LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21845, 6 July 1934, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Heavy Frost in Waikato The heaviest frost this winter was experienced at Hamilton yesterday morning. In the town 9.5 degrees of frost was recorded and at Ruakura 11 degrees. The frost was followed by a clear, snnny day. Bay of Plenty Fishing Somo of the Tauranga fishing launches have had good catchers this week and one of tho Seine net boats brought in a catcli of nearly two tons on Wednesday. Tho bulk of tho catch comprised schnapper in splendid condition. Several frostfisli were secured on the beach at Mount Maunganui yesterday, and cno over five feet long was brought to Tauranga. Whitebait Reach Market

The marketing of whitebait from the Waikato River for tho season has commenced, small quantities having come forward during tho past two days. Ten pounds is ono of tho largest parcels received. Tho waters of tho river are now clearing after tho recent flooding and a fairly rapid increase in the supplies of whitebait is anticipated. Fewer School Pupils A decrease of 516 in the roll for the 747 schools in tho Auckland Education Board's district was shown in tho term ended on May 4, compared with the corresponding period last year. The total this year was 61,542, comprising 32,354 boys and 29,188 girls. The average attendance showed a decline of 567, the 1934 total being 57,110, comprising 30,002 boys and 27,0-18 girls. Justice and Revenue A suggestion that time should be allowed for payment of an optional fine was made by counsel in a Police Court case yesterday. "I see no reason why in this case I should," said Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M. Counsel suggested that to grant time might enable accused to pay the fine and so help the finances of the country. "I am not here as a magistrate to collect revenue," Mr. Wilson replied. "I am hero to restrict crime."

The Harbour Bridge Totara trees were planted near the new Birkenhead pumping station by the Mayors who attended tho official turn-ing-on ceremony of th* city water supply in the borough yesterday. "Totara is one of the most durable native timbers and excellent for bridge-building," said Mr. J. Guiniven, Mayor of Takapuna. "A totara tree takes about 300 years to mature and I hope the tree I have planted will be used for tho harbour bridge." Young Woman's Lucky Escape

A lucky escape from serious injury was experienced by Miss Jewel Beck at the south breakwater at Greymouth last Sunday afternoon, when she was swept from the staging on to the rocks some feet below by a large wave. The prompt action of two young men, Messrs. M. Foreman and J. Mahoney, prevented her from being carried into the sea. As it was, Miss Beck received a thorough drenching and her injuries consisted of bruising, which it was expected would confine her to her homo for several days.

Thefts o! Bicycles Numbers of cases of the theft of bicycles continue to come under the notice of the Auckland police, and constant vigilance is being exerted to detect the offenders. The use of bicycles has increased greatly in Auckland since the economic depression, and factory workers, who represent a considerable proportion of the users of the machines, have been especially victimised by thieves. The experience of recent months has emphasised the need on the part of bicycle riders to take greater precautions. Ruse ol Magistrate

"If a Chinese has not learned to speak English after living for 14 years in the country, I should not think he would be able to speak even his own language," said Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday when doubts were expressed as to a Chinese witness' ignorance of English. "Just turn this way and faco me," said the magistrate abruptly a few moments later in the middle of the examination. The witness immediately did so, and there was laughter in the Court. The rest of his evidence was completed without the interpreter.

Farm Training For Boys As part of its plan for training suitable unemployed youths for n life on the land, the Auckland Boys' Employment Committee is working on a proposal to establish a course of farm training for boys on the Rnnkura State Farm. The assistance of tho Unemployment Board has been secured and yesterday notification was received from the Commissioner of Employment that the board was willing to help by paying the return travelling expenses of the boys, and by providing them with an allowance of 5s a week each during their period of training. The committee has taken up with tho Minister of Agriculture the question of making the teaching facilities and accommodation at Ruakura available to the bovs.

Early Auckland Fire Ono of the most destructive fires in the early history of Auckland occurred 7G years ago to-morrow. The firo broke out at two o'clock on tho morning of July 7, 1858, at tho back of the Osprey Inn, High Street, and in spite of tho work of volunteer brigadesmen and heavy rain which fell at the time, it quickly swept the wholo of the blockbounded by Shortland Street, High Street, Chancery Lane and O'Connell Street, as well as almost all tho west side of High Street. Fifty houses, mostly those of trades people, were destroyed before dawn. Officers and men of tho old 58th Regiment gave valuable assistance to the Volunteer Firo Brigade and tho flames were eventually checked by levelling to tho ground a row of small houses.

Mishap in the Fog Some weeks ago a, motorist losing his bearings in a heavy fog in a Christchurch street found himself hurtling across tho gutter and crashing through the fence of tho Cathedral Grammar School. His car, says tho Church News, must have been considerably knocked about, but he was ablo to reverse and dash away into tho fog again under his own power, and ho did not return. The Cathedral Chapter, povertystricken as it is just now, has had to repair the damage at its oavh expense. Some timo ago tho brass name-plate of the school was wrenched from its place and has not been recovered. The Church News says:—"lf this should meet tho eye of tho guilty persons they might like . to know that tho Cathedral Chapter is open to receive conscience money anonymously through the diocesan registr-in"