LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20112, 24 November 1928, Page 12

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Injuries to tho kneo through being crushed between tho fenders of the Dcvonporb Wharf yesterday morning wore sustained by a Harbour Board employee, Mr. J. O'Brien, lie was handling a mooring-lino when llio floating crane struck against tho fender. His injuries were not sufficiently serious to necessitate his admission to hospital.

Influonza in a inild form has been very prevalent in Auckland for somo months past and tho change of weather from winter to summer lias been responsible for a fresh outbreak of colds. When neglected these colds' uro inclined to develop the symptoms of influenza, but tho pneumonic typo is at present rare. Tlieio is no justification for alarm in New Zealand because of tho recent outbreak of a virulent epidemic of pneumonic influenza in certain districts /of New South Wales and Victoria.

A head-on collision between two inotorlorries was narrowly averted at the corner of Sturdco and Customs Streets about 2.40 yesterday afternoon. By swerving, tho drivers lessened tho impact, but ono lorry, owned by Messrs. Copland Brothers, carriers, of Mauku, which was practically empty, had its chassis twisted. Tho other, owned by Messrs. Edwards and Son, of Grey Lynn, suffered minor damage. Tho lorry belonging to Messrs. Edwards and Son was driven by Mr. W. 11. Edwards, whoso father sustained slight injuries to ono hand.

A largo cargo of New Zealand produce will bo despatched to New York, Boston, Halifax, London and West Coast ports of Great Britain by tho New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Turakina, which is loading at Queen's Wharf. The vessel reached Auckland from southern ports yesterday morning to complete loading. In addition to frozen inuat and general cargo tho Turakina will take about 118,500 boxes of butter and 18,000 crates of cheese. Tho butter to be loadod at Auckland will total nearly 100,000 boxes.

The approach of tho Christmas season is being reflected in tho supplies of poultry at tho Auckland City Markets, tlio quantity which camo forward at yesterday's sales being tho largest this season. Tho demand for good tablo birds was keen, buyers preferring fat fowls to laying ones. Turkeys, which wero offering somo weeks ago, have not been available at recent sales.

Thero was an uncommon happening m tho offieo of a city auctioneer yesterday. Tho auctioneer was proceeding to dispose of a property in Mount Albert Road, undei instructions from tho mortgagee, and had just begun to read out the con ditions of sale, when he was interrupted by an urgent message from the owner, stating that a satisfactory arrangement had been arrived at with the mortgagor. A prospective buyer wj*s in tho auction room at the time with the purchase money in readiness.

A decision to repeal its by-law fixing a speed limit of 10 miles an hour at certain intersections, in view of the fact that traffic control has been extended and the Motor Vehicles Act covers tho position,, was recently made by 4lio City Council. At the same time it was decided to erect prescribed speed signs at Grafton Bridge and tho Domain. These notices, limiting the speed in theso localities to 10 miles an hour, wero placed in position yesterday. Particularly as this limit applies to the Domain Drive, some motorists regard tho speed fixed as unnecessary, as the newlj-gazetted motor regulations, they assert, allow a speed of 25 miles an hour in all localities, city and suburban, where there are 'no particular dangers to guard against. Tho Auckland City Markets are at present fairly well supplied with early summer fruits. Strawberries and gooseberries are well established, and cherries are arriving from Sydney bv each boat. The latest addition to the list of popular fruits are Christmas plums, which were first available yesterday in moderate quantities. Last season's fruit such as apples and pears arc feeling the effect of competition by these other fruits, and are at present rather Lud to dispose of at low prices.

Sixty-five years ago to-morrow tlie derision was readied in New Zealand's lirst Parliament Buildings, in Auckland, to removo tho capital of the colony to Wellington. For nearly 25 years Auckland had reigned as capital, tho government being carried on in tho wooden buildings that stood just below tho Supreme Court hut which were demolished in 1918 to make way for tho Anzac Avenuo traffic outlet. It was argued by the Southern members of (ho llouso that Auckland was inaccessible, being then situated between tho two most warlike tribes in New Zealand, and that it was therefore politically unsuitcd to bo the seat of government. The opposition of tho Auckland members was overruled, and a resolution was passed petitioning the Governor to ask '.be Governors of New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania to each appoint 0110 member of a commission (o determino on what part of Cook Strait tho seat of government should bo established. Tho change to Wellington took place 15 months later.

An audacious theft was committed at tho business premises of Joseph Nathan and Co., Ltd., merchants, Palmcrston North, yesterday morning, states the Hkhald's Palmerston North correspondent. Tho assistant in charge of a desk was absent for about seven minutes and during that period tho thief, who evidently choso his opportunity after caroful observation, went into the separator department, took tho key of tho cash drawer from tho position where it customarily hung and went through tho drawer. It is understood about £2 in cash, a number of receipts, and some stamps arc missing. The theft was discovered shortly after it had occurred, and must havo been carried out with amazing boldness.

"It is not generally known," said Mr. F. E. McKenzio at a meeting of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society at Thames this week, "that it is illegal to trespass on game-stocked areas." Tho remark aroso from strongly-worded complaints of tho depredation of poachers and, inoro particularly, of peoplo who insisted on ttio right to such areas. Mr. McKenzio said tho society was protected in this matter by the Animal Protection Act. Mr. Jonassen, of Thames, said poachers and other irresponsible peoplo had almost wiped out gamo birds on the Ilauraki Peninsula.