LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23773, 28 September 1940, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Taxi-drivers Hoaxed Taxi-drivers in Hamilton have been subjected to a good deal of annoyance and expense lately through being hoaxed by false telephone calls. It is believed that juveniles are largely responsible for the calls received. Orchids Plentiful I'terbstvlis, the small green and white-hooded orchid, according to bush duellers, in addition to flowering unusually early, lias made its appearance in unprecedented numbers. It is being found in clumps of seven or eight, instead of its usual habit of growing singly. Waitakere Scenic Drive The heavy traffic oil the Waitakere Scenic Drive has resulted in the odges of the tar-sea ling being much worn in places. A gang of men has been engaged this week 011 the Titirangi end of the drive patching these sections, and with the present line weather the repairs should be well consolidated before the holiday season. Fire Brigade's Loss of Men The depletion of the Firo Brigade staff through "men enlisting is causing the Palmerston North Fire Hoard concern and at a meeting yesterday the opinion was expressed that appeals should be lodged if the firemen remaining are called up in the ballot for military training. It was stated that the strength of the brigade was getting into a hopeless state. Yachtsmen on War Service The part played by members of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron since the war began was mentioned at the annual meeting last night. The commodore, ]Mr. Al. K. DraHin, reported that over 120 members of the squadron were serving with the forces. In addition to the combined efforts by yachtsmen for the patriotic funds, £-140 had been raised by members in the squadron rooms. Motoring In Fiji When normal conditions return Fiji will undoubtedly become a popular winter holiday resort for New Zealand motorists, according to the annual report of the Automobile . Association (Auckland). A patrol was sent to Fiji this year as usual, and ill addition to liis general services erected many signposts, gavo school lectures and adjusted car headlamps. The Fiji membership of the association stands at 424. Conscience Money Five years ago a St. John ambulance took a woman from Symonds Street to the Auckland Hospital, but the os fee was not paid until Thursday night, and in unusual circumstances. Sho was hostess at a social evening, and one of the guests was a new member of the ambulance staff. When she learned his identity she was reminded of a debt she had long forgotten and paid him the ss, which, she said, had been on her conscience 011 more than one occasion. Rain in the Ranges Light rain was experienced in Auckland early yesterday morning, the recording 011 the Hkuai.i) gauge for the 21 hours ended midnight last night being ,02in., and that at Albert Park for the period ended 9 a.lll. .03in. In the Waitakere Ranges, however, the fall was considerably heavier. About nine o'clock yesterday morning a series of heavy showers could lie seen sweeping up from the Htiia end of the range and disappearing in the direction of Helensvine. Royal Empire Society The provision of comforts for tho crews of mine-sweepers and drifters operating in the North Sea lias been undertaken with marked success by a ladies' committee of tho Auckland branch of the Hoyal Fmpiro Society, states a report issued by the council. Over L's.'J lias been donated for this work and it is hoped 1o forward n consignment of goods to Loudon at ail early date. The London council ol the society has been requested to carry out tho distribution. Young Air Passenger The youngest passenger to travel from Sydney to Auckland by air and probably younger than any child who has travelled in the opposite direction, Paul Naisniith, Hj-iuonth-old son of .Mr. and .Mrs. N. A. Naisniith, of Mission Hay, arrived with his parents by tho Awarnn in the Tasman service yesterday. For his modest age the child has already a considerable amount of travelling to his credit. He was taken to Australia by steamer about six weeks ago and while there travelled from Sydney to Melbourne and back by motorcar.

The Crowd Pays Full advantage of tho public's tendency to congregate and satisfy their curiosity when anything untoward occurs in the street was taken yesterday by collectors 011 behalf of the Auckland orphanages' fund. A lorry with a concert party was parked in a side-street near Queen Street and the police approached to check tip on the authority of the collectors. The spectacle of uniformed officers in serious conversation with the party speedily attracted a crowd and while the formalities were being complied with the collectors took substantial toll from the onlookers, who parted readily with their spare cash.

Long-Lived Maori The estimate that Mr. Jonathan Hadfield, a Maori, who died at Takahue, Kraitaia, this week, was about 1.12 years old, was supported yesterday by an Auckland resident who lived at Kaitaia some years ago. The informant said that be and a friend, out of curiosity, made various inquiries for the purpose of checking up Mr. Hadfield's age. From early incidents which he had recounted and the statements of other natives who were 80 or 90 years old, they inferred some years ago that lie must be well over 110. At that time Mr. Hadfield was still a remarkably active man and could easily walk 15 miles a day. His sight and hearing were keen, and he greatly enjoyed meeting Maori and pakeha friends, of whom lie had many all over tho district.

Unruly Rugby Spectators A complaint by a referee concerning the behaviour of a number of spectators at ltugby Park, Christchurch, during a senior football match last Saturday prompted the management committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union to endeavour to have police representatives present for futuro matches. The referee, Mr. D. F. Johnson, said in the first half of the match between Linwood and Albion a spectator on the western sideline shouted abuse at the I/inwood forwards, alleging that they were offside. He stopped the game and told the offender that it would not proceed until he went away.. In the second half there were several such nuisances, and they finished up by drinking a bottle of beer. He tried to find the names of the\culprits but was not successful..