LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22205, 4 September 1935, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Moon and Planets The moon Trill be in close proximity to the planets Jupiter and Mars this evening. The three will form an equilateral triangle at nightfall, Jupiter lying below the moon and Mars to the right of the latter. Girl Fractures Arm As a result of a fall at her home at mid-day yesterday, Laurel Dunham, aged 13, daughter of Mr. A. Dunham, of 91 Shackleton Road, Mount Eden, suffered a fracture of an arm. She was taken to the Auckland Hospital. Red Glow in Sky A party of motorists arriving at Tokaanu last evening reported having seen a red glow in the direction of Ngauruhoe. The mountain was obscured by clouds. A bush fire which was burning near the TokaanuNational Park Road is probably what was seen by the motorists. Secondary Schools Rugby "Some day a New Zealand secondary schools Rugby team may go beyond New Zealand shores," said Mr. R. W. S. Bolting, manager of the Otago Boys' High School Rugby team at a dinner in New Plymouth. "I think there may be a visit to Australia within the next few years Frost at Pukekohe Another cold night was experienced at Pukekohe on Monday night, and frost formed yesterday morning in the shelter of hedges and trees, where the air became still, a light breeze keeping the open spaces free. The sun rose in a cloudless sky and there was some further "burning" of potato crops, but, as was the case yesterday morning, the damage was slight. Beautifying the Crater

"I think that Mount Albert's formerly unsightly crater will before long become a beauty spot," said the Mayor of Mount Albert, Mr. R. E. Ferner, at last night's meeting of the Borough Council. Mr. Ferner reported that a number of graceful fan palms had been planted in the level bottom of the crater, while the sides had been planted with flowering cherry trees and Japanese walnuts.

Ellerslie Rate Collection An improvement in payment of rates for the current year was reported at the Ellerslie Town Board last evening. The clerk, Mr. J. W. Carr, said £4193, representing 53.38 per cent, had been paid, as against 51 per cent last year. A "drive" for collection of arrears had brought in £1222 this year, as against £538 for the same period last year. Satisfaction with the position was expressed by the board.

Damage to Footpaths Malicious damage to newly-laid concrete fotpaths was reported at the Ellerslie Town Board meeting last evening. Under a loan scheme over 10 miles of concrete footpaths are being constructed by the board. It was stated last evening that children and youths had been defacing the concrete before it was set. This had necessitated additional work and expense. The board authorised the foreman to appoint a watchman to prevent further damage.

IYA Heard Well In Pacific "Since IYA increased its power to 10 kilowatts it has been one of the best stations in the Pacific," said Mr. Tomio Toshima, chief radio operator of the Japanese training ship Shintoku Maru, yesterday. Mr. Toshima said the Auckland station could generally be heard fairly clearly in all parts of the Pacific. He expressed surprise at the absence of any short-wave station in the Dominion. Most countries now regarded short-wave transmitters as excellent advertising media. Bride's Bruised Eye

The young honeymoon couple, Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Linney-Barber, who were involved in a motor-car smash at Nelson immediately after their marriage, were passengers in the Wanganella for Melbourne. Although their car was almost wrecked in striking a telegraph pole when Mr. Linney-Barber was endeavouring to avoid a cyclist, neither he nor his wife was seriously injured. The bride stood at the rail of the vessel in Wellington smilingly waving good-bye to relatives, and the only evidence she bore of the accident was a bruised right eye. Suburban Bus Services

Support for the suggestion of the Papatoetoe Chamber of Commerce, that a concerted effort be made by interested local bodies to secure extended licences for passenger bus services, was accorded by the Ellerslie Town Board last evening. The chamber's letter suggested that all districts from Papatoetoe to Ellerslie served by the suburban bus service would probably benefit in the way of reduced fares and improved services by having the operators granted longer tenure of licence. It was felt that yearly licences reacted against development and planning. It was decided to appoint Messrs. H. J. White and H. I. Simson delegates to attend a proposed conference. Delay to Passengers Denied A complaint regarding delay which was stated to have occurred in the disembarkation of passengers from the Monowai on the vessel's arrival from Sydney on July 8, was the subject of a letter from the port health officer, Dr. G. G. Russell, read at yesterday's meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board. Dr. Russell explained that no delay was due to him, and that passengers were allowed to go ashore within eight minutes of his arrival on board. The chairman, Mr. C. G. Macindoe, said ho could name several people who could testify that there was a considerably longer delay than the time mentioned. Mr. Macindoe was a passenger on tho vessel returning to Auckland. The letter was received. Broadcasting Weather Reports A request to the Marine Department to provide weather information from Manukau South Head, so that it might be broadcast each evening in conjunction with the usual weather report, has been declined. In a letter read at yesterday's meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board it was explained by the department that, outside of vessels bound to the Manukau Harbour, the information would not bo of use to shipping generally. It could not, therefore, see its way clear to do anything in the direction of providing the service requested. It was decided to reply that the board considered the provision of the service was the duty of the department. If it refused to provide the service, the board would have to consider doing so. The cost, it was stated at the meeting, was £lO a year for telephone bureau fees.