LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20115, 28 November 1928, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wliilo working on a new picture theatre at Point Chevalier, just before five o'clock yesterday afternoon, a labourer, Mr. Joseph Hiyos, employed by Mr. W. Scott, builder, of Phyllis Street, Mount Albert, was struck on tho head by a bucket filled with mixed cement, which, when being hauled up on a rope, beenmo unhooked. Mr. Hayes is a young man, and lives at Valentine's Lane, City. Ho was attended by Dr. Drury and then taken to tho Auckland Hospital. His condition last evening' was regarded as fairly serious. Three boys in tho care of tho Mount Albert Probation Home disappeared early yesterday morning and so far have not been traced. They aro Gordon Whitley, aged 15, dark hair and bluo eyes; Bruco Boswell, aged 10, dark hair with fair complexion; and Cameron Boswell, aged 9, dark . complexioned. None of tho boys is wearing boots or stockings, being clothed solely in trousers and shirts. The police aro also looking for Colin Barker, aged 15, who left the Wellington Probation Home ou Monday. His homo is in Auckland.

Search carried out by a party of police and civilians on Rangitoto Island yesterday failed to reveal any traco of Mr Henry James Whitley, who has been missing since Saturday. Ho was reported to have been scon in a Rangitoto ferry-boat on Saturday afternoon, but a lato message received states ho was seen walking in Parnell about the same time, and attention is now being given in that direction. A request that steps should be taken to prevent cyclists using tho concrete road as a training track was made to the Glen Eden Town Board by the Auckland City Council on Monday evening. The board decided to reply that as it had no traffic inspector it could do nothing in the matter.

A two-seater motor-car, owned by Mr. It. J. Griffiths, back-fired and caught fire in Richmond Road, Ponsonby about 9.40 yesterday morning. Tho Ponsonby Fire Brigade, which received the call, attended promptly and was able to confine tho dam age, although severe, to the engine of tho car. Tho car is insured with the New Zealand Insurance Company.

Tho quarterly sessions of the Supremo Court will open at Auckland next year on February 5, May 7, July 30 and October 29. Tho Hamilton dates arc February 26, Juno 11, August 27 and November 19

An Indian engaged in collecting empty bottles in the Avondale district was the victim of an assault by four young men at about mid-day yesterday. Attracted by tho promiso of somo 25 dozen bottles for sale he left his horse and cart and followed tho men down Riversdale Road to a quiet spot. Hero the men set upon him and attempted to rob hint. The Indian was roughly treated, but managed to attract the attention of neighbours by calling for assistance, whereupon the assailants ran away.

Somo alarm has been caused among natives by the discovery that kumaras containing boring grub have been imported from Fiji and sold in Gisborue, says a Press Association message from Gisborne. The kumara represents the staple crop of the Maori population, and the introduction of a pest would be a serious matter.

Society's changed attitude toward men undergoing imprisonment was illustrated by Mr. B. L. Dallard, Controller-General of Prisons, in a lecture at Hamilton this week. Mr. Dallard quoted the first report of Captain Hume, who came from England to reorganise the prison system of New Zealand, made to the Government in 1881. The writer advocated tho nsa of the birch rod, as, to use his own words, "Jt had a humiliating effect and was therefore a deterrent." Captain Hume said the system of endeavouring to educate prisoners was a mistake. He reported further that he was strongly opposed to tho issuo of tobacco, and added:—"The prisou diet is too liberal and I find that prisoners usually leave prison heavier in weight than on receptiou. This is not calculated to mako our prisons places to bo dreaded."

The Tc Awamutu district has received a much-needed and thorough drenching from the recent rain. Hay-making, which commenced last week, has had to be suspended, but tho rain is very welcome. Haymakers arc in keen demand throughout the district, and there is every prospect of work in the hayfields for experienced men for several weeks to come.

The 53rd anniversary of tho consecration of St. Stephen's Church, Opotiki, was celebrated on Sunday, when special sermons wore preached. After the murder of Rev. Volkner in the church, in 1865, tho building was used as a fort for several years. Bishop Williams reconsecrated the building in 1875.

An unusual operation was carried out by tho brigade while the fire in a Wellington City block was at its height on Monday night. Tho 80ft. extension ladder was erected, and two firemen were at the top, when flames bursting out of a window trapped the men abovo. Tho ladder was moved away with the men on it, this being the only way of getting them out of danger. This is tho first time this manoeuvre, which would only be resorted to in cases of grave danger, has been carried out in Wellington.

When a charge of keeping liquor for salo in a proclaimed area was being heard in the Hamilton Supreme Court yesterday counsel for accused asked his client, tho propr'ctor of a motor business, which was moi i) profitable, a garage business or sly grog-selling. Accused said a garago business was more profitable. Mr. Justico Blair said: "That may bo. I liavo ticca paying a few garage accounts lately and 1 can quite understand that what witness says is correct."

"Despito tho fact that agriculture has been an advance subject for tho B.A. and B.Sc. degrees, there has been no provision for teachers to qualify in tho subject," staled Mr. C. S. Ridley agriculture instructor, in a recent report to tho Canterbury Education Board. " I trust that tho removal of agriculture from tho list of teachers' degree subjects means that other means are contemplated to provide inccntivo aud facilities. Tho actual training required for tho school garden is nearer to horticulture than agriculture. Incentive must bo tho public examinations for tho majority of District High School pupils. No syllabus would bo satisfactory for all conditions, but examiners could help by setting questions testing tho nature of garden and laboratory and observational work hs distinct froiu knowledgo of text-books. A clear cbanco for a boy to get on tho land would bo the greatest incentive to the work."-