LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24102, 22 October 1941, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Five Fire Engines Out Five fire engines were despatched to Queen Street shortly before seven o'clock last night in answer to an accidental false alarm stated to have been caused by a fault in a fire alarm installation. The engines were from the Central, Western Districts and Parnell fire stations.

New Potatoes Cheaper With larger consignments of new potatoes reaching the City Markets, wholesale prices have declined substantially in the last few days. Best lines yesterday were quoted at from 2£d to 3}d per lb., compared with 32d to s£d about a week ago. New potatoes were being sold in Queen Street shops yesterday at 5d arid 6d per lb.

Grounds of an Appeal "With a name like that you would not have appealed on conscientious grounds," said the chairman, Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., to a reservist who appeared before the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board .yesterday. The reservist, who was appealing for postponement of service on the ground of undue hardship, smilingly agreed. His Christian name was Kitchener. Naval Confirmation Service The rite of confirmation was administered by the Bishop of Auckland, the Rt. Rev. W. Simkin, to 26 naval candidates at the Mariners' Chapel yesterday. The men were presented by the Rev. G. M. MacKenzie, R.N., and the bishop's chaplain was the Rev. G. Robson, R.N. The men were later entertained at the Trafalgar luncheon at the Flying Angel Mission by members of the Ladies' Harbour Light Guild. Dear Strawberries

Captain Cook strawberries, which are being offered at the City Markets in small quantities, are now commanding higher prices than when they first made their appearance a fortnight ago. Yesterday they were selling at from 4s to 4s od a chip, compared with 4s to 4s 2d a chip on October 8, when the first consignments were sold. Shopkeepers, who are not exhibiting price tickets, were quoting them yesterday at os a chip. Station Flagpole

The flagpole in the centre of the Auckland railway station forecourt is being repainted. The pole is a tapered steel tube held in a stone and bronze base, without stays, and a temporary set of the latter had to be provided before a tackle could be rigged to the top to support the painter as lie worked above 'the point that a ladder could reach. The gilded ball surmounting the pole has been brought down for renovation.

Returned Soldiers' Membership A statement that already about 200 returned men of the present war had become members of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association was made at last night's meeting of the branch bv the president, Mr. J. W. Kendall. Fie said that the first returned New Zealand airman joined a few days ago. The total financial membership at September 30 was 3587, or 250 less than last year, but it was hoped that membership renewals would have brought the branch up to its usual strength by the end of the year. Mr. Kendall later stated that the present membership was 3771.

Harbour Mooring Charges Annual fees for mooring sites in boat harbours and protected anchorages have been fixed by the Auckland Harbour Board, following the formation of new areas for the city's pleasure fleet. It was decided at a board meeting yesterday that the fees would come into operation on the date the Minister of Marine acknowledges the necessary amendment to the board's by-laws. In the past, in the absence of boat harbours, a scale of fees obtained only for moorings in protected areas, being based on tonnage. The new scales are based on the waterline measurement of vessels, a higher rate being charged for moorings in boat harbours than for protected anchorages.