LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21423, 22 February 1933, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Demeanour of Apprentices "The marked difference in demeanour and attention to work between apprentices and unbound boys makes one feel that a binding apprenticeship for a number of years is neither in the best interest of the boys nor of the employers," said Mr. R. G. Porter in his presidential address to the Auckland Ironmasters' Association. "I think a very strong effort should be made to secure greater powers for employers in the dismissal of apprentices," Mr. Porter added. Fresh Appearance of Paddocks The beneficial effects of last week's rain are apparent in the appearance of the country about Pukekohe. In place of the usual seasonal parched appearance, all the paddocks are looking bright and green and there seems an abundance of feed. Mature potato crops are now nearly all dug. A little delay will be caused in the harvesting of onions, which will have to be left in the paddocks to dry. The onions, however, will not be harmed in any way by the soaking. Steamer for Japan The steamer Waitemata, which was purchased at the end of last year by a Japanese buyer and has been lying off Hobson's Bay, was brought alongside'the Japanese steamer RyOka Maru at King's Wharf yesterday to load coal and stores for the voyage to Japan. A crew of 39 arrived from Japan by the Ryoka Maril on Sunday and were transferred that day to the vessel to make her ready for sea. The Waitemata is expected to sail for Japan direct at five o'clock this evening. Sports for the Blind Races in which the competitors were blind formed a feature of the Blind Institute picnic, held at Motuihi Island yesterday. To prevent them from deviating from the course, the runners were guided by a bell, which was rung from behind the finishing tape throughout each race. The " walking straight " event for blind entrants was a novel competition. Competitors had to walk 100 yards and, although they were guided by a bell for a-third of the distance, they had to traverse the rest of the way unaided. Barque's Departure Delayed Owing to unfavourable winds, the Finnish barque Passat, which was expected to sail yesterday morning for Wallaroo, South Australia, to load wheat for London, did not leave port, remaining at her anchorage in the s'ream. If the wind changes from the northern quarter, the vessel will sail this morning. She will be towed by a tug as far as the Rangitoto Beacon before hoisting sail. The ketch Seafarer, which was to have sailed yesterday on her return voyage to Suva, is also awaiting a favourable wind before leaving port. Change in Nurses' Uniforms A change is to be made in the uniforms of nurses at the Auckland Hospital, according to a decision made by the Hospital Board yesterday. It was reported that the shoulder capes supplied to nurses about two years ago were becoming worn and in many cases were in need of replacement. It had been arranged that cardigans of blue, green and white, denoting the rank of the nurses, should be worn in future. Nurses would be required to supply these themselves, the best price at present quoted being 15a 6d each for all sizes. Series of Hot Nights A feature of the weather during the last three days has been the small variation between the maximum and minimum temperatures recorded in the shade in the city. On Monday the highest reading was 82deg., while yesterday the thermometer rose to 79deg. during the day. Although these temperatures were not exceptionally high, the heat was accompanied by remarkably humid conditions, which have continued at night, with the result that the temperature has not fallen in the past three evenings below 69deg., a very high minimum reading. Cattle Driven From Waikato A mob of 600 cattle, which had been driven from Rototuna, near Hamilton, arrived at the freezing works at Westfield yesterday. The task of driving the cattle, which was undertaken by three drovers with nine dogs, was commenced on February 10 and over 12 days were spent on the road. The drovers "had a packhorse, and they camped on the route, grazing accommodation having been arranged in advance for the cattle, which consisted mostly of " dry " cows. The cattle were reported to be in excellent condition after their long trek. " Sightseeing " Hospital Visitors " In spite of the by-law stating that each patient at the Auckland Hospital may receive only two visitors at a time during visiting hours, there are still large groups round the bedsides," said the chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, Mr. W. Wallace, at a meeting of the board yesterday. " The nurses do not like to enforce the regulation, but the medical superintendent, Dr. Craven, considers that it is vitally necessary. Many visitors go to the hospital purely for sightseeing purposes, and Dr. Craven is taking steps to deal with the position." Two Cruisers Sail Both the cruisers attached to the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, H.M.S. Diomede and H.M.S. Dunedin, sailed yesterday morning for Russell, whore they will spend a week in company. The vessels will then visit Whangaroa, where they will part company and commence extended Southern cruises. The Diomede, with Commodore F. Burges Watson on board, will make a shorter cruise, returning to Auckland on April 5 to prepare for the voyage to Samoa and Rarotonga with the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, while the Dunedin will not reach Auckland again until the beginning of May. ' Oakley Oraek Improvements Satisfactory progress is being made with tho improvement works being carried out on the upper reaches of the Oakley Creek by the Auckland and Suburban Drainage Board. This work, which is being done under the Unemployment Board's No. 5 scheme, was visited yesterday by the members of the Works Committee of the board. The watercourse has been widened and deepened along a total length of 5520 ft., of which a distance of 1370 ft. has been through rocky country. The improvements to the watercourse have provided better drainage for the largo area of land lying between Richardson Road and Mount Albert Road. The work has been continued below the Richardson Road Bridge, where the creek is being straightened in places to prevent flooding. It is also proposed to improve the creek between the New North Road and the Great North Road, and it is estimated that this will provide work for unemployed for the next six months at least.