LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23053, 2 June 1938, Page 12

LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Post Office Clock Scaffolding has been erected and work is being done over the entrance of the chief post offico preparatory to the fixing on the facade of a large clock. Tho faco of the clock will bo visible some distanco up Queen Street and it will bo lighted at night. Taxis at Papatoetoe A decision not to grant any further taxi licences was reached at a meeting of the Papatoetoe Town Board. An application from a resident, who stated that he was associated with a city taxi firm, was declined on the ground that the services in the district are meantime adequate for all local needs. Fewer Motorists in Court A considerably smaller number of motorists than usual appeared in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, when approximately 70 defendants were fined for various offences. No serious charges were preferred, and the fines in no instance exceeded £5. In recent weeks as many as 150 motorists have been fined in a single day. Freedom from Accidents Transport officers of the St. John Ambulance in Auckland received no calls to accidents yesterday. Usually there are six or more accident victims to be transported to hospital each day, and the absence of a single call of this nature -is unusual. The fleet of ambulances, was, however, kept busy dealing with cases of illness in the city and suburbs. The Liner Remuera The New Zealand Shipping Company's liner Remuera, en route from London, via Panama, reported by wireless last night that she would arrive at Auckland at noon on Monday. The Romuera has a large passenger list, which includes Commodore H. E. Horan, D.S.C., R.N., who has been appointed first naval member of the Naval Board and chief of the naval staff in New Zealand. Motor-car Number-plates Tliero was a legal responsibility on all motorists yesterday to have their cars fitted with the new number-plates for the current registration year. The use of old number-plates is an offence against the regulations and punishable by fine. However, it was noticeable in Auckland yesterday that numerous motorists had been too busy to spend a few minutes with a screwdriver, and in parking areas adjacent to Queen Street traffic officers were busily engaged issuing warnings. Southland Farmers' Tour Plans are practically complete for a railway tour of the North Island next month by a party of Southland farmers, accompanied by their families. The tour has been arranged by the Railway Department, and it is expected that about 300 persons will make tho trip, leaving Invercargill on July 5 and visiting Taranaki, Auckland, Rotorua, Arapuni, Hamilton, the Ruakura State Farm, Hawke's Bay, the Wairarapa and Wellington. The party will return to Invercargill on July 15. Free Land and Free Men Tho attraction which British countries have for oppressed minorities in Europe is again emphasised in a letter received in Auckland in which a Budapest artist proclaims a desire to livo in New Zealand because "I wish only ,to livo in a free land together with free men." The writer's interest in New Zealand was stimulated by an advertisement in the New Zealand Herald of February 26, in which the services of an artist .to illustrate a book were sought. Cost of Railway Transport A difference of 25 per cent in tho quotations submitted by a private tenderer and the Railway Department was remarked upon by Mr. W. I. Bowyer at a meeting of the Auckland Education Board yesterday. The matter arose out of a report of expenses forwarded by a teacher on transfer from Wellsford to the Bombay School, the Railway Department's figure being £3 higher than the other. "The extra money is worth saving," remarked the chairman, Mr. T. U. Wells. The tenders were referred to the Education Department for decision. Re-registratlon of Vehicles Another busy day was spent yesterday by tho re-registration authorities at tho temporary office in the Town Hall concert chamber, more than 1000 motor vehicles being re-registered. This brings the total vehicles relicensed for tho new year to more than 22,000. Much favourable comment has been expressed by motorists regarding the convenience of tho concert chamber for the work, which has been carried out much more expeditiously than would have been possible in tho Lome Street office, to which tho authorities will return this morning. Power Board Election Finality has not yet been reached in tho official count of votes tiast at last week's Auckland Electric-Power Board election, when the Citizens' Association secured an 11 to ono majority. Over 40,000 votes were cast at tho 111 polling booths and sinco the election officers of tho board havo been busily proceeding with the official recount in tho hopes of having it completed iu time to call tho now board together for tho adjourned annual meeting to-morrow. This has not been possible and tho official count is not expected to be completed to-day, although it may be finished by to-morrow. Variety of Excuses A variety of excuses, which caused some amusement, was offered at the Magistrate's Court at Darfield, Canterbury, recently, by a number of inon charged with being on licensed premises during prohibited hours. One had called at the hotel to pick up some rabbits which had been left for him by a friend. Another two had come to see a mill manager, and, as he was not there, were waiting in the only available place. Those excuses were vouched for by the constable, and to tho third, which was that the accused had to cash a cheque, the constablo added: "He couldn't do that without having a drink, Your Worship." They were all fined 10s. Accommodation for Roadmen Charges that some of the roadmen were living in hovels and tumble-down shacks, in which living conditions wore shocking, were made by speakers at a special meeting of the Cook County Council called to discuss housing in the county. The opinion was expressed that somo men were broken in health as a result of living in these quarters, and it was stated that if the Hoalth Department inquired into the matter many of tho cottages would bo condemned. After a lengthy discussion it was decided to apply to the Local Government Loans Board for permission to raise an £B2OO housing loan, the county clerk, Mr. F. T. Robinson, having indicated that this amount was available.