LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22896, 26 November 1937, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Cooler Weather Cooler weather was experienced in Auckland yesterday, the maximum temperature recorded oil the Herald thermometer being only 66 degrees. There was littlo variation during the day, the minimum reading being 57 degrees. Accident Victim's Condition A further slight improvement was reported last night in the condition of Mr. Ronald J. Sando, who was admitted to the Auckland Hospital on Sunday night suffering from concussion and a fractured arm received in a motor accident on Jcrvois I?oad, when bis companion, Mr. Arthur Owen Greenwood, was fatally injured.

Lawyers Must Live "If the defendant fails in his counterclaim will that money go into your pocket?"a witness in the Supreme Court was asked yesterday. "It looks as though most of it will go into the lawyers' pockets," the wjtness responded blandly, surveying the lawyers' table. "You have got to live, L suppose," he added genially. Income Tax Assessments A reminder that the tax gatherer is again abroad in the land was given a number of Auckland residents yesterday, when they received their income tax assessments. This year the assessments contain no general unpleasant surprises, although there must always be some unpleasantness attached to them when the high rate of taxation is remembered. The Strawberry Crop Strawberries were still scarce on the Auckland markets yesterday, and there was no decrease in prices. The fruit generally is in fairly good condition, but the cold rain which fell on "Wednesday did not benefit the crop. This time last year strawberries were realising from Is to Is 6d, but at present they are selling at from Is 9d to 2s 6d. It is considered that supplies will reach a peak about a week before Christmas. Rough Harbour Crossings Passengers on the ferry and vehicular boats to and from the North Shore yesterday experienced rough harbour crossings as a result of the heavy sea which ran throughout the day. This was caused by the strong southerly wind, which was accompanied by occasional heavy rain squalls. A strong swell was also partly responsible for the conditions, and the boats swayed perceptibly even when berthed. Queen Street Parking Commenting that any such decision would bo an unwarranted interference with business, Mr. A\ . G. Browne, at yesterday's meeting of the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, asked the council to support protests made against the proposal to prohibit parking in Queen Street for the two days prior to Christmas. Such action would divert business to suburban districts, he said. The council decided to support any protests made. New Broadcasting Station Notice of the Government's intention to take a block of land in Avondale for the purpose of constructing a broadcasting station has been given by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple. The approximate area required to be taken is over five acres, and it is situated behind a row of houses in Oakley Avenue, with a harbour frontage on the AVaitemata. It is understood that the broadcasting station will be one to extend the commercial service. West Coast Seas Heavy seas, backed by a strong southwest wind, made the Manukau Bar unworkable yesterday. Conditions have been rough on the bar for some days, and vessels have made crossings in boisterous -weather. Two coastal ships, the Hauturu, for New Plymouth, and Ronaki, for Raglan, left Onehunga during the afternoon yesterday, but spent the night inside Manukau Heads. If conditions moderate, they will attempt tho crossing at high tide about four o'clock this morning. Dearer Potatoes The price of potatoes is still rising. At Pukckohe, which is tho main centre of supply at present, a tangi among Maoris who are employed as diggers in the potato fields and the rain on Wednesday have been factors in retarding the output this week. AA r ith finer weather yesterday efforts were made to cope with tho demand, which is heavy, but in the meanwhile the price had advanced from 17s 6d to 18s 6d per cwt., J.0.r., Pukekohe, and it was still at the latter figure when business closed last evening. The current price on November 25 last year was 7s 3d per cwt. Fire in Woodshed Littlo damage was dono by a fire which broke out in a woodshed at tho Auckland railway station locomotive yards about one o'clock yesterday afternoon A machine from tho central fire station was summoned, but littlo difficulty was experienced in extinguishing tho flames. The only loss was a number of wooden firing slabs. It is considered that the outbreak was caused by a spark from a passing locomotive. Another call to a point near the bus terminal was answeit'd by the lire brigade a few minutes later, but this proved to be a false alarm. Inconsiderate Cyclists While drivers of motor-vehicles and tramenrs have become accustomed to allowing pedestrians to cross safely and without undue hurry at pedestrian crossings in the city, cyclists are loth to stop as they should. A young woman crossing Queen Street near the AV.vndiiain Street junction yesterday narrowly escaped being struck by a bicycle which was ridden at a smart pace between a lino of stationary motor-cars and tho kerb. She was forced to step hurriedly backward, and bad a second escape due only to the prompt stopping of a car which had just begun to move oil' again. Fresh Water in Tepid Baths Fresh water is being temporarily used instead of salt water in the Tepid Baths for tho benefit of champion Auckland swimmers during their training lor selection in tho team to represent New Zealand at tho British Empire Games in Sydney in February. Swimming in fresh water, with its lower buoyancy, involves greater effort and an adjustment in balance, and it is to enable swimmers to accustom themselves to these conditions, which will bo encountered at the Empire Games, that the change has been made. Fresh water will remain in the pool until after December 14, the date on which the trials for the Games will be contested.