LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22197, 26 August 1935, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Primitive Heating Device A primitive yet effective method of heating the Holy Trinity Church hall at Devonport was used on Saturday evening at a farewell function. Two large braziers filled with red-hot coals were set at the side of the stage. The braziers were made of iron drums mounted on three legs, and were stood in galvanised iron pans. The Shining Cuckoo Speeding through the air at a velocity of 60 miles an hour, the shining cuckoo will shortly be winging its way to New Zealand from its winter refuge in the Solomon Islands. The tiny bird will fly day and night, and Its call will be heard any day now, said Mr. R. A. Falla, ornithologist to the Auckland War Memorial Museum, in an address on the flight of birds, given at tho museum yesterday afternoon. Prince of Wales' Aeroplane Before the next tourist season is in full swing Air Travel (N.Z.), Limited, will have a second aeroplane ready to handle tho increased traffic which is expected in South Westland. The machine, a Fox Moth, similar to the ono now operated by the company, was formerly owned by the Prince of Wales, and has been shipped by the Zealandic, which will arrive toward the end of September. Long Ambulance Journeys Several long journeys on sickness eases were made during tho week-end by St. John ambulances. On Saturday a patient was taken to Rotorua from the city, tho ambulance leaving at 9 a.m. and returning to Auckland by 7.45 p.m. Good conditions were experienced on the trip. Another ambulance made a trip to Pukekohe East on Saturday, and journeys to Kaukapakapa and Waiuku were made yesterday. Van Backs into Window An unusual accident occurred at tho corner of Victoria and Ward Streets, Hamilton, on Saturday afternoon, when a motor-van, driven by Mr. G. S. Anchor, of Frankton, backed over the footpath and crashed into tho plate-glass window of a shop occupied bv Mr. A. H. Michel], tobacconist. The window and the glass fittings inside were smashed, but no other damage was done, and no one was injured. New Zealand's Political Needs "At this juncture we want men of sense and action —men who have been tried, who are known and trusted," said the Minister of Defence, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, in a political address at Taihape. "The destiny of New Zealand," the Minister said, "is too precious a thing to be handed over to the control of visionaries; men who are not real representatives; men who are only delegates and take their orders from a city executive." Child's Remarkable Escape Wellington's most fortunate boy is about six years old, states the Dominion. He was running across Upper Cuba Street and was knocked down by a small motor-car. The child fell between the front wheels, and the front portion of the car passed over him, but he was pinned by the silencer. Half-a-dozen men immediately rushed and lifted the small car up—with its four passengers still inside—and pulled the boy out. He was without a scratch and his sole concern was to get away from the spot as soon as possible. Radio Inspectors' Work In an effort to minimise man-made interference with radio reception, thti Post and Telegraph Department maintains a large staff of radio inspectors, who investigate all complaints lodged by listeners. These men carry portable receiving sets, which are used in detecting interference caused through defective electrical installations, faulty fuses and faulty insulators. The portable sets also are used in checking up on interference, as it is often found ' that what is alleged to be outside interference is caused through a defect within the radio set. Two Buyers For One Farm To have two buyers at the one time for the same farm was the experience recently of a land agent who has two offices. His suburban salesman left in the morning for Pukekohe with a prospective purchaser who was shown over a farm, which he decided to buy. As they were leaving the property they met the agent's city salesman with another prospective buyer, who had also decided to take the farm. However, priority in point of time was accepted as the deciding factor, and as the buyer with the suburban salesman had announced his decision first he got the farm. George Nepla as a Singer The captain of the touring Maori Rugby team, George Nepia, has a renown other than his prowess as a fullback and his cheerful willingness to oblige autograph-seekers. He possesses a pleasing singing voice, a circumstance which did not escape the attention of tho Australians, where the whole team, incidentally, achieved a reputation for its songs. At an impromptu gathering after the match with Auckland on Saturday Nepia was bombarded with requests to sing, and he led members of his team and visiting Maoris in several numbers. Later he was pressed to give a solo, and he had an attentive audience. Maori King at Rugby Interest was lent to the Rugby match between the New Zealand Maori team and Auckland at Eden Park on Saturday by the attendance of tho youthful Maori King, Koroki te Wherowhero. The leader rarely appears publicly, except at assemblies of his people, and his wish to meet the footballers, who have established such a fine record, was a tribute to their prowess. King Koroki made the journey to tho city from Waahi Pa, near Huntly, whore he resides. Before the match, accompanied by tho Waikato princess, Te Puea Herangi, ho went on to tho ground in front of the members' stand, and the Maori players wcro presented to him. King Koroki took a keen interest in tho match. Conversion ol Motor-cars "It must be well over ten years since we first asked the Government to increase tho penalty for the theft of a motor vehicle," said Mr. W. A. O'CalInghnn, president, at tho annual conference of tho North Island Motor Union, held in New Plymouth. "Our first representations were coldly received, but notwithstanding regular rebuffs wo continued to urge tho necessity of firm measures if this class of crime were to bo stamped out. It is pleasing, therefore, to be able to record that the Minister of Justice now advises us that it is hoped that it will bo practicable during tho forthcoming session of Parliament to introduce tho j necessary legislation increasing ths | penalty for car stealing."