LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23490, 30 October 1939, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Setback to Swimmers Although there was bright sunshine for long periods during the week-end, a fresh southerly wind made conditions unpleasant for swimmers and beaches close to the city, in contrast to Labour Day week-end, wore almost deserted. Fewer motor-cars than usual wore on tho waterfront road. Armistice Day Tho observance of tho customary two minutes' silence on Armistice Daj', November 11, from 11 a.m. is officially requested in the Gazette, in which an appeal is made to all citizens and traffic control authorities for a suspension of traffic during that period. Where a service is to be held, it is suggested that it should take place at the local cenotaph or war memorial.

Five Sheep-dogs Worked Tho ability to work five dogs at once is tho unusual accomplishment of Mr. Fortune, of Timaru, who has been specially engaged by the Manawatu Agricultural and Pastoral Association to give demonstrations during the Centennial Spring Show. Mr. Fortune came originally from Scotland atid his five dogs are imported from that country.

Warning to Mariners Doubtless as a necessary war precaution mariners are notified in the Gazotte that a large number of coastal lights may be extinguished at any time without further notice. Nearly 50 lights are mentioned, extending from the North Cape tojtlie Bluff, and they include the lights on Flat Rock, pevonport Sandspit, Ponui Pass and seyeral in tho Thames area. /

More Radio Licences The total number of radio licences in forco in tlio Dominion at the end of last month was 334,541, compared with 307,486 at the same timo last year. Of theso 332,290 were receiving licences, and 106,952 were held in the Auckland district. The Wellington total was 118,459, and those for Conterbury and Otago were 61,633 and 45,255. The number of receiving licences has increased from 304,268 at the end of September last year. Eclipse of Moon The final stages of the total eclipse of tho moon were visible in Auckland on Saturday evening through a bank of low-lying cloud. Totality occurred a short while before the moon rose, and when it had risen high enough to be visible from tho majority of suburban homes only about two-thirds of the lunar disc was obscured in the earth's shadow, which on this occasion was greyish in colour. The eclipse was the fourth and final one to occur this year. Soldiers' Train Arrangements

When the train carrying soldiers who had been on week-end leave back to the military camp at Hopuhopu left the Auckland railway station last night at 6.20 only soldiers holding tickets wore allowed on the platform. Satisfaction with the new plan, which had been decided on in tho interests of public safety, was expressed by railway officials. The departure was carried out in an orderly manner, and the same arrangements will continue in the future. The King's English

"This correspondence seems to be full of words like 'contacted' and 'finalise,' " said the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, during the hearing of a civil case in the Supremo Court at Hamilton, when a number of business letters were produced. "It is a new language which might be called 'merchantese,' " His Honor added.' "Evidently ordinary English is not good enough. . All I can say is that the Court is at least one place where we should have English pure and undefiled. We should regard it as o-ir duty to maintain it so."

Billets For Soldiers

The appeal by the Young Men's Christian Association for hospitality to soldiers on leave from Hopuhopu camp again met with a generous response from the'public during the week-end, over 70 billets being provided, In a number of cases soldiers who were guests a fortnight ago accepted invitations to return to the same homes. Among the billots offered were six from a private hotel in the city. A few days ago a young soldier on a week's sick leave arrived at the Y.M.C.A., and it was immediately possible to send him as a guest to a home at Bayswater.

German Radio Mistake One of the German short-wave wireless stations broadcasting propaganda recently credited New Zealand with a warship that has never been included in the naval strength of the Dominion. After explaining thai Now Zealand was a group of small islands in the Pacific, the announcer said that New Zealand had recently sunk one of its own warships while it was in harbour. The name of the ship, ho said, was H.M.S. Dolphin. The reference was presumably to the sinking of the fishing vessel Dolphin by a coastal defence battery at Lyttelton.

Mariposa's Schedule Altered Having left San Francisco three days later than her scheduled time, the Matson liner Mariposa will arrive at Auckland this morning with 725 passengers, 190 of whom will disembark here, and sho will berth at Princo s Wharf. Tho vessel is carrying 1338 bags of mail. When she sails for Sydney and Mclbourno to-night about 190 passengers will embark. Schedule times will be made up on the north-bound voyago, although the liner will leave Melbourne on November 7 instead of November 6, thus giving passengers an opportunity of seeing the Melbourne Cup run. She will leave Sydney on November 10 and arrive at Auckland on November 13. New Ctodley Letters

A collection of, letters from the correspondence of John Kobert Godley was presented to the curator of the Canterbury Museum. Mr. .11. A. Falla, by Godley's daughter,' Miss F. K. Godley, when ho was in England. This gift, consisting' of about 100 letters, completes the collection ol Godley s correspondence at the museum, which had already been presented by Miss Godley. The include those written to his parents by Godley when he was in" Boston, in the United States, in 1842, and letters written to Godley and his wife from New Zealand after thoy. had returned to England. The writers include James Edward FitzGernld, Sir Frederick Weld, Henry So well; Hugh Carlton and C. Simeon. Although the correspondence already at the museum is a good record of colonisation in Godley's time, these letters throw a- further light on the subject, as well as giving information on various aspects oi; his career*.