LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23083, 7 July 1938, Page 12

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Walkato Citrus Fruit Extraordinary crops of oranges and lemons have been grown by Mr. E. C. Houchen on his farm near Hamilton tin's season. Although large quantities of citrus fruits have been removed from tlio trees, they arc still hea\il,> laden.

Harbour Bridge Scheme The Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, in a letter to the Birkenhead Borough Council received at Inst night's meeting, stated that the recent resolution passed by the council that the proposed Auckland Harbour Bridge should be constructed as a national undertaking, would be placed before the Cabinet at the earliest opportunity.

Stock Sold by Lamplight For the first time this winter stock had to bo sold by lamplight at the West field saleyards yesterday. Because of large supplies of stock, including the biggest yarding of sheep for some months, tho auctioneers were engaged until after dark. A hurricane lamp was commissioned, and used to light the sheep pens for tho last half-hour of tho sale. Milk Tokens Stolen Some Wellington people aro paying dearly for their milk and cream in those days. On occasions they have had to pay double the price charged by the City Council. It is not that the price has gone up again, but that thic\es are collecting the coupons and cash deposited in bottles before the milk roundsmen arrive with their deli\erit;s of milk and' cream. Pilots for England A further detachment of pilot officers on probation selected by the New Zealand defence authorities for short service commissions in the Royal Air 1' orce left Auckland last night by the liner Remuera for London. The detachment comprised 18 officers from many parts of the Dominion. The Remuefa also carried a draft of 10 naval ratings returning to England after serving on tho New Zealand station.

Repairs to Penang The repairing of the Finnish barque Penang's damaged main topmast is progressing satisfactorily at Port Chalmers. The new sections to take the place of those damaged have been shaped and fitted. In about a week the job is expected to be ready for final rivetting. A second contract has been let which includes the fitting of new end sections to tho main yard and main topsail yards, and also to tho fore lower topsail yard.

Traffic Lines in Newmarket Progress with the provision of directional traffic lines in the borough was reported at the meeting of the Newmarket Borough Council last night. Tho "silent policeman" at the intersection of Park Road and Khyber Pass Road is to be removed at the first opportunity, aud will bo replaced with a painted line. Lines also are to be painted at tho intersection of Carlton Gore and Park Roads, and outside tho main entrance to the Auckland Hospital. Motorists In Court

A largo number of motorists appeared in the Magistrate's Court yesterday charged with breaches of tho Motor Vehicles Act. Two magistrates, Mr. C. R. Orr Walker and Mr. J. G. L. Hewitt, were occupied for most of the day in hearing over 100 cases brought by the police and various traffic departments. Failure to possess a warrant of fitness and neglect of the parking regulations were the principal offences. In only one instance did the fines total more than £5. Council and Boat Harbour "A gesture which 1 am sure the Auckland City Council will greatly appreciate," was the description applied by the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, last night, to tho decision of the Auckland Harbour Board to invite the City Council to confer on the proposed plan for the construction of a reclamation and boat harbour for pleasure craft at Orakei Bay. Sir Ernest added that he welcomed tho opportunity tho Harbour Board was providing for consultation on so important a project. New Post Office Clock

To enable slight adjustments to be made tho new clock that was hoisted into position oji the chief post office on Monday was taken down yesterday morning. It is thought that when it was being taken to the post office or when it was being hoisted the clock was jarred and the delicate mechanism thrown out of gear, with the result that the hands locked when the current was switched on. Tho clock will bo placed in position again this morning, and it is hoped that it will bo working by Monday morning.

Japanese Ship's Visit The steamer Shanghai Maru, which will replace the motor-ship Kozan Maru in the Yamashita Kisen Kaisha Line's service from Japan to New Zealand, arrived at Auckland from Miike, via Noumea, last evening 011 her first visit. Commanded by Captain Furakawa, she was built at Kobe in 1919 and na of 4104 tons gross register. The Shanghai Maru was to have loaded guano at Walpolo Island for tho Dominion, but rough weather prevented her mooring at tho anchorage. She will load sheep for Japan at Lyttelton. Three agricultural students on board will tend the sheep on the voyage.

Customs Department's Return One of tho New Zealand Customs Department's returns required from merchants was quoted in a published address given by Mr. M. F. Key, a Hpngkong business man, to tho local chamber of commerce as a glaring example of a tendency of Government departments to harass traders by obtaining from thorn a mass of unnecessary information. "To fill in this return correctly would require intelligence of no moan order," Mr. Key is reported as saying. "Some merchants in desperation over the time involved in compiling tho information, sign the form without filling in particulars and trust to luck." Payment of Witnesses An unusual position relating to the payment of witnesses' expenses in a case in which breaches of tho Motor Vehicles Act were alleged to have taken place was revealed in the Police Court yesterday. Sub-Inspector M. Flanagan stated that tho caso was sot down for hearing last month, when counsel for defendant obtained an adjournment and guaranteed that dofedant would pay the expenses of witnesses concerned. Unknown to counsel, however, defendant had died before the guarantee was made 011 his behalf and tho matter of paying tho expenses of tho witnesses who were later called would have to be decided by the Court. The magistrate, Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, ruled that payment should bo mado by the Police Department.