LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23272, 15 February 1939, Page 12

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Otara River Rescue While schoolchildren wero being given swimming instruction at the Otara River, near Opotiki, a pupil of the Opotiki District High Softool K°^ into difficulties. The boy wan rescued by ono of the masters, Mr. G. N. Gordon, who jumped fully clothed into tho river and brought him to the bank.

Criminal Trials End Apart from tho sentencing of prisoners, which will take place to-day, tho criminal business of the Supreme Court for tho quarter was completed yesterday. It was expected to finish last Friday, but the necessity for two retrials prolonged it. The Crown has obtained verdicts of guilty ill 12 C«ISOS, nine accused wore acquitted and four, by pleading guilty, rendered trial unnecessary. Start of University Year

Although the enrolment of new students at tho Auckland University College will begin this year on February 23, tho academic year does not begin until March 1. With tho idea of eliminating the rush on the first two days of term, a longer period than usual is being allowed for enrolment. Professors and lecturers will bo in attendance to interview intending students from the day enrolment commences. Waingawa Works Resume

Killing has been resumed at the Waingawa works, Masterton, which were extensively damaged by fire on February 4. Two chains are engaged on sheep and lambs. Cattle and pigs are not being killed, ami it is understood no more will bo killed there this season. Workmen have been busily engaged on reconstruction work since the fire, but it will be some time yot before it is sufficiently advanced to permit of normal activity. Australian Aviation

A big future for civil aviation in Australia was forecast by Mr. T. E. Johnson, senior aircraft inspector of tho Civil Aviation Board, Melbourne, who left by tho Awatea yesterday for Sydney. Mr. Johnson, who has been abroad for 15 months, spent a few days' holiday in Auckland. He said that on his return he would make a full technical report on his observations and intended to make recommendations based on modern practice. Entertainers at Hospital

Members of the Australian Boys' Band and Revue Company gave a surprise performance to the children at the Auckland Hospital yesterday afternoon, much to the delight of the young patients and those visited in other wards. The programme, which consisted of vocal, instrumental and humorous items, was received with enthusiastic applause. The company will visit the Auckland Infirmary this afternoon and give a similar performance.

Cheaper Milking The fall recorded in the revenue from milking motors received by the Mana-watu-Oroua Electric-Power Board during the first nine months of the financial year, a matter of £350, was said by the engineer, Mr. W. A. Waters, at a board meeting to be caused by the use of improved machinery. To-day with moro modern plant it was found that farmers were paying on an average a third less for power. One member suggested that owing to labour difficulties many farmers were milking fewer cows.

Rating Valuations The period for receiving objections to Auckland City rating valuations for 1939-40 closes to-day v . The objections are required to be delivered at the office of the Assessment Court in the Magistrate's Court building, and copies must be sent to the Town Hall. It is probable that the Court will sit in about seven weeks' time. A number of objections have already been dealt with by the City Valuer's office and settlements effected. Up to the present the proportion of objections received at the Town Hall has been rather less than last year, but a close comparison cannot, bo made until all are in. Arbitration Court Business Acting with the delegated authority of the Arbitration Court, Mr. J. A. Gilmour, S.M., will open a session of the Court in Auckland to-day, when he will sit to make fixtures and to deal with other matters. Eight industrial disputes, to amend awards, for interpretation, to add and to strike out parties, for exemption, and apprenticeship and other applications, have been set down on the list for hearing. The disputes listed are those of the drug workers, of roof tilers and slaters, sports goods employees, local body officers, local body labourers, metropolitan firo brigadesmen, hairdressers and metal workers. A Witness Unscathed Cross-examination in the witness box is not a cheerful experience, although occasionally it is made to yield a glint of humour to lighten the proceedings of the Supreme Court. "Are you not feeling any worse than usual to-day?" Mr. North asked a man who was claiming damages yesterday for injury to his health. "Not a bit," was the stout reply. "Not even after my crossexamination?" pursued counsel. " No," said witness. "Then I had better sit down," said Mr. North, promptly resuming his seat. "You have been a complete failure," commented Mr. Justice Callan to Mr. North. "You cannot even make him unhappy." Interest in Yachts A long line of motor-cars parked on the waterfront road near the Mechanics' Bay boatsheds practically all day yesterday reflected the interest which Auckland yachtsmen were showing in the Sydney boats Taree, Malvina and St. George, which will compote in the world's 18ft. yachting championship contests starting to-day. The boats were drawn up in different sheds and each was closely inspected by scores of people. Particular interest was aroused when tlio Malvina was being rigged during the afternoon. Later, when the boat was taken out for a trial on the harbour, it was followed along the shore by a number of motor-cars.

City Council Farm Tho balance of tho City Council's f>oo-acro farm at Harkins' Point, on the upper. Waitemata Harbour, between Brigham's Creek and the Ivumeu-Hiver-head road, is being offered for sale by tender. The property was acquired many years ago as a site for a sanitary depot. Later the council established a draught horse stud there and also used the pastures to rest its working horses. With tho increase in motor traction the land was no longer needed " for these purposes, and after farming the property for a long period, tho council lately sold the portion west of the intersecting road, containing 84 acres. The remainder has been subdivided into four lots for disposal.