LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23600, 8 March 1940, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Good Record Upset A record of 20 years' regular attendances at the annual conference of the Municipal Association of New Zealand has been upset by the indisposition of the Mayor of Newmarket, Mr. S. Donaldson. The conference in Wellington expressed its sympathy with Mr. Donaldson.

Judges' Knowledge "it is a bad habit that some of you people in Auckland have in assuming that a Judge does not know that it' the sun is shining then it is daylight," said Mr. Justice Blair in the Supreme Court yesterday, while hearing extended legal argument. His Honor's remarks were addressed to counsel who had submitted detailed argument step by step, in spite of requests to give a general outline first.

Playing Games in Streets Complaints are being made by Auckland motorists about the use of some city streets by factory employees for the playing of lunch-hour games. It has become a widespread practice to play cricket and tennis matches and, in the excitement of the game, the dangers from motor-cars suddenly turning into the impromptu sports area are completely overlooked, with the result that several motorists have almost been involved in accidents.

Use for Bicycle Spokes Import restrictions have led to the use of substitutes for many things now difficult to obtain and a cycle dealer reports an instance that once would hardly have been contemplated. He has experienced quite a demand for old bicycle spokes which women have discovered are an effective substitute for knitting needles of the si/.e favoured for making socks suitable for soldiers. The particular size of knitting needle cannot now he obtained from many drapery shops.

Mentality of Cyclists The mentality of many cyclists, as evidenced by their behaviour on the road, was criticised by Mr. Justice Blair in the Supreme Court yesterday. His Honor said that when driving he always got as far away from cyclists as possible, because a driver never knew what they would do. The mentality of many cyclists was also indicated by the fact that they fitted their rear reflectors in such a manner as to reflect the light of the full moon, rather than that of overtaking traffic.

Shortage of Army Cooks There is still an almost complete absence of cooks among recruits for the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force and the Army Department is experiencing much trouble in providing cooks for drafts going into camp. A recent appeal for qualified men resulted in many offers from recruits suitable for home defence duties only, and it is emphasised by Captain G. R. Blackett, mobilisation officer at the Drill Hall, that men between the ages of 21 and 35 are still urgently required for camp and active service cooking. Inoculation of Soldiers

Before they break camp next week for a fortnight's Easter leave, all soldiers of the second echelon of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force in camp at Papakura and Ngaruawahia will have received the last of their inoculations against disease. This particular one will be an anti-tetanus injection. Also being continued at the present time is the blood-testing of all active service troops. By it, the men are classified into blood types and have their individual group numbers stamped on their identity discs, so that transfusions are considerably facilitated.

Tin Can Island Gift In conformity with his practice of the past three years of making donations to charity, Mr. William Quenscll. of Tin Can Island, or Niuafoou, has made a gift of money through the Auckland office of the Union Steam Ship Company, Limited, to the Community Sunshine Association for the benefit of delicate children. Mr. Quensell is the unofficial postmaster of the island, of which he has been a resident for many years. Ho calls himself the "tin-can mail man." Part of his time ho devotes to sending island postage stamps to philatelists in all parts of the world in response to their requests. Taxi-drivers in Debate

A very lively interest in proceedings both during the discussion and in the election of a committee was taken by taxi licensees at a meeting called last night to consider reorganisation of the industry. Each man in the very large attendance appeared determined to put his views before the meeting and there were often a dozen men on their feet endeavouring to catch the chairman's eye. When the election of a committee was proposed the majority of those present was strenuously engaged either in making a nomination or. objecting to one already made. One man, despairing of making himself heard, elected himself to the committee and mounted the platform, but later ret i red.

Drill Hall Alterations Extensive alterations and installations of equipment are at present being made to the records office of the drill hall in Rutland Street. Through this room has gone every Auckland area recruit since the first appeal for men for the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and hitherto officers and staff have experienced many inconveniences through makeshift lay-out. For instance, callers wishing to discuss essentially private and personal business have had to speak in front of other visitors. Now, however, the large room formerly the billiards and social room of the Territorial Association is being partitioned off into separate offices. To this improvement is being added much equipment for the satisfactory handling and filing of records.

Delayed Import Licences There have been many complaints of the difficulties experienced by traders owing io the failure of the Government to give decisions in inspect of import licences for goods included within schedule F, and representations were made recently to the Minister of Customs, the Hon. W. Nash, by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. A reply has now been received from the Minister that "so far as schedule F is concerned many licences have been issued and applications are continually being dealt with. Every endeavour is being made to reach finality in respect of applications 011 hand as early as possible " Referring to a further inquiry by the chamber concerning the issue of licences covering the fourth period, the Minister has stated that this question is at present under consideration, and he expects to be in a position to make a pronouncement at an. early date.