LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21497, 22 May 1933, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Petrol Set on Fire. The hose pijio attached to a kerbsido petrol pump in front' of the A.dvanx Garage, Queen Street, Onehunga, was released by some mischievous person shortly after 11 p.m. on Saturday and a quantity of petrol was allowed ta escape on the footpath. The petrol was set on fire, but the flames were extinguished by the Onehunga brigade before any damage was done.

Primary Schools Reopen To-day After a holiday of two weeks, the primary schools in the Auckland district will reopen to-day for the second term. The Parnell School's now building in St. Stephen's Avenue will be used from to-day, although the official opening will not take place until a later date. Pupils of the Seddon Memorial Technical College resume today, and to-morrow the secondary schools reopen. Poisoning of Dogs

During the past fortnight several complaints have been received by the Onehunga police regarding the poisoning of dogs. Most of. the cases have been in the Te Papapa district. Some of the dogs poisoned have been valuable pedigree animals and in several instances unmistakable traces of poison have been found ifi the bodies. A fow months ago several cases of animal poisoning were reported from Buckland's Beach. Route Taken by Tanker

The Norwegian motor-tanker Nina Borthen, which arrived from Texas last evening, is reported to be the first tanker to pass through the Panama Canal with bulk petrol for Now Zealand. The tankers which bring oil fuel to New Zealand from America always load at the Pacific Coast ports of San Pedro or San Francisco. The Nina Borthen loaded at Houston, Texas, and will discharge at Auckland, ' Wellington, Lyttclton and Dunedin. Killing of Opossums

An open season for tho taking or killing of opossums in tho various acclimatisation districts throughout New Zealand has been declared, an Order-in-Council published in the current Gazette fixing tho peQods for the various districts. The duration of tho season for the Auckland acclimatisation district is from Juno 16 to September 1, while in the Jlotorua acclimatisation district the season will be from July 1 to September 1. In each case the licence fee is £2 10s.

Leg Theory in Football Humour thrives among the crowd "on the hill," either at football or at cricket. A phrase pertinent to the one sport was cleverly applied to the other during tho course of tho university Rugby match at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon. Tackling too high, an Australian footballer had failed to stop an opponent. It was then that a "wag" in the crowd administered a rebuke. "How about trying tho leg theory, Aussie?" he called, amid general laughter.

Long Terms as Chairmen The election of a chairman, an office held annually, will take place at today's meeting of the Auckland ElectricPower Board. The present chairman is Mr. W. J. Holdswortli, who has held office continuously since the inception of the board in 1922, a period of 11 years. An oven longer record as chairman has been achieved by Mr. W. Wallace, chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, who has been ill that office since 101S and was elected to it for the 16tli successive term last week.

Auckland's First Mayor Auckland's first Mayor, Mr. P. A. Philips, was chosen on May 22, 1871 — 62 years ago to-day. Auckland had previously been administered by a city board, the members of which became the "first city councillors of tho borough of Auckland-" Thus the first council was set up, not by vote of the citizens, but by virtue of an Act of Parliament. Mr. Philips had been chairman of the board and was unanimously chosen by the council to be Mayor. His salary was fixed by the council at £250.

Bishop Neligan's Consecration Tho 30th anniversary of the consecration of tho late Bishop M..R. Ncligan, Bishop of Auckland from 1903 to 1910, fell yesterday. Tho bishop, who succeeded the late Bishop W. G. Cowie, was consecrated in St. Mary's Cathedral, Parnell, on Ascension Day, 1903. When 'failing health compelled him to resign, ho returned to England, whete he died a few years ago. Bishop Crossley succeeded him and held office until 1913, when Archbishop Averill was translated from the dioceso of Waiapu.

Overseas Shipping The port of Auckland will bo very busy to-morrow. During the morning the Federal Lino steamer Northumberland will arrive from Liverpool, the Huddart-Parker motor-liner Wanganella from Sydney, the Bank Line motorship Spoybank from Ocean Island and tho Union Company's steamer Karetu from Suva. Tho departures will include the' Shaw, Savill and Albion liner lonic for Opua, the Federal Lino steamer Cumberland for Tokomaru Bay and the tankers Nina Borthen and Brunswick are expected to sail for Wellington and San Pedro respectively. Three Years as Prime Minister

Three years ago yesterday the Rt. Hon.. G. W. Forbes was elected leader of the United Party, in succession to Sir Joseph Ward, who had resigned on account of ill-health. The selection carried with it the Prime Ministership, an office Mr. Forbes officially assumed a week later, on May 28, 1930. Mr. Forbes, now en route to London on his second official mission there as Prime Minister, will accordingly pass tho anniversary at sea. Over half nis period in office has been served as head of tho Coalition Government, which was formed in September, 1931.

Fast Coastal Trip A fast passage of 35 hours from Now Plymouth to Auckland was made by tho New Zealand Shipping Company's motor-ship Orari, which arrived yesterday morning, the average speed during the passage being 14.9 knots. Continuous fresh head winds and moderate seas prevailed throughout, the wind being northerly on the run from New Plymouth to Capo Maria van Dimcn and south-easterly during the remainder of the passage. Like her sister ships, the Opawa and Otaio, the Orari is a speedy vessel, and on her trials she reached 17.78 knots, the average being 17.4 knots.