LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23431, 22 August 1939, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Fleet Goes to Sea Three ships of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, the cruisers Leancler and Achilles and the Imperial escort vessel Leith, left Auckland yesterday for the Hanraki Gulf for day ■and night practices involving gunfire. The first series avi 11 he carried out until. Friday and the second from next Monday to August 30. Th<*y will return to port in between tho practices; Court Procedure Tho practice of having two accused in Court when one was giving evidence on an offence with which they were jointly charged was criticised by Mr. R, H. Levien, S.M., during tho hearing of a case in the Police Court yesterday where the situation arose. "It is most salutary to have witnesses out of Court," the magistrate said. "There should bo no two accused charged at tho same time. It would take longer, but each accused should appear on his own charge."

Singing Footballers Tho members of the Fijian Rugby football team, which arrived at Auckland bv tho Monowai yesterday, showed that football is not their only accomplishment. As the ship was coming alongside Prince's Wharf the Fijians assembled on the boat deck and sang nativo songs. Their effort was not the robust but not too musical chorus often associated with a touring foqtball team, but a pleasing harmony, which was appreciated by the largo crowd assembled on tho wharf.

University Students' Hostel "The professorial board would wish, I am sure, to give its whole-hearted support to tho suggestion that hostels should be provided for country students," said Professor W. A. Sewell, formerly chairman of tho board, in his annual report to tho Auckland University Collego Council, which mot yesterday. "Tho living quarters of these students are at present unsatisfactory," ho continued, "and tho lack of a residence in which university students can live together impairs tho corporate life of tho college."

Early Flowering Trees Much earlier in tho seasori than usual, a kowliai on tho Watorlod Quadrant frontage of Government House is in bloom. Next to it is an oak in both leaf and flower. Tn spite of tho coldness of tho past few weeks, some native trees and shrubs are showing blooms, doubtless as a consequence of tho comparative mildness of the first portion of tho winter. Clematis is already in flower in some Auckland gardens, and tho rangiora, which has minute creamy blooms, is coming into flower in many areas. A "Honeymoon" Ship

Tho reputation of being a "honeymoon" ship is held by tho Bank Lino motor-ship Inverbank, which arrived at Auckland yesterday from Nauru Island. In the past five years seven officers have been married, the latest being tho second officer, Mr. F. H. Lamming, whoso marriage to an Australian girl took "place last month. In this instance the roving lifo of a cargo vessel did not interfere with the happy couple's honeymoon, as Mrs. Lamming was signed on as a stewardess for a voyage round the Australian coast.

Canadian Migrants Ten Canadians, including three women, arrived at Auckland by the Monowai from Vancouver yesterday seeking work in New Zealand. They included two carpenters, a moulder, an engineer and three labourers. One of tho women was a hairdresser and tho other two wero experienced in confectionery packing. Tho migrants were unanimous that employment had been difficult to obtain in Canada this summer, and ore of them said that there was very littlo effcctivo regulation of wages and working conditions. Ho attributed this largely to dissension among tho trade unions.

Munitions for Japan In a letter from Madame Chiang Kaishek, wife of the Generalissimo of China, which tho Hon. W. E. Barnard quoted to Auckland Rotarians yesterday, it was stated that three Japanese bombing aeroplanes brought down by the Chinese wero each found to contain four Lewis machine guns bearing the imprint of the Birmingham Small Arms factory. Madame Chiang' added that many of tho Japanese munitions were made from British scrap iron. "We are happy to think," said Mr. Barnard, "that for some time past no scrap iron has gone from New Zealand to Japan or to any other country." Refugee Scholars /

The Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Frasor, hag told the Auckland University College Council that he was unablo to make any grant toward the salary of a distinguished refugee scholar or scientist who might thus become attached to the college staff. The council first asked for £SOO a year for five years, and after a reply from the Minister that ho was doubtful whether such a large sum in respect of a single refugee could bo justified, then asked for £250 to be added to a similar amount to bo contributed locally. This also was refused. Members of the council said the Minister's decision was un-, fortunate. Monterey's Next Visit

Ono of tho raro occasions on which a Matson liner will stay in port overnight at Auckland will occur when tho Monterey returns from San Francisco on Friday, September 29. She will not loavo until noon tho next day, in order' to avoid arriving in Sydney beforo Tuesday, as Monday, October 2, will bo a public holiday thoro. Similar schcdulo changes will be made in connection with both Matson ships to avoid their reach-ing-Sydney and San Francisco respectively on Christmas Day. It is several months since a Matson ship remained in Auckland at night, allowing passengers reasonablo time to visit tlio thermal rogions.

Lorry Engulfed In Quicksand AVhilo being driven from Jnvcrcnrgill to Otaitai Bush, by way of tho Waimatuku Bench, a lorry owned by Mr. A. Templcton, llaxmillcr, of Otaitni Bush, was completely engulfed in quicksand. Although tho lorry was drawn under in a very short timo, tho driver was able to make his escape without injury. Usually the sand on tho beacli is quite firm, but occasionally, after wet weather or during floods, quicksands develop without warning; In ibis case Mr. Temploton's lorry earlier in the day had passed safely over tho same spot. Some timo ago another vehicle belonging to tho flaxmill was trapped by quicksand, but later was recovered. An old resident states that about 20 years ago a horso team and express were completely engulfed without leaving a trace of their whereabouts..