LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21426, 25 February 1933, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL

First of Outdoor Grapes The first consignments of Te Kauwliata grapes appeared at tho City Markets yesterday. Considering the low prices ruling for tho hothouse variety, the outdoor grapes had a satisfactory sale, averaging 9d a lb. University Classes Resuming

Classes at the Auckland University College will resume on Monday, March 6. From Wednesday to Saturday of next week deans of faculties and professors will lie in attendance in tho college library at fixed hours to meet new students.

Knocked Down by Oar As a result of being knocked down by a motor-car in Broadway, Newmarket, shortly after four o'clock yesterday afternoon, Maurice Parsons, aged 11, son of Mr. G. E. Parsons, of 128 Bassett Road, Romuera, received a fractured left- arm. He was admitted to the Auckland Hospital. His condition is not serious. Manukau Bar Unworkable

Owing to a continuance of westerly weather, the Manukau Bar was unworkable yesterday and the sailing of three vessels from Onehunga was postponed until to-day. The Kaitoa was to have left for Nelson, the Hauturu for New Plymouth and Wanganui and the Ronaki for Hokianga, but on account of the condition of the bar they made no attempt to cross outward. School and Hot Weather

A suggestion that headmasters should be permitted to dismiss their pupils for the day during excessively hot weather was recently submitted to the Hawke's Bay Education Board by the Waipawa School Committee. It was decided to reply stating that there was no power in the Education Act to permit such a move, and suggesting that on extremely hot days the children might receive their instruction out of doors.

Waitemata Sails for Japan The steamer Waitemata, which was formerly owned by the Union Company and was acquired by a Japanese buyer after she had been sold to a Melbourne firm last November, sailed for Japan early yesterday morning. A Japanese crew arrived for the vessel, which is now known as the Waitemata Maru, last Sunday by the llyoka Maru, which also brought coal and stores from Japan for the Waitemata's voyage.

Third Barque to Sail The only remaining barque in port, the Finnish vessel Winterhude, which is lying at an anchorage in the stream, has now received orders and is to sail at one o'clock this afternoon for Wallaroo to load wheat for Europe. The four-masted barque Passat, which sailed on Thursday, was also destined for Wallaroo to load wheat, while another vessel will leave to-day for Australia, also to load grain. The British motor-ship Cedarbank is sailing for Geelong at noon to load a cargo of wheat for Shanghai.

Dog's Long Time at Sea A dog which has not set foot on land for over 18 months arrived in Auckland on the Norwegian tanker South Africa yesterday. The animal, a short-haired Chow, was purchased in China when he was six months old by the master of the vessel. Captain J. Darn, and for 18 months the dog has never left the ship. If he wove allowed to land a£ any ports he would bo placed in quarantine. The long flat decks of the tanker permit the dog to get ample exercise, while ho has been taught a number of tricks by the crew. Bright Flower Beds

The flower beds at Albert Park are making a very bright and attractive display. Salvia bonfire provides a gay border for the Princes Street beds, and cannas, besides having a magnificent bed to themselves, are placed to advantage to brighten other borders. Dahlias in the widest variety of colour and form are flourishing in many places, and zinnias make a pleasing contribution to the attractions of the park. The most delicate cream and pink water lilies are flowering in the central pond, and oleander trees in bloom make a pretty sight. Use of Bird Lime

An advertisement stating that a Wellington firm desired to buy 1000 redpoles, yellowhammers and chaffinches was referred to at a meeting of the Ne\y Zealand Native Bird Protection Society in Wellington this week, as illustrating the widespread use of bird lime. It was pointed out that those who caught the birds for sale mostly used bird' lime, although some used traps. Some time ago the Department of Internal Affairs, in response to representations by the society, promised to consider legislation similar to that passed in Britain, where the use of bird lime is forbidden. It was decided to ask the Department of Internal Affairs what had been done to bring into effect the promised legislation.

Poll ol Three Persons "Onfl of tho unfortunate little things that happen occasionally," was how the secretary of the Christchurch Drainage Board, Mr. C. F. Champion, referred at the meeting of tho board this week to the poll of three persons in the Waimairi County on tho question of adding two sections to the board's district. Ho suggested that the time had arrived to have such a peculiar position altered by legislation, so that it would not be necessary to take a poll when it was known that a proposal would be carried. Doubt was expressed regarding tbe incorporation of an amendment in the board's bill at present before Parliament. The question. of endeavouring to incorporate the required legislation in tho bill before the House was referred to the Finance Committee with power to act. Shooting of Oodwits

There has been considerable discussion whether gochvits should be shot, or not in New Zealand, and one of the effects of the agitation has been that the shooting season has been shortened. The New Zealand Native Bird Protection Society wants the godwit to be protected, and a strong argument in favour of its protection was put forward by Mr. W. R..' B. Oliver at a meeting of the society in Wellington this week. Mr. Oliver stated that the American godwit, which is very similar to the godwit which comes to New Zealand, had been almost exterminated by the activities of sportsmen in Argentina. The only thing which saved the bird from total extinction was the fact that it breeds in Alaska, which is difficult to approach. Although the New Zealand godwit breeds in Siberia, said Mr. Oliver, the widespread shooting of it in New Zealand might in time bring it near to extinction.