LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22210, 10 September 1935, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Heavy Hail Squall The variable - weather in Auckland yesterday included a heavy hail squall shortly after 4 p.m. Although the squall lasted for only two minutes Queen Street was covered with hailstones. Frequent rain squalls were experienced during the day, with occasional intervals of sunshine.

Passenger Steamers From Dominion Three passenger steamers arrived at Sydney from New Zealand yesterday. The Marama arrived front Auckland at 7.15 a.m., the Monterey from Auckland at 12.20 p.m. and tlio from Wellington at 12.50 p.m. The Marama suited from Auckland at 3.20 p.m. on Thursday, the Monterey from Auckland at 11.55 p.m. on Friday, and the Monowai cleared Wellington at 3.5 p.m. on Friday.

Railway Tarpaulin Covers With the installation of a new plant at the Addington railway workshops a revolutionary change in the manufacture of tarpaulin covers has been effected, as a result of which better protection will lie given to goods in open waggons and a reduction in costs to the llailway Department will be made. The essence of the new process is the saturation of the canvas with a wax composition, which has many advantages over the older method of waterproofing. Grateful Patient

A pleasing incident at yesterday's meeting of the Wliangarei Hospital Board was the receipt of a cheque for £lB from an ex-patient, who stated ho had not deducted the .rebate of £1 16s as he wished the board to accept the amount as a mark of his appreciation of the great care and skilful attention ho had received while an inmate of the hospital. Members expressed pleasure at the gesture and it was decided to forward a letter of thanks to the expatient. Novel Annual Dinner Ample justice is usually done to annual dinners even in normal circumstances, but the University Harrier Club adopted a novel method of ensuring that the diners at its end-of-season banquet should commence the repast with healthy appetites. The function was held in the Waitakeres during the week-end, and to reach the scene members had to take part in a nine-mile run from Henderson. By th« time the guests had completed the run and prepared the meal, the success of the dinner was assured. Grafton Bridge Traffic The recent decision of the Auckland City Council to insist on the observance of tho by-law which requires pedestrians crossing Grafton Bridge to walk facing the oncoming vehicular traffic has now been put into effect. Yesterday notices were erected at each end of the bridgo directing pedestrians to use only tho southern footpath when proceeding from Symonds Street in the direction of Grafton Road and the northern footpath when walking in the opposite direction. Traffic officers have been detailed to see that the by-law is observed.

Checking Lights and Brakes « The bad weather during the month of August had the effect of seriously interrupting the check on brakes and lights carried out throughout the Dominion by traffic inspectors, according to a circular to local bodies received by the Papakura Town Board last evening from the Commissioner of Transport. In view of the position the department advised that it had been decided to extend the period for testing a further month, until the end of September. It was anticipated that the extension would permit of a greater number of vehicles being checked this year than last.

Photography As An Art The point at which photography becomes an art was defined by Mr. C. R. Ford, president of the Society of Arts, at the opening of an exhibition of photographs in Auckland yesterday. Mr. Ford said that a photograph could bo the merest, baldest exposition of fact —a plain, truthful exposition of something in front of the camera. From that point of view, the photograph was not a work of art. Immediately, however, a photographer exercised his powers of selection to find the best position from which to take his photograph he was acting as an artist, and the resulting photograph might be a work of art

Remodelling Tramcars Tho advantage of converting tramcars into a single compartment was emphasised by Mr. W. H. Nagle at a meeting of the Auckland Transport Board yesterday. Regarding a suggestion that tho work could perhaps be hastened, the chairman, Mr. H. G. R. Mason, ALP., said it was better that tho remodelling should be a gradual process, as at present. Tho work was being done virtually as a matter of routine, and there would be a noticeable expense in the event of haste. The board's policy in the matter was similar to that concerning the removal of centre-poles. That work had been gradual, inexpensive and successful.

A Growing Craze The Canterbury Chamber of Commerce will givo no support to a request to the Government that a poll should be taken in connection with the general election as to whether or not the Saturday half-holiday should become a national institution. The proposal was strongly advocated by tho Manawatju Employers' Association, from which tho request canio. "It might be dangerous," said Mr. ,V. E. Hamilton. "Saturday ha% been found unsatisfactory in many country districts, especially on the West Coast." Mr. W. Maehin hid the last word. "There is a growing craze," he said, "for people to invoke the aid of the Government to make all others do as they do. I do not think we should lend ourselves to that." Labour Election Fund An indication of the Labour Party's efforts to finance its general election campaign is given by subscription pledgo cards, which were distributed to members of tho audience addressed by the Leader of the Opposition, Air. M. J. Savage, in tho Town Hall last night. Tho cards bear an undertaking to pay to the national executive of tho party in Wellington monthly sums ranging from 2s 6d to £1 until election day. Signatories are invited to indicate whether tlio.y wish their subscriptions to be held in trust for their own electorates or for national election publicity purposes. Spaces on the cards are left for promises of larger or smaller sums than those mentioned. In appealing to the audience to contribute, Mr. W. E. Parry, M.P., said arrangements would bo made for the collection of sums promised.