LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20076, 13 October 1928, Page 12

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The first public donation toward tho building fund for tho permanent Church of England Cathedral in Parnell, upon which it is hoped to commence work when finances permit, was received yesterday by Archbishop Averill. The Primate informed synod last evening that an anonymous donor had handed him £25. In a nnto to the Archbishop the donor said he intended to give £IOO as a thank-offering, and although ho would probably never see tho completed cathedral, ho would like to tliink ho had given a few bricks. 110 hoped his action would suggest tho worthy naturo of tho cause lo other Aucklanders better able to give larger amounts.

Inquiries are boing made by tho relatives of Harry 11. Johnstone, aged 22, who has been missing from his home in Avondale for a month. When last seen tho young man was wearing a blue sorgo suit, grey woollen jacket, grey felt hat, and black boots. His height is about sft. lOJin. A motor-car, belonging to Mr. W. H. Fortune, of 41, West End Road, Herno Bay, was removed without authority from tho Auckland Hospital grounds last evening. The car, which is a blue Essex sedan, is valued at £3OO.

One block of nine new slot-telephone booths on the Queen Street frontage of tho chief post offico was opened for use yesterday afternoon, and tho other block will be ready for use shortly Tho completion of the booths was delayed for a number of wcoks owing to a dispute between tho Post and Telegraph Department and the contractors. They are faced with sheet-bronze, and are more in keeping with the architectural dignity of the post office than the former wooden structures.

A six-roomed houso, owned and occupied by Mrs. C. R. Richardson, at 78, Esplanade Road, Mount Eden, was damaged by firo at an early Ijour yesterday morning. The fire began near the kitchen stove and spread upwards, damaging the room above. The Mount Eden Firo Brigade quickly extinguished the flames. The damage was caused ratfter by smoko and water than by the fire. The house was insured for £IOOO and tho furniture for £2OO in the South British Office. Tenders have been called for the erection of a new post office at Mercer. The plans provide for a brick building with a tiled roof, 34ft, long and 20ft. wide. Provision is made for all modern conveniences in tho office. Slight injuries to tho body were sustained by Mr. George Sim, of Captain Springs Road, Te Papapa, yesterday afternoon Mr. Sim, who is employed by the Farmers' Fertiliser Company, was loading fertiliser on to a lorry when a sack fell on him, knocking him against somo machinery, in which ho became entangled. Ho was admitted to tho Auckland Hospital, and his condition last evening was stated to be satisfactory. A fine lino of bullocks fattened by Mr. L. R. W. Reid, To Hoe, was recently sold to an Auckland firm on the farm at an average of £l9 7s 6d each. Fifty of tho bullocks changed hands at £2O each. The Taupiri-Orini Road, in many places, was covered by water over a foot deep yesterday morning, owing to the heavy rains.of the .previous two days and an abnormal flow of water in the Tauhei Stream. With the progress of spring comes tho shining cuckoo. This seasonal visitor to New Zealand was noticed by Mr. H. Carey, of Puni, noar Pukekohe, on September 27 and again yesterday Mrs. Cartwright, of Union Road, Mauku, saw a shining cuckoo sitting on a post within a few feet of her residence. Its distinctive notes attracted her attention.

A pica for more tree-planting was made by Mr. H. P. Caughey at the annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce in Wellington yesterday. "The attractiveness of the towns and countryside in England and the Continent is due largely to beautiful trees, and plant life, planted generations ago by wise men," ho said. " While our Government is to bo commended for its planting operations, and tho encouragement it has given to afforesta'ion, I am convinced much more might bo done by somo of our local bodies, as-well as by private citizens, to beautify our cities for all timo by wise and extensive planting,,"

Out of a svm of over £25,000 expended by the congregation of St. David's Presbyterian Church, Khyber Pass Road, on the new church and 011 consequent improvements and alterations to buildings and grounds, only about £IOOO now romairs to be subscribed. The deficit, which stood at £2300, has just been greatly reduced by two generous anonymous donations, one of £IOOO and another of £3OO.

A novel suggestion to increase the membership was made at a meeting of a Wellington suburban progressive association. "If they formed a 'Sit at Homo and Grouch Society' it would be the best thing in Wadestown They do not seem to turn up to any meetings we call," said a speaker. Later, when the question of poor attendances at meetings, moro especially annual meetings, was under discussion, the samo member asked cynically, "Aro you suro it would not bo better to sond out a leaflet with 'Ratepayers being fooled year after year Come along and hear about it ?' " " 1 am suro that would bring them along," continued the speaker. "They would como for a row any time." Die manufacturers 01 Dunedin aro considering the question of despatching a representative to Samoa to investigate tho possibilities of opening up trado with tlio island b> means of return cargo shipped on tho Maui Pomare. It is felt, that as strong representations were mado to get tho vessel to visit Dunedin there is a certain obligation to provide a return loading as is now done from Auckland A special committee hiis been formed to canvass Dunedin manufacturers to obtain sufficient funds to send a representative to Samott A noto in the Wellington Amateur Athletic Centre's annual report states that tho outlook for tho comijig season is exceedingly bright One of tho attractions held out by this branch of sport will bo tho visit ot the American athletes at tho invitation ot tho New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association Council, which boclv has allotted five meetings of the tour to the Wellington district. The New Zealand championships this season arc to bo hold in Wellington, and tho local centro is suggesting that they take place about tho third Saturday in Fobruary. Tho Wellington provincial championships havo been allotted to the Wairarapa sub-centra and will bo hold at Mastertou.