LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23154, 28 September 1938, Page 14

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Celestial Spectacle The close proximity of the young crescent moon to the evening star in the western sky shortly after sunset last night made a striking configuration. Actual conjunction between Venus and the moon did not occur until some hours after' the setting of the two objects. Building in Mount Eden An increase of £<5170 is shown in the value of building permits issued this year by the Mount Eden Borough Council compared with the same period of last year. Permits for 26 buildings representing £4398 were issued last year and 27 permits to the value of £7568 have been issued to duto this jear. Earfy Shearing on Waiheke Favoured by the fine weather during the past few weeks, the first shearing of the season on Waiheke Island was commenced on Monday,, and by last night about 'IOO sheep had been dealt with. All the sheep were in good condition. Shearing on the island was commenced at a slightly earlier date last year. Second Storm at Howick A severe storm, similar to that experienced at Howick on Monday afternoon, swept the township late yesterday afternoon. The storm, which came from the south, was accompanied by thunder and lightning, and all exposed ground was white with hail. Although no wires were brought down, telephone communication with the district was difficult. Cough that Broke a Rib One of the most curious accidents, and perhaps as rare as any, occurred recently in Wellington when a man, in coughing, broke a rib. He had been suffering from influenza, which left him with a severe cough. ]t was during a violent spell of coughing that a rib was broken. His medical adviser said that he had never heard of such an occurrence before. Boy's Model-Building Teat A flight lasting for about 10 minutes was made during the week-end by a petrol-driven model aeroplane built entirely unassisted by David Morton, aged U, of Bank Street, Morrinsville. The model, which has a wing-span of oft., was launched by hand at Kiwitahi and immediately rose to a height of some hundred feet. When the petrol was consumed the model glided to a landing about half a mile from where it started. Parnell Rose Garden

An extension of the Parnell rose garden toward the kiosk has been made during the winter, the new area being planted with 600 rose bushes given by H. J. Cutler and Son, Limited, of New Lynn, and Mr. T. Whiteley, of Otahuliu. Although the roses were planted comparatively late, they are making good progress, while in the old portion of the garden the bushes give promise of an exceptionally fino display of blooms this season. Maurotania's Cruise

The possibility of the new Cunard White Star liner Mauretania replacing the Franconia in a futura world cruise is suggested in an English shipping journal. The Franconia has made several visits to New Zealand on cruises and although the* Dominion is omitted from her next year's voyage keen interest will be taken in any likelihood of the Mauretania including the country in a ftituro itinerary. The Mauretania, of 33,000 tons, was launched in July at Birkenhead.

Complaint About Footpaths Allegations that four people, while walking along footpaths in Gladstone Road, had either sprained an ankle or fallen wero made in a letter received at a meeting of the Mount Albert Borough Council last night. The petition was forwarded on behalf of 50 householders, and requested that the council should take immediate steps to repair the footpaths. Ihe council decided to advise the sender that the work would be carried out according to schedule next week. Volume of Traffic

An indication of the volume of traffic in city thoroughfares was given by figures quoted at last night s meeting of the Mount Eden Borough Council. It was stated that a census had revealed that 18,000 vehicles passed up central Symonds Street between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Of these 5000 turned across Grafton Bridge or down Karangahape Road, and 3000 deviated down Khyber pass Read. Of the remainder 5400 turned into Eden Terrace and 3000 into Mount Eden Road.

" Sportsmen ot the Road " " I would like to assure His Excellortcy that there tiro no more loyal subjects of His Majesty the King than tho members of this organisation," said Mr. H. H. Nash in proposing iho toast of the Governor-General, Viscount Galway, at a smoke concert in Wellington to mark tho 25th anniversary of the foundation of the United Commercial Travellers and -Warehousemen's Association ol New Zealand. " 1 am pleased to bo among you and to extend mv hearty good'wishes to what 1 might bo allowed to call you—tho sportsmen of tho road," said Lord Galway, in reply. Cow's Long Swim

An extraordinary incident is recorded from Somes Island, Wellington. A white cow, one of a mob being trucked at Petone, ■ jumped from the wharf and swam to Leper Island, the small islet to the north. A telephmie message was received by the officer; in charge, of the stock station on Somes Island and, as the result of a search, the animal was discovered. An effort was made to entico it to swim to the island, but this failed and it was decided that the only solution was to kill it, as there is no forage or water on the islet. Two men came over v from Fort Dorset and, after two shots missed, the stock manager succeeded in the despatch of the cow, which was skinned and the carcass thrown into the sea. The distance swum by the cow was over two miles.

Deep-sea Fishing "To mo, it is a surprising thing that so few New Zcalanders take an interest in deep-sea fishing," said Mr. D. J. Gibbs, of Wellington, who is a devotee of the sport and never misses a season if ho can possibly help it. "People come 10,000 miles at great expense to fish our waters, sure of wonderful sport—marlins, swordfish, and inakos —yet comparatively few New Zealnnders take on the game as a regular seasonal sport... But to me it is the best Sport in • the world. There is a thrill every time n fish strikes, and the fighting' is strenuous enough exercise for any man, and calls for not a little "resource and knowledge of the fish you have on the other end of that 300 or 400 yards of line."