LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20985, 23 September 1931, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Charged with a Dumber of thefts from launches on the waterfront four youths have been arrested in the Swanson district. They will appear in the Children's Gourt. "We must remember the 1918 influenza epidemic and try to have the present/outbreak stamped out before the warmer weather comes," said Mr. H. L. Kayes, at a meeting of the Mount Albert Borough Council Inst evening. He proposed that a special "Clean-up Week" should be organised, with the object of getting rid of all rubbish likely to harbour germs. It was decided to inaugurate the scheme in the borough on November 23 in connection with Fire Prevention Week. A narrow escape from drowning was experienced by Mr. George Merrick, a member of the crew of the steam launch Presto, when he fell into the harbour from the vessel yesterday morning and was rescued in a semi-conscious condition. The accident occurred when the Presto was engaged running mooring lines from the Federal Line steamer Cornwall, which was berthing at Prince's Wharf. Mr. Merrick overbalanced and fell overboard, and being unable to swim he soon became exhausted. The Presto, which had drifted a considerable distance away, returned to the Cornwall's stern and with the assistance of somp members of the Cornwall's crew Mr. Merrick was rescued. He soon recovered. The effect of climate on the religious lifo of a nation was referred to by the Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher, in the course of an address at the annual meeting of the Auckland Provincial Federation of Christian Endeavour Unions. " The climate of New Zealand is a menace to religious enthusiasm in this country," declared Mr. Fletcher, who said he had found religious life stronger in countries having more rigorous climates. The soft climate of this country tended to sap the enthusiasm of the people. The Northcote Borough Council received a letter at last evening's meeting from the Auckland Harbour Board asking for details of the scheme for the development of Onepoto Baain, Shoal Bay. The board stated the matter could not be held up indefinitely. The borough overseer, Mr. J. E. Mays, reported that plans for the wbrk were nearing completion. Excessive pruning of the popular tecoma hedge, combined with the particularly cold weather experienced this winter, is reported to have caused many of the plants to wither in localities where the soil is of a clayey nature and frosts are frequent. The tecoma capensas, with its soft green leaves and clusters of orangescarlet flowers, is a native of the Cape of Good Hope. When left uncut the trees grow to a height of about 20ft. In places where the soil is volcanic and dry the plants are suffering no ill effects. A horticultural authority said last evening that over-pruning was to be strongly deprecated. Two Hamilton flying pupils, Dr. M. M. Hockin, superintendent of the Waikato Hospital, and Mr. M. A. Scott, were examined by Squadron-Leader L. M. Isitt, offier in charge of the Hobsonville aerodrome, at the Te Rapa aerodrome on Monday. Both pupils qualified for the "A" pilot's licence. The Federal Line steamer Cornwall, which arrived at Auckland from Liverpool yesterday morning, is now used as a Training ship by the company and carries 40 cadets. The conversion of the Cornwall into a training ship was carried out during the vessel's stay in England, and she has replaced the company's steamer Westmoreland, which was previously used as a training vessel, but is now laid up in England undergoing an extensive overhaul. Roomy accommodation has been provided for the cadets. It includes a number of large cabins, each to accommodate six cadets, and adjoining the cabins are a messroom and a schoolroom. The ages of the cadets range from 16 years to 21 years. On board the Cornwall their navigation studies are continued and they also act as the crew of the vessel and carry out the usual duties of seamen. The Auckland council of the New Zealand Alliance is responsible for the following story concerning after-hours trading in hotels: —"A commercial traveller stated that on a recent trip ho had stayed at 14 different hotels, and that after-hour trading was practised in every one of these. In one case he was so disgusted with the amount of drinking taking place that, although the night was bitterly cold, he went out for a walk. The first person he encountered was a policeman, to whom he said, 'Hello, are you going in for a drink, too ?' When the constable asked what he meant the traveller stated that apparently everybody could get a drink at this hotel, and he thought the constablo might be going in for one too. The constable simply replied, 'Oh, we do not take any notico of that," shrugged his shoulders, and walked away. Another traveller who had recently visited North Auckland, had declared that after-hour trading was rampant in every hotel in the North." The council has decided to call the attention of the police to the violation of the law and to urge more supervision and prosecution of tho offenders. "We recognise that the old-fashioned idea of the hen is a great idea, but we really should experiment with the incubator." This was the way in which Mr. C. J. Halsey, a member of the council of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, summed up the matter of raising quail, when it was brought forward for discussion at a meeting last week. in respect of threo redemption loans, aggregating £62,950, the Christchurch City Council is proposing to offer interest at the rate of per cent. On these loans the council had authority to offer 5J per cent., but in accordance with the recent decision of the Government in respect of interest rates, it has had to reduce the rate by £ per cent. " We would esteem it a favour if the hoard can see its way clear to assist us in this matter, as the club is financially embarrassed at the present time," was a statement contained in a letter read at a meeting of the Christchurch Drainage Board. " There is nothing singular in being financially embarrassed," remarked Mr. W. R. Carey. For the first time in 32 years Dalgety's Annual Wool Review contains the words " Australia and New Zealand " instead of the single, submerging term "Australasia." This fact was brought to the attention of members of the council of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. The chamber had written to the firm requesting the change, and it was decided to send a letter of thanks.