LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21160, 18 April 1932, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Trout-fishing Licences. Amended conditions for the issue of trout-fishing licences have been made by an Order-in-Council gazetted last week. It is provided that a single licenco to use a rod and line may bo issued to cover every acclimatisation district in the Dominion with tho exception of certain areas at Rotorua and Taupo. Heavier Limited Express. A largo number of people left Auckland for the south by the limited express last evening. Tho train comprised six passenger carriages, two sleeping cars, and a mail van taking the Aorangi's mail. On account of the total number of carriages exceeding eight, an extra engine had to bo used between To Kuiti and Poro-o-tarao, a distance of about 20 miles. Emotion in the Stokehold. "I have seen a stoker sitting down crying because ho could not get up steam," said a witness in the Arbitration Court in Wellington tho other day. "Crying for no other reason?" asked counsel. "No; he was as sober and steady as a Judge," answered witness. Mr. Justice Fraser: "Ho must have been more emotional than a Judge." Witness, with a deprecatory wave of his hand: "Oh, 1 beg your pardon." Accident Victims' Condition. The condition of Mr. William Nicholson, aged 52, of 111, Station Road, I enrose, who was gravely injured on friday evening as the result of his motor-cycle colliding with a power pole, was still serious last evening, according to a hospital report. Improvement has taken place in the condition of Mr. Alfred Best, aged 33, of 60, Cook Street, who was injured in a collision on College Hill on Friday evening. Handy Form of Barricade. A number of "knife rests" has been constructed by tho forces now in charge of the safety of tho city for use should occasion arise. A "knife rest, made of heavy timber, is of tho shape of two X's joined by a cross piece through their centres. To tho points c>f theso crosses aro ptretched strands of barbed wire. This form of obstacle, which was familiar in war. time, makes a most efficient barricade for closing a street. Firemen's Social Interrupted. A call to a fire was received by the Papatoetoe Firo Brigade on Saturday evening when the firemen and guests were at a function for the presentation of certificates and trophies won at, tho annual brigade competition. The outbreak, a chimney fire, was soon quelled and the firemen were able to resume their festivities. This is the second occasion on which tho I'apatoetos brigade's annual function lias been interrupted in similar circumstances. Quarters for Mounted Men. The men of the Waikato Mounted Rifles who came to the city at short notice on Friday to assist in quelling the riots are now comfortably housed in one of the Auckland Harbour Board's wharf sheds. They were visited yesterday by a number of officials, who found that the men were all in good health. Several organisations have been providing the men with leading matter and cigarettes, and arrangements have been made to have their laundry work done. Their horses are also snugly housed near by. Song Becomes Popular. A song which caused a mild sensation recently at Wellington when it. was sung by the three political leaders, "There are shadows in the valley, but there's sunshine on the hill," was sung yesterday afternoon at tho Town Hall at tho special request of the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, at a meeting addressed by General E. J. Iliggins, world leader of tho Salvation Army. Colonel Pugmire, of the general's staff, who acceded to the request, stated that since the stir tho song had caused in people were singing it everywhere. Honorary Rangers.

The llotorua Rod and Gun Club recently suggested to the Internal Affairs Department that fish preservation in the district would be facilitated bv (he appointment of extra rangers during the closed season, when poaching operations at times assume serious proportion's The department, however, was unable (o appoint paid officials, but suggested that the club should submit (he names of suitable persons to act as honorary rangers. Tho club has accordingly, submitted (ho names of 12 suitable members to the department for approval.

Wellington Transport System. For some months past statements made by tho Mayor of Wellington, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, as to tho economic working of the City Corporation's transport services havo been somewhat pessimistic. On one occasion last year, when the increase 011 tho universal concession ticket was made, tho Mayor said that the deficit might be in the neighbourhood of £20,000. The annual figures submitted to tho City Council last week show that, (hough there is a deficit, it is less than half the sum anticipated by the Mayor--viz., £9684. Actually the tramways show a. credit balance of £269, but tho buses show a deficit of £9955, leaving a not deficit of £9684.

West Coast Gold. " The West Coast has always been a good gold-producing country, and there is no doubt that gold in large quantities still awaits the application of more gold to bring it- to the light of day," said Mr. F. \V. I'ayne, an English mining engineer, in an interview in Christchurch. Mr. I'ayne has returned to New Zealand on tour after an absence of about thirty years, and he has been \isiling the WestCoast. He predicted that large dredging operations would lie, undertaken on the coast in the near future, also making the suggestion that money spent in improving tho harbour at Okarito would he well repaid in the saving on the transport of mining machinery. Enemies of Birds. "Anv proposal for the introduction of foreign birds or animals will require our close attention," said Mr- H. A. Anderson, president of the New Zealand Native Bird Protection Society, at the annual meeting in Wellington last week, "We have, the stoats and weasels moving further out into the wilds of I'iordland and cleaning up our ground birds, and not confining their depredations to these alone. Then we have the grey owl. and this bird is playing havoc with the fantail, robin and other small birds. In my own bush, which is a declared sanctuary, ] have noticed a distinct diminution in the number of l.irds visible this year, due entirely, I believe, to the. grey owl. As this bird comes out. only at. night there is little chance of destroying it."-