LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23395, 11 July 1939, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Monowal's Sailing Delayed To complete cargo work the departure from Auckland for Vancouver, via Island ports, of the Union Company s passenger steamer Monowai hns boon postponed from 11 o'clock this morning until throe o'clock this afternoon. The Monowai, which arrived from Sydney yesterday morning, is at Queen's Wharf.

Many Goods Licences Consideration will bo given to over 100 goods transport licences when the No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority visits North Auckland next week. Ibis is the three-yearly renewal of licences which lapsed at the end of May, and the Transport Department is carefully investigating whether tlio services are being operated economically and in strict accordance with the Act.

Clear, Orisp Weather In pleasant contrast to the weathei of the past week conditions in Auckland yesterday were sunny, with clear skies and a light southerly wind, which gave an added crispncss to a winter s day. Early morning and evening temperatures were cold, tlio minimum reading being 41 degrees and the maximum 52 degrees. For the first time lor a fortnight barometric pressure was above 30in. last night. Wilson Home Costs

A decision that the secretary, Mr. C. L. Grange, should make a thorough investigation of the cost of maintaining the Wilson Home for Crippled Children with a view to effecting reductions was made by the Auckland Hospital Board last night, A report with recommendations is to be submitted to the board. Moving the resolution, the chairman, Mr. Allan J. Moody, said the time had arrived for the board to go into the matter very fully.

Fruit for Sick Poor The wintry weather in the past few weeks lias caused much sickness among the poor, especially children, and the district nurses attached to the St. John Ambulance Association have been busily employed giving treatments for influenza and other winter ailments. Part of the treatment is the provision of lemons for hot drinks. The supply is low at the present time, and the association would be glad of gifts of fruit. Similarly, the stock of clean, old linen for bandages is almost exhausted. Demand for Electricity

The maximum demand for electric power in the Auckland district is little short of that for the whole of the South Island, according to a statement made by Mr. S. I. Crookes, at a meeting of the Citizens and Ratepayers' Association last night. He said the maximum demand in the South Island was 76,000 kilowatts, while last month the Auckland Electric-Power Board's load was 65,000 kilowatts, and it was hoped in the next three or four years to equal the South Island demand.

Earthquake in Wellington An earthquake sufficiently strong to awaken sleepers was felt in Wellington at 4.49 a.m. on Sunday. From the records made by the seismographs at Kelburn, it is judged that the centre of the disturbance was 60 to 70 miles away, probably in a northerly or north-westerly direction, which would place it in the South Taranaki Bight. An official observer estimated its strength as four on the Rossi-Forel scale, the specifications for which are "Feeble shock felt by several persons in motion, disturbance of movable objects and creaking of floors." Troubled Departure

A chapter of misfortune befol Mr. H. L. E. Priestman, former assistantCanadian Trade Commissioner in Australia, and his family, shortly before their departure for Canada. Mr. Priestman, who arrived by the Monowai yesterday, said that not long bofore they sailed his wife had to go into hospital with a severe attack of influenza and preparations for departuro were further disrupted when their furniture, which was in store, was destroyed by fire two days before the Monowai sailed. Friends rallied to their assistance, enabling them to get luggage packed and on board the vessel.

Tramway Shelters A statement that the Auckland Transport Board had always done its utmost in the circumstances prevailing to provide tramway shelters along its routes was made by the chairman, Mr. W. 11. Nagle, at a meeting of the board yesterday. The statement was made during discussion 011 a letter from a Mount Roskill resident suggesting that a shelter should bo erected at tho Dominion Road terminus. Mr. Nagle said the board had to build shelters out of revenue, and it had erected a great number. lie felt that they should be provided out of capital expenditure, but there was 110 provision for doing that. Tho letter was referred to the shelters committee for a report.

A Dangerous Intersection Describing tho locality as a possible deathtrap, Mr. J. Saycgh asked tho Auckland Transport Board at a meeting yesterday if steps could be taken to eliminate serious traffic dangers at the corner of Exmouth Street and New North Road. Mr. Saycgh pointed out that thero was a deep hollow in Exmouth Street and motorists approaching Now North Road had to accelerate to climb the hill, thus making their cars more difficult to control. There was a tram stop in New North Road at tho intersection and when citybound trams wore thero motorists in Exmouth Street had to stop at the crest of tho hill and wait until tho trams proceeded. He also intended to bring tho matter up "at another placo." Tho engineer-manager, Mr. A. E. Ford, was instructed to prepare a report.

Burden of Unemployment Thcro were numerous things that the city required, such as an art centre, more traffic outlets and bettor town hall accommodation, but so long as money was wanted for the "made" jobs for tho unemployed there would be none for tlieso undertakings, said the deputyMayor, Mr. J. A. C. Alhun, at a meeting of tho Citizens and Ratepayers' Association last night. He said the position with regard to unemployment as it a fleeted the council was no better than it had been a few years ago, although the city had benefited from some of these works. It was not the duty of the council to deal with unemployment, but thcro had been the human side to consider. He felt, however, that the time was not far distant when the local bodies would no longer bo able to carry the burden. A system would have to be evolved that would bring men into profitable and regular employment.