LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20288, 22 June 1929, Page 12

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The thirty-fifth anniversary of the birth of the Prince of Wales falls on Monday. There will be no general observance of the day. The majority of Government departments and insurance offices and banks will remain open, but/ there will be no sittings of the Supreme Court.

There was a considerable improvement in the weather in Auckland yesterday, following the boisterous and wet conditions on Wednesday and Thursday. The wind was moderate from the south-west and very little rain fell. The trawler Thomas Currell, for the cpast, the auxiliary schootiors Hauturu and Hokiarign, for Hokianga, and the Ngapuhi, for Now Plymouth, left Onehunga yesterday afternoon after being delayed in port .since the previous day. However, the four 'vessels were detained at the Manukau Heads last evening owing to the rough state of the bar. The Ngapuhi remained at anchor for four hours, and was then able to cross the bar at high water last evening. The seas were moderating, and it was expected that Hie other three vessels will be able to cross the bar this morning. The barometer, after being practically steady at 29.55 in. since Wednesday morning, commenced to rise slowly at mid-day yesterday, and the redding last night was 29.75 in.

Scarlet fever continues to be fairly prevalent in the Auckland Province, and three cases have been reported from Thames. These have been found to be the result of contact, and difficulty is being experienced in discovering the origin of the outbreak owing to its mildness. The. Health Department authorities stated yesterday that although the number of cases of scarlet fever this year was larger than usual it was considerably less than in a number of places in the Dominion, evfen under ordinary conditions.

The necessity for a faster metalling policy on formed clay roads was referred to recently by Mr. A. M. Samuel, M.P. k>r Thames, in a letter to the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Mr. Samuel stated that a large amount of money was wasted through landslides on unmetalled routes.' The Minister has replied stating that he will give the matter early consideration.

Souvenir-hunters among the guests at the Arts Ball in the Town Hall on Wednesday carried off some of the wooden figures arranged round a Noah's ark on the stage. The figures, which were cleverly designed by Mr. Gerald Jones, formed a complete set, and it was proposed to make use of them in a future charity entertainment.

Minor damage to the kitchen of a house in Alten Road, off Symonds Street, owned by John Burns, Limited, and occupied by Mrs. Cuthbert, was caused by a fire which broke out shortly after eight o'clock last evening. The City Fire Brigade was successful in preventing the flames from spreading. The outbreak was caused by a spark from the kitchen fire igniting some clothing which was drying.

A prolonged trip from x~nd to Westport is being mado by the Westport Coal Company's steamer Canopus. After leaving Auckland last Tuesday evening the vessel experienced the recent north-east gale in the Hauraki Gulf, and had to shelter at Kawau Island for 40 hours. The delay caused the vessel to run short of provisions, and a call for a short period was made at Russell last evening to obtain stores. After the stores were taken on board the vessel resumed her trip.

There are evidences that quinnat salmon are working north, and recently one was caught in the Tukituki River, Hawke's Bay. Mr. A. E. Hefford, chief inspector of fisheries, stated last evening that this fish probably came from the Wairau River, Marlborough, where extensive liberations had been made. The Canterbury rivers were also possible sources. Quinnat salmon wero not exhibiting the same tendency to spread up the, West Coast. lu some Canterbury rivers quinnat salmon had actually become quite a problem where it was desired to encourage troufc only. The possession of a souvenir of the Groat War in the shape of a German automatic pistol, which he obtained on active service, cost Eric Andrews, Omata, Taranaki, a fine of 10s, with 10s costs, in the New Plymouth Police Court on Wednesday, since he neglected to notify the police when he changed his address. As the weapon was only a souvenir and no ammunition was procurable for it in New Zealand, no ordor was made for its confiscation.

Legislation to permit the leasing of mus-sfcl-beds will probably be enacted shortly. At present there is no control over mussels, but dredging the beds for canning purposes has become a small industry, and it is thought advisable that there should be some authority vested in the fisheries inspectors to define areas to hp observed by vessels regularly engaged in mussel gathering.

Lamprey eels are now commencing their migration from the sea up the rivers. On the concrete weir in the bed of the Waiwakaiho River at Fitzroy, Now Plymouth, some of . these queer fish were seen a day or two ago. The lamprey swims up the river, and when requiring rest it holds on to rocks or other obstructions by a peculiar suction arrangement of .its lips. Maoris are very fond of the eels, and despite the coldness of the water at this time of the year, do not hesitate to wade the streambeds in quest of them.

There was considerable excitement last Saturday when a large crowd of people were walking on to the pipe bridge over the Hutt River, says a Wellington paper. Suddenly screams were heard, apparently coming from the bank of the river. The crowd' flocked to the sides of the bridge, and motor-cars wero pulled up by curious drivers. The screams increased and a boat occupied by a small girl was seen floating near the middle of the river. Two girls ran along the bank screaming hysterically while the child in the boat appeared to be at a loss to know what to do. The boat was going rapidly downstream when Mr. A. Mutton, a well-known motor-cyclist, took off his coat and plunged into the river. He swam rapidly to the boat and hauled it to the bank. The curious crowd had hardly walked off the bridge when a small knot of people was seen clustered around a motor-car and motor-cycle The motorcyclist, with the girl pillion riding, had hit a car which was being turned on a crowded road. Slight ankle injuries were sustained by the girl.