LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21279, 5 September 1932, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

Frost Affects Crops A frost was experienced at Pukekohe yesterday morning. On the lower levels potato crops, which are just appearing above ground, and garden crops, such as green peas, suffered to some extent. Some Schools Reopen To-day The second term holidays having ended, primary schools in the Auckland education district will reopen for the third term today. The pupils have had two weeks' vacation. State secondary schools will reopen on Tuesday, September 13, after a lapse of three weeks and one day. Pedestrian Struck by Car As the result of being struck by a motorcar at the corner of Aratonga Avenue and Great South Road, Remuera, on Saturday evening, Mr. William James Rich, aged 65, of 88 Great South Road, received concussion. He was admitted to the Auckland Hospital, His condition is not serious. Raising of School Age Brief reference to the raising to six years of the age of entrance to schools was made by the Hon. R. Masters, Minister of Education, when he met a deputation from the Owairaka School Committee on Saturday morning. Mr. Masters said only 9 per cent/of the school population was affected. The effect of the advance in the age had been greatly exaggerated. Hospital Patient's Condition The condition of Mr. Allan Scott, of--57 Benson Road, Remuera, who received serious injuries to the head in an accident in Remuera Road on Friday evening, was stated by the hospital authorities last evening to be considerably improved. Mr. Scott was the driver of a motor-car which collided with a tramcar near the Bassett Road intersection. Mount Albert Pire Board According to the latest issue of the Gazette, September 19 has been fixed as the date for the election of two members of the Mount Albert Fire Board by the insurance companies. On July 20 a poll • held in the district resulted in the board being set up. At present, however, the formation of a Metropolitan Fire Board which would include Mqunt Albert is under discussion.

Highways Board Praised A tribute to the work, of the Main Highways Board was paid by the Piime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, when replying to a deputation on Saturday morning. "I think, taken as a whole, the Main Highways Board has administered its funds fairly and satisfactorily," said Mr. Forbes. "We do not get any complaints from the local bodies except in isolated cases. The board is trying to meet all reasonable requests."

Cause of Divorce Describing New Zealand's divorce statistics as a crying disgrace, Canon Grant Cowen told a meeting of men yesterday that these domestic troubles arose simply and solely because God was left out of the home. "I can say this after 25 years' experience," he declared, "that I have never, yet come across a home where God is worshipped and served in which there has been a divorce of any kind. When God is alienated from the life of the family then the discord grows among its members." Proficiency Examination In replying to a deputation on Saturday morning the Hon. R. Masters, Minister of Education, refuted statements that the proficiency examination had been "stiffened up." The Minister said that last year he instituted a Dominion-wide examftiation to replace the accrediting system. The Education Department was merely "taking stock" of the system, and some very valuable information was gathered. In somo cases it wjjs found that the system was not satisfactory. Produce for England A large and valuable cargo of New Zealand produce was despatched for London by the New Zealand Shipping Company's motor-liner Rangitata, which left Auckland on Saturday. The vessel has on board 50,000 boxes of butter, of which 40,000 boxes were loaded at Auckland, and 10,000 crates of cheese, including over 3000 from Auckland. There is also a iarge quantity of frozen meat, as well as various items of general cargo. The vessel loaded at Tokomaru Bay, Lyttelton, Wellington, Napier and Auckland. She is scheduled to reach London on October 6.

Busy Day on Railway A busy day was experienced at the Auckland railway station yesterday. The limited express, which during the winter months has usually had six carriages, left last evening with eight, consisting of two sleeping cars, three first-class and three second-class carriages. Every seat was taken, many by school children returning home after the holidays. The two "mystery trains" for trampers took 1000 passengers and the 8.55 a.m. train for Hamilton had to have three extra cars attached, leaving with 14 carriages. The 6.37 p.m. train for Hamilton was also packed, as were both the morning and afternoon trains from Hamilton to Auckland. Mail From Overseas „ Three mails from England by different routes will reach New Zealand 10-dav. The Makura will arrive at Wellington from Sydney this morning with English and Australian mail, including 51 bags of letters for Auckland and tile Niagara is due at Auckland from Vancouver this afternoon with 1403 bags of English and American mail, including 428 bags for Auckland. The steamer Tekoa is expected at Port Chalmers from London to-day with 300 bags of English mail for New Zealand. The Maunganui will arrive at Auckland from Sydney to-morrow morning with 347 bags of English and Australian mail, including 239 bags for Auckland and the Mariposa is due at Auckland from Los Angeles next. Monday morning with 1174 bags, of English and American mail for New Zealand. South Island Railway The question of the resumption of formation work on the uncompleted South Island Main Trunk railway was raised at a recent meeting of the Marlborough Sheepowners' Union. Mr. C. 0. T. Rutherford, president of the union, of the question of transport for stock and produce, said that several suggestions had been made to the Railways Board, "but without result of any kind so far." Ho went on to refer to the "frittering away" of money by the Unemployment Board. "The whole district," he said, "should strongly agitate to have a portion of this huge amount spent on pick and shovel work to bo done on finishing the formation work of the Main Trunk railway by the unemployed, 60 that we would have a level roadway which could be used by lorries until it would be possible to go on with the railway. Thousands of pounds' worth of huts and material are left at the abandoned works. They could be used to' advantage by going on with the job. The people pressed the Government for these works in the first place, and still want to continue the agitation."