LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23088, 13 July 1938, Page 12

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Sunshine After Rain After Monday's heavy rainfall of more than two inches yesterday was fine and sunny in Auckland, although a low barometer indicated the possibility of further unsettled weather. A cold wind from the south-south-west was experienced, but in spite of threatening skies last night jio rain foil. Public Conscience Money Sums amounting to £2l 2s 6d have been sent in recently to the Government by anonymous persons as conscience money. Three amounts, of £ 1 10s, £1 and £5 were forwarded to the Land and Income Tax Department; 6s, 6s 6d and £5 were sent to the Railways Department; tlie Mental Hospital Department received £2] and contributions to the Treasury were £1 and £5. t Arbor Day Observance Notification that it has been decided to observe August 3 throughout New Zealand as Arbor Day is contained m the current Gazette. The notice requests local bodies to arrange suitable celebrations on this day, in view o the national importance of treeplanting, and invites them to observe some other suitable day in the same month if climatic conditions make August 3 unsuitable. Slips Along Waterfront Numerous small slips from the embankments fronting on the waterfront road occurred as a result of the heavy rains this week. They were scattered along sections of the road between Ngapipi Avenue and Kohimarama, but none of the slips was of a serious nature. It was chiefly rubble that fell on to the road, and a gang of workmen was engaged yesterday in clearing away the stones and clay. New Phosphate Ship Making her first visit to New Zealand, the British Phosphate Commission's motor-ship Trien/.a left Nauru Island on Monday with a phosphate cargo for Auckland, where she is due next Tuesday. The Trienza is on her fourth voyage since she was commissioned eafliy this year. The motor-ship Triadic, a sister-ship, reached Ocean Island on Saturday on her maiden voyage from Glasgow to Australia. Shortage of Whitebait The shortage of whitebait continues, owing to the muddy condition of the Waikato River restricting netting operations. A very small quantity of the fish has been taken from the Waikato since the opening of the season on July 1, and it has been forwarded to Wellington, where better prices are obtainable. Auckland fish-shops are still without supplies. It is hoped that as soon as the water clears large quantities of the delicacy will be available.

Swimming Baths for School The sum of £220 toward the construction of swimming baths for the Mount Roskill School was raised at the recent school and district jubilee celebrations. A request that the Mount Koskill Road Board should raise a loan to secure the balance of the money required to build the baths was made by a deputation from the jubilee committee, which waited on the board last night. The matter is to receive further consideration. Mixed Metaphors "I do not understand that," said Mr. Justice Callan in the Supreme Court yesterday, when counsel asked a union secretary whether he would go out of his way to "put a spoke in the wheel of a member." "Are you not getting your metaphors mixed?" His Honor added. "What you mean is 'Would he throw a spanner in the works?' " His Honor later suggested that a little might be used by asking witness if ho would "put a member's pot on." Boats for Pacific Islands For use at the leper station at Makogai, a punt was carried by the liner Aorangi, which left Auckland yesterday. The punt will be transhipped at Suva for Makogai. The second of its tvpe to bo built at Port Chalmers recently, a surf-boat for the Union Steam Ship Company's lightering work in tho Rarotonga roadstead has reached Auckland from tho south by the Waiana. It will be taken to Rarotonga by the Matua, which will leave Auckland to-morrow. Motor-vessel Launched The ketch-rigged motor-vessel Mercury Belle, built to the order of Mr. E. Mizen, of Great Mercury Island, was launched yesterday afternoon from the yard of Mr. R. Lidgard, on the western reclamation. A vessel of 52ft. overall, the Mercury Belle will be used for the conveyance of wool and stores to and from the island, a distance of 65) miles from Auckland. Her construction also makes her suitable for lengthy cruises and her owner hopes to use her on a cruise of the Islands. Railways in India The fact that the mileage of the Indian railways was second only to that of the United States was mentioned by Mr. L. B. Burrows, late Commissioner of the Burdwan Division, Bengal, in addressing members of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon held yesterday. Mr. Burrows was illustrating tho part that British capital had played in the development of India. Much capital had also been expended on irrigation and industries. "Capital is still required in India," he added, "and so is skilled direction and supervision." Names of Streets In an endeavour to remove the duplication of street names in Auckland, at the request of the postal authorities Phillip and Stratford Streets in Mount Boskill were renamed Garry Road and Avon Street respectively. The Mount Roskill Road Board was notified by tho authorities at a meeting last night that these names would not bo acceptable, however, as they are already in use in the city. Six streets in tho Mount Roskill area are affected, and most of them bear names of former board members or are of historical origin. The works committee of the board is to rename the thoroughfares. Clergymen as Cooks Some amusement was aroused at last night's meeting of tho Auckland Presbytery when arrangements for a Summer School of Theology, to be held at Mairangi Bay in September, were outlined by the Rev. W. R. Milne. The school would bo open to ministers and home missionaries from tho Auckland, North Auckland and South Auckland Presbyteries, Mr. Milno said, and to keep tho cost as low as possible, it was proposed that the cooking should be undertaken by tho men in attendance. "1 am sure," Mr. Milne added, amid laughter, "that those deputed will find plenty of opportunity for fruitful discussion." »