LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22400, 22 April 1936, Page 12

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Large Octopus Oaught A large octopus was taken on a line by fishermen on the rocky shore near Balena Bay, Wellington, the other day. It measured about 6ft. from tip to tip of its tentacles, and would have been an ugly monster for children wading beyond shore to have encountered. This is the second octopus taken in this locality recently. Glaring Headlights Officers of the Auckland city traffic department were engaged in various parts of the city and suburbs last night in checking the headlights of motor vehicles for correct adjustment. A large proportion of the cars that passed, including many new models, were found to have glaring lamps. Drivers of these cars were given slips requiring them to have their lamps adjusted, and to report to the traffic department when tho work was done. 100.000 Miles on the Roads "In the four years that I have been associated with tho Waikato traffic group—a committee, comprising representatives of the Waikato, Waipa and Raglan County Councils —I have travelled 100.000 miles." said Mr. R. Metcalfe, traffic inspector, in a report to the Waipa County Council. In the four years heavy traffic fees had increased from £ll2B to £1836 per annum and drivers' licence fees from £556 to £662 per annum. Hospital Facilities The question of providing hospital facilities for the North Shore area was to have been brought before the Auckland Hospital Board at its meeting yesterday by a deputation representative of the local bodies concerned. The board was notified, however, that the time available had proved insufficient for getting the desired deputation together. The board decided to receive the deputation in open board at its next committee meeting to be held on May 5. Three Kings Oaves Danger "There will be a fatality some day at the Three Kings caves if the entrance is not boarded up," said Mr. C. M. McCullough, chairman of the Mount Roskill Road Board, when referring, at last night's meeting, to the incident at the week-end, when two schoolbo3*s were lost in the caves for several hours. On the motion of the chairman, it was decided to request the owners of the property from which the caves are entered to close the entrance. / Cycles on, Ferry Steamer In reply to a suggestion that cycles should not be permitted to be removed from the vehicular ferry steamer about 5.30 p.m. at the Northcote Wharf until all the other traffic was clear, a letter from the Devonport Ferry Company was read at a meeting of the Northcote Borough Council last night. The letter stated that the transport of cycles was difficult to control, both on and leaving steamers. - Motorists had complained that during the trip across the harbour cyclists moved their machines about and scratched the paint of cars. It was hoped to make some alteration shortly, probably by a charge for the carriage of cycles, that would help to improve the position. In the meantime everything possible would be done to control them. Lure of Wellington

How a visit to Wellington left his financial position so unstable that he was obliged to resort to urgent measures to permit him to continue his holiday was related by a witness in the Supreme Court at Napier. "I became short of funds, so I telephoned my brother-in-law in Hastings and asked him to sell my car," the witness said. "I asked him to get the best price he could for it and to send the money to mo." His Honor (to the Crown Prosecutor, Mr. H. B. Lusk): "The attractions of Wellington seem to be too much for the townspeople of Napier." A little more light was thrown on the position, however, when Mr. Lusk asked the witness if he went to the races while in Wellington. Witness: "I did." (Laughter.) Landlord and Tenant

"Your case is not a matter of law, but a matter of sympathy," said Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., to a tenant who appeared in the Magistrate's Court yesterday as defendant in an action for possession of a house. Defendant said he had paid his rent regularly in advance for four years, but in January he had to go on sustenance. He had offered to pay a reduced rent and to make up the arrears when he obtained regular employment. "Unfortunately you do not own the house, and the owner has a right to the possession of his property, so I have no option but to make an order," said the magistrate. "You have no right to remain if you do not pay your rent, and I cannot give you any right," he added, when the tenant asked if he could stay until he obtained another house.

A Genial Debtor A genial Maori caused considerable amusement in tho Magistrate's Court at Whangarei yesterday when being examined as to his ability to pay an Auckland debt. Mr. R. K. Trimmer asked for an order of £2 a month. "Oh, that is too hard, Brother," said the Maori. "I think you can pay £1 10s a month," said the magistrate, Mr. G. N. Morris. "Well, if you cannot afford to let me off with £1 a month I suppose we will leave it at that," said the Maori, his face wreathed in smiles. "It is not a matter of what I can.afford but what you can afford," said Air. Morris, who read out the order, dofault of compliance being 21 days in the Russell Gaol. "Oh, Russell," commented the Maori amidst laughter. "I have been there before, Father. I spent 25 days there once."

Suffrage in the University Female, suffrage may be quite satisfactory as far as politics are concerned, but some students of Auckland University College considered that when the executive of the Students' Association was being elected, women voters might be influenced by other factors than a man's worth. Under the existing constitution the executive usually consists of about eight men and three women, but a section of the men students at the annual meeting considered that since far more women students than men voted, the successful candidates, elected by an overwhelming female vote, would not represent the true interests of the men. Accordingly, they sponsored an amendment that students should vote only for their own sex. After an uproar lasting '2O minutes, a secret ballot was held and the amendment lost by a narrow margin.