LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22836, 17 September 1937, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Labour For Farms "In an endeavour to cope with tho farm labour problem, satisfactory men, both skilled and unskilled, have been brought to Tauranga, from as far south as Petoue," said the State placement officer at Tauranga, Mr. L. H. Armstrong, yesterday. In tho case of tradesmen some had come from as far as Wellington for employment at "Whakatano.

Roman Catholic Register In conjunction with tho Roman Catholic centennial celebrations to be held in Auckland and Hokianga in February and March of next year, it is intended to compile a Catholic register, To bo known as a grand centenary register, it is hoped the volume will bo a complete record of every Catholic in New Zealand at tho time of tho centenary.

Large Gorse Fire Two houses were threatened by a fire which broke out in a large area of gorse between Stanley Avenue and Quebec Road, Takapuna, yesterday afternoon. The Takapuna Fire Brigade was soon on the scene, and although they kept the outbreak under control, it took more than two hours to extinguish the flames. No damage to property was caused.

Applicants for Special Reserve Twenty-three recruits have been chosen for the Special Reserve Force, created as part of the reorganisation scheme for New Zealand military forces, after examination conducted by Headquarters of tho Southern Command in Christchurch. The men selected are reported to be of exceptional tj*pe, and it is expected that they will meet all requirements. Applications for tho remaining 17 positions to bring the Christchurch quota to 40 will be received until to-day. Yacht Moorings Lilted

From the mud of tho sea-bottom in Mechanics' Bay, which is shortly to become tho landing base for the Pan American Airways machines from San Francisco, Auckland Harbour Board workmen yesterday reclaimed an astonishing assortment of iron and steel engine parts, broken girders, wheels, and angle irons which for years have been serving many Auckland yachtsmen as moorings for their craft. Tho work was in preparation for clearing this area of water for the use of tho aircraft and for transferring the moorings to another sheltered section of the harbour. Pollution of Rivers

The co-operation of farmers, dairy factory companies, flaxmillers, sawmillers and local authorities is being sought by tho council of the Southland Acclimatisation Society in an effort to prevent tho pollution of rivers and* streams in Southland. "Urging that tho rivers of tho provinco are among its greatest assets, tho council has issued a statement that pollution of the rivers by effluent from sheep-dips, dairy factories and flaxmills and refuse from sawmills is increasing. Tho society's rangers will be pleased to advise anyone about the prevention of pollution. Aerials in State Houses

Lecturing to the technological section of the Wellington Philosophical Society, Mr. A. Tyndall, Director of Housing Construction, said that successful experiments had been made in installing radio aerials between the ceilings and the tile roofs of State houses. The houses would' not be disfigured by poles and wires outside. The living-rooms of each would contain on one wall a neat plate with aerial and ground connections. This was in line with the department's policy to , keep poles off the streets in its groups of houses by running the power wires down the backs of the sections whereveV possible. Centennial Road Race

Tho possibility of holding a longdistanco road race with tho New Zealand Centennial Exhibition in 1940 was discussed at a meeting of the New Zealand Cycling Union in Christchurch. Tho secretary, Mr. P. C. Lucas, reported that the Centennial Exhibition Sports Committeo considered tho race would be of great interest, and favoured tho suggestion. Several members expressed the opinion that the race should be run between Auckland and Bluff, but after a discussion it was decided that the best track would bo from Auckland to Wellington. Suggestions concerning the race will be sent to the Centennial Exhibition Sports Committeo for consideration. Escort Vessel Returning

After being away from Auckland for several months on her annual winter cruise to the South Pacific Islands, the Imperial Escort vessel Leith is due to return to the Dcvonport Naval Base to-morrow. Under the command of Captain L. C. P. Tudway, the Leith has been engaged 011 a voyage that lias/ combined ordinary patrol duties with special work of Imperial importance, her recent unexpected visit to Canton Island to land wireless officers being regarded as a further step to consolidate British claims to the island. The warship also took the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, Sir Arthur Richards, on the first tour of the islands under his jurisdiction. Where Women Predominate

Although tho last census showed that for every 1000 European males in New Zealand there • wero only 972 females, it also revealed that some cities and towns had a substantial majority of female inhabitants. For many years Nelson used, to be a target for jokes about its "one eligible young man," but the census figures show that other centres have a greater preponderance of women. Dunedin heads the list with 115 females to every 100 males, and others in order are: —Christchurch, 114; New Plymouth, 112; Auckland and Timaru, 111; Palmerston North and Nelson, 110; Wanganui, Invcrcargill and Hamilton, 109; Gisborne, Hastings and Wellington, 106; Napier, 105.

Auckland As Air Fort Tho establishment of the base at Mechanics' Bay for Pan American Airways determined automatically . which New Zealand city would provide tho Dominion terminal for tho projected transtasman air service, said the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, yesterday, when congratulating tho chairman and members of tho Auckland Harbour Hoard on the successful conclusion of the recent negotiations. It was dear, ho said, that tho terminal coylJ bo established only in Auckland, becauso in addition io tho weather conditions and other allied advantages, an unbroken link between the trans-Pacific and transtasman services would be available. He expressed the hope that before long steps could be taken to join the Dominion and tho Commonwealth by air.