LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22878, 5 November 1937, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Large Eel Caught An unusually largo eel was caught by a Maori in ft small drain at Tatarariki, near Dargaville, on Wednesday. Tho eel weighed 231b., niul was 4ft. lOin. long and loin, round. Brief Delay to Express

The discovery of a cracked spring on a mail waggon attached to the rear of the afternoon express for Wellington yesterday caused a .slight delay while tho mail was transferred to another van and the damaged vehicle was detached. Tho discovery was made by a train examiner a few minutes before tho departure of the express, but a shunting engine was quickly called into commission and tho departure of the express was delayed for oidy three minutes. Small Range of Temperature A range of only six degrees between tho maximum and minimum temperatures was recorded by tho Hkhald gauge yesterday. The minimum temperature was 58 degrees, and the maximum G4 degrees. At this time of tho year, when the nights are often cold and the days summerlike in their warmth, much greater variations are common, although the position of Auckland in an insular climatic region causes the temperature to vary less than in moro inland districts. Piano at Wilson Home The gift of a piano, offered to tho Wilson Home by a city firm, has been accepted by the management committee! of the home. The Rev. W. C. "Wood, chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, said yesterday that in addition the firm had agreed to send a teacher to the home one day a week to train children able, to receive tuition. Tho matron had reported that there were several who could be taught the piano. Mr. Wood expressed the committee's gratitude for tho gift. An Unexpected Answer Counsel who was pursuing the theme that an accident tends to shorten life received an unexpected answer from a medical witness yesterday in the Supreme Court. So far from agreeing with his questioner the doctor said: "1 have known a number of elderly people whose lives have been prolonged by an accident because they have had a year's rest. I have known a man with a broken leg laid up for a year and he was better at the end of it. There is no question about that." Counsel sat down. Air Mail Connection An example of tho advantage of the new air connections given under the recently inaugurated summer timetable is provided in a late opportunity for mails from Auckland to join the motor-ship Karamca at Napier before she leaves for England next week. Ordinary mail will close at Auckland on Monday afternoon, but an inland air mail, closing at 6.45 a.m. on Tuesday, will connect with the ship at Napier. This will bo the first time that overseas mails have been handled from Auckland to Napier by air. Nelson's Sunshine Wellington congratulated itself upon having the sunniest October it has ever experienced, with a total of 255.5 hours, which works out at an average of 8.2 hours a day. Nelson did even better than that and enhanced its reputation for being sunny. The month's total of bright sunshine there was 266.9 hours, 11.4 hours better than Wellington, which gave an average of 8.6 hours a day. Probably when all the monthly returns are to hand, Nelson will bo found to be at the top of tho poll.

Weather and Cattle Values The reaction of climatic conditions on cattle values was again pronounced at the Westfield stock sale yesterday, when there was an indifferent demand for dairy cattle. Prices slumped a fortnight ago, when dairymen were concerned over the prolonged dry spell. A recovery was found last week after tho week-end rainfall. Tho absence of rain over tho last 10 days and the drying winds were reflected in the attitude of buyers yesterday, when, under dull competition, top values for stock depreciated. Wliilo pasturage is still in good heart, most dealers fear the effects of a lengthy spell of dry weather.

Guy Fawkes Day Its historical origin either forgotten or regarded as of littlo account, like that of many other festivals or anniversaries still observed, Guy Fawkes Day will bo celebrated in Auckland this evening by tho customary spectacular bonfires and colourful fireworks displays. Wliilo the. joy of thoso who rejoiced in tho deliverance of tho British Parliament from tragedy 332 years ago might not bo tho primary motive of tho children who have observed the custom of soliciting tho "penny for the guy," thero is every indication that tho novelties included in the many fireworks sold this year will give tho children a pleasure which will ensure continued observance of this historical event.

Street Paving Undermined Water seepage, possibly from a city main, undermined the wood-block paving in Karangahapo Road yesterday at a point between tho footpath and the outward tramway zono on tho western side of tho Queen Street intersection. After workmen had cut through the concreto foundation of tho wood-block surface it was found that a cavity had been formed, but in tho evening when work was stopped for tho night tho cause of tho seepage had not been located. City officials were of the opinion that tho leakago was from a fractured joint in tho water main and tunnelling under tho road was commenced to open up tho main. It is expected that further tunnelling today will enable tho workmen to reach tho source of tho trouble.

Record Month For Flying With the long spell of calm, fine, weather during October, tho month was easily a record 0110 for the Canterbury Aero Club, and it is possible that the flying hours put in constitute a record for any aero club in tho Dominion. Altogether a total of 087 hours flying time was put in by club pupils and trainees and on commercial flights. The aero club has eight machines at the disposal of its members, and this works out at an average of slightly more than 48 hours for each machine during tho month. Some of the aeroplanes nro used much less frequently than others, however, and the Moths which arc used in the ab initio training, and the Miles Hawk, which has been in service almost every day for blind flying instruction, have most of theso hours to their credit*