LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23094, 20 July 1938, Page 12

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Airport for Auckland The Auckland Harbour Board agreed at yesterday's meeting to the choice of the Manukau Harbour site for the proposed airport for Auckland, following upon the resolutions of the conference of local bodies held on May 4. The board also agreed to additional investigations being made in that area. Memorial to Parachutist The establishment of a fitting memorial to the parachutist, Mr. G. W. Sellars, who was killed when his parachute failed to open following a jump from an aeroplane during an air pageant at Westport on July 2, has been suggested at Westport. A local committee has been formed for the purpose of raising funds and se\ eral gifts have already been received. Cranes lor central Wbarl Three new cranes for the Central Wharf, the eastern side of which is being adapted for the use of overseas vessels, are expected in Auckland shortly. The superintendent and engineer of the Auckland Harbour Board, Mr. D. Holderness, reported at yesterday's meeting that the first crane was due to arrive on July 27, the second on August 24, and the third on September 29. Constables Sworn In. After a probationary period of nine months on the beat in Auckland, 28 temporary constables who last October came from the police training depot at Wellington, were sworn in yesterday as members of the permanent force by Superintendent S. Till. These men do not constitute any addition to the strength of the force, since for all practical purposes the majority replace men who were transferred to other stations. Tuatara on Steamer On its way from Otago University to Leeds University, a Tuatara lizard is being carried by the Port Line steamer Port Hardy, which left Auckland last night for the South before sailing for London. Numbers of visitors have boarded the ship to see the lizard since it was taken aboard at Dunedin recently, but they have found it very retiring. Kept in a box in the storeroom, it is fed weekly, on Saturdays, with a number of pieces of raw meat. Great South Road Lighting Advice from the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, that his department had been instructed to formulate a scheme for the installation of a modern system of lighting on the Great South Road between St. Anne's Bridge, Otahuhu, and Papatoetoe, was received at a meeting of the Manukau County Council yesterday. It was stated that the intensity of traffic was very great on this section of the highway, the number of vehicles being in excess of 2500 a day. Electric Trains "There have been a number of minor troubles, which have required adjustments," said Mr. H. Ballantyne, second assistant manager of the Railway Department, when asked whether the department had had difficulty in operating the electric multiple units on the Johnsonville railway line. The difficulties were ones which might be expected with a new service, and it would probably require a few weeks of running under service conditions before these could be eliminated Burst Water Main For an hour or more yesterday morning a street geyser gave a spectacular display in Awarua Crescent, on the western slopes of the Orakei Settlement. The pressure in the main caused a lead joint to blow out and water was thrown to a height of about 20ft. As Awarua Crescent is in the portion of the Orakei Block which has not yet been settled, there were no houses connected to this main, so that no inconvenience was caused. Repairs were carried out during the day.

Fewer Standard VI. Pupils There has been a steady decline in the number of Standard VI. pupils in the Dunedin schools within recent years. In 1933 the number who finished their primary school course was 999. In 1936 it was 852, while last year it was only 800. Commenting on the decline, the Dunedin Vocational Guidance Association's annual report states that the fall must be attributable to declining child population, and not to more pupils leaving school before completing their primary education. Shortage of Stock Feed There is reported to be a serious shortage of feed for stock in South Otayo. Rains which came late in autumn did not result in the extent of the growth necessary to carry stock through the severities of the winter, and artificial feeding has been resorted to. In North Otago stock is suffering from combined cold and dampness. Repeated rains have made the ground waterlogged, and sheep and cattle have to wade through mud and water in quest for feed. Stock losses, particularly of sheep, are comparatively high. In the meantime, farmers are forced to buy feed extensively.

Telephone Directory Changes The onus of notifying the Post and Telegraph Department of changes in street names and numbers to be included in the next issue of the telephone directory is upon the individual subscribers, according to a statement made by the department yesterday. Although there was an arrangement between the department and the Auckland City Council and other local bodies to inform the postal authorities of any such changes made by them, it was stated that the regulations prescribed that every individual subscriber affected by the alterations should notify the Chief Postmaster. Americans and the Dominion "New Zealand can be as attractive to the tourist as any other place I know," said Mr. O. J. Abell, a New York business man, who is visiting Christchurch, when, interviewed. "For the American it is only the considerable distance to travel and the time taken that stand in the way of more frequent visits to Now Zealand. There is a more widespread interest in New Zealand than there was 10 years ago, and the country is the subject of conversation and inquiry to a far greater extent than it used to be. Whether our ideas of comfort are right or wrong, tlu» average American tourist does not think he is having a good time unless he is made comfortable, and we miss some of the comforts of the United States when we are in New Zealand, with the exception of those who come for sporting activities such of shooting and fishing, and can take it rough. Another difficulty is that the boat schedules do not allow through travellers to stay long enough to see all they want to see. Many Americans thoroughly enjoy the acquaintance of New Zealand people, who are not only courteous, but most; interesting."