LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21982, 13 December 1934, Page 12

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Parking at Titirangl The car parking area at Titirangi Park will be extended, according to intimation received from the Parks Committee of the Auckland City Council at last night's meeting of the council of the Automobile Association (Auckland). However, it was stated it was doubtful if the extension could bo made in time for the coming season. Preserving Native Bush "There are all too lew pieces of native bush left," said the president of the Automobile Association (Auckland), Mr. A. Grayson, at last night's meeting of the council of the association, when the preservation of an area of bush near Tc Hana, North Atiek land, was urged. It was decided to ask the Government to buy the land, which it was stated could he purchased for £IOO, as a scenic reserve. Dissatisfaction and Progress "Life is not all a bed of roses, and I ask you not to expect too much from life in advance," said Professor A. P. W. Thomas, chairman of the Auckland Grammar School Board of Governors, in an address to pupils of the Epsom Girls' Grammar School at the annual prize-giving ceremony last night. While he did not advocate a pessimistic outlook, he said it had to be recognised that dissatisfaction was a stimulus and spur to progress. That was one of the lessons of the past. Holiday Rail Traffic With the approach of the holiday season, traffic 011 the railways is showing a progressive increase, and by the beginning of next week it is anticipated that there will be a heavy demand for accommodation on the main express trains. Altogether 10,060 travellers left tfye Auckland station last week, an increase of over 3000 compared with the figures for the previous week. Indications are that traffic will be much heavier than was the case last year, a contributing factor being the visit of Duke of Gloucester. Goats at Mount Egmont Owing to its limited resources., the Egmont National Park Board had decided to discontinue the payment of 2s a tail royalty for goats destroyed on the mountain reserve. The Government subsidy for the work has been exhausted and until finances improve, the board has no alternative but to retrench. The New Plymouth representatives on the board are seeking to ascertain whether the Government can offer further assistance to combat the pest. Fortunately, strenuous endeavours to exterminate the goats have met with marked success so far, and in all 6000 have been killed. Deer in Tararua Ranges A fine stag created a good deal of interest the other day by descending from the Tararua Ranges and making a tour of the Makomako district. By taking cover in various plantations the animal managed to evade its pursuers and escaped ultimately, doubtless returning to the ranges. Red deer abound in the section of the Tararuas bordering the Makomako district, and their call can be distinctly heard most frequently in the early mornings and in the evenings. In the bush the undergrowth has been practically all trampled down or eaten by the deer, and their definite trails are rapidly opening up the bush. Children for Sunshine Gamp The task of examining and selecting 600 city children for the Community Sunshine Association's summer camp at Motuihi Island was commenced at the Nelson Street school yesterday morning, by the association's honorary medical officer, Dr. L. Ludbrook, and a party of school doctors. About 200 children were dealt with yesterday and the examination will continue this morning and to-morrow. "As might he expected, the children were, on the whole, of very poor physique and should benefit greatly from the camp life," said Dr. Ludbrook. The applicants havp been selected mainly on the recommendations of headmasters and school nurses.

Stream Endangers Garage The garage at Hnkatere, Ninety-Mile Beach, which housed Mr. Norman Smith's racing car during speed record attempts in 1932, and which has been the depot for departing Tasman fliers, is in danger of being undermined by a stream which has changed its course. Information to this effect was received by the Automobile Association (Auckland), which owns the garage, at last night's meeting of the council of the association. Jt was stated that the stream now ran from the back of tho garage, along ono side and across tho front. It was practically impossible to drive a car into the garage, as the stream had scoured out the sand near the entrance. It was decided to divert tho course of the stream. Humour In Parliament Some humorous sidelights of speeches he has heard delivered in the House of Representatives during his twentythree years' service there were related by Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P., in the course of a speech in Wellington. He quoted one or two ludicrous remarks that had been passed by members of that institution from time to time. " It is no use my taking any notice of the hon. mombcr for Wairarapa," one member had said; " anything you say to him goes in one ear and out of the other like water on a duck's back." Another very jumbled remark passed was: "Hero wo lind ourselves harnessed to the chariot-wheel of the huge octopus which is crucifying the peoplo." On another occasion a member was upholding a widow's petition. " Mr. Speaker," ho said, " when the woman saw my face she burst into tears." "No wonder!" was tho ready retort from an Opposition member. Contrary to Maori Custom No doubt few European people are aware that it is contrary to Maori custom to receive distinguished visitors in traditional native style except in the day-time. For that reason there will be no formal reception to the Duke of Gloucester when he arrives at night at Te Poho-o-Rawiri, states the Poverty Bay Herald. It was suggested that a welcome should be given to the Duke at the meeting house, and that he should he asked to lay the foundation stone of the church, but the elders of the Maori people consider that it would not be fitting for so distinguished a personage as the Duke to bo received at Te Poho-o-Rawiri in anything but the customary native manner. Since such a welcome may not be given at night, according to Maori custom, if the Duke visits the meeting house, there will bo no formality about his arrival. The Maori peoplo there will be glad of the privilege of receiving the Duke at To Poho-o-Rawiri as a visitor.