LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20300, 6 July 1929, Page 12

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

A further s.nd substantial decrease, in the price of both hen. and duck eggs was shown at the Auckland City Markets yesterday. Eggs, which a few weeks sro realised 3s a dozen, are now selling at Is 8d ai dozen. The Auckland Presbytery has recorded its protest against the decision of the Government to lift the ban on art unions. The motion, which was unanimously adopted, was brought forward by the Rev. L. H. Hunt as convener of the Life and Work Committee. The desirability of erecting a covered shelter at tho Bayswater Wharf for the protection of ferry passengers in wet weather is at present under consideration by tho Harbour Board. The Takapuna Borough Council has reopened negotiations with the board upon this matter and during the week an inspection of the site was carried out by representatives of both bodies, including the Mayor of Takapuna, Mr. J. W. Williamson. As a result, the Works Committee of the Harbour Board has prepared ai report which will be presented, with recommendations, at the board's next meeting. Minus a collar and tie and carrying a small handbag, a man clambered on board the steamer Maheno just as she was leaving Auckland for Sydney yesterday morning. The vessel was scheduled to sail at 11 o'clock and the belated passenger arrived on the wharf shortly after the gangway had been lowered and when the mooring lines were being cast off. The man was bewildered and hesitated as to what he should do. Eventually he scrambled on to tho fore-deck just as the Maheno commenced to back away from tho wharf. Not so fortunate was another man who had booked a passage. Ho arranged with a taxi-driver to call for him, but no car arrived and he missed the boat. Three more seats have recently been presented to the Point Chevalier Progressive Association, for placing on the waterfront at Point Chevalier, and there is now a total of 13 seats. One of tho new seats has been donated by residents and the others by Messrs. T. J. Molvor and Sons and Messrs. Beaney and Sons.

The first day-old chicks of the season were offered at the Auckland City Markets yesterday. About four dozen Black Orpington chicks came forward, there being a small demand. The prices realised ranged from 3d to 5d a chick. The season proper for day-old chicks will commence at the end of this month.

Tho first threo lambs for the season at Whangarata were born on Thursday on the farm of Mr. Herbert Brewster. One ewe had twins.

Hundreds of Maoris visited the Morrinsville pa at Kiwitahi to pay their last respects to the lato Taingakawa Tamahana Te Waharoa, paramount Waikato chief. The tangi was ono of the largest held in tho district, over 400 Maoris attending. Among the visitors were "King" Rata Mahuta and " Princess" Te Pima Herangi.

Ten pupils of the Canterbury Aero Club wero in the air od Tuesday, which was a good day for flying. Tho most advanced ones have about six hours' further instruction in the air to undergo before they can qualify for a pilot's certificate, but the club hopes to turn out its first qualified pilot about the end of this month.

The idea of the opossum being a carnivorous animal is scouted by Mr. D. llopo, curator to tho North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. The animal is very fond of fruit, berries and other forms of vegetable life, he says, but ho has never known it eat flesh. Ho does not think that charges of its destroying native bird life can be sustained.

Holders of railway private sidings in Christchurch have decided to approach the Government for the purpose of obtaining the abolition of the annual charge made for the right of access, which in Christchurch and other large centres is £SO per annum. This decision was conveyed to the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce following a private meeting of siding holders. The annual charge is considered quite unfair for the reason that all sidings owners have paid tho Railway Department for tho cost of constructing the sidings and haye in addition to pay, when called on to do so, the cost of any repairs required to keep the siding in safe working condition. Tho complaint was referred to tho Truck Shortage Committee to prepare data) for presentation to the Associated Chambors of Commerce.

A mild form of influenza has so seriously affected some country schools, including Portobello and Macandrew Bay, that they have been closed down for a few days, says a Dunedin paper. The attendances at city schools have also been considerably reduced, but in no case has the effect been so great as to make tho closing of tho school necessary.

One of the principals in an Appeal Court case heard in Wellington was a mental defective whoso state of mind at the time he parted with several largo sums of inonoy was commented upon by Mr. H. H. Cornish! Counsel said ho had been informed by a doctor that the man was suffering from delusions similar to those found in old-fashioned Presbyterians. Mr. Justice Herdman (dryly): " The old-fashioned Prcsbytorian was not in the habit of making gifts of £100."

The principal of the Foxton District High School wroto as follows to a, meeting of the committee of tho school- " With regard to the earthquakes, I would bo glad of a mandate from the committer respecting the best course to follow when earthquakes occur during school hours. It is very difficult, indeed, to know just what to do at such times, whether to evacuate tho building or to keep the children in their seats. It seems to me that whatever course is followed, great risks are taken and perhaps it would be as well if tho committee, as representing tho parents, were to give me the benefit of their considered opinion and advice on the matter." It was very difficult to lay down any definite rule, said tho chairman, Mr. J. K. Ilornblow. To evacuate the building hurriedly had its risks, and perhaps shelter beneath tho desks would afford refuge. Evacuating tho building would be to incur a greater risk, considered Mr. Ross, owing to crowding of the exits. Mr. Scott fell that ample exits were provided from all classrooms, and the safer method would be to quit tho building. It wns suggested that toachers should use their discretion in such circumstances, but that tests should be made on giving an alarm to ascertain the time in which the children could be got out of tho building.