LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22032, 12 February 1935, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Rangitiki's Large Mail A large quantity of'overseas mail is being brought by the New Zealand Shipping Company's motor-liner Rangitiki, which is due at Wellington from London at midnight on Thursday. Tho vessel has 700 bags of English mail and 250 bags of parcels for New Zealand. Bloodhounds and Lost Trampers The suggestion that trained bloodhounds should be used to search for lost trampers on New Zealand mountains was discussed at a recent committee meeting of the New Plymouth Kennel Club. A member remarked that there might be occasions when the use of hounds would bo of great assistance on Mount Egmont. Accident Victim's Condition An improvement occurred yesterday in tho condition of Mr. W. J. Hunt, aged 35, married, of 115 Station Road, Penrose, who was admitted to tho Auckland Hospital on Sunday afternoon, suffering from severe spinal injuries, suffered as a result of diving from a raft at Point Chevalier. Mr. Hunt's condition is not now considered serious.

Slang Terms lor Police The use of the word "jack" to describe policemen was commonly referred to in a criminal trial heard before Mr. Justice- Herdman in tho Supreme Court yesterday, and was tho subject of comment by His Honor whilo summing up. "The police used to be called "johns" at one stage in the history of New Zealand," he stated. "Now, apparently, they are being called 'jacks.' "

Invercargill Post Office Invercargill has been promised a new post office. The Postmaster-General, Hon. A. Hamilton, stated last week that arrangements have been completed for the erection of a suitable building, but it may be some time before the Government will be in a position to call tenders for the* work. The Minister added that tentative plans had been prepared, the cost of the work being roughly assessed at £27,000. Few Jury Challenges

Tho right of challenge was little exercised by the defence during the selection of juries before Mr. Justice Herdman in the Supreme Court yesterday. Only three challenges were made in the case of two accused who were tried together, thus having an extended right of challenge. The Crown stood "aside three jurors in this case. One citizen had the distinction of being appointed foreman of two successive juries.

Small Boy's Enterprise Drovers in charge of fat sheep being driven to the Southland Frozen Meat Company's works at Mataura have invariably experienced great difficulty in getting their sheep across the town bridge, but a small boy, with his eye to business, has solved the difficulty. Daily he can be observed, as mobs approach, coming out from his residence with his pet lamb, and together they head the procession over the bridge. The drover comes on smilingly behind. The boy has made some pocket money by his enterprise.

Need for Swimming Baths Attention was drawn to the urgent need for a swimming bath in the Mount Roskill district by Mr. F. A. Garry, headmaster of the Mount Roskill School, at a meeting of the school committee last night. Mr. Garry referred to the many recent drowning accidents, and of the numerous cases in which people who were unable to swim got into difficulties. After a lengthy discussion it was decided to call a meeting of parents on Monday night to endeavour to establish a fund for a swimming bath. Lake Te Anau Hotel Grant

The Minister in Charge of Tourist Resorts, Hon. A. Hamilton, states that Cabinet has decided to make a substantial grant for the enlargement of the hotel accommodation at Lake Te Anau. The matter has been under consideration for some time, but has been deferred owing to. the thought that the present site of the hotel may not be the best when the road is completed. The consensus of opinion now, says tho Minister, seems to be that the present site, taking all things into consideration, is the best.

Fallacy in Reasoning An amusing example of the false deductions that can be made through careless reasoning was given by Mr. K. E. Bullen, speaking on "Mathematical Thinking," at the Rotary Club luncheon yesterday. He said a young student went to a party one evening, and, having drunk a considerable quantity of-whisky and soda, became intoxicated. The following night he went to another party and drank brandy and soda, with the same result. On the way home ho resolved never to have soda-water again as, he deduced, it was the common ingredient of both lapses from sobriety and must therefore have been the cause of his downfall.

Penguin Wreck Anniversary The wreck of the Union Company's steamer Penguin in Cook Strait, with tho loss of 75 lives, oc6urrcd 26 years ago to-day. Shortly after ten o'clock on the night of February 12, 1909, tho Penguin, a vessel of 824 tons, commanded by Captain Naylor, struck near Cape Terawhiti and sank quickly. There was a heavy sea running and attempts to launch the first two lifeboats were unsuccessful, the boats being smashed against the ship's side. The only woman survivor was Mrs. A. L. Hannam, who is now living in Lower Queen Street, Otiehunga. Captain Naylor remained on the Penguin until the last, and managed to reach a broken boat, on which he was washed ashore.

Milk Council Election Nominations of candidates for election to the Auckland Metropolitan Milk, Council as representatives of suburban local bodies,, producers and vendors will close at the offices of the council at noon to-day. The next step in the preparations for the election will be the distribution by post of ballot papers to those entitled to vote. It is stipulated that these must be forwarded to the returning officer, Mr. N. 11. Chapman, before a stated time on February 26, the day of the poll. The council, as at present constituted, consists of three representatives of the Auckland City Council and two of suburban local bodies within the area, representing the consumers, two representatives of producers, and two of vendors. A special meeting of the City Council will be held on the day of the poll for the purpose of electing that body's representatives.