LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23758, 11 September 1940, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Christmas Parcels for Forces Tho first consignment of Christmas parcels for the armod forces to be sent from Northland was despatched yesterday, whon 31 cases were railed to Wellington. Tho gifts were parcelled and paqked during the week-end, the cases being specially wired to ensure safe transport on their journey overseas. New Hamilton Post Office Work is proceeding steadily on the new Hamilton Post Offico building in Victoria Street, although there is still a shortage of skilled labour. The plaster and granite work has been completed, a quantity of the linoleum for the floors has been laid, and the fine marble work in the main vestibule has been finished. New Infirmary Block Plans for the Auckland Hospital Board's new ward block at the Infirmary have been completed by the architect, Mr. R. L. Farrell, and were forwarded to the Health Department Inst night for approval. The plans provide for a six-storeyed building containing 264 beds, and the estimated cost is £157,500. Waste Metals Collection The collection of non-ferrous waste metals in the Auckland district is to commence at an early date, stated>-a report submitted to tho Auckland Metropolitan Patriotic Committee last night. Over 70 depots have been provided in the metropolitan area, and details of the collection will be advertised in the near future. New Yacht Building One of the very few keel yachts being built in Auckland tbis year is under construction at St. Heliers Bay. It is a 34ft. ketch being built by Messrs. M. E. Cross and R. Spencer in their spare time. It will have a beam of 10ft. 3in. and a draught' of sft. 3in., and the hull is now taking shape. The new vessel will carry masts of 45ft. and 26ft. Parcels for Troops ■ Several letters from members of the Second Echelon in England expressing appreciation of parcels forwarded from New Zealand were received last night by the Auckland Metropolitan Patriotic Committee, one of the national distributing organisations. "The smiles of satisfaction would have done you good," wrote an Aucklander. The letters stated every two men shared a parcel. Carpet of Daffodils A largo area on the banks of the lake at Hamilton presents a particularly beautiful sight just now, being thickly carpeted with daffodils. A sprinkling of paler jonquils adds to the picture. Tho daffodils grow thickly for a considerable distanco along the drive round the shores of the lake, extending back in places for as much as 15 to 20 yards. "Keep Green the Fields" "Many of our players are already on active service. Many more will soon be joining them. This association wishes all God-speed and a safe return to these shores," states the annual report of the Canterbury Cricket Association. "They may rest assured that those who have to remain at home will do their utmost to keep alive the game and green the fields for the great day when victory shall be ours." Patients Help Soldiers A noteworthy contribution to tho fund for comforts for soldiers was reported to the Auckland Metropolitan Patriotic Committee last night. It was stated that a letter written on behalf of tho women patients at the Epsom shelters advised that they had been making small weekly contributions from their allowances. "The monthly amount is not large, but we would like it to provide a few extra things for the men's personal use," continued tho letter. The hostel sub-committee recorded its warm appreciation of the contribution. Mount Albert Building Building in the Mount Albert Borough has not been as active in tho past month as was the case a year ago. During August 12 permits were issued for work valued at £3747, including four dwellings costing £3IOO. In the same month of last year, 27 permits were granted for work totalling £7840, including eight houses valued at £6965. So far, 473 State housing units have been provided, 'or are in course of construction, in the borough, work on five having been started in the last month. Record Rate Collection Kates paid within the discount period to the Mount Albert Borough Council this year constituted a record, according to a report by tho town clerk, Mr. T. B. Congalton, to a mooting of the council last night. The amount paid to date was £57,39.3, representing over 62 per cent of tho total struck, compared with £48,614, or 55 per cent, last year. In one month. £46,570 was received, the largest single day collection being £BB7O. Tho chairman of the Finance Committee, Mr. F. B. Watts, said tho year's expenditure would probably be a record, and it was satisfactory to know there would be sufficient money to meet tho borough's obligations. Petrol and Art After several years' successful work in bringing modern art under the notice of country folk, the Auckland Society of Arts finds that petrol rationing has laid an almost complete ban on its efforts. Some time ago tho society built up a large collection of colour-reproductions of paintings by the greatest modern masters. These have been shown in all parts of the province and lectures upon them by members of the society have been greatly appreciated by women's institutes, schools and the people generally. Now petrol restrictions prevent farmers and others from providing transport for the lecturer and the pictures, and for the same reason most people who would attend the lectures are obliged to remain at homo. Captain Hobson's Memory .The need for a more adequate menioriaj to Captain William Hobson, tho first Governor of New Zealand ai.d the founder of Auckland City, was stressed by several speakers at the annual ceremony at Hobson's grave yesterday. Pointing out that the centenary of Hobson's death would fall in two years' time, Mr. Spencely Walker expressed the hope that by then the war would have ended, and they would be in a position to pay a tribute of respect worthy of the founder of the city. The Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, said many people felt that a statue of Hobson should bo erected, and the Rev. A. B. Chappell said he hoped that from these annual pilgrimages there would emerge some memorial worthy of the man they wore honouring.