LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22578, 17 November 1936, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Christmas Night Films Permission to screen films at Manurewa on Christmas night was granted last night by the Manurowa Town Hoard. It was decided to adhero to the custom of previous years when films were screened. Law Honours Candidates A decision to provide a definite course of tuition for candidates for honours in law at Auckland University College was reached at yesterday's meeting of the College Council. A recommendation by the law honours committee was adopted, and will result in the institution of a regular course in honours next year. In Memory of a Pet Cats housed at the veterinary hospital of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at Golf Road, New Lynn, will shortly be enjoying the comforts of a modern cat house, which is to bo provided with sun runs. The building of this new house has been | made possible by the gift by anonymous donors of the sum of £oo in memory of their cat " Tuesday." University Memorial Tablet A memorial mural tablet to the late Sir George Fowlds, who was president of the Auckland University College Council from 1920 to 1933, is to be placed in the vestibule of the college building. This tribute was decided upon at a meeting of the College Council yesterday, when it was also decided to establish a fund for an annual memorial prizo for competition by the students. Prevalence of Pneumonia Pneumonia has been fairly prevalent in Auckland during the past fortnight. A number of medical men said yesterday that the' complaint was common during the spring, the vitality of many people being considerably reduced after the end of the winter. On the whole, cases occurring during the past two weeks have not been serious, it was stated, and have certainly been 110 more numerous than those in November of previous years.

Court Judgments Considerable amusement was created in the Magistrate's Court at Otahuhu yesterday when counsel in a civil case was quoting authorities and Supreme Court judgments for the guidance of the presiding magistrate, Mr. F. K. Hunt. After quoting several judgments bearing on the claim for damages arising out of a motor collision counsel remarked: " That was originally your case, sir, and the judgment was given on appeal. Mr. Hunt smiled broadly and replied: " That is right, but the Judge was wrong."

Awatea's Quick Trip Berthing shortly before 9 o'clock yesterday morning, the Union Steam Ship Company's - new liner Awatea completed a quick trip to Sydney and back in six and a-half days. She left Auckland at 5.20 p.m. last Tuesday, arriving at Sydney at 7.30 a.m. on Friday, and sailed again at 5.15 p.m. There was a strong north-east wind for 12 hours after the Awatea left Sydney, but fine weather was experienced during the remainder of the trip. The vessel averaged 21 knots on four boilers. Approaching the New Zealand coast a school of whales was sighted.

Harbour at its Best The beauty of the Waitemata Harbour was freely commented on by passengers on the Awatea on her arrival from Sydney yesterday morning. A perfectly smooth sea, high tide and the brilliant early morning sunshine combined to show the visitors the approach to Auckland at its best, and for the whole trip up the harbour there was scarcely a passenger below decks. Last-minute packing, which usually fully occupies the attention of travellers as a vessel approaches port, was forgotten, and everyone lined the rails admiring the views. Tram Passengers Use Trains

The higher cost of workers' weekly tickets on the tramways from yesterday morning had the effect of diverting a certain amount of passenger traffic to the railways, where workers' tickets are available at very low rates. It is not yet known whether it will be worth while augmenting early morning train services to the suburbs in order to cater for the extra business. However, from yesterday the train that has formerly left Onehunga at 7.4 a.m. daily for Penrose will continue to the city, providing relief for the 6.30 a.m. train from Papakura to the city.

Magistrate's Retirement " I am about the only one who has no information," remarked Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., yesterday, in the Magistrate's Court, Otahuhu, when asked whether he would bo available to give judgment in a case where he reserved decision. Counsel suggested that Mr. Hunt's retirement might possibly be effective prior to the date suggested for decision. " Everybody knows all about it, but I have heard nothing," said Mr. Hunt. "My successor has been advised, but no word has reached me of when I may retire. All .1 know is that I was promised advice in due course."

Work in Victoria Avenue After many years of neglect, the carriageway of Victoria Avenue, Rcmucra, is being reconstructed and, within the next five months, this important roadway will bo rebuilt to modern traffic requirements. Originally this roadway was put down with a scoria foundation and increasing traffic has found many weaknesses, with the result that the surface has been one of the worst in the city. A new hard metal foundation is now being rolled in and the top course is boing sealed. The work, which has been commenced from the Shore Road end, is estimated to cost £6OOO. The reconstruction of the centre of Victoria Avenue between tho tramlines has already been carried out by the Auckland Transport Board. Austria and New Zealand

Tho celebration in Auckland yesterday of tho Austrian National Day is a reminder of various past links between New Zealand and the old AustroHungarian Empire. The Dominion owes much to the early researches of the Austrian scientist. Dr. Ferdinand von Hochstetter, who arrived in 1858 as naturalist on board the frigate Novara and made an extended stay. In the next decado he published two works, " Tho Geology of Now Zealand " and "New Zealand: Its Physical Geography, Geology and Natural History." Partly through his efforts and those of Sir Julius von Haast, tho Vienna Museum contains one of the finest Maori collections in the world. Tho Emperor Francis Josef, after whom tho famous Westland glacier had been named, presented tho New Zealand Government in 1906 with eight chamois, which were liberated the iollowing year in the Mount Cook region.