while the accommodation in the infectious diseases wards is taxed to capacity. There are 50 people on the waiting list. Boisterous southerly winds and rough beam seas in the Tasman Sea during the voyage of the Marama, which arrived at Auckland from Sydney yesterday afternoon, kept the greater number of the vessel's 329 passengers to their own quarters for most of the passage, which occupied nearly four days. The presence on board of two theatrical companies swelled the passenger-list considerably beyond the usual number. The passengers included nine Yugoslavs, three Indians and one Chinese. The necessity for a police patrol of the harbour for the protection of pleasure craft was urged at a meeting of the Auckland Yacht and Motor-boat Association last evening. Mr. H. George said that in view of the recent thefts on the waterfront the association should approach the Justice Department and point out the urgent need of police protection. Hardly a week passed without some theft being committed and many serious losses were sustained by owners of pleasure craft. Mi. A. J. Collings said gear and goods valued »t over £IOOO had been stolen this year. It was decided to write to the Minister of Justice emphasising the necessity for a police patrol of the harbour. The new steel tug of Mr. G. Niccol is to be launched at nine o'clock this morning. The vessel was built in Scotland and was afterwards brought to Auckland in sections as cargo by the Federal Line steamer Norfolk. She has been reassembled and the engines installed on board at Mr. Niccol's slip at Freeman's Bay. The chief work to be done after the vessel is afloat is to have her boiler installed. It will be lifted on board by a Harbour Board crane. A word in favour of the army sergeantmajor was spoken at a public debate at Devonport last evening on the question of military training. "The sergeant-major of to-day has been grossly libelled," declared Mr. S. Black. "He has been accused of all sorts of terrible things. It is said he swears viciohsly. As one who meets such men at least once a week I say that I know of no class that has so improved since the war. They are splendid men, and there need bo no fear of their exerting a demoralising influence on the boys they train." Discussing a similar point, the Rev. W. Lawson Marsh said he had no sympathy with those who talked of the moral blots of military life. Ho had had eight years of military experience and could speak with knowledge. Far worse things were happening in Auckland civil life every day than ever occurred in a military camp. The Auckland Hospital Board was engaged all yesterday afternoon, in committee, in considering a report prepared by Mr. Lloyd Mandeno, on the engineering departments of the board's institutions. The report dealt solely with detail matters of engineering administration, the board especially discussing the staffing and co-operation of the different departments. When the meeting concluded, Mr. W. Wallace, chairman, stated there was nothing to make public at the present time. An Auckland business man has received the following letter from a Maori girl who writes in the clear hand of an average girl of about twelve, uses capitals in their right place, and punctuates with care:—" Mr—, Well Mr.—, lam sending you this letter of mine, just' to inheritage you this comfounded note of mine. Please your majesty, if this note of mine handed to you in safety, I want you to make up your mind to answer this letter of mine as soon as possible. Well, this the thing I want to know, is this I want to know from you, if you can agree to let me know, that, you got any full dresses or ready mades, anything, suit for a £l. I just want to get your answer in two weeks if T get that answer, plenty, you get lot for a £l. I'll send you the £1 afterwards. I must end this to a conclusion, cherrio." The consumption of jam in New Zealand has decreased considerably during the past few years, according to a speaker at the annual conference of Auckland fruitgrowers yesterday. It was stated the presence on the market of attractive substitutes was mainly responsible for the decline in the sale of locally-made jams. This state of affairs had reacted noticeably upon fruitgrowers, and it was suggested rigid standardisation in advertising and extensive publicity were the only remedies. Statements to the effect that a number of properties in connection with which the State Advances Department has advanced up to 95 per cent, of the security value have recently fallen back into the hands of the Government were referred to by Sir John Luke, M.P., at a Reform League meeting in Wellington last week. He asked how far the rumours were correct. The Minister of Lands, the Hon. A. D. McLeod, said that up-to-date figures were not available, as the returns were made quarterly. However, he did not think there was any cause to worry about the number of unoccupied houses erected under the advances scheme. No doubt there was a proportion of arrears in payments. It was said that a considerable number of houses had been abandoned in Auckland and Hamilton, but that might mean only one or two houses in every hundred. Ho knew definitely that houses had been abandoned in Wellington, and perhaps in other towns, but he felt safe in saying that the percentage was very small indeed. " I do not think there is very much new in the syllabus," said Mr. F. J. Stuckey, senior inspector of schools, in an- address to the members of the Otago branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute. " It does not matter one farthing how good the new syllabus is for that matter. The results have to come from you teachers, and it is only a guide to you." A witness in the Supreme Court in Dunedin recently made use of the word " absolutely" in answer to questions put to him by counsel, and had to be asked by the Judge not to use it so often. Within a minute, however, out it came again, but the witness immediately expressed regret at its use. Some amusement was caused* when one of the barristers, in his address to the Court, also introduced the word in his third sentence, but, realising what he had done, he repeated his statement and substituted " wholly and solely " for " absolutely."