LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21325, 28 October 1932, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

Telephona Book Inconsistencies A telephone directory invariably includes many inconsistencies. In the new issue,' available to-day, the addresses of three adjacent houses in Royal Terrace, Mount Albert, are given as Sandringham in one instance, Kingsland in another, and Mount Albert in the third. Export of Passion Fruit " 1 was astonished to find there is 110 demand for passion fruit in England," said Mr. J. L. Brown, formerly chairman of the Fruit Export Boarrl, who returned by the Rangitiki yesterday from London. " It has been tried without success in all the leading hotels and restaurants. The peoplo complain of the number of seeds." Accident Victims' Condition An improvement was reported from the Auckland Hospital last evening in the condition of Patricia Kidd, aged nine, of 42 Cook Street, City, who received serious head injuries as a result, of falling down stairs at her home on Wednesday evening. Harold Ivan Henrickson, aged 19, of 11 Sefton Avenue, Grey Lynn, who suffered concussion when he fell from his motor-cycle in Kararigahape Road on Tuesday evening, was stated still to be in a serious condition. Record Low Lamb Prices Spring lamb is cheaper than it has been for many years. Leg ia obtainable at lOd a lb., which is 4d cheaper than at this time last year and 7d less than in 1030. Other cuts are selling at prices 5d and 6d a lb. below those of two years ago. "The export price of lamb is also lower than it has been since the war," said a merchant yesterday. The low prices ruling locally were in accordance with the weak state of the fat stock market generally, he added. Court Official's Escape An unexpected incident occurred in tho upper Court room at the Supreme Courtyesterday when the metal rod and curtains at one of tho windows fell to the floor. The Court crier had vacated his customary seat a few moments before and thus fortunately escaped what might have been a serious blow on the head. His Honor was summing up a case when the incident occurred and after an almost imperceptible pause the Court routine' continued with its customary smoothness. Direct Christmas Mail Advice that the last direct newspaper, packet and parcel mail for Great Britain and Ireland, which will bo delivered before Christmas, will close at Auckland on Thursday, November 10, was received from the chief post office yesterday. Tho mail, which will also includo'parcels for Europe, will be carried by the New Zealand Shipping Company's motor-ship Opawa, and is due at London on December 16. Correspondence and packets forwarded by this m'ail will be carried at the low rates. 1 Many Railway Passengers A large amount of passenger traffic, especially on express trains, has been handled at the Auckland railway station recently and an extra carriage was required on The limited express which leftfor Wellington last evening. The additional provision was .brought about by the number of' overseas visitors, who arrived by the New Zealand Shipping Company's liner Rangitiki from London yesterday.' An increase has also been noted in the number of people from provincial centres visiting the city. Tangarakau Gorge Road The Tangarakau Gorge Road, between Ohura and Stratford, is in rough condition for motor traffic, according to advice received from the Ohura County Council bv the Auckland Automobile Association. The road passes through beautiful scenery, but as a long distance is of clay formation, 'it is only available in the summer months. Unless there is a long spell of fine weather, the road is usually very rough and, with the recent rainfall, conditions are such that motorists are advised to avoid the route. Ozecho-Slovakia's Independence The 14th anniversary of the declaration of independence in Czecho-Slovakia falls to-day. The republic incorporates the lands of the old kingdom of Bohemia, the Slovak territory of Hungary, and the autonomous territory of Carpathian Ruthenia. A National Council was formed in the midst of the disruption in Central Europe consequent upon the Great War, and, on October 28, 1918, by its first law, proclaimed the independence of the territory without, encountering any considerable opposition from the army or the authorities. Bombay Deviation Speed Limit An urgent request, that the speed limit of 30 miles an hour on the Bombay deviation should he lifted, and that only the restrictions under the motor regulations and the heavy traffic regulations should apply, was forwarded by telegram to the Main Highways Board yesterday by the Auckland Automobile Association. The newly-met ailed deviation was opened for traffic 011 June 18 and Mr. F. S. Dyson, engineer to the Public Works Department nt Auckland, stated that the more closely motorists observed tho temporary limit of 30 miles an hour, tho sooner the formation would consolidate and permit the authorities to lift the speed limit. Anniversary of Wairarapa Wreck One of the most disastrous shipwrecks on the New Zealand coast, the loss of tho Wairarapa, occurred 38 years ago' to-day, on October 28, 1894. The Wairarapa was a. passenger steamer of 1786 tons, bound from Sydney to Auckland with 230 persons on board. At midnight, in thick weather, she crashed into tho base of an almost perpendicular cliff on the north-west side of Great Barrier Island. Of those on board, 137 were drowned or died from exposure. Only two of the vessel's six boats could be launched, and in them about 60 persons escaped to land. When day broke some who had clung all night to the rigging wero able to reach tho rocks by a land line, but many had been swept off by heavy seas before that. Cost of Raising Loans The question whether local bodies could raise money at a cheaper rate through London brokers than was now done througft the banks, was raised at a meeting of tho Auckland and Suburban Drainage Board yesterday, when arrangements were being made to redeem a maturing loan. The opinion was expressed by Mr. 11. R. Jenkins that- money could bo secured through London brokers at a lower rate than was tho case when the New Zealand banks handled the loan.-The chairman, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, said that from its experience the Auckland City Council had found it more satisfactory to stick to tho bank. He thought that a rate recently quoted to them was somewhat high compared with the rate nt which some other were being raised. He promised to look into the question.