LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23428, 18 August 1939, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Bandsman's Heroism An heroic although unsuccessful attempt to save the life of a drowning boy was made by a former New Zealand naval man in Suffolk,"' England, last month. He is Mr. Frederick Baker, who was bandmaster of H.M.S. Dunedin when that ship was stationed in New Zealand. He is now a member of the South Pier Orchestra at Lowestoft, wSuffolk. Fire in Wash-house Some damage was caused by a fire which broke out in the wash-house of a house in Walmslev Road, Mungere, yesterday morning. An engine from the Onoliunga fire station attended the outbreak and the brigade had no difficulty in extinguishing the flames. The house is occupied by Mr. T. Sweet, and is owned by Grove Brothers, of Fanshawe Street, City. Braille Centennial Book The production of a special Centennial volume in Braille is to be midertaken by the Wellington Braille Club, which already produces scripts in Braille for the blind, and contributions from New Zealand authors are being sought. It is proposed to exhibit the volume in the Red Cross Society's stall at the exhibition, and it will find a permanent resting place in the Alexander 'Turnbull Library. Penguin at Devonport A visitor which caused considerable interest at Devonport yesterday afternoon was a small penguin discovered by boys under the ' wharf near the vehicular ferry landing. The bird was driven into'a crevice and captured, and then taken to the square, where it was liberated. It appeared to be quite healthy and was very lively, showing plenty of fight when approached, it was later taken back to the sea. Railway Appeal Board

The Railway Appeal Board is at present sitting in Auckland hearing appeals arising out of decisions of the regrading commission which inquired into the grading of officers,of the first division last year. The board consists of Mr. J. G. L. Hewitt, S.M., chairman, Mr. J. R. Robertson, departmental representative, and Mr. J. S. Roscoe, officers' representative. The hearing of appeals in' Auckland will occupy a further two or three week*. Three Ships at Anchor The unusual sight of three ships at anchor in the stream at Auckland interested those crossing the harbour last night. The vessels were the American steamer Tampa, which waited yesterday for the use of the dock this morning, the Admiralty survey ship Endeavour, which moved to the stream in the afternoon to prepare for her departure for England to-day, and the British motorship Port Halifax, which arrived last night from Napier and will berth this morning. University Vacation The University College vacation which began last Saturday will end with the resumption of classes for the final term on Monday, September 4. This term, which lasts for onl\- five weeks, is chiefly devoted to final preparations for the annual college examinations, which begin on October 9 and continue for two weeks. They are followed after a brief interval by the annual degree examinations of the University of New Zealand, which begin on November 1 and extend over three weeks.

More Carpenters The greater number of carpenters in Auckland as a result of the increased building and the influx of overseas tradesmen is shown in returns taken out by the Auckland Carpenters and Joiners' Union. The secretary of the union, Mr. J. G. Kennerloy, stated that the net increase in membership was 650. There had been just on 400 transfers from other unions and about the same number of Auckland tradesmen had moved to other parts of the Dominion. He estimated that over 200 of the new members were from overseas. Endeavour's Departure Having been recalled from New Zealand by the Admiralty, the survey ship Endeavour will leave Auckland this morning for England. She will wait until the cruiser Achilles berths at the Devonport naval base at about 9 a.m. so that she may exchange courtesy signals with her, and will then leave for the long voyage Home. She will go by way of Suez and will call at several ports 011 the way, using the opportunity thus obtained to forward to the Admiralty charts of the final section of the survey completed. Grammar School Reunion The annual reunion of the Mount Albert Grammar School Old Boys will bo commenced at tho school grounds to-day, when teams representing the Old Boys' Association will compete against school teams at Rugby| Soccer, hockey and rifle shooting. Tho reunion and concert will be held at tho school to-morrow evening, while on Sunday evening a church service will bo held at St. Luke's Church, Mount Albert. Members of the Epsom Grammar Old Girls' Association will assist on Monday night at a combined ball, which will conclude the reunion functions. Educational Experiments

An indication that Russia was leading the world so far as educational experiments were concerned was given in a lecture on that country by Mrs. Edith Bennett at a meeting of the Auckland branch of the League of Nations Union yesterday. Not only had examinations been abolished at universities, but the students had been granted the right to criticise their professors, rather than 1 tho other way about. Corporal punishment was strictly forbidden in all tho schools, while two subjects little loved by tho average schoolboy—Latin and Greek—had been cut out of the curriculum. They were considering bringing these back, however, tho speaker continued. i - Mileages of Mail Services Tho inland mail service of the Post and Telegraph Department is accomplished by the use of 3300 miles of rail routes and 1500 road services conducted by private contractors, says a statement issued by the department. Tho mileages covered annually by tho road services have almost doubled since 1925. The 1925 figure was 5,064,494 miles and tho figure for 1939 is expected to be 9,388,546 miles. River and harbour services are also employed in localities such as tho Bay of Islands and tho Marlborough Sounds. Road routes used for mail transport are fairly long, the NapierGisborne contract involving 159 miles of transport in each direction; the Otiria to Kaitaia and Awanui contract, 73 miles; the Te Kuiti to New Plymouth contract, 109 miles; and the Invercargill to Queenstown contract) 1 119 miles.