LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23717, 25 July 1940, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Compensation Court The Compensation Court under Mr. Justice O'Regan will open sittings in Auckland on Monday, August 26, when fixtures will be made. The Court, which is at present in Wellington, will sit in Wanganui on August 19 and in New Plymouth on August 21. Traffic Offences

Over 1 100 persons were charged in tho Police Court yesterday with breaches of the traffic regulations, two magistrates being occupied during the morning in dealing with the offenders. Few charges were serious, and fines of up to £2, with costs, were imposed. A very large proportion of the offenders had failed to renew either their driving licences or warrants of fitness. Historic Flag

An ensign which was the first New Zealand flag to be flown in occupied territory during the Great War has been placed in the care of the Devonport Borough Council by the Devonport District School Committee, owing to fire risk at the school. The flag was hoisted to the head of the wireless mast at Apia, Samoa, upon the arrival of the Expeditionary Force from New Zealand in August, 1914. Air Raid Precautions

A report on air raid precautions which have been taken at the Mount Albert Grammar School hostel was received yesterday by the Auckland Grammar Schools' Board. It was stated that frequent fire drill was being given tho boys, so they could practice emergency evacuation, and in addition homes had been found for all tho boys in the event of an emergency requiring their despatch from the hostel. Teachers on War Service Advice that application should be made to the manpower committee whenever it is considered that a teacher cannot be spared has been received by the Auckland Grammar Schools' Board from the Education Department. The effect of enlistments upon teaching staffs is stated to havo caused the authorities concern for some time past, but it is hoped that the worst period will pass with tho mobilisation of the territorial forces.

Aerial Search for U-Boats The value of reconnaissance aircraft in locating German submarines was discussed by/ Professor T. D. J. Leech, professor of engineering at Auckland University College, in an address to the Auckland Creditmen's Club yesterday. He said naval authorities held that on an average fine day in the Mediterranean an aircraft could detect a submarine at a submerged depth of 120 ft. In tiie North Sea the visibility was about half this figure. Potash for Tomatoes Because it believes that supplies of sulphate of potash, which are essential to tomato growers, are being held in Auckland, the Christchurch Tomato and Stone Fruit Growers' Association has decided to ask the Minister of Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, to investigate the matter. It was pointed out that the whole crop might be ruined, since none of this manure was obtainable in Canterbury.

Chief Post Office Extension Nearly all the first shipment of the conveyor plant for the handling of mails has now been erected through the four floors of the new building at the back of the chief post office. The balance of the plant is believed to have been shipped from Britain. Plastering of the exterior of the building will occupy about three and a-half weeks yet, while within the building, partitions and counters have been made, and other finishing work is now in tho closing stages.

Mails lor Europe The restoration of postal communication with France and French Colonial possessions was announced yesterday by the Postmaster-General, the Hon. P. C. Webb, but in 'the meantime onlj letters and parcels may be sent. Letters and other articles, except parcels and insured postal packets, are still accepted for Switzerland and the Vatican City. Mails for Finland are subject to considerable delay and are aJso liable to interception by the enemy.

Moter Vehicle Registrations Figures compiled to June 30 6how that 249,537 motor vehicles" of all classes have been licensed for the current year, according to a statement yesterday by the Postmaster-General, the lion. P. C. Webb. This represents a decrease of 6746, equivalent to 2.63 per cent, in comparison with the number licensed at the corresponding date last year. Cars have decreased by 7384 and motor-cycles by 915, but the licences for commercial vehicles, such as trucks, taxicabs and buses, have increased by 1453.

Afternoon Council Meeting The "new arrangement under which the Auckland City Council will hold ordinary meetings in the aftornoon instead of in the evening as has been the custom for very many years will be introduced to-day. The meeting will commence at 4.30 p.m. and it is anticipated that it will be possible to complete the business by 6.30 p.m. The change is being made because many of the members and officials of the council are now engaged on activities connected with the war, involving frequont njght meetings. Aliens' Cameras Impounded

« Since June 18, when a new clause was added to the Alien Control Emergency Regulations for the seizure of certain property belonging to enemy aliens who did not have the requisite permits, over 50 cameras have been impounded at the aliens' registration office in the Auckland central police station. Tho regulation governing cameras and photographic equipment limits the possession of such articles to aliens permitted to do so by written permits from the officer in charge of the police district. Many of the cameras surrendered are highly efficient and of expensive German makes. Some would cost at least £4O to-day at retail rates.

National Security Tax When the usual weekly salary or wage payments aro made either today or to-morrow many thousands of peoplo will feel the effect of the new national security tax, as it became operative this week. Nominally separate from the social security tax, the national security levy is to be assossed in conjunction with that tax as "a combined charge at tho rate of one penny for every sum of tenpe'nee or part thereof" of income. This combination of the taxes avoids doubling the odd penny, in amounts exceeding multiples of tehpence. In effect salary and wage-earners will find that deductions from their wages will be either double or approximately double the amount in the past.