LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22543, 7 October 1936, Page 12

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Forty-hour Week Postmen, postal messengers and telegraph messenger boys in Auckland now work a 40-hour week. It was found that it was possible to reduce the hours with only a slight increase to the staff. Building In Mount Roaklll Building permits totalling 94, of a value of £24,229, were issued by the Mount Roskill Road Board during the six months ended September 30. Of this sum £22,090 was spent on 36 new dwellings. White Butterfly In Far North The rapid change of weather recently and tho approach of summer have brought out the white butterfly in the Far North. The pesWis far more numerous than it was at this time last year in spite of the steps that were taken to stamp it out by the liberation of parasites, and by offering prizes for children catching the greatest numbers Steamer Delayed for Repairs The Canadian steamer Canadian Challenger is delayed at Auckland for repairs to one of her furnaces. After loading at Southern ports and Auckland the vessel was to have sailed for New York, Boston and Montreal at seven o'clock yesterday morning. Owing to a crack having developed in the furnace she is not expected to sail before to-morrow night. A Lopphole Closed A significant alteration brought about in the parking by-law which came into operation in Auckland yesterday is that which occurs through the word "unattended" which appeared in the old by-law being changed to "stationary." Formerly, if a chauffeur or other person remained seated in the car the vehicle could be parked for an almost unlimited time, but under the new bylaw there is no escape from the very definite requirements of the amended restrictions.

Old Immigrant Ships "In the early days of the gold rush and colonisation any sort of ship was pressed into service, and the immigrant ships coming to New Zealand were many and varied," said Mr. R. A. Falla, addressing the Shiplovers' Society last night on ships of the past. The conditions on board some of the immigrant vessels were extraordinary, the speaker added, and it was not uncommon for unlucky ships to take from three to four months to complete the voyage.

North Shore Amalgamation The recent resolution of the Northcote Borough Council, indicating its adherence to the principle of tho union of all the North Shore areas, was rescinded at a meeting last night. This was done on the suggestion of the Mayor, Mr. R. Martin, who urged this course in order to leave the position open for negotiations for amalgamation with Birkenhead. He said he did not, however, propose to bring any proposal forward immediately in that direction, but suggested the council should await the legislation promised by the Government. Vandalism at Manurewa

Vandalism and instances of petty theft were reported at a meeting of Manurewa Town Board when it was decided to make representations to the Minister of Justice to have Manurewa constituted a police district. Members stated that there had been wilful destruction carried out on the flower beds fronting the concrete footpaths on the main road. The plants had been uprooted and thrown on the roadway and footpath. It was also reported that quantities of building material were removed from jobs being carried on by the board. Private owners had also complained.

Rating ol Church Hall Whether a hall which is used by organisations outside the church to which the hall belongs, sometimes on a money basis, is liable for rating was a problem which recently confronted members of Ihe Mount Ttoskill I?oad Board. The report of a special committee presented to the board last night stated that the receipt of money for the use of the hall removed the right of the hall to rating exemption, although the trustees had submitted that the money received was to defray lighting and clearing charges. The board decided that a refund of rates already paid on the hall could not be considered.

Egg Importation Experiment An incubator, which will be filled with Virginian quail eggs after the Northern Hemisphere laying season in February, was recently sent to California by Mr. W. S. Miller, a member of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society. Together with other eggs placed in cool storage, it is to be shipped back to Auckland. If either experiment succeeds in surmounting the present quarantine obstacle of six months in bird importation, it is believed game birds previously prohibited from New Zealand, including Chinese pheasants and Indian chukors, could he procured for liberation. The result may also assist poultry breeders, now restricted in their importations. New Naval Wharf The docking of ships at Calliope Dock will be facilitated when the new concrete wharf being built to replace the existing wooden jetty where H.M.S. Philomel is moored is completed in December. The new wharf, 500 ft. in length, will be slightly longer than the present structure, but will be in line with the eastern side of the dock, instead of running off at an angle. It will be possible to warp ships along the training jetty into the dock without having to negotiate the awkward angle. The old Sheerlegs Wharf also will be lengthened to provide increased accommodation for warships. Reinforced concrete piles for the new wharves are being made by Harbour Board employees on tho eastern reclamation.

New Parking Restrictions There was a marked decrease in the number of motor-cars parked at tho kerbs in Queen Street yesterday, whon the new parking restrictions came into force. However, in spite of considerable publicity and the erection of special traffic signs, numbers of drivers were unaware that any change had been made in tho parking by-laws and members of the city traffic staff were kept busy explaining tho requirements of the amended law. Drivers who left their cars for periods well in excess of the time limits received "tickets" calling 011 them to report to the traflic office. After the first day or two the new by-law is to bo rigidly enforced. One noticeable effect of the changed conditions yesterday was the increase in the number of cars parked in the City Council's parking area at the old railway station site.