LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21498, 23 May 1933, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Open Boat on Bar A partv of Opotiki residents had a narrow escape from capsizing when crossing tho Opotiki bar in an open rowing boat on Sunday. Tho breakers wero very big and one broke right over the boat, almost swamping it. Fortunately the party was able to make its way back to the beach just inside tho bar. The Beauty of Man A witness giving evidence in the Supreme Court in Wellington last week concerning a visit he made to a beauty salon said he had never been m a beauty parlour before and probably would never be in one again. "I did not go there for a treatment," ho added, turning to counsel. "For some of us there is not much need," suggested Mr. Justice Ostler, philosophically. "For others there is not much hope." Vessels in Dock

The Union Company's steamer Kurow, which has been sold to the Mollei Line, Shanghai, was docked for cleaning and inspection yesterday morning. The vessel will undock to-day and return to the Western Viaduct to continue her overhaul and refitting preparatory to sailing for tho East. To-morrow morning H.M.S. Dunedin will be docked for cleaning and painting. Tho warship is to leave on a cruise to the' South Sea Islands in June, but her itinerary has not been announced. Distance from Employment

The question where city workers should live was discussed at yesterday's sitting of the No. 2 Licensing Authority. "My personal view is that city workers should live as far into the country as possible," said Mr. Goulding, supporting an application for renewal of a bus licence. Living in outer districts conferred many advantages which were not possible in the city. "Tho town planning experts take the other view," said the chairman, Mr. J. A. C. Allum. "They say tho job should bo taken to the man." Queer Floodlighting Eflects Queer atmospheric effects often result in cloudy weather from tho floodlighting of the War Memorial Museum. Shortly after sovon o'clock last evening there were heavy, low-lying clouds immediately behind the museum and these, illuminated by tho floodlighting, presented the appearance of a corona of light over tho roof. Within a few minutes the effect changed miraculously. The clouds drifted over tho building and, as they did so, presented the appearance of billowing white smoke. ' __

Band Outside Theatre Unexpected but welcome assistance was received last evening in drawing attention to the presentation of a play at His Majesty's Theatre in aid of the Community Sunshine Association. During the week-end members of the Auckland Girls' Brass Band decided they would like to help the association and yesterday they approached the City Council authorities for permission to play in Queen Street before the performance. This was refused, but tho band decided to play in His Majesty's Arcade, which is private property. Plain "Mr. Mayor" The new Mayor of Westport, Mr. J. Kilkenny, has requested councillors and the public to refrain from referring to him as "his worship." He said at the first meeting of tho new council that no doubt everyone liked to think that they embraced democratic principles. At the same time, there were too many who still clung conservatively to old aristocratic conventions. He asked the people to create a precedent and if they felt they must address him in a way which betokened his office, lie would prefer to be called "Mr. Mayor." Police Court Publicity Applications by accused persons in the Police Court to have the publication of their names suppressed are frequently made, but' it is only in cases where there are exceptional circumstances that the presiding magistrate makes the desired order. In the Police Court yesterday, Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., had two such requests made to him. He declined both, saying he did not see any particular reason why the names of the accused should not be made public. "You may as well shut the doors of this Court and everything else," he added. Picture of Lord Rutherford

A suggestion was made by the Gov-ernor-General, Lord Bledisloe, to the standing committee of the New Zealand Institute, that a copy of the picture of Lord Rutherford, of Nelson, recently painted by Birley, and preseyted to the Royal Society by the Fellows of that society, be obtained for Wellington. It was reported to the institute last week that the board of trustees of the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum had been written to asking for authority to collect subscriptions for the purchase of the picture, but the board considered the time was not opportune. Refreshing Exception

Probably because it is thought the question is always "loaded," witnesses almost invariably say "No" when they arc asked in Court by' examining counsel if they have discussed tho case with the party* for which they have been called to give evidence. A witness in the' Supreme Court in Wellington last week was a refreshing exception, and ho received the commendation of Mr. Justice Ostler. Without the slightest hesitation tho witness, a Masterton solicitor, said he most certainly had discussed the case with tho plaintiff. The Judge said it was the first timo ho had ever heard a witness say straight out, "Yes." "Tho question is asked hundreds of times in Court," added His Honor, "and I have never known it answered frankly before."

Exhibition of Lizards A cage of livo specimens of Now Zealand lizards is on exhibition at the War Memorial Museum this week. It includes a tea tree gecko or carpet lizard, collected at Titirangt recently by Misses Patricia and Joan Hastings, daughters of Dr. J. P. Hastings, of Ponsonby. In 1931 the museum obtained a specimen from Miss Bathgate, of Titirangi, and it is still alive and healthy. The ski ft colour of the carpet lizard is brown and green, in harmony with its natural surroundings, arid it also possesses to a slight degree the power of the chameleon to change colour, usually from brown to grey and vice versa. The exhibition at the museum also includes several of the beautifully-marked varieties of the Now Zealand green lizard.