LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23574, 7 February 1940, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL

High Wind Velocity While Aucklanders complained of tho high wind experienced yesterday, observations showed that tho upper air velocities were considerably higher. The wind velocity at sea-level early yesterday afternoon was 25 knots, but at r>oooft. it was over 'SO. knots, and at 7000 ft. it was 40 knots. , •,

Limited Express Late A delay of • nearly an hour in tho arrival r of, the, limited express from Wellington .occurred, yesterday morning. The train reached Auckland ' at 10.23 o'clock, instead of 9.30. The delay was caused by the express being held at Palmerston North on Monday night to make connection with a train from Hawke's Bay. Island Children Return

A large number of children whose parents live in the Islands returned to Auckland yesterday after spending their school holidays, at home. Some joined the vessel after making voyages from more remote parts of the Pacific, but the majority were from Fiji and Tonga. All scorned to be bearing up cheerfully under the thought of going back to school again. • Lighting Wharf Entrances Special light standards and fittings are being erected at the entrances to the main wharves to improve the general illumination at these places, stated the superintendent and engineer, Mr. D. Holderness, in a report received at a meeting of tho Auckland Harbour Board yesterday. The work at Prince's and Queen's Wharves had been, completed, and the lights were in commission, he added, and the erection of the others was in progress. Arbitration Court Fixtures Fixtures for tho hearing of eases hi tho Arbitration Court will be made next Thursday morning. Nine are stated in appeals, and there are 20 compensation cases. All represent the balance of actions remaining on the list when the final 1939 session closed at Auckland. Mr. Justice O'llegau, who will preside over the Court, will have associated with liim Mr. W. Cecil Prime, the employers' member, and Mr. A. L. Monteith, the employees' member of the Court.

Over-age Army Recruits Some difficultj' is being experienced by Army recruiting officers as a result of volunteers under-estimating their age in order to be accepted. While paying tribute to tho spirit behind the enlistments, officers state that many of the men "crack up" under training and so become liabilities instead of assets. In future, therefore, when a recruiting officer is in doubt about a volunteer's age, he will be able to request the production of the man's birth certificate. Beginning of Lent Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the penetential season of Lent, will be observed in the episcopal churches to-day. The title, Ash Wednesday, owes its origin to an ancient custom of marking priests and congregations with the ashes of palms blessed on the previous Palm Sunday as a reminder that man is made of dust and to dust he will return. The season of Lent lasts for 40 days, giving place on Palm Sunday to the deeper penitential Holy Week with the remembrance on Good Friday of tho Crucifixion. Books for Merchant Ships

With black-out conditions rigorously curtailing recreational activities, there is an increasing demand for illustrated papers, magazines and hooks for the use of officers and crews of merchant ships visiting New Zealand. Many gifts of this kind have been forwarded to vessels, but the stocks available are nearing depletion. An appeal was made yesterday for further supplies of literature, which may be forwarded to the port chaplain, the Rev. H. K. Vickery, at the Flying Angel Missions to Seamen.

Pilfering ol Petrol No unusual number of complaints from motorists concerning the pilfering of petrol from their cars have been received by police stations in tlie Auckland district since the reintroduction of the motor fuel restrictions last Thursday. However, there have been several cases in the city and suburbs within the past several weeks when supplies have been siphoned from the tanks of parked vehicles, and it .is recalled that similar thefts became fairly common when rationing was first introduced shortly after the outbreak of the war.

Waikouaiti Breaks Up Many changes have taken place in the Waikouaiti's position as a result of the stormy weather Bluff has experienced during the past few days. The vessel is now broken completely in two, just aft of the bridge. The after-por-tion still remains in its original position but salvage in this quarter is definitely impossible. The forward end, however, has drifted some 40ft. inshore and has developed a list of about 25 degrees. At low water the hatch coamings are about 6ft. below the surface and only in very calm weather mil any salvage be safely carried out. Jean Batten Place Building

The pouring of concrete behind the stone walls being erected for the Jean Ratten Place State building is now in progress. While the rate is regulated Ijy the pace of tho masons in facing the building "with stone, it is intended by the contractor, Mr. W. Williamson, to bring from Christcliurch a largo mixer used in building the now post office in that city. It is also proposed to build a temporary lift tower to carry the mixed concrete to tho various floors. For other lifting, tho contractor has made arrangements to use tho big crane left by tho Fletcher Construction Company after tho building of tho steol framework. A feature of the construction is that tho stonework is being tied to the concrete with bronzo rods, those being considered ns practically imperishable. Search lor Namesake Desiring to return two war medals to a namesake who be thinks is a native of Auckland, Mr. Reginald S. Smith, of 903 Kennebec Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland, United States, has written to the editor of the New Zealand Herald for assistance. Mr. Smith says that he has had a General Sorvico and a Victory Medal belonging to Gunner S. N. Smith, Canadian Field Artillery, regimental No. 2G01919, since about 1920. The two men, who are not related, shared a room in Montreal after tho war, Mr. S. N. Smith being employed as a draughtsman by the Canadian Pacific Railway. The inquirer says that Mr. S. N. Smith later left Victoria Street, Montreal, without giving a forwarding address. A recent perusal of the New Zealand Herald had reminded Mr. R. S. Smith that ho still possessed the medals.