LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22818, 27 August 1937, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wakakura's Trials Following her recent refit in Calliope Dock the naval minesweeper Wakakura sailed for Hauraki Gulf yesterday morning to carry out engine trials. The Wakakura left port at 8.30 and returned at 1.40 yesterday nfternoon. Sheep lor Japan Another consignment of sheep will be taken to Japan from Lyttelton when the Yamashita Kisen Kaisha steamer Naniwa Maru calls there next month. The Naniwa Maru, which is now at Auckland, will load 800 sheep for Yokohama and North Japan. Naval Base Activity With the arrival last night from her Islands cruise of H.M.S. Achilles, the flagship of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, two cruisers of the Leander class will he berthed at the Devonport Naval Base. The units at the base will be augmented to-day by the arrival from the Hauraki Gulf of the Admiralty survey ship Endeavour. H.M.S. Endeavour will berth alongside H.M.S. Leander. Large Frost Fish The first frost fish of the season was found on Onetanci Beach, Waiheke, on a recent morning. The fish was oft. 6in. long, but this is not an exceptional size, as specimens have been found measuring considerably over six feet. Frost fish, which are excellent eating and bring a good price in the shops, are frequently stranded in winter on the east coast of the Dominion, particularly in the Bay of Plenty and in Canterbury. Zoo Takings Increase An increase of £192 in the gate takings at the Auckland Zoological Park during July wqs reported by the curator, Colonel ID. It. Sawer, at last night's meeting of the City Council, He stated that, in spite of a continuance of most unfavourable weather, 10,245 persons paid for admission during the month. The sum of £391 was taken at the gates, compared with £199 in the corresponding month last year. Hamilton Court Buildings A much-needed improvement to the surroundings of the Hamilton Supreme and Magistrate's Court buildings is being provided by the formation and tar-sealing of the main carriageway leading to the buildings and of the pathways round the Courts. Since the courthouse was completed early in 1931 these paths have been in an exceedingly rough condition, and the work in hand will be greatly appreciated by all those having business at the Courts. Old Order Changed An addition has been made to the number of horses pensioned off as a result of the use of motor vehicles, a veteran draught horse which for some years has drawn the van used by the Little Sisters of the Poor for collecting articles for their homo at Ponsonby. The horse has been sold back to the original vendor, and in future the gifts for the sister's institution will be collected by a large van, which will also carry passengers.

Accidents in City A list of accidents in the city area during July compiled from tho records of the St. John Ambulance Association and cases reported in the newspapers was presented to the City Council last night by the superintendent of traffic," Mr. C.' Bland, in his monthly report. It showed that there were 28 accidents," in which 17 people were injured, but there were no fatalities. Figures for the same month last year showed that there were 65 accidents, one being fatal, and 26 people were injured. Test Match Scorers A suggestion that the scoreboard at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, in the test match next week between New Zealand and South Africa should indicate the identity of players who scored points, as well as the number scored, was adopted by tho management committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union. The suggestion was made by a correspondent whose letter said that its adoption would be much appreciated by the public. It was not needful to put up the player's name; his programme number would be sufficient indication. Mr. A. I. Cottrell said that a similar system ivas used with success on the Sydney Cricket Ground, and would certainly help many spectators at Lancaster Park. Strong School Spirit How strong are the ties of interest which bind the widely scattered pupils of the Correspondence School of the New Zealand Education Department to its headquarters in Clifton Terrace, Wellington, has been shown this week in tho efforts made by many of them to attend the second annual exhibition of work. At the opening the headmaster, Dr. A. G. Butchers, mentioned the case of Bobby Brocas, Rawene, North Auckland. To pay for his journey to Wellington and back the boy set to work to make baskets out of supple-jack withes. They were fine, strong baskets, which he sold to the neighbours, and ho was thus able to pay his fare to the exhibition. Another child made artificial flowers to help defray expenses. Ferry Building Subway Tho proposal that a subway bo constructed under Quay Street from the bottom of Queen Street to the Ferry Building is shortly to bo discussed at a conference between tho Citj T Council, the Auckland Harbour Board, the Railway Department and the Devonport Steam Ferry Company. This subway has been suggested as a means of relieving the traffic congestion at tho Quay Street crossing. In announcing at tho meeting of tho City Council last night that the conference was being arranged, the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, said that tlie council would be represented by himself, the deputj-mayor, the Hon. B. Martin, M.L.C., Mr. W. T. Anderton, M P., and Mr. A. Rosser.:

Australia's Iron Production "Among London financial people tho most highly thought of country was Australia,"- declared Sir William Hunt in an address to members of tho Invereargill Chamber of Commerce. London financiers, ho said, were greatly impressed .with what Australia had dono in the manufacture of iron. Australia was producing iron at a lower cost than any other country in tho world. Broken Hill was the biggest iron and steel concern in tho world, and a country that could produce these materials cheaper than any other country had tho world at its feet. "I was told this in Australia," Sir William said, "but 1 put it down to.boosting. However, when I got to England 1 found that everything I was told was confirmed by business men in London."