LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22545, 9 October 1936, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Licensing Authority The No. 1 Licensing Authority, Mr. JO. ,T. Phelan, held his first public meeting in that capacity yesterday, when he heard evidence relating to applications lor passenger service licences. Ilie sitting, which began at 10 a.m., continued until late in tlic afternoon. Further applications will be heard to-day.

Lorry Overturns Swerving to avoid another vehicle on tbe Great South Road near the Penrose bridge early last evening, a heavy freight lorry left the road and overturned. The driver escaped without injury and little damage was done to the vehicle. A quantity of freight was thrown out when the lorry overturned, but it was practically undamaged.

An Eight-Page Citation In .small type covering eight pages the Auckland Clerical Industrial Union of Workers cites over 2000 employers with businesses in the Auckland industrial district, which extends to Gisborne and as far south as Tauinarunui. It probably is the largest citation prepared for presentation before the Conciliation Council in Auckland. The dato for the hearing is October 29. Clatter in Queen Street

Queen Street's silence was shattered shortly before 11 o'clock last night when a taxieab struck the temporary barrier erected at the side ol the tram tracks that are being replaced opposite Vulcan Lane. Tbe impact, capsized two empty oil drums that supported the barrier and smashed three kerosene lanterns, tbe noise being heard a long distance away. Tbe only damage to the car was a broken headlamp lens, Ketch Sails To-day

The departure of the ketch Yvonne for Sunday Island has been postponed until to-day. With large quantities of building material, several water tanks and other gear stowed on board the ketch is to leave at about ten o'clock this morning. In addition to her regular crew of tbrce she will take Messrs. J. Sneddon and F. J. Kilver. who are making their first visit to the island. Several small huts are to be erected there and the Yvonne is expected to return in about three weeks' time.

Toheroas Thriving Recent investigations show that toheroas at Castleeliff Beach, Wangaliiii, which were placed there about two years ago by a resident of the town, have increased in number and give every indication of becoming established. The toheroas were brought from Fox ton. About the same time the captain of a coastal boat carried a consignment intended for Patca, but as he was not able to work the bar the toheroas were taken to Wauganiii and placed at Castleeliff lieach, where they are also thriving.

Rocky Patch in Gulf While on her recent cruise to the lighthouses of the Hauraki Gulf the Government steamer Matai located a rocky shoal of small area in latitude 36 degrees 27 minutes south and longtitude 174 degrees 56 minutes east, with Flat Rock light tower bearing 316 degrees at a djstance of four cables. The position is on the outside of Tiritiri Island and is known to many yachtsmen and fishermen. With a minimum depth of five fathoms over it at low water the patch is not dangerous to small craft and is off the course of large ships.

Grafton Bridge Repairs Considerable work has already been done in preparation for the strengthening of the weakened girder spans of Grafton Bridge. At the Grafton Road end two pits each 29 feet deep have been sunk to a solid foundation to take the auxiliary piers. The sloping bank has also been benched to provide a footing for the massive timber scaffolding, which is to support the deck, while the girders are being replaced. Before this excavation could be undertaken ic was necessary to remove many tons of filling which had been tipped there over a long period.

Natives' Place in Empire Tribute to Britain's methods of colonisation in Africa was paid by the Rev. I>. Hanltain, a missionary from Uganda, in an address last night. He said there was all t-lic difference between Britain's attitude toward tho natives and that adopted by Italy toward Abyssinia. Too many Europeans were prone to under-estiniato the qualifications of African natives, who were really clever people, capable of doing anything civilised races accomplished, if only given a chance. Endurance, courage and adaptibilit.v wore strong characteristics among them, and they were as necessary to develop the British Empire as the Maoris in New Zealand and tho aborigines in Australia. Aircraft's Flight.

A particularly fast flight from Auckland to Wellington was accomplished bv Lieutenant T. P. Coode, R.N., in tho Superniarino Walrus aircraft on H.M.S. Achilles, on Wednesday. Another fast flight was made coming back to tho Hobsonvillo Air Base. Leaving Auckland at 9.40 a.m. on Wednesday, Lieutenant Coode, who was accompanied by Lieutenant J. E. Smallwood as observer and by a crew of four, arrived at Wellington 3hr. 25min. later after a nori-stop flight. Coming back, the aircraft took lhr. 40min. to reach Hastings, where a short stop was made, and another 2hr. 30min. to reach Hobsonville, where it arrived at 4.15 p.m. yesterday alter swooping down over King's Wharf and Hying low over the harbour. The flight was made as a tost. The record for a flight from Auckland to Wellington is held by FlightLieutenant G. B. Bolt, who, with three passengers, (lew a Waco cabin biplane non-stop on September 29, 19.14, in 2hr. lomin.

Sir T. Wilford's First Car A photograph of an old-fashioned motor-car, with Sir 1 bourns Wilford at the wheel, adorned the menu cover at a dinner tendered to him and foundation memlKTs of the Automobile Association (Wellington). How the car came to be acquired was related hv Sir Thomas. The speaker said he wont to Auckland to buy a racehorse, having saved £3OO, but, as the first bid for the horse (which ho bad thought a good proposition and which ultimately turned out to bo a winner) was £SOO, ho took little part in the auction. On the way back from the sale a man sold hint the car. That was on a Saturday. On the Sunday the vendor taught him how to drive it, and on the Monday he drove three others from the Northern Club to the Auckland Derby. It was an adventure. Then someone bet him £5 ho could liot drive the car to Wellington. The trip took 11 days, anil when, after having to repair a steel coupling at Taupo, the car arrived in Wellington, the whole of Wellington turned out to see the triumphant arrival, his progress on the way having been telegraphed.