LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21916, 27 September 1934, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Shelter on Ferry Wharf The Birkenhead Borough Council last night decided to request the Auckland Harbour Board to provide protection from the weather on the ferry jetty at Auckland. The proposal outlined by Mr. R. R. Hayman was that two of the supporting pillars should be enclosed with a fence, and the roofing extended to the gangway. Beef Prices at Westfleld

In spite of a slight weakening tendency, beef prices at the weekly Westfield fat stock sale yesterday were again quoted on a level with the previous week's figures, which represented the highest price reached "since 1930. Extra choice ox beef sold at 32s per 1001b. and prime young cow and heifer beef, for which there was a good demand, at from 27s to 31s.

Runaway Oar In City A heavy cast-iron fuse-box was smashed from its foundations by an unoccupied motor-car which ran away in Wyndham Street, City, early yesterday afternoon. The car had been parked above Albert Street and, unseen by anj T one, moved across the street and struck the box, leaving it supported only by the heavy electric-power cables. The car was undamaged. Steamer Monowai to Resume

After being idle at Wellington for nearly four months, ' during which period she has undergone an extensive overhaul, the Union Company's steamer Monowai is to resume in the intercolonial passenger service next week. She will be despatched from Wellington for Sydney on October 5. The Monowai will continue in the service during the summer months with the steamer Marama.

Shaving Brushes Confiscated A shaving brush bearing the number 332, similar to one which was believed to have caused a case of anthrax in the South Island, was discovered in a shop by the borough inspector, Mr. H. H. S. Short, according to a report presented at last night's meeting of the Newmarket Borough Council. One lot of Japanese brushes was found, and as the number was on the handle of one of the whole stock was confiscated. The inspection was the outcome of a warning issued recently by the Health Department.

Large Overseas Mails Nearly 2500 bags of mail from overseas, including two mails from England will reach New Zealand on Sunday. The New Zealand Shipping Company's liner Remuera will arrive at Wellington from London on Sunday morning with 800 bags of English mail and 200 bags of parcels for New Zealand. The Royal Mail liner Aorangi, which is due at Auckland from Vancouver on Sunday, has 1194 bags of English and American mail and 283 bags of American parcels for New Zealand. Included in the total are 337 bags of mail and 96 bags of parcels for Auckland.

Expeditionary Force Reunion It will be 20 years on October 16 since the Main Body of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force sailed from New Zealand. To mark the anniversary a smoke concert will be held in Wellington on the night of that day, to which all men who sailed with the Main Body are invited. There were approximately 8500 troops in the convoy, and it is hoped to have at the coming function the strongest muster of survivors that has come together since the war. Major-General Sir Andrew Russell, senior officer of the Main Body now resident in New Zealand, will preside.

Low-powered Fire Engine A proposal to have a more powerful motor installed in the Mount fire engine is being considered by the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board. This engine, apparently built to suit conditions in England, is equipped with a 17 horse-power motor, and, in addition to not being very fast, is a very poor hill climber. It was stated at a meeting of the board yesterday that as the district served by the Mount Roskill fire brigade was a very large one with several heavy inclines, there was a danger of the machine being late at fires. An offer of a 50 h.p. motor suitable for the existing engine had been made and it was left to the chairman and superintendent to go into this matter with power to act.

Danger to Kauris The danger of delay in planting a shelter belt to protect exposed kauri trees in Trounson Kauri Park, north of Dargaville, was emphasised by Mr. N. R. W. Thomas at a meeting of the executive of the Auckland district council of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture on Tuesday night. A number of fine trees had been blown over in July of last year and the matter was urgent. The commissioner of Crown lands in the North Auckland district, Mr. W. D. Armit, had suggested planting manuka seed, but the institute considered thiß would not grow high enough in a short time. The commissioner had therefore promised to see if an experimental belt of eucalyptus could be planted this season.

Intelligence of Elephants The important part played by elephants in many activities in Burma, particularly in the timber industry, was referred to by Colonel P. DunbarStuart in the course of an address at a luncheon of the Overseas League yesterday. The elephants were used, he said, for hauling large teak logs from rivers to the level land above and they showed remarkable intelligence in the manner in which they went about the work. At the top another elephant took the log and conveyed it to a stack, where two elephants lifted it in their trunks and placed it carefully in position. Elephants also were used to assist in capturing and training wild elephants and they showed great intelligence, skill and patience in the difficult tasks involved. Water for Birkenhead Schools The free supply of water to the Birkenhead and Birkdale Schools is to be discontinued, and from October 1 the current charges for meter supplies are to be enforced. This decision, reached by the Birkenhead Borough Council last night, follows the contract with the Auckland City Council for the supply of water to the borough at Is 2d per thousand gallons delivered at the Birkenhead reservoir. It was pointed out in a letter from the Birkenhead School Committee that the practice in the city was to allow a free supply to schools of 100 gallons a child annually. Mr. J. Prickett, the, chairman of the Water Committee, stated that at the charge proposed. Is 9d a thousand gallons, with an allowance of 25 per cent for wastage and public purposes, the council would be'recovering only the bare cost of Is 2d.