LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22465, 8 July 1936, Page 12

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Lower Prices For Eggs There has been a further reduction in the price of both hen and duck eggs, a decline of Id a dozen in all grades being shown at the City Markets yesterday. This market has shown a weakening tendency for some time, and values have fallen 3d a dozen over the past week. Arbor Day Observance The observance of Arbor Day for the first time for many years was decided upon last night by the ISllerslio Town Board. In response to an appeal for observance received from the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. TV. E. Parry, the board decided to carry out a treeplanting scheme on the slopes of the Ellerslie Domain and to invite the school authorities to co-operate. Popularising Air Mails Blue posting boxes for air mail are being erected at the Ponsonby, Newton, Upper Symonds Street, Wellesley Street and High Street post offices. The chief postmaster, Mr. J. P. P. Clouston, said yesterday that the object of this move by the postal authorities was to make the public familiar with the facilities and advantages offered by air mails and to make the service more popular. Sunday Burials The difficulty of providing labour led to the suggestion by the Onehunga Borough Council that no burials should take place at the Hillsborough or Waikaraka Cemeteries on Sundays. Undertakers are generally in favour of a prohibition of Sunday funerals, and the matter will be discussed shortly at a meeting of the new Auckland Provincial Association of Funeral Directors.

Overseas Fruit Shipments The recent shortage of oranges is expected to be relieved by the arrival of the Hauraki, Avhich is due from the Cook Islands to-morrow. A shipment of Fiji bananas arrived by the Niagara on Monday, but tho demand at the City Markets yesterday was poor, this market being weak at present. The Monowai, which also arrived on Monday, brought fresh supplies of Queensland pineapples, which met with a moderate demand. Johannesburg Boom An unusual building boom is being experienced in Johannesburg, South Africa, according to a letter received by a Papakura resident from his brother, who lives in Johannesburg. "It looks as if the boom will never stop," the letter states. "Last month over 1000 plans relating to new buildings were authorised officially in Johannesburg, the total value being in the vicinity of £1',000,000. Buildings constructed about 10 years ago are being demolished, and larger structures built in their place." Stock on Great South Road

A proposal to construct a stock route from Pokeno to Papakura to relieve the congestion on the Great South Road will be considered by the council of the Automobile Association (Auckland), tonight. The president, Mr. A. Gibson, accompanied by the touring-manager, Mr. R. E. Champtaloup, inspected portions of the route yesterday. On his return to the city, Mr. Grayson stated that he was convinced of the practicability of the scheme, which would do much to relieve stock drivers of the inconvenience of driving mobs of cattle and sheep on the main motoring highway.

Albert Park Improvements Tropical plants, including a variety of cactus species, have now been laid out in the recently-formed rockery at the Victoria Street East entrance to Albert Park. It is an interesting collection of plants, which has beautified a formerly barren bank. Further improvement in progress is the demolition of the iron fencing to the right of the entrance in Kitchener Street. A 2ft. concrete wall remains, but the removal of the ironwork is expressive of the trend to abolish fences around city reserves. Trees in the park are also receiving a seasonal trimming. Motorists and Drink

"People who have to depend on the possession of a motor-car for their living should be more careful and should not enter a car when under the influence of liquor," said Mr. W. 11. McKean, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday, when sentencing a young man on a charge of intoxication in charge of a car. Counsel submitted that the young man supported his mother, and as he needed his car for his work counsel asked that his licence be endorsed instead of cancelled. However, the magistrate ordered that no licence be issued for six months.

Cruise to the Islands There was a large crowd on Queen's Wharf when the Union Company's liner Monowai left at 8.15 last night on the start of her excursion cruise to the Islands. Hakas, streamers, the ship's band and buglers, and much shouting and waving served to give the 310 passengers, who had come from many parts of New Zealand, as well as from Australia, a cheerful farewell. The Monowai is due back at Auckland on July 22. After leaving the wharf last night she anchored in the stream and a dance was held in order to introduce the passengers to one another before the cruise started. A Graceful Act About 12 people who normally would have arrived at Auckland from Wellsford and other stations at 10.45 last night reached the city half an hour sooner than tlie.y expected, due to the thoughtfulncss of Mr. G. H. Mackley, general manager of railways, who, with the Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, travelled over the route by railcar. These passengers were picked up at different stations at the invitation of Mr. Mackley and were thus able to enjoy the comfort and convenience of the department's new means of travel. Otherwise thoy would have travelled by the usual train.

Large "Tin Can Mail" Over 13,000 letters for Niuafoou Island were despatched by the Monowai which sailed last night on a cruise "to the Islands, The letters incliided h ]o,2ofi from Auckland and about 3000 from Australia and they will be landed at Niuafoou to be endorsed with the "tin can mail" stamp. Afterward the' letters will bo returned to the senders, most of whom are stamp collectors. The Monowai will stop off Niuafoou to land the letters on July 17 when she is on route from Apia to Fiji, but probably a long period will elapse before the lettors can be returned from the island because the only vessels which usually call there are small inter-island traders and their visits aro very irregular.