LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21359, 7 December 1932, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Steamer Waitemata's New Name The cargo steamer Waitemata, formerly owned by Hie Union Steam Ship Company, is to be renamed Willandia, according to advico received from Sydney, 'i he vessel was recently sold to William Crosby and Company Proprietary and she is undergoing overhaul and relit at North Wall preparatory to leaving for Sydney. New K Class Engine Arrives A few minutes before Hie arrival of the Rotorwa express at four o'clock yesterday afternoon the first of the new K class locomotives to be built at the Hutt railway workshops drew into the Auckland railway station. The locomotive made the journey from Wellington "light," without hauling any waggons, and it was considered that the run had been quite satisfactory. Thief at Takapuna A thief entered the home of Mr. S. V. Wright, at 63 Lake Road, .Takapuna, early yesterday morning, and stole £4 in money and a gold wristlet watch. Jhe intruder, who forced open a back window, was able to search the house without interruption, as Mr. and Mrs. Wright, who aro milk vendors, were absent on tho morning delivery when the theft occurred. Flowers in Albert Park Two very fine beds of gladioli in full flower are presenting the most attractive display in Albert Park just now. the Princes Street beds, the herbaceous border, arid tho beds by Bo wen Avenue are all still showing a variety of rich colour. In tho central fountain water-lilies have opened out their delicate shades of cream and pink, and at least one of the pohutukawas is already flowering profusely. Entertainment of Cricketers In connection with the visit to New Zealand of the English cricket team, advice has been received by the Auckland Cricket Association from the New Zealand Council that tho Englishmen do not desire any social engagements to be made for thern at this stage. Offers of entertainment or receptions must first be made to the New Zealand Council, which will submit them to tho English manager. Fire in Coal Mine The fire in the Hikurangi Coal Company's mine at Hikurangi is gradually being suppressed and it is possible that it may bo extinguished to-day. In that case the unwatering of t,hc flooded area beyond tho fire will commence, provided the motors have not been covered by the, water. If it is necessary to remove the motors for drying, the management will instal emergency motors which are at hand.

" Mystery " Cycling Outing Over 150 lads from the Seddon Memorial Technical College set out yesterday morning on a " mystery" cycling trip, which formed, to some extent, a conclusion to the year's physical training courses at the college. The route followed was up Svmonds Street, through Eden Terrace and then along t.ho New North Road to Mount Albert, the final destination being Blockhouse Bay, on the Manukau Harbour. After a swim and lunch the. boys took part in various organised games and physical exercises.

Clay Pipes for Veterans The old clay pipo was very much in evidence at the annual reunion of the Wellington South African War Veterans' Association. Members were provided with the pipes, and also tobacco, by the association, and to the visitors, with the old

campaigners puffing contentedly, the spectacle must have been one of the features of the enjoyable evening that was spent. Members of the gathering showed some keenness in securing the autographs of their fellows on the white clay and toward the close of the evening there were several who sported pipes covered with signatures. Wanganui River Trawling Trawling in the Wanganui River is becoming quite an occupation. One recent evening several boats were to be seen out in the vicinity of the Town Bridge, and long after dark men were working at their nets. On another evening several men were noticed below tlie Dublin Street Bridge working with lights. Some fair catches have been reported. At one time no netting above the Town Bridge was allowed, as it was hoped that salmon could be introduced into the river. With the apparent failure of that venture the restrictions were removed and netting may now be carried out.

Telephone Cricket Inquiries So great has been the interest taken in Auckland in the cricket matches played in Australia by the English team, and more particularly in the test match now in progress, that the Herald telephones have been used almost continuously by inquirers for the latest score. Reluctantly, it has been found necessary to discontinue the service, as not only has it necessitated detailing several members of the slaff to answer (he calls, but the telephones havo been denied to the normal business inquirers. The scores will still be exhibited on tho notice board in front of (ho Herald office, but, in the circumstances, telephone inquiries cannot be answered.

Preparing the Valuations I lie slnlf at Ihe city valuer's ofliee in (lie, Town K;il! is now engaged in the preparation of tho valuation roll, and although (ho valuation notices will not go out until the middle of January the task is so great that all available members of the staff are working overtime to complete it. There is a general impression that valuations will show a reduction this year, hut the, city valuer, Mr. I'. F. Notlev, states that if there is a reduction it will he principally in the industrial area. This for the purposes of his ofliee is taken to mean the portion of the. city within a radius of half a mile of the chief post ofliee. This area produces over one-sixth of the total rates collected by the City Council. Interesting Maori Curios Considerable interest has been taken in the finds of Maori implements by Messrs. if. Bell, of Mercury Bay, and S. M. Ilovell, of Waihi, at Oruarangi in an old Maori pa, in tho vicinity of Matatoki, about seven miles from Thames, states the Herald's Thames correspondent. This pa was the scene of many fierce battles and was a densely-populated stronghold of the Ngatiniaru tribe. A representative collection of articles will be exhibited in the Auckland Museum. The collection comprises 572 specimens. What is considered to be a valuable acquisition is the discovery ot varied tattooing implements; made chiefly front the wing bones of the albatross. They numbered about 150. Prior to this discovery tattooing implements were considered rare curios.