LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22352, 25 February 1936, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Injured Boy's Condition No change occurred yesterday in the condition of Patrick Hugh Keaney, aged 8 years, of Mount Eden, who was impaled on a sapling when he fell from a tree, while at play on Sunday morning. The condition of the child, who is in the Auckland Hospital, is still regarded as serious. Bequest to Orphanage Tho Methodist Orphanage at Mount Albert is to benefit to tho extent of £250 under the will of Mrs. Amy de Luen, of Mount Eden, whoso death occurred on February 1. For purposes of probate, tho whole estate left by Mrs. de Luen is valued at under £12,000. Cicadas and Crickets Cicadas are present in considerable numbers in gardens this year, where in previous seasons, they have been unknown, or only very rarely seen. This summer they are keeping up an incessant din from early morning to sunset, when they give place to crickets, which are also unusually numerous. " A Busman's Holiday " Somewhat of a busman's holiday was enjoyed by the members of tho jury engaged in the Mareo trial last night when they attended a performance of "Trial by Jury" at His Majesty's Theatre. In spite of the close relation of pleasure to business, the jurymen seemed to enjoy their visit immensely. Conscience Money Received Possibly inspired by the receipt of a recent demand for payment of income tax, an unknown person has forwarded £lO to the Land and Income Tax Department as "conscience money," according to the Gazette. Other amounts received include 2s forwarded to the Customs Department, £1 to the Health Department, and 4s 4d, ss, 10s and £4 to the Treasury. Single-Wicket Cricket An exhibition of single-wicket cricket was given at the conclusion of yesterday's match between the M.C.C. and Auckland. Read and Holmes were the contestants. Read, batting first, scored 32 and declared. Holmes, who had to bowl all tho time, had as fieldsmen Lvttelton and Mills and Whitelaw, of Auckland, while Wallace kept wickets. Only boundaries and other runs scored in front of the wicket were allowable. Holmes made 33 and won the match. Pennies lor Missions Each year about Christmas time the children of the Presbyterian Sunday schools throughout New Zealand are invited to make small contributions — their own earnings if possible —to some missionary object at home or abroad. Though the individual contributions are mostly in copper the grand total is surprisingly large, and this year it amounts to £291 6s. This sum has been handed to the Missions Committee of the Church to be devoted to the erection of a church or hall at Okaihau in the far north. Thousands ol Mutton-Birds During the mutton-bird season, especially after the young birds are hatched, it is no unusual sight to see the waters between Halfmoon' Bay, Stewart Island, and the islands offshore literally covered with the old birds all busy fishing to provide for themselves and family. It is not often, however, that they come into the harbours, but recently visitors and residents were treated to a spectacle which they are not likely to forget for many years. Halfmoon Bay was visited by thousands of mutton-birds, some sitting quietly on the water, others forming a dense cloud while flying a few feet above the surface. Sheep from Tolago Bay Over 3000 sheep from Tolago Bay were landed at Orakei by the coastal motor-vessels Pakura and Margaret W during the week-end. The Pakura arrived on Saturday evening with 2100 sheep and the Margaret W arrived yesterday afternoon with 1020 sheep. The Pakura sailed again late on Saturday night for Hick's Bay and Tokomaru Bay to load another cargo of sheep for Tauranga. She has been continually engaged since January transporting sheep from east coast bays to Tauranga and to Auckland. She will be engaged at the work until April, and by that time she will have transported about 100,000 sheep from east coast bays. Shortage of Farm Labour Inability to secure farm labour, even at attractive rates of pay, is seriously inconveniencing many farmers in the Auckland district. It was stated by one farmer yesterday that tho milking of his large herd was becoming such a heavy burden on his family that ho had decided to dispose of his cows and to devoto the whole of his property to tho raising of sheep, which at present represented only part of his farming activities. He also mentioned that recently a neighbour had offered 3s per hour in an effort to get men for harvesting work, but without success, the workers apparently preferring to stay on relief jobs or remain in tho towns on sustenance. Shorts for Swimmers Tho modern trend toward the wearing of bathing shorts by men has the approval of tho Auckland Centre of tho New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association. Tho centre was asked by the Parnell Club last night to recommend to tho City Council that tho bylaws be amended to permit men to wear shorts at the council's swimming baths. The Painell Club's dolegate, Mr. H. D. Milnes, pointed out that shorts were worn at all beaches. The centre agreed to the request, there being only four dissentients when a vote was taken. It was mado clear, however, that the garments would bo forbidden at swimming carnivals, the regulations of the International Federation of Amateur Swimming insisting that in all contests the ordinary dark costumes should bo worn by competitors. Recording Tidal Currents Further float tests and the recording of tidal currents near Brown's Island are being conducted by the engineering staff of the Auckland Harbour Board in connection with the proposed drainage scheme for tho metropolitan area. The tests were recommended by Mr. G. A. Ilart, of Wellington, and Mr. E. F. Borrie, of Melbourne, who recently reported upon the scheme for tho Drainago Board, and wore anticipated by that board's engineer, Mr. H. H. Watkins. Tho object of tho tests is to determine the direction of the currents under all conditions of wind and tide, and to measure their rate of flow. Members of the Harbour Board staff are at present in camp on Brown's Island, and will continue their observations until the required information is obtained.