LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22446, 16 June 1936, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Shortage of Water The shortage of water in the Manurewa district was mentioned at the meeting of the Manurewa lown Board last night, when Mr. J. H. Edwards said the week-end rainfall had only slightly relieved the* position. Aftei to-day's washing is over most homes will again bo short," he added. It was stated that 87 homes had been given emergency supplies in the past fortnight.

Books for the Islands A large quantity of books and periodicals, in 64 bundles, was collected by the Navy League during the past year for distribution among the lonely islands of the Pacific. The parcels will be sent to tho warships Loith and Wellington to-day, and the vessels arc to leave to-morrow on their annual cruise to the islands. To some of the European inhabitants of the islands, the visit of the warships each year constitutes their only link with civilisation.

Ascent of Mount Egmont After a stiff climb through, heavy rain from the North Egmont Hostel on Sunday five members of the 'laranaki Alpine Club emerged from the cloud layers at 6000 ft. and completed the journey from there to tho summit in bright sunshine. From the crater they saw little else but mile upon mile of clouds which hid the lower country. The climbers were Messrs. D. Rowson, J. AVeston, J. Dickie, D. McDonald and A. Hood. Considering the weather, the snow conditions were fairly good. Power Supply Change-over An entirely favourable attitude to the change-over of Auckland's electricpower from direct current to alternating is taken by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, who has stated his willingness to expedite the necessary authority. At yesterday's meeting of the Auckland Electric-Power Board, it was reported that the matter was now in the hands of the board's solicitor, and as soon as the statutory requirements were drawn up they would be forwarded to the Minister for his approval. Infectious Laughter "Is that a safe inference? Laughter is very infectious," said Mr. Justice Callan in the Supreme Court yesterday, when in the course of the re-trial of Mareo, the Crown Prosecutor, Mr. Meredith, suggested that because a patient laughed at stories told her she must have understood them. "Have you never had a case," continued His Honor, "of a person who joined in the laugh but does not in the least know what the joke is about?" "That is very common in Court, sir," commented Mr. O'Leary. "Yes," said His Honor. "It depends on who is the joker." Rates To Be Struck

Following the adoption of the estimates and the fixing of the rates for the current financial year by the City Council last night, a special meeting of the council is to be Held in two weeks' time to confirm the estimates and strike the rates. The initial instalment of the rate demands will be issued as usual on July 1, and the date on which payment of the 10 per cent penalty for default will fall will be January 15. In making this announcement, the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, remarked that it was stated the last-named date was the best known and remembered of all in the calendar. Girls Pall from Bicycles Two girl cyclists were taken to the Auckland Hospital yesterday with fairly serious injuries received when they were thrown from their machines. Beryl Sullivan, aged 13, daughter of Mr. Albert Sullivan, of 31 Ireland Street, Ponsonby, was admitted at 3 p.m. with a broken leg and concussion, having fallen from a bicycle while riding near her home. Three hours later, Merryl O'Kane, aged nine, daughter of Mrs. K. Roberts, of 88 Walker Road, Point Chevalier, was admitted with concussion and head injuries. She also fell close to her home. At an early hour this morning they wore both considered to be in a fairly serious condition.

Anti-Earthquake Construction A blue print copy of a translation of Professor Tachu Naito's book on "Earthquake Resisting Construction" has been donated to Auckland University College as the result of correspondence between the acting-professor of architecture, Mr. S. Irwin Crookes, jun., and Mr. Clarke Freeman, of Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Advice of Mr. Freeman's gift was received by the council of the college at its meeting yesterday. Mr. S. Irwin Crookes, sen., stated that Professor Naito was a leading authority on anti-earthquake construction, and his book was one of the most valuable publications or. this subject. It was decided to send a letter of thanks to Mr. Freeman.

Trafalgar Day Tribute An anchor composed of native flowers and foliage has been placed in cold storage in Wellington pending shipment to England for Trafalgar Day. The New Zealand branch of the Navy League, which has an anchor for its badge, sends a similar tribute each year, materials being given by members and friends of the league. This year's floral anchor is composed of rata flowers and passion berries, together with wild fuchsia berries, autumn-coloured Rangiora leaves, and other intex-esting bits of New Zealand's beautiful native flora. This was all supplied from the gardens of Mr. B. O'Connor, Wilton's Bush, and Mr. 0. Gidall, of Ngaio, the flowers being artistically assembled in the form of an anchor by Miss Black. A Lead to New Zealand In some respects Chile could give a lead to New Zealand in education, said Mr. R. A. Campbell, of Christchureh, on his return from a visit to South America. All education was free, from tho primary schools to tho universities, with tho important reservation that, in order to qualify for admission to the advanced secondary schools, tho children had to show that they possessed brains. Students showing promise of exceptional achievements were not turned out into the "cold, hard world" after graduating from university and left to shift for themselves. All graduates who displayed brilliancy and talents beyond tho ordinary were sent by the Government to the United States of America or Europe for postgraduate courses, and sometimes research work, in tho particular subjects in which they specialised. The wholo of tho expense involved was borne by the State, with tho proviso that the students must return to Chile for a stated number of years in order to give their native country the benefit of their study and experiences abroad.