LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21967, 26 November 1934, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Short Court Sitting One minute sufficed to complete the sitting of the Police Court on Saturday morning. The only case for hearihg was a charge of drunkenness against an elderly man, a first offender. Gorse Fire at Takapuna

The Takapuna Fire Brigade was summoned to a gorse fire in a vacant section in Nile Road, Takapuna, at nine o'clock last night. Owing to the height of the gorse the firemen were unable to beat out the flames, but a fire break was made and the outbreak was so6n extinguished. Overseas Mails Arriving

A very heavy overseas mail was brought to Auckland by the Royal Mail liner Aorangi which arrived from Vancouver last evening. The vessel had 1500 bags of English and American mail for New Zealand. Of that amount 526 bags were for Auckland. The Monowai, which is due from Sydney, this afternoon, has 393 bags of Australian mail. Trips For Boys A party of" approximately 100 boys, representing over 70 centres of the Dominion, will visit Auckland from December 22 to 29 under the auspices of the Young New Zealand League. The boys, who will be under the control of officers of the league, will take part in the local welcome to the Duke -of Gloucester.' The excursion is one of two the league is conducting during the Royal visit to New Zealand, arrangements having been made for a party to visit Wellington from December 13 to 20. Aerodrome Site for Thames The consent of the Governor-General to the proposal of the Thames County Council, the Th ames Harbour Board and the Thames Borough Council to acquire a site of 109 acres at Parawai for the purpose of establishing an aerodrome for the district is notified in the current issue of the Gazette. This site is close to the Parawai Railway Station about a mile from Thames borough, and consists of land made available by the borough and harbour board, with a small portion of Crown land which has been added.

Exchange ol Anglers A suggestion that New Zealand anglers should try the excellent sport to be obtained in British Columbia was made last evening by Mr. G. J. Blundell, of Vancouver Island, who arrived by the Aorangi. Mr. Blundell has already visited the Dominion on five previous occasions, and leaves to-day for Rotbrua for a fishing holiday. He thought that some sort of exchange system might be organised, with an interchange of all the literature dealing with the sport in the ; two countries. "New Zealand fishermen would undoubtedly receive a very warm welcome in Canada," he said, "and their visit would do much to interest sportsmen at that end in the excellent fishing for which this country is famous." Veterans Honoured

Some time ago the Onehunga and District Returned Soldiers' Association decided to make a number of the inmates of the Veterans' Home full members of the association. This decision was carried into effect at a happy gathering on Saturday afternoon. In, about 20 gaily decorated cars many of the veterans were taken for a drive through the western suburbs. Afternoon tea was provided at the association s clubroom, where the veterans were welcomed by Mr. F. Warrington, vicepresident of the association, and Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.P. After the association's badge had been pinned on the coats of the veterans by Mrs. Jordan their appreciation of the association's action was expressed by Mr. sidy, D.C.M., and other veterans.

Anniversary of Change ol Capital Seventy-one years ago to-day Auckland virtually ceased to be the political capital of New Zealand by a decision in Parliament, although it was not until 1565 that the seat of Government was moved to Wellington. The change of capital was deemed desirable mainly on account of the lack of transport facilities which caused much inconvenience to Southern members, and also in view, ox the attitude of hostile natives in the Auckland district. A commission was set up to determine the most suitable site for the capital, and Wellington was selected owing to its central position. For 11 years previously Parliament had met in Auckland in the old wooden buildings just below the Supreme Court, which were demolished in 1918 in order to make way for the Anzac Avenue traffic outlet.

Methodist Maori Mission A complaint that no figures had been made available to indicate the progress of the work of the Methodist Church among the Maoris was made by the Rev. Moses Ayrton, of Tai Tapu, at the session of the North Canterbury Methodist District Synod last week. He said that there were 3000 Maori's who were claimed as members of the Methodist Church, and, roughly speaking, 12,000 Maori people among whom work was being done. He was surprised that so few had como under the influence of the Church. Mr. Ayrton referred to Bishop Bennett's recent statement that 650 Maoris had been received into full membership of the Anglican Church last year. * There was a considerable amount of money being spent, and several missionaries were employed, so it was only right that figures should be supplied. The M. A. Rugby Pratt replied that figures were published each year, but could not become available until reports were made by the districts in which the work was being done. Cricketer Breaks Window

Many cricketers hit "sixers," but few laavo the distinction «f shattering windows in the process, as nowadays house-builders in the vicinity of recreation grounds have the good judj,..ient to erect their homes outside the range of big-hitting batsmen. T. A. Harpur, the Old Collegians colt, playing against West Christchurch at Rugby Park last Saturday, however, "bagged" a window and five "sixers." He showed scant regard for the bowlers, and lifted most of them out of the ground. One big hit cleared the pavilion, and the ball struck the fence behind, and ricocheted from there through a window at tho rear of the building. No doubt the question of responsibility for tho damage will be argued between the Canterbury Rugby Union and the Canterbury Cricket Association. Harpur was in delightful mood with tho bat, and rattled on a splendid century. Last season he was playing for Christ' 3 College, and he is regarded as a decided acquisition to the Old Collegians side.