LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22333, 3 February 1936, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Napier Earthquake The fifth anniversary of the disastrous earthquake which destroyed the greater part of the town of Napier and caused considerable damage at other parts of the East Coast falls today.

Swim Across Russell Harbour A Russell- schoolboy, C. Baker, last Avcek swam across Russell Harbour from Russell to Paihia and back. Baker arrived at Paihia after lh 36m, and he commenced the return journey almost immediately, landing at Russell 2h 33m after leaving Paihia.

Injured In Fall Through slipping and falling on a sloping lawn at her home yesterday afternoon, Mrs. Clara Kinlock, aged 65/ of Drury, suffered a fractured leg and a dislocated ankle. She was admitted to the Auckland Hospital, where her condition last evening was not serious.

Replacing Historic Church A new Anglican Church is to be built at Hokitika to replace the present structure which was founded by Bishop Harper as long ago as 1866. The new church will bo in concrete, with a concrete tiled roof, and will stand between the vicarage and Cass Square, not far from the present building.

Test of Endurance In spite of the boisterous conditions which prevailed at Piha on Saturday four members of the Piha Surf Club and one member of the Takapuna Club passed their surf medallion tests. There was a heavy sea running and driving rain made matter worse. The candidates had to spend two hours in the water, a severe test of endurance.

Firewood Gleaners Parks, reserves and the waterfront generally were the hunting grounds of many city people yesterday, seeking to replenish their firewood supplies. Thousands of branches and twigs had been torn off trees, while on the beaches and rocks were piles of driftwood and, in places, the splintered remains of small craft. Boxes, bags and sacks were utilised by the gleaners, most of whom returned to their homes heavily laden.

Best Harvest for Years With wool prices up a further penny a pound and the best grain harvest for years in prospect, farmers in Canterbury are looking forward to a most prosperous season. Although the abundance of the crop yields will mean lower prices, the additional quantity of put on the market will more than offset this downward tendency. Seldom has the weather been more favourable to tho farmer than in the present season Oranges for Invalids The extreme difficulty of securing supplies of oranges for dietary purposes was referred to at the last meeting of the Wellington Hospital Board. Dr. A. R. Thome, superintendent, reported: "We have had considerable difficulty regarding fresh fruit owing to the great shortage on the market of oranges. Representations could possibly be made to the Minister of Health regarding this matter, as oranges are important, especially in the dietary of children." Maori Orators Picturesque language was employed at the welcome to Colonel J. L. Slecinan, Commissioner of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas, at Katana Pa. " You have come in a canoe of love," said Mr. E. T. Tirikatene, M.P. " You will carry back our message of sympathy to the Royal Family and our message of loyalty to the present King." " You are as a lone white crane which has flown 'to these shores for the love of us," ran the address prior to the speeches.

Sydney Royal Show New Zealand will be represented at the forthcoming Sydney Royal Show with a notable collection of Ayrshire and Friesian cattle and Clydesdale horses, bred in the Wairarapa district. It is now many years since representatives of the old Scottish breed in New Zealand have been exported to Australia, but the present shipment of four head should do mueh to advertise the quality of the country's Ayrshire stock there. The four are nil from the noted prize-winning Ardgowan herd of Mr. J. G. Donald, of Featherston. which in recent years has provided many Royal champions.

Hoarding Destroyed By the destruction of the hoarding on the waterfront road near the Parnell overhead bridge during tho height of the gale yesterday morning a contentious matter was removed, at least temporarily, from the city's midst. The hoarding was erected some weeks ago on railway property and had drawn forth protests from such bodies as the Automobile Association and the Chamber of Commerce, which considered that it defaced the approach to the long drive around the shore to St. Heliers. The gale completely wrecked the eastern portion of the hoarding and that facing the city, although not torn down, was splintered at the bottom and left leaning at an angle. The Outlook of Youth

" All tho branches of the Young Men's Christian Association in New Zealand are, 1 find, alive to the postwar necessity of trying to see things through the eyes of the youth who knows nothing of pre-war conditions," stated Mr, G. W. Simpson, former Public Service Commissioner for Western Australia, and president of the Western Australian section of tho Young Men's Christian Association, who is at present visiting Christchurch. " This is essential," he added, "if the work of tho organisation is to be carried out successfully." Mr. Simpson lias been very favourably impressed by the branches in the four main centres of the Dominion, the buildings and locations being excellent in his opinion. Offices for Ministers

In order to accommodate Ministers who are visiting Auckland this week, additional offices are being provided. The Minister of Internal Affairs and Pensions, the Hon. W. E. Parry, is occupying the present suite on the first floor of the Chief Post Office. The Minister of Labour and Employment, the Hon. H. T.. Armstrong, who arrives this morning, will make his headquartors in tho board-room on tho ground floor of the Custom Houso Building. A further suite of two rooms has been improvised on the second floor of the Chief Post Office, and will probably be used by the Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone, who' will reach Auckland to-morrow. It has been decided also to reconvert tho suite on the second floor of the Custom Houso Building which for many years was occupied by Ministers when in Auckland, but which latterly has been used by the Lands Department,