LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22860, 15 October 1937, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Measles Epidemic No further cases of measles have been reported at the police barracks in the city or at Newton since Monday, when six constables were admitted to the Auckland Hospital suffering from German measles. While some of the patients are now well again and have returned to their duties, there are still ten eonstables in hospital. The patients are required to remain in hospital for about 10 days. Physical Fitness of Drivers "Speaking from a medical point of view, I can say that there are a great many people driving motor-cars who are not physically fit," said Dr. Stanley Drown at a meeting of the general committee of the Automobile Association (Southland). "They might drive quite safely for years, but at any time they are liable to have ,an atta.ck which might prove very dangerous to themselves and other traffic." Few Serious Accidents Very few accidents, either serious or minor, have been reported this week. The list has been unusually light. The customary number of persons who suffer slight injuries through falls, cuts or collapse were tended at the casualty room of the St. John Ambulance Rtation in Rutland Street, but for the most part the work of the ambidance drivers has been confined to medical cases to and from the hospital. Oook Strait Whaling New Zealand's whaling industry, part of which used to be carried on at Wlmngamumu, just south of Cape Hrett, is now confined to the Marlborough Sounds. According to the annual report of the Marine Department, the total catch for 1936-37 was 69 humpback whales, which yielded 280 tons of oil, valued at £4/60. J.lio quantity of bonedust and fertiliser obtained from the carcases was returned as nil.

Gift to College In appreciation of the help given by the staff and students of St. John's College in taking services at St. Heliers and Kohimarama while the parish of Tamaki was without, a vicar for three months of this year, the parishioners have presented an altar book to the college chapel. The book replaces one which has been in use for more than half a century, as the title-page shows it to have been printed in 1873. Auckland Confirmations The official acts of Archbishop Aver ill in the last 12 months included visits to 87 confirmation ceremonies. A total of 1142 children and adults were confirmed, 571 being females and an equal number' males. In addition.to the usual parish confirmations visits were paid to the Auckland Hospital and H.M.S. Philomel, where 37 seaman boys were confirmed in two visits. Another confirmation ceremony was held at the Auckland Prison, where two inmates were confirmed.

Port Activity For some weeks the Auckland wharves have not been taxed to any extent, but after the week-end activity will be very brisk. On Monday four overseas ships, including the Niagara from Vancouver and the Monterey from Sydney, and several coastal vessels, are . expected. The "Westmoreland is clue from New York on Tuesday, and on Wednesday the Rangitiki is expected from Bondon, the Brisbane Maru from Moji and the Myrtlebank from Nauru. A steady inward list will continue until the end of next week.

Manuka at Station Bathed in brilliant Bimshino, the hedge of manuka shrubs bordering the small reserve on the Parnell side of the Auckland railway station made a very attractive picture yesterday. The majority of the shrubs are ablaze with small white flowers, but a few have pink and oven darker coloured blooms. Gojpd progress is being made with the planting out of the 20,000 plants which have been raised for the gardens, and they should present a fifie sight whon the summer flower season is at its height. Continued Dry Weather Brilliant sunshine in Auckland yesterday completed a fortnight of rainless weather. Although the warm conditions have been appreciated, particularly when closo "upon a prolonged winter, many residents have had frequently to water gardens. Only ,19in. of rain has so far fallen at Auckland this month, and from present indications it will be unusual if the average for the month of 4.13 in. is approached. Barometric pressure has continued to be high and fairly steady and readings have not been beneath 30in. since September 28. •' Legal Offices' Hours Tho reason why legal firms in Dunodin do not intend to follow tho course adopted in Auckland, where law offices are to bo closed on Saturday mornings, was explained by the president of the Otago Law Society, Mr. E. J. Smith. He stated that the question of office hours had not boon discussed since the annual meeting of tho society in February. It had then been decided that legal offices should not take tho load in the matter, and that they should remain open on Saturday mornings unless ijt became the general practice among mercantile firms to closo their offices on that day. New Zealand Propaganda Abroad Nunjorous propaganda pamphlets to advertise New Zealand overseas were exhibited at a meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce yesterday. They were forwarded in rosponse to recent representations by the chamber that a complcto advertising scheme should be adopted to entice visitors from abroad to tho New Zealand Centennial. Speaking of liis recent observations in other countries, Mr. J. Yoe'k said New Zealand was kept well to the fofre, even more so than some of the larger Dominions of tho Empire. Its butter and\gcheese were well advertised; and generally its propaganda was effective. ■ *

Launching Difficulties Unexpected difficulties were encountered in the floating of a new launch owned by. Mr. J. Harvey, of Now Lynn, yesterday. The boat, which is 26ft. long, 6ft. beam and 3ft. draught, was taken to the Wlmu Creek on a trailer, which was led down to the water-side. The whedlu sank into the mud, and as a result the bow of the launch whs without sufficient water to float. Finally, by tollapsing the trailer, the keel was set at a horizontal level, and the boat was successfully launched. Built by Mr. L. Knnggs, the new launch is powered by a Kelvin engine developing 25 horsepower, and is of striking design. It will be used for cruising.