LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22935, 13 January 1938, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Blackberry Prospects Good Blackberries are now beginning to ripen in appreciable quantities, and following oil tho recent rains there should be a bountiful crop in the Auckland district. Already observant pedestrians who arc wise enough to provide themselves with a, basket or a tin when on country rambles reap their reward. Busy Fire Brigades Auckland fire brigades have experienced an unusually busy period recently, having been called out every day since Sunday. A machine from the central station was summoned shortly after nine o'clock last- night, in answer to a justifiable false alarm from the corner of Anzae Avenue and Beach Road, City.

Search for Boy 'at Milford Although the search was continued yesterday, no trace was found of tho boy who is thought to have disappeared on Monday while swimming at Milford. There has as yet been no report of a child missing. One of tho two eyewitnesses who reported that they saw the boy in difficulties took an active part in tho search.

Delay to Rangitane Delays to cargo working in southern ports and port congestion at Auckland resulted in a decision yesterday to postpone the departure from Auckland for London of the liner Rangitane until Monday afternoon. The Rangitane, which was previously expected to sail on Saturday, is loading at Central Wharf.

Ferry Boat Engines Fail The engines of tho ferry boat Pupuke failed at Stanley Bay last evening, and the Toroa, which left Devonport for Auckland at 7 o'clock, was signalled by the crew of the Pupuke when about half-way across the harbour. The Toroa changed her course and called at Stanley Bay, where a number of passengers embarked. She arrived at Auckland about eight minutes late.

Popularity of Coromandel Camping grounds on the Coromandel Peninsula, especially at Mercury Bay and on the coast near Tairua, have had more visitors this summer than ever before, stated an Auckland resident yesterday. Improvements in roads had led to a fuller appreciation of the beauties of the Coromandel coast and mountain scenery, which in the future, through their proximity to Auckland, were certain to prove most popular.

Accident Victims' Condition The condition of Mr. James Eric Thurlow, aged 22, labourer, of 1.3 Commercial Road, Grey Lynn, who suffered injuries to the back and concussion on Tuesday when he fell down a bank while working in School Road, Morningside, is now not serious. Considerable improvement is shown in the condition of Mr. Trevor Albert O'Brien, aged 20, of Courtville Flats, who suffered severe head injuries as the result of a motor-car accident on the waterfront, on January 1. False Fire Alarm A false" alarm yesterday gave the Takapuna Fire Brigade a fruitless journey to the Hauraki Road corner. The alarm, which was one of several which have been received by the Takapuna brigade from the Milford and Hauraki districts, was sent in the form of a telephone call to the Borough Council chambers, from where the report was sent on to" the fire station. The fire engine was sent immediately to Hauraki Road but no trace of any outbreak could be found.

Harbour Board Inspection An inspection of some of the major works in progress in the port and of the approaches to the harbour was made yesterday by members of the Auckland Harbour Board. They had as their guests a number of citizens .interested in the development of the port and they were welcomed on board the pilot launch Waitemata by the chairman, the Hon. T. Bloodworth, M.L.C. The greater part of the day was taken, the party spending some time fishing;. The outing was greatly enjoyed by members and guests. Traffic Offences Over 30 motorists were charged in the Magistrate's Court yesterday with breaches of traffic regulations concerning the parking of cars in the city, the majority being charged with leaving vehicles stationary in the street for periods exceeding the prescribed time or with parking in prohibited places. Fines ranging from os to £1 were imposed in most cases. A motor-cyclist convicted on a charge of riding along Manukau Road at night at a speed of 60 miles an hour was fined £5 and had his licence suspended for two months, while another was fined a similar amount for dangerous driving. Two Week-end Excursions

Opportunity for visiting the famous Waitomo Caves has been given a large number of Wellington residents by the decision of the Railway Department to run a special one-day excursion from Wellington to Waitomo this week-end. The train arrives at Waitomo at 10.35 a.m. on Sunday, leaving the same night on the return journey at 7.30. An excursion to Rotorua also is being held this week-end, the train leaving Auckland at 11.45 on Saturday night. After spending the day visiting the N various attractions at Rotorua the excursionists will return by a training leaving at 4.45 the same afternoon. Swarm, of Bees Captured

Going about their task with a nonchalance which suggested previous experience, two young men removed a largo swarm of bees from a Christmas tree in the Marine Square, Devonport, last evening. While one of the men stood on a step ladder and held a whitebait net ready, the other climbed the tree and shook the bees from the branch on which they had settled. Oblivious of tho angry hum of hundreds of startled insects, which was sufficient to send onlookers scampering to a safe distance, the men, one of whom had no protection for his head, arms or feet, quietly transferred the bees from the net to a box.

Tauranga Employment Figures Positions for 58 men were found by the Tauranga Placement Office during the Christmas and New Year period, making tho total number of positions 1060 in less than nine months. The office has found private employment in 746 cases, and has placed 314 men with State and subsidised enterprises. The scattered nature of tho district, extending from Cape Colville to Cape Runaway, accounted for the figures exceeding expectations. Building in Tauranga and Wbakatane has been very active, creating a steady demand for skilled tradesmen. Few inquiries have been received for harvesters, while applications for milkers, have gradually decreased.