LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20074, 11 October 1928, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The weather in Auckland yesterday was very boisterous and wet, tho rainfall for the 24 hours ended midnight, as registered by tho Herald gauge, being 61in. Steamers at sea are being considerably delayed. Tho Hauraki was duo at Auckland from Los Angeles last evening, but owing to tho stonny weather sho will not arrive until early this morning. Tho Etimutaka and Ruahine, with passengers from England, wero duo at Auckland and Wellington respectively at mid-day to-day, bat both liavo been delayed by storms. Further wireless reports state the Rimutaka will arrive at livo o'clock this evening, and tho Ruahine five hours later.

A most persistent interrupter at Mrs. C. E. Maguire's political meeting last evening was an elderly lady with heavy dark glasses who occupied a front seat and discoursed' frequently and loudly on tho familiar theme, "Woman's placo is the homo." "Brought up six and never troubled a doctor!" was her crushing and reiterated retort when sonio of those about her requested silence. At length tho patient chairman beckoned for a constable, to whom tho lady immediately promised exemplary behaviour, much to tho amusement of tho audience. For quite ten minutes after that Mrs. Maguire's was the only voice heard in tho hall. The interrupter had another outburst at question time, but a second hint from the man in blue caused her prompt subsidence onco more.

Legislation for tho control of pedestrians on concrete highways does not exist, and where footpaths aro not formed restrictions can be imposed only ty a local by-law, Information to this effect has been received by tho Auckland Autoniobilo Association from tho Minister of Public Works, in reply to a suggestion that something might bo added to the Motor Vehicle Regulations, 1928, to enforce pedestrians to face oncoming traffic when using the highways. Tho Minister said tho Motor Vehicles Act could not embrace such a national regulation, and in tho absence of a special Act the matter could bo dealt with only by introducing by-laws.

A broken polo at Silvcrdale caused some delay in tho Auckland-Whangarei telegraph and telephone services yesterday morning. Fortunately tho damage was only slight and tho wires wero functioning normally by 11.30 a.m.

Two notable figures among the pioneers who gathered at the reunion in the Town Hall yesterday were Mrs. I. J. Hargreaves, of Mount Eden, and Mr. Henry Andrew, of Howick. Mrs. Hargreaves, who is a grand-daughter of Mr. John King, one of the first missionaries who landed in New Zealand with the Rev. Samuel Marsden, was born at tho Bay of Islands iri 1841. Mr. Andrew, who claims to bo the first white child born in Auckland, first saw the light at Mechanics' Bay on October 6, 1042, and consequently he celebrated his eightysixth birthday last Saturday. The congratulations of tho gathering were extended by the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, who presided.

Tho sum of £96, the proceeds from the sale of his booklet,. "The World's Greatest Power, Woman," has been handed by Mr. Walter F. Darby, of Auckland, to the Jubilee Institute for the Blind. As an expression of her sympathy with the movement, Mile. Mantlet, of Paris, has forwarded 130 francs (just over £1) for the benefit of the institution.

An historic massive silver cup has been purchased in London by Mr. Moss Davis for presentation to the Auckland Pacing Club, according to advice given in a letter by Mr. H. R. Mackenzie, who is at present abroad. Tho cup, which was once the property of Queen Victoria, is described by Mr. Mackenzie as a very beautiful pieco of work. The Racing Club has not yet been officially advised of the impending gift.

As tho result of representation by the local bodies of Onehunga. the Railway Department has decided, by way of trial, to run a train from Penrose to Onehunga, commencing next Monday, October 15. The train will leave at 1.34 p.m., connecting with the 1.9' p.m. Auckland-Papa-kura and the 1.12 p.m. PapatoetoeAuckland trains. Hopes are entertained that arrangements may yet bo made for tho running of a return train at 4 p.m. from Onehunga.

Tlio heavy rain experienced at Huntlv yesterday afternoon caused a slight dislocation of fho railway services on the branch line between Iluntly and Glenafton. Several short stretches of lino near Glenafton were washed out by stormwater, holding up goods traffic throughout tho afternoon. There was no interruption of work at (ho mine, although tho? miners were forced (o a point past tho washouts to meet the train which lakes thorn to their homes in Huntly. Repair gangs 'wero sent out to repair tho line and as soon as tho water had receded (lie (rack was restored to order again. Bv tho evening (he service was running to normal time-table.

After being delayed at Auckland for a week undergoing repairs the steamer Antonio is to sail for Lyttolton this morning in continuation of her voyage from Casablanca, Morocco. During stormy weather in the Pacific a blade of (he propeller was broken off close to tho boss, and two other blades wore damaged. During (ho past week tho damagod propeller has been renewed and repairs have been carried out to (ho tail shaft and engines. Tho repair work has been done under tho supervision of (ho local representatives of Lloyds, and well covered by a general average. Tho cargo was owned by the British Phosphates Commission and was consigned to Henderson and Macfarlane, Limited, tho distributing agents. The Antonio will complete discharging her phosphate cargo at Lyttolton, and afterwards she will go to Westport to load coal for Papeete. The view that tho intersection of Brighton lload, Bassett Road, Ayr Street and Shore Road was ono of the most dangerous in Auckland was expressed at tho meeting of tho council of the Auckland Automobile Association last evening. Mr. F. G. Farrell said many drivers wero tempted to cross the intersection at 40 miles an hour in order to climb the steep grades of Brighton Road and Ayr Street. A hedge obscured vision. It was resolved to erect a danger sign. Just after 11 o'clock last evening tho Mount Albert firo brigado was called to an outbreak in a wash-houso detached from promises owned and occupied by Mr. W. A.. Hngger at 11, Rossmay Terrace, Mount Albert. Tho firo was easily extinguished with a first-aid pump. Damago to tho extent of about £25 was dono., Insurance was .with the Stato office*