LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21251, 3 August 1932, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

Two Weather Records The rainfall at Palmerston North for July was only 1.17 in., being the lowest recorded in the 20 years that records have boon kept. The previous lowest fall in July, 1.29 in., was in 1928. The past month was also the coldest on record for the past two decades. Early Blooming of Clematis The clematis has flowered particularly early in Auckland this year. A magnificent display of the blooms is in the garden of Mr. J. Worboys at Koraha Street, Remuera. The first flowers appeared at the beginning of July, and the plant has now attained complete blooming. Collapse at Lunch A resident of 11 Kingsway Avenue, Sandringliam, Mr. William Burke, aged 67, collapsed yesterday while he was at lunch in a restaurant in the city. Ho was admitted by the St. John Ambulance to the Auckland Hospital, his condition being reported as satisfactory last evening. Prompt Payment of Rates Prompt payment of rates by a number of ratepayers in Papatoetoe was reported at a, meeting of the Papatoetoo Town Board last evening. The clerk stated that the demands had been posted at the end of July, and in the two days since the sum of £272 had been paid. The chairman, Mr. W. J. Nicholson, said it was unique to find ratepayers tendering payment so promptly.Accident Victims Improve An improvement was noted yesterday in the condition of Mr. Ray Allan, aged 21, of Garfield Road, Helensville, who was admitted to the Auckland Hospital on Friday with serious internal injuries after being run over by a motor-truck. William Neill Kidd, aged 17, of Wood Street, Papakura, who received head injuries and a fracture of a leg on Thursday when the motor-van in which lie was riding was struck by a train, was also stated to have improved slightly. Economy Commission's Report No definite date has been given by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, for the publication of the second portion of the Economy Commission's report. Recently Mr. A. M. Seaman, president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, wrote to the Prime Minister, requesting early publication of at least some particulars as to the nature and extent of any further economies recommended. The Prime Minister 'has replied that the contents of the report will be made public as soon as practicable. Motorists and Liquor The practice of drinking intoxicating liquor at motorists' meetings was strongly condemned by Mr. A. Grayson, president of the Auckland Automobile Association at a meeting of members of the Hamilton agency in Hamilton last evening. The

danger of any motorist leaving such a meeting under the influence of • liquor could not be overlooked, he said, and the association could not favour the practice and be sincere in its work. '-'I will never agree to it; we must guard the good name of our association," added Mr. Grayson. The Quest for Flounder A bright light, moving in a restless manner over the surface of the water off King Edward Parade, Devonport, aroused the curiosity of passers-by at an early hour last evening. Investigation revealed two fishermen in a dinghy, one holding a torch with which he swept the sea around in an incessant fashion to focus steadily at intervals, while his companion, armed with a long spear, took heavy toll of passing shoals of flounder. The fish were evidently in large numbers and the wielder of the spear displayed dexterity and judgment which was more than a match fcr his elusive quarry. Noisy Water Mains a The cause of noisy water mains in the Mount Roskill district, which has been the subject of a complaint from the Road Board to the Onehunga Borough

Council, will very shortly be removed, according to a letter received by the board from the council last evening. The letter stated that new electric pumps had arrived and were being installed, and should be in working order by to-day or to-morrow. It was hoped that the board would have no further cause for complaint. "This information is very gratifying," said the chairman of the board, Mr C. M. McCullough. Handwriting in Schools Adverse criticism of the handwriting of modern schoolboys was made at, a meeting of the Mount Eden Borough, Council last evening, when the appointment of a cadet in the council's office was under consideration. It was stated by a councillor that about. 150 youths had applied for the position, and, generally speaking, their handwriting was very poor and in many instances lacking in character. It seemed that secondary schools did not pay the same attention to handwriting as in the past. As a result of their bad writing numerous ltoys were handicapped when applying for positions. Forgetful Witnesses ) The two witnesses who failed to attend at the Magistrate's Court on Monday to give evidence, at an inquest pleaded for-

get,fulness when asked for an explanation by the coroner, Mr. W. I*. McKeau, S.M., yesterday afternoon. One witness said ho was working away from his usual place of business on Monday and forgot about the inquest, and .the other said his absence was duo to his failure to remember the dale mentioned on the subpoena. lie thought the hearing was sefc down for Tuesday and not Monday. "I will accept your explanations," said the coroner, "but it, is an inconvenience to have to adjourn an inquest and bring some people to the Court twice." Boulders on Bombay Deviation Until recently it was not uncommon on the notorious Razorback Hill to encounter large boulders left on tlio running surface by motorists who had utilised them as chocks for their wheels when their cars carno to a standstill on the steep grades. The Bombay deviation provides much easier grades, but on tho up-hill section on the I'okeno side this practice is still indulged in occasionally. At certain times in the late afternoon car drivers travelling north ou the incline encounter a blinding sun shining down the hill and in several cases lately tyres have been damaged through cars striking boulders left by inconsiderate motorists. The Auckland Autoniobilo Association draws attention to the danger of this practice and requests road users, in the interests of "safety first" and road courtesy, to remove boulders which they have used.