LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22517, 7 September 1936, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

University Final Term Classes will resume at the Auckland University College to-day after the second-term vacation of three weeks. Lectures in the final term which is now being entered upon will continue until October 10, and the final examinations, lasting from October 12 to October 22, will then follow. Methylated Spirits Addicts " Don't they colour methylated spirits nowP" asked Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court on Saturday morning, when two addicts were

charged with drunkenness. "Yes," replied Sub-Inspector Fox, "but it docs not stop these people from drinking it. They water it down." Barbound Vessels Sail After being barbound since Wednesday the Ronaki for Raglan, the Hokianga for Hokianga, and the Hauturu for New Plymouth, left Onehunga yesterday morning. The three vessels crossed the Manukau Bar early in the afternoon, but after they had crossed the boisterous south-westerly wind increased in strength and the bar again became unworkable. Signed by the King One of the proudest possessions of the officers of H.M.S. Achilles, the new cruiser for the New Zealand station which arrived at Auckland yesterday, is a signed photograph of the King. This photograph, it is thought, must be one of the first, if not the first, to be signed by King Edward VIII., as King and not as Prince of Wales, to arrive in New Zealand. Narbada's Buffeting % Strong winds and heavy seas were encountered by the Narbada, which arrived at Auckland from Calcutta on Saturday morning. The ship experienced fine weather until last Wednesday, when it commenced to blow hard from the south-west. Conditions became worse as the vessel neared the coast and on Friday there was a particularly heavy sea running. A considerable amount of water was shipped, but practically no damage was caused. Parachuting in Storm

Two descents under most unfavourable conditions were successfully caiyied out at Mangere aerodrome yesterday afternoon by Mr. G. W. Sellars. A wind of almost gale force was blowing, but this was judged with accuracy, and both landings, from heights of about 2000 ft., were accomplished skilfully. The second descent was made during a squall which developed after the aeroplane carrying the parachutist went aloft. Mr. Sellars just beat the break of the squall in his landing.

Travellers by Train There were large numbers of travellers by train from Auckland yesterday, both the excursion to Hamilton and the night expresses for the South being well patronised. The Hamilton excursion train took about 530 passengers, the demand for accommodation being so great that an additional car was attached at Papakura. The New Plymouth section of the limited express ran as a separate train last night, with three carriages more than the usual number. Officers' "Jolly Boat" Although none of the officei*s who arrived at Auckland yesterday in the now cruiser Achilles brought or intend to bring any speed-boats or aeroplanes with them, a group of them brought two "jolly boats." Tlieso boats, equipped with motors, wore brought out on the boat deck. One of them, of a type which has not been seen on a warship before, is yet of a service riodel. It, is roomy, comfortable and fast, with the steering wheel placed at ouo side near the bows. Sunlight in Schools Appreciation of the modern design of schools which permitted the maximum of sunlight to penetrate the classrooms was expressed by Mr. A. S. Richards, M.P. for Roskill, on Saturday at the opening of the new Panmure School. "Many years ago it was almost a crime for a child to look out of the school windows, which wore invariably tucked high in the walls," said Mr. Richards. "The inquisitive mind of the natural child was confined to tho room which was denied tho sunlight and sunshine essential to life." Mr. Richards congratulated tho board's architect on the splendid design and the incorporation of windows for the full length of the walls. Team Leaves Field

'< After disputing a goal that had been awarded to the opposing: side, members of tho Comrades Soccer ,team, which played North Shore at Devonport on Saturday, showed their dissatisfaction with the referee's decision by leaving the field. Only a few minutes' play remained at the time of tlie incident and an unsuccessful attempt was made by several supporters of the Comrades team to induce the players to continue the game. There were several instances of rough play during the match, the referee having to order off one of the Comrades players, while ho also issued a number of cautions. Motorists and Liquor . Once again on Saturday evening the Hon. R. Semple, as Minister of Transport, expressed his disapproval of the man who, under tho influence of liquor, turns, as he said, " a motor-car into an infernal machine." He was sometimes asked, 'he said, "Are you going to throw in Prohibition?" "That is not my job. That is the people s job." Under existing conditions, he continued, any man had a right to get tipsy, if he wanted to, so long as he wont to bed afterward or got away and hid, but ho was not entitled to get into a motor-car and turn it into an infernal machine, and lie was not going to be allowed to do it.

Avoiding Earthquake Dangers The opinion that earthquakes throughout the* world caused the deaths of about one-sixth as many persons as motor-vehicles did was expressed by Mr. H. F. Baird, of the staff of the Magnetic Observatory in Christcliurch, in describing a new form of seismograph. Mr. Baird said that the latest type of seismograph was not employed in New Zealand. The great»advance of the BeniofT seismograph was the method of obtaining magnifications up to 100,000 times the original. Previously there were few seismographs of which the magnification exceeded 1000. Commonly used instruments neither recorded nor traced smaller earthquakes, Mr. Baird said. The new seismograph did both. Dr. R. S. Allan said that since New Zealand was situated in a seismic zone it would always be subject to earthquakes. "I think it is our duty to press for the purchase of new instruments which will enable us in any way at all to combat the earthquake menace in New Zealand," he said.