LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23325, 19 April 1939, Page 12

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Mount Roskill Building Building permits to the value of £sllO were issued in the Mount Roskill Road Board's district during the fortnight ended April 14, according to the report of the building inspector presented at a meeting of the board last night. The inspector also reported that 34 dwellings were in course of erection in the district. Eclipse of Sun An annular eclipse of the sun will occur to-day, but the phenomenon will not be visible in New Zealand. The track covered by the annular phase passes from the Aleutian Islands across Alaska to the North Pole, while from the greater part of the continents of North America and Europe a partial eclipse will bo witnessed.

Waterfront Now Normal For the first time since before Easter the stream at Auckland was free of shipping 'yesterday afternoon, three ships which had been waiting at anchor moving into berths during the day. There will be eight overseas ships in port to-day, most of the vessels being scheduled to leave before the week-end. Seven large vessels are expected to reach port by Saturday. Tire on Tramcar f An outbreak of fire on a tramcar in Queen Street near the intersection of Victoria Street, shortly before six o'clock last evening caused a brief delay. The fire occurred in a part of the electrical wiring system, and was extinguished with first-aid equipment by an engine from the Central 1? ire Station. The tram was later driven to ■She Gaunt Street depot under its own power. Poisoning of Pheasants, The fact that farmers in the Taumarunui district were laying rabbit poison of a type that also proved fatal to pheasants was brought to the notice of the council of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society at a meeting last night. It was decided to refer the matter to the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, with a request for assistance in getting a different method of rabbit poisoning adopted.

Water Shoots 40ft. In Air For an hour and a-half yesterday afternoon a fountain of water sprayed over 40ft. in the air at the entrance to Point Resolution Park, at the foot of St. Stephen's Avenue, Parnell. City council workmen were unable to turn off a hydrant they were using to supply water for mixing concrete in the course of repairing a small stormwatcr pipe, and when they removed the hydrant the water shot high in the air. Many patients of the Evelyn Firth Home witnessed the spectacle, which started at about 2.30 o'clock. Potato and Orange Embargo "The Australian embargo on New Zealand potatoes and the New Zealand embargo on fruit are relative, unimportant questions," said Mr. C. E. Critchley, Australian Trade Commissioner, in an address to the members of the Wellington Junior Chamber of Commerce. "They have been given an importance quito out of keeping with their true value." It was interesting that since Austrglia had partly lifted the embargo practically no potatoes had been sent to Australia, the weather in New Zealand having been unfavourable. Council Makes History Declared by members to bo the first time "in its history, the Mount Albert Borough Council last night had recourse to the Standing Orders to determine whether or not there was a quorum present. Six councillors were required and five, including the Mayor, were present. A member was hurriedly despatched by motor-car to bring another member, having then seven minutes to complete the task as the Orders allowed an adjournment of only 20 minutes. The absentees returned on the stroke of the appointed time and business proceeded.

Purchase of Old Homestead That a move was afoot for the Christchurch City Council, the Riccarton Borough Council, and the Waimairi County Council to purchase jointly the Deans homestead, Riccarton, was indicated by the Mayor, Mr. H. S. S. Kyle, M.P., at a meeting of the Riccarton Borough Council. He said that some time ago representations had been made for the Government to purchase the homestead, but no particular interest had been taken in the scheme. More recently the Mayor of Christchurch had been approached, and Mr. Kyle understood ho favoured the suggestion. Prayers for Peace In order to afford people nn opportunity of retiring to the church to pray for world peace during the present tenseness in international affairs, St. Matthew's Church is open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. There aro also services daily at 7 a.m. and at 12.30 p.m. Evening prayer is at 5.30 p.m. At present in Roman Catholic churches a series of devotions known as the Forty Hours Prayer is being held in parishes in tlio Auckland Diocese. These devotions, which were inaugurated by St. Charles Borromeo 300 years ago to avert gravo danger to the city of Milan, aro now chiefly conducted to pray for peace among all peoples. Eels in Trout Streams The large number of eels noticed recently in tho Mangatangi and other Auckland trout streams was tho subject of comment at a meeting of tho council of tho Auckland Acclimatisation Society last night. One member said that a few days ago he had noticed a 4ft. eel in the Mangatangi Stream carrying in its jaws a trout between nino and 11 inches long. Every pcfol appeared to bo infested with eels, ho added. Another member said that owing to the dry weather the eels were leaving the creeks and going into tho larger streams. As a result there would probably bo a high mortality among trout.

Nelson Street Extension Further progress toward the completion of tho extension of Nelson Street across tho deep gully to connect with tho end of Hopotoun Street at Howe Street, has beon mado by tho demolition of two more of tho old houses in Somerset Place. Thero now remains only ono dwelling to remove and the way will bo clear for tho placing of the filling to bring the embankment in the gully up to tho required level. Another part of tho undertaking which is proceeding is tho building of a massive stone retaining wall inside tho Hopetoun Street boundary of tho Auckland Girls' Grammar School, where a triangular strip of land is being taken to permit of the alignment on tho southern side of Hopetoun Street being altered.