LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21239, 20 July 1932, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Damage by Frost. Damage to early potato crops at Pukekohe was caused by frosts at the beginning of the week. In places plants that were well above the ground have been partially blackened, while the growth of plants just appearing has been checked. Shops at Avondale. A block of six shops is nearing completion at the Avondale tram tci minus. This is the only building operation to have been undertaken in Avondale for a long period and is attributed to the recent opening of the new line from Mount Albert ,to Avondale. Two Motor-cars Taken.

Two motor-cars were removed from the city yesterday and had not been recovered at a late hour last evening. .One of them, owned by Mr. James Williams, was taken from the Central Wharf during business hours. The other, belonging to Mr. J. S. Dickson, of Bucklands Beach, was taken from Fort Street early in the evening. Carcase of a Whala Sighted. Efforts are being made to locate the carcase of a large whale which was passed in Cook Strait about 2.15 p.m. on Sunday by the seamer J Kaitoke when inward bound from Westport. The dead whale, in addition to constituting a danger to small craft, would prove a considerable annoyance, and one difficult to remove, if it were cast up on a beach. Fruit From California.

High prices were realised at the Auckland City Markets yesterday for a small quantity of Californian apricots, plums and cherries, which, arrived by the Mariposa on Monday. Tho cherries made up to 42s per crate of 181b., and the plums and apficots up to 30s. The cherries were selling retail up to 3s per lb. and the plums and apricots up to 2s.

Mount Albert Lighting Costs. The services of an expert are to bo obtained by the Mount Albert Borough Council to frame a report on the lighting system in the borough. This step was decided on at a meeting of tho council last evening. At a previous meeting it was stated that the charges made by the Auckland Electric-Power Board were high in comparison with other centres.

Openings for Farm Hands. Openings on farms for youths who have had some experience appear to be plentiful at present, with the commencement of the new farming season. A youth of 22 years of age who advertised in the Herald at the end of last week for a position on a farm, mentioning that he was experienced, and was also willing to accept engagement under the 4A unemployment scheme if necessary, received over 20 replies offering him employment. Nelson's Bural Industries.

An Invercargill business man who has interests in several centres expresses the opinion that Nelson is the most prosperous province in the Dominion at present. This he attributes to apples, tobacco and bops. These industries are thriving, and ate the means of circulating a large amount of money and providing work for a great many who would otherwise be unemployed. Tobacco-growing is increasing, and the informant said that as much as £IOO an acre is paid for suitable land.

Supreme Court Business. Yesterday was officially the last day for the setting down of business for tho quarterly sessions of the Supreme Court, which commence on Tuesday. Divorce cases at present number 58, of which five are to come before a Judge and jury and the remainder to be heard by a Judgealone. Fifty-six civil actions are to be dealt with by a Judge alone and five by a Judge and jury. Tho criminal cases, with which the sessions commence, number 20, but there are several more yet to be set down.

Freight on Whitebait. Aro whitebait fish ? is a question that is being discussed in the South. According to a statement made at a recent whitebaiters' meeting at Hokitika, the railway authorities say, No! It was pointed out by a speaker that groper and other fish are* railed from Christchurch to Hokitika at about a-third of the cost of what it takes to rail whitebait to Christchurch. He stated that tho railway authorities will not accept whitebait as fresh fish, but as "whitebait." It was resolved that the Railways Department be asked to remove such an anomaly, and that whitebait be treated as fresh fish.

Hospital Board Relief Supplies. Complaints regarding tho methods employed by the .Auckland Hospital Board in.obtaining supplies for its relief department were characterised as groundless in a letter from the Minister of Health, the Hon. J. A. Young, received at a meeting of the board yesterday. Occasional complaints have been made fo tho board in tho past, and recently one complaint was made direct to the Minister. Accordingly, a departmental official inquired into tho complaint, and hip report, which was forwarded to tho board, stated that no fault could be found with the board's present system.

Zealandic'j Large Cargo. A very cargo of Now Zealand produc.9 will bo despatched from Auckland for London by the Shaw, Savill and Albion motor-ship Zealandic this morning. Tho cargo was loaded at Wellington, Lyttelton, Bluff, Gisborne and Auckland, and includes 136,000 carcases of mutton, 25-50 quarters of beef, 50,200 boxes of butter, 8916 crates of cheese, 2600 packages of frozen sundries, 4500 crates of rabbits, 1200 carcases of pork, 1100 bales of wool, 600 packages of tallow, and 500 packages of gum. Tho vessel's five insulated holds are all filled with refrigerated cargo. Tho only cargo space not filled is in a hold which is not insulated and it •contains general cargo. Tho Zealandic •Jis schelulo'l to reach London about August 25.

Organ Reoitals Not Popular, i Aucklanders are not. very appreciative of'organ music, according to the principle which guided a decision mado by the Metropolitan Relief Committee yesterday. An organist offered to give a series of free organ recitals, in aid of the committee's funds. He proposed to hold the recitals at tho Town Hall -at noon, to give his services free, and,to charge three; pence to cover the expenses of printing programmes. "I move that the offer be declined," said the Mayor. Mr. G. W. Hutchison. "He will not get the cost of the programmes at threepence a time. With my knowledge of the way organ recitals are patronised in Auckland I do not consider the results would justify the expense and troubled involved." Tho motion was carried.