LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23103, 30 July 1938, Page 12

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Stand Collapses During an exhibition match between G. V. Barna and L. Bcllak, the Hungarian table tennis champions, in the Bledislon Hall at Hamilton on Thursday night, the middle portion of one of the largo stands suddenly collapsed, About 80 spectators were seated on the stand, but although sumo were thrown from their seats no one was injured. Unusual Legal Occasion

Tho unusual circumstance of a sitting of the Court of Appeal being held in Auckland is to be marked by a gathering of members of the legal profession at tho Supremo Court next Wednesday morning, when the Court will open its session. Lawyers will attend in their robes, and their spokesman will bo Mr. 11. M. Rogerson, president of tho Auckland District Law Society. Naval Aircraft Two Naval Walrus amphibian aircraft, circling in company over tho city, harbour and marine suburbs, created considerable interest vesterda.v afternoon. For a. time they were joined by a military land machine, and tho three were watched by numbers ot people in the city. The military biplane eventually disappeared toward tho south, and tho two amphibians landed on tho harbour near tho Naval Base at Devonport, in showers of spray. Parents' Day Function The first parents' day to be held on the Waiheke Island was arranged by the teacher of the Ostcnd School on Thursday. A programme of songs and recitations was presented by the children, who also gavo a display of physical training exercises. During the afternoon the chairman of tho school committee, Mr. P. Walker, presented swimming certificates won by the children during the lcarn-to-swim week and subsequent weeks. The afternoon closed with the serving of tea by tho children.

Road Service Patrols Road service patrols for motorcyclists are to bo inaugurated in Canterbury next month. Beginning on August (> or 7, at. least two motorcyclists, members of tho Canterbury Auto-Cycle Club, will cover tho roads of Canterbury each week-end, ready to adjust engine faults, supply spare parts or even give liist aid to <lll3 of tho club's 300 members they may happen to find in difficulties. The patiol is the first, of its kind to bo introduced in Xcw Zealand and, as far as is known, in Australia. Outsize In Bullocks

If a suitable truck can be obtained for its transport. 0110 of tho largest bullocks in the Dominion, now being fattened 011 the property of Mr. J. H. Mitchell, Kcnwyn, Studholme, South Canterbury, will be exhibited at the agricultural and pastoral show at Christchurch. The bullock, which is owned by Messrs. Jones and Sons, of Waimatc. has a dressed weight of about 17001b. It was bred bv Mr. A. K. Dyer, of Waikakihi, and its sire was a Shorthorn bull owned by Mr. E. B. Harrison, of W aihao Downs.

Waipara Monster A search in the lower Waipara Gorge, North Canterbury, for tho gigantic fossil skeleton reported a few weeks ago was made recently bv a part\ led by Mr. E. Lowe, of Christchurch. Although this particular monster, which is becoming legendary, was not found, the party came upon other fossil remains. Notable among these was an outcrop of bones comprising a large skeleton partly embedded in tho sandstone. Ono fossilised vertebra probably of an extinct whale—brought back to Christchurch measured eight inches across.

Aeroplanes Unpacked The unpacking at Prince's Wharf of the two Airspeed Oxford aeroplanes brought to Auckland by the Port Alma last week was interrupted yesterday afternoon by the arrival of the transtasman liner Awatea to berth. 'J he two large cases containing the machines had beeTi lowered on to barges which were towed to Central Wharf for the completion of the work. It was stated by .Mr. W. F. Locke, aeronautical engineer to Airspeed (193-D, Limited, who arrived by the ILangitata on Wednesday to superviso the assembling of tho machines at Hobsonville, that they should bo ready to be flown within ten days. Sydney Speed Limits

A speed limit of .'lO miles an hour in Sydney urban areas recently imposed bv tho New South Wales Ministry of Transport, had in no way xedueed tho number of accidents, but had brought about congestion, said Mr. W. A. O'Callaglian, of Hawera, former president ol* tho North Island Motor Union, who returned from a, visit to Australia by the Awatea yesterday. Motorists had expressed considerable resentment at the h\-l«i\\, and it was of note that a magistrate had dismissed as trivial a ease brought by the Transport Ministry against a taxidriver for travelling at 35 miles an hour in a restricted area. Children's Ambulance Courses

The third party of children from Wailieko Island to undertake tho examinations of tho St. John Ambulance Association in junior first aid and homo nursing will arrive in Auckland iiv steamer from the island this morning. Kight children from the Osteml, Surfdalo and Onero.a districts' comprise the party, three of whom arc the first hoys oil the island to have taken tho homo nursing course. 'I ho keenness of tho children is illustrated by tho fact that two of the boys have walked fivo miles each week to attend tho classes. Out of If) children on the island who have taken either of the courses, 15 hold certificates.

Wharf Posting Facilities Tho Post Oflico will bo unable to continue, the existing wharf lato fee facilities after Monday, except for Australian letters and for mail to bo despatched by liners sailing lor Vancouver and San Pedro, stales a. circular issued by the chief postmaster at Auckland yesterday. Tho last vessel for which general late fee facilities will bo provided at (ho wharf is the Awatea, sailing for Sydney on .Monday. After that dale, lato fee letters for all countries despatched A'ia Australia will ho accepted only at the Chief Post Oflico, and lato fee mail will close one hour before tho steamer's sailing time, or at <S p.m., whichever is the earlier. Wharf post office facilities will be provided for vessels leaving for San Pedro and Vancouver, but lato feo articles for Great Britain or Ireland will not be accepted for despatch by the vessels. After tho closing of the wharf post office, lato fee mail will not bo accepted at the ship's §ide.