LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22179, 5 August 1935, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Eapid Communication Just 23 days after he was speaking by radio telephone from Auckland to his wife in Berlin, Captain George Dibbern, of the German yacht Te Rapunga, received a letter from her by air mail on Saturday in which she described her excitement at hearing his voice. In the letter Mrs. Dibbern said she had no difficulty in hearing every word her husband said. Oscar Blundell Memorial Tho New Plymouth Astronomical Society has for some time planned to build an annex to its observatory as a memorial to the late Rev. Oscar Blundell, wfio did a great deal for astronomy in New Pymouth. At the last meeting of the council of the New Zealand Astronomical Society five guineas was voted to the New Plymouth society for the memorial. Trench Colours Worn Tho visit of the French war sloop Amiral Charner to Auckland has had its effect on the colour scheme of feminine attire. When the vessel was open for inspection by the public during the week-end it was noticeable that many of the young women who visited it wore garments in which there was a predominance of the French tri-colours, blue, white and red. The Waitakere Pipeline Good progress is being made with the reconditioning of the Waitakere pipeline by the city waterworks department and the contractors. The work has been carried toward the city as far as Scroggy Hill, New Lynn, and it is expected that the first seven miles will be finished in about a month. The whole job will probably not be completed until late in the autumn of 1936. Popular Telephone Calls The popularity of the "person-to-per-son" calls introduced by the Post and Telegraph Department just over a year ago is demonstrated by the fact that they rose from 1965 in October to 3709 in May. "Collect" calls, where the receiver of the call pays the toll fee if the call is accepted, are also increasing steadily. These totalled 1482 in June, an increase of 3.9 per cent over those in the previous month. South Island Grievance Christchurch has a grievance regarding tourist traffic, according to Dr. E. B. Reilly, of the Christchurch Hospital, who has recent!}' returned home after spending a year in post-graduate work in the United States. Many American tourists, he said, were buying tickets for sixteen-day tours of New Zealand and were being allowed only two hours in Christchurch, although they spent three days in Rotorua. Marks on Five Doors Marks suggestive of the use of a small crowbar or similar instrument on the doors of five business premises in Albert Street, City, were brought to the notice of detectives yesterday. An investigation was made, but it was found that none of the premises had been entered, and it is thought that the doors were marked by an irresponsible person who did not seriously contemplate breaking and entering. New Zealand Literature New Zealand had a very great literature, actually one of which to be very proud, said Mr. O. N. Gillespie, addressing the Wellington Rotary Club. One of the troubles was that New Zea landers' opinions of each other was too low-toned. He would rather that it had a tinge of American brightness about it. In reality, New Zealand possessed a larger number of good writers than areas in older countries with greater populations. Tory Channel Whaling Out of the 44 whales captured by the Perano party at Tory Channel, Marlborough, up to recently, a total of 31 were taken in July. Nine were driven into Tory Channel from Cook Strait. The record number caught in one month in any one seasop is 35. Rough seas have been experienced in Cook Strait of late, and long chases as far as Wellington Heads have been necessary before kills were made. All the members of the party are in excellent health, and are revelling in the exciting encounters. Legislators' Telegrams "I was interested to discover that members of Parliament could send telegrams at sixpence for 36 words," said Mr. T. N. Gibbs, who presented the report of the postal committee of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce at a meeting last week. The information he had obtained had explained why it was that members of Parliament were able to send lengthy telegrams, said Mr. Gibbs. He did not grudge the members their concession, but he said he felt that everybody should receive the same treatment. Cases of Diphtheria A further case of diphtheria has been I reported from Birkenhead, where recently officials of the Health Department took action on an extensive scale to deal with an outbreak of cases in the district. The case reported last week was the first for a considerable period, and is considered to be merely an isolated instance. "At this time of tho year we can always expect a certain amount of diphtheria," said Dr. T. J. Hughes, medical officer of health, yesterday. "As soon as the weather brightens the general health will improve." Venus and Moon The close approach between the moon and the planet Venus provided an interesting spectacle after sunset on Saturday, when an exceptionally clear sky permitted a good view of the conjunction to be obtained. The crescent moon was a few days past new and the darker portion was faintly illuminated by light reflected from the earth. Slightly lower in the sky and directly under the moon, Venus' was shining with a brilliance almost rivalling that of the moon. The evening star is now at its maximum brightness, but is rapidly drawing in toward the Run, in whose light it will shortly be hidden. Timber for Mining Purposes The effect of the law which nllows timber to bo taken from State forests for mining purposes without payment of any royalty was criticised by the president of the New Zealand Forestry League, Mr. E. Phillips Turner, at the annual meeting last week. "Though* in the early days of colonisation, when timber was superabundant, such action may have been justified, it most certainly is not so now," he said. "If such an ephemeral, destructive, and generally unprofitable activity as mining is in most cases is to receive subsidies, the subsidies should be paid direct from the Consolidated Fund, and not by gifts from our State forest capital,"