LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22823, 2 September 1937, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Bonus lor Bank Staff According to advice received in Auckland yesterday, members of the staff of the Bank of Australia will receive a bonus of 1\ per cent this year. The bonus has been granted to commemorate the centenary of the bank, which falls this year. Very Long Telegram The longest telegram ever sent from Waiheke Island was! despatched from the Onetangi Tost Office recently, when the residents decided to send their congratulations to a young wife on the birth of a son. The telegram whs signed by moro than 50 of the residents and contained 159 words. Curious Lemon Lemons arc frequently given to curious formations, but one of the oddest examples of nature produced by an Auckland grower is that of a deformed lemon resembling a starfish curled around a small stone. The top of the fruit is no different from an ordinary lemon, but half-way clown the skin is broken into four distinct peaks, which surround another small bulb, similar in shape to an undeveloped lemon. High Temperature It is appropriate, although not always granted, that the first day of spring should also bo the hottest day since the preceding summer. This was the case yesterday, however, when the thermometer reached G7 degrees in the shade, the previous highest reading since last summer being 0-1 degrees. Many people in Queen Street yesterday found the sudden increase in temperature oppressive, and kept to the shady side of the street whenever possible. Steer Runs Amok Some exciting and occasionally uncomfortable moments were experienced by a number of persons in the Westfield stock yards yesterday, when a large steer broke loose and careered around the beef stalls toward the stock agents' offices. One man had a fortunate escape from serious iniury, but was twisted violently around as the steer brushed past him. Doors were promptly closed to prevent the animal from entering any of the offices until it was captured and returned to its pen.

Warship From Cruise The escort vessel Leith is due to return to Auckland on September 18 from her annual winter cruise to the South Pacific Islands, which was one of the most important patrols made by a warship on the New Zealand station. The escort vessel Wellington will arrive at the Devon port Naval Base on September 10, after having been recommissioned at Wellington. On the arrival of the Leith the whole strength of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy will be in port. Signs of Spring Signs of spring arc everywhere in evidence. Spreading oaks and other deciduous trees are bursting into leaf in city parks and gardens, it being something of a novelty to see such early growth on the trees lining the waterfront near Kohimarama. A further welcome sign of the advancing season is given by the kowhai trees, which are showing early specimens of yellow blossom. Peach, pear and nectarine blossom is a commonplace, providing attraction for increasing numbers of new season's white butterflies. Rough Seas on Coast

Bar-bound since Saturday, the Northern Company's steamer Kuwau returned to Auckland from Mangawai shortly before 11 o'clock last night. Rough seas on the East Coast were reported by vessels reaching port during the day. The coastal motor-ship Port Whangarei, from Lyttelton, was unable to enter Tauranga and arrived here a day early. Wireless advice received yesterday from the Port Line steamer Port Adelaide, en route from Wellington to Auckland, stated that her arrival today would be delayed by rough weather. Beef Values Steadier After a rising market over the past four weeks, beef prices steadied at the Westfield fat stock sales yesterday. There was a much larger supply of cattle to satisfy the demands of butchers, who had recently been forced to buy in the paddock owing to the scarcity of stock at the sales, and individual bidding failed to reach the extreme level of last week. Values were quoted firm to 41s per "1001b. Tho feature of the sheep market Avas the sale of two spring lambs, among the first of the season, for 41s 6d and 40s 6d each. Shortage of Teachers "It does not look as though we will have any surplus, of teachers," commented the chairman of the Auckland Education Board, Mr. T. U. Wells, at yesterday's meeting of tho board, when a request was received from the Education Department asking for a return. regarding the number of teachers employed in, or available for, relieving work at the beginning of last month. The board had 137 married teachers doing temporary Avork, said Mr. Wells, and there Avould be 150 Auckland students coming out of Training College at the end of the year. Building in One Tree Hill Although 115 building permits had been issued in the One Tree Hill Borough from the beginning of the year, compared with 87 for the same period of last year, the report of the building inspector, Mr. P. H. Hollingsworth, at the meeting of the Borough Council last night, stated that the value of the permits showed a decrease of £35,936. The permits for this year were % r alued at £27,105, and for 1936 at £63,041. It appeared, however, tho report added, that from the number of inquiries made, the building trade was showing signs of improA'ement. OraJton Bridge Bepairs The erection of tho scaffolding required to support the Symonds -Street end of the Grafton Bridge while repairs are being made to the four Aveakened open span girders has noAV been completed and a start will shortly bo made with tho removal of the damaged spans. As with the repairs carried out at the hospital end of tho bridge, the neAi' girders are to be solid in form and additional piers are to bo built botAveen tho existing piers so that there will be eight neAV short spans. When the work Avas started in October of last year it was estimated that it would take up to two years to complete the job, but in view of the excellent progress already made it is possible that this time may be reduced.