LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22867, 23 October 1937, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Sailings lor Sydney The fourth and last occasion since August when the Awatea and a Matson liner have been scheduled to leave Auckland for Sydney on the same day will fall 011 Friday, when the two vessels will sail within a few hours of one another. The Awatea is scheduled to leave at 5 p.m. and the Mariposa at 10 p.m. Playground at Motuihi Motuilli Island, Auckland's marine park, will be a much more attractive place to visitors this summer as a result of the improvements which are being carried out by the City Council. The new running track and playing ground, 123 yards long and 17 yards wide, with terraced sides, has been completed and work is well ahead on the new shelter sheds and dressing sheds, which will be ready before the end of this year. Apparatus for the children's playing area is also being erected. Women's Hairdressing "In 1929 there were only about 15 women's hairdressing shops in Auckland city and suburbs, and the charge for a permanent wave was from £3 3s upward," said Mr, W. E. Anderson, secretary of the Auckland Km plovers' Association, during the bearing of the hairdressers' dispute in the Arbitration Court yesterday. "There are now 186 such establishments iu the area, and prices range from 10s .upward," he added. "There must be a lot more permanent waves," remarked Mr. Justice O'Regan. Criminal Sessions End Four days sufficed to complete the quarterly criminal sessions which began in the Supreme Court oil l uesday, and all 12 cases, apart from the passing of sentence, had been disposed of last evening The grand jury returned one no bill; in two cases the accused entered a plea of guilty; the jury found seven of the remainder guilty; and in two eases ;i verdict of acquittal was returned. Owing to the completion of the trials, the jury summoned for Tuesday will not be required until Wednesday. Wellington Building Extension Proposals for the extension of the Wellington Public Trust Office building on the corner of Lambton Quay and Stout Street, are under consideration. It is expected that the new building will occupy the whole of the side of the block between Lambton Quay and Ballance Street, and fronted by Stout Street. The Minister in charge of the Public Trust Office, the Hon. W. Nash, said during the week-end that the requirements of the office had led to a decision to acquire the area behind the present building and occupied by the British and Foreign Bible Society. Fitness of Dwellings "We have certificates of fitness for motor-cars; who would be bold enough to suggest a certificate of fitness for a house, making it necessary that before a house is let a certificate of some controlling authority be issued as to its physical fitness and the number it is licensed to accommodate." said the chief city inspector of Christchurch. Mr. J. W. Huggins, in an address to the Canterbury branch of the Royal Sanitary Institute. "Of course, it would appear impracticable to adopt this until the housing situation is easier than it is at present, but it certainly appears to have something to commend it." Warships in Port Three of the warships attached to the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy returned to the Devonport Naval Base yesterday after minesweeping exercises in the Hauraki Gulf. H.M.S. Wellington, H.M.S. Leitli and H.M.S. Wakakura carried out minesweeping training for a detachment of 25 officers and ratings of the Auckland division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve for a week. The flagship of the division, H.M.S. Achilles, moved out of dock yesterday to complete her biennial refit at Calliope Wharf and will sail for the south on November 3. On Tuesday the Wellington, will leave for her summer cruise to southern ports. More Strawberries The largest quantity of strawberries yet to arrive at the Auckland City Markets this season came forward at yesterday's sale, when 200 chips were auctioned. The fruit was marketed mostly in small lots, and, although the quality was still' varied, some good quality lines came forward. Rain is most necessary to bring the fruit along rapidly, and the warm weather at present being experienced in Auckland is expected to he of great benefit to the crops when the necessary moisture is forthcoming. The fruit met with a keen inquiry, extra choice lines of the popular Captain Cook variety realising from 2s 4d to 2s 7d a chip, while other lines brought from Is 3d to 2s a chip. Earlier in the week strawberries realised from 2s 3d to 3s a chip. Fire in City Shop While large crowds thronged the city shortly before five o'clock yesterday afternoon, two fire engines from the central station sped through Queen Street to a minor fire in a tent and cover workshop at the back of the premises of 10. Leßoy, Limited. The ignition of an overflow of kerosene from a camp stove was responsible for charring a few floorboards before the flames were suppressed with a hand extinguisher. Pedestrian and vehicular traffic was temporarily retarded in the vicinity of the shop, from which much smoke issued. Four engines, two from the Central station and one each from the Parnell and western districts stations, attended a small outbreak of fire which occurred in a rubbish heap in a vacant section in Banks Street, City, at 10.15 last night. The War Relugees The relief of refugees in China who have been driven from their homes by the fighting between the Japanese and Chinese forces has become a task far beyond all available resources. The raising of funds to relieve, distress has been undertaken by the National Missionary Council of New Zealand, 19 Ballance Street. Wellington, which invites subscriptions. The Takapuna Borough Council has opened a subscription list toward the appeal. With the object of raising £IO,OOO in one month in order to send doctors, anaesthetics and medical supplies for relict wherever it may be needed in China, the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society have launched an appeal. It is a joint effort, by the two organisations and representative committees are being set up and a Red Cross stamp sale is being conducted.