LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20863, 4 May 1931, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Yesterday was tho Sunday specially set apart for the acknowledgment by the churches of their indebtedness to the British and Foreign Bible Society, and for making its objects and enterprises known. " The Greatest Book in the World," " The Power of the Bible," and similar topics were the subjects of many discourses, in which different aspects of the greatness of the Bible were expounded

and reference was made to the vast publi cation and translation work of the society

A protest against any relaxation of the present regulations governing the importation of stock from countries where foot-and-mouth disease exists has been forwarded to the Government by tho council of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, It was pointed out at a lecent meeting of the council that New Zealand, by reason of its freedom from serious cattle diseases and aided by its line climate, stood unequalled as a land for the breeding of livestock. If foot-and-mouth disease were introduced, New Zealand's opportunity to build up an export trade in pedigree livestock would bo lost. It was also mentioned that some breeders of stock in New Zealand wished to have the embargo lifted, because they desired to have new imported blood introduced into the various strains. The opinion was expressed that this was not necessary, because New Zealand possessed some of the finest stock in the world.

In a recent letter to the Prime Minister tho Railway Officers' Institute sought an assurance that prior to any important alteration to the Government Railways Act affecting the staff either ho or the Minister of Railways would receive a deputation from the institute on the subject. Tho Prime Minister lias replied promising that between the introduction of legislation affecting service conditions and its final adoption by Parliament the institute will be afforded an opportunity of making any representations it desires.

The extensive improvement works in the grounds of tlie Gladstone Road School, Mount Albert, have reached an advanced stage, and, under the direction of the foreman, Mr. .J. C. Arthur-Worsop, good progress has been achieved in forming a playing field of more than one and ahalf acres, a. basketball court, an additional playing field and also an area for the use of the younger pupils. Two hundred men were engaged on the work at one period, and about 100 are employed at present.

A well-intentioned alarm was given to the Onehunga, Fire Brigade on Saturday afternoon. Smoke from a rubbish fire at the foot of Norman's Hill Road appeared to be coming from a house and a passer-by gave the alarm. The brigade was smartly on the stene, but its services were not needed.

As the result of complaints received, a body of police raided a house in St. James' Street early yesterday morning. Eight arrests were made and charges will be preferred in the Police Court this morning.

The triennial congress of Empire universities, which is to be held next July in London and Edinburgh, will for the first time have representatives of the University of New Zealand taking part in its deliberations. Tho representatives are Professor T. A. Hunter, of Victoria College, vice-chancellor of the University, and Professor James Hight, of Canterbury College, a member of Senate. They will leave this month to attend the Congress which is to be opened in London on July 6 and to bo continued in Edinburgh from Julv 8 to Julv 11.

A " baby" model touring motor-car, owned by Mr. W. R. Battersby, of Great North Road, Avondale, which was removed from Pitt Street about 8 p.m. yesterday, was subsequently recovered by the police in Hepburn Street. It had not been damaged.

An outbreak of fire in a house at 11, Norman's Hill Road, Onehunga, occupied by Mr. T. J. G. Hill, was caused on Saturday afternoon by the boiling-over of the contents of a pan on an electric stove. Tho Onehunga brigade was called and prevented the flames from causing damage to the house, but the stove was practically ruined.

A sovereign tendered in payment for a totalisator ticket at the Cambridge trotting meeting on Saturday clvew an opt but unheeded suggestion from the ticketseller. The race was the Cambridge Trotting Cup and the investor asked for a ticket on the favourite, First Flight. " There are not many of these about in these days," the ticket-seller said to him, when (he sovereign was produced. *' Surely the horse you ought to back is Gold Treasure." The advice was not accepted, but tlio investor must have been sorry afterwards, for Gold Treasure won, paying a fair dividend, while I'irst flight w.'is second.

"Taxi fares ran into over £IOO when the British team was in Auckland," said Mr. S. S. Dean, at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union, when a question dealing with an item in the balance-sheet was asked liiin. "The committee had to take stern steps to sec that iL was stopped. In future tours I think this question should be given consideration."

What, is claimed to be the largest mushroom of tlio season was exhibited in New Plymouth last week. It measured a full Dm. across and weighed 140/„ As a specimen it was of fine proportions and of good substance. It was grown quite close to New Plymouth.

"A parish without a debt should be stuffed and put in a museum," observed Mr. T. T. Denbeo at the annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Matthow s Church, Masterton. Mr. Denbee added that a debt was all right so long as it could be controlled.

"It is a question if Rugby is advancing in New Zealand as is claimed," said Mr. J. Prendevillo at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union. "It is a fact that some of the unions have not increased the number of teams since 1925."

What is probably a record for school attendance has been established by Robeit Mead, of Motupiko School, in the Nelson district. He attended school every time it was open during a period of ten years. On leaving, lie received a special letter from the Nelson Education Board conveying its hearty congratulations on his splendid record.