LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22256, 2 November 1935, Page 12

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Child's Fall From ( Table Concussion was suffered by Ronald Hanley, aged three years, whose parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Hanley, live at 33 Volcanic Street, Mount Eden, through falling from a table at his home. He was admitted to the Auckland Hospital last evening. His condition is not serious. Old Shell Found A boy playing near Upper Albert Street, Thames, this week, found an old Nordenfeldt shell. It' was taken to Major T. McCarroll, who stated that although the cap was missing there was still a chargo of explosive in the projectile, which is being forwarded to tho Defence Department for examination. Derailment of Engine Suburban railway traffic was slightly disorganised for a period yesterday morning owing to the derailment of an engine in tho Papakura station yards at about nine o'clock. The accident occurred on tho points at the northern end of the station while tho locomotive was shunting. The engine was replaced 011 tho lino at about 11 o'clock. Police in White Helmets White helmets were worn by the police in Auckland yesterday, when tho summer season commenced officially for members of tho force. Tho lighter helmets will remain regulation daytime wear until the middle of next April. A departure noticed yesterday was the wearing of bronze badges with the white headgear, instead of the usual lightcoloured badges. Abyssinian Situation Interest in tho Abyssinian situation by passengers from overseas has been noticeably 011 tho decline during tho past few weeks. Comparative indifferenco has been shown by American travellers from the start, but even tho English passengers 011 tho Lurline, which arrived yesterday from Los Angeles, did not ask the questions that had been put only a short time ago. Black and White Blackbird Tho progeny of tho male black and white blackbird which, with its mate, has nested this year in the hedge round a Mount Albert residence, have broken their shells and stepped out into the world. A close examination of tho nest has not yet been made, for fear of frightening tho feathered household, so that it is yet known whether tho youngsters have inherited any of their father's markings. Degree Examinations Start Groups of students eagerly discussing question papeis and taking a lastminuto glance at text-books in Albert Park yesterday wero an indication that the New Zealand degree examinations, tho climax of the year at the university, were in progress. Tho examinations commenced ydsterday and will continue until November 21. There aro 1040 candidates from the Auckland centre, 36 more than last year's total. Criminal Sessions End Tho quarterly criminal sessions of the Supreme Court, which opened on October 22, were brought to a close jesterday. There wero 17 cases in tbe j calendar .involving 22 persons, and of these 0110 was rejected by tho grand jury and one has been postponed until tho February sessions. Two persons rendered trial unnecessary by entering pleas of guilty. Verdicts of guilty were returned against 14 persons, and four were acquitted.

Concession on Tramways A special family- concession ticket to induce additional patronage of tho tramways on Sundays is . to be introduced by tho Auckland Transport Board to-morrow. The scheme is a-result of a recent decision of the board. The ticket will entitle two adults and as many as four children to travel on any part of the system during the day, and it is hoped that the innovation will-bo popular with families who would otherwise find Sunday excursions a matter of comparative expense..

English and Australian Mails An Australian mail which arrived at Bluff from Melbourne by the steamer Canadian Cruiser will reach Auckland by train this morning. Another Australian mail, including an Empire air mail, ex tho Kalingo at Bluff, is expected to reach Auckland by train tomorrow morning. The Empire air mail was despatched from London on October 13. The Empire air mail which left London on October 13 and was due at Sydney yesterday, should connect with tho Wanganella, which will leave Sydney to-day and roach Auckland on Wednesday morning.

Old Canterbury Records Almost the entire history of Canterbury could bo traced in the great store of files, records, and deeds in the keeping of the provincial office of the Department of Lands and Survey, which is now being transferred from tho old provincial council chamber to the department's new quarters in tho State Fire Office building in Christcliurch. Tho records go back to the earliest days of the province and tho new building will provide what has been recognised as a necessity for many years—safe and adequate storage for these valuable documents.

Vitality of the Church "The idea that the Church in England is dying and that the churches aro empty is a fiction. I do not say that there are no empty churches, but there are many splendid people who devoted to the Church. A wonderful thing, too, is tho diminishing of the party spirit; tho various parties in the Church aro now drawing together and helping one another as never before." These remarks were made in Christcliurch by the Rev. H. S. Leach, formerly vicar of Fendalton, on his return from England. Mr. Leach has been for six years vicar of Bol-ton-on-Swale in tho north of Yorkshire.

Large Shopping Crowds Unusually largo shopping crowds which thronged Queen Street and other city thoroughfares last night provided scenes reminiscent of Christmas Eve. From an early hour trams, buses and suburban trains conveyed thousands of people to tho city and the number of motor-cars that lined all streets within a wide radius of the shopping area gave amplo evidence of tho number that had travelled by that means. Until closing tinio tho crowds streamed in and out of the shops and business generally was very brisk. Tho shopkeepers, however, were not the only ones to benefit, for a largo number of small children, realising the imminence of Guy Fawkes Day, darted among their elders exacting penny tribute.