LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24141, 6 December 1941, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL

, Thefts from Gardens The seasonal outbreak of thefts of t plants and shrubs from Auckland gardens and nurseries has once more angered nurserymen and gardeners this ' year, although it is stated that raids ' have been less prevalent than in the 1 past. Most of the thefts this season 1 have been extensive, and many thieves » have shown a spirit of vandalism by ■ damaging almost as many plants as I have been plundered. Northcote Water Supply Residents of Northcote ar£ forbidden to -use garden hoses until ' further notice and are asked to ! exercise great care with water as a 1 result of damage to the electrical pump- > ing equipment during the widespread : power interruption on Thursday. It is j expected the motors damaged will be repaired by next Saturday. In the ! meantime the council is purchasing sufficient water to meet the borough's , requirements. Gun Practice Warning A warning that gunfire will be heard i on the North Shore on Tuesday night, , when batteries of the Auckland Fire , Command will hold a practice shoot, has been issued by the authorities. The danger area, which will be considered as such during the hours of darkness, is enclosed by a line from Devonport I Wharf to Arkle's Bay, from Devonport Wharf to Islington Bay, and seawards to a line from Arkle's Bay to Motuihi Island. Shipping is being requested to avoid the area during the practice. If the weather is overcast, the practice will be held on the first fine night following. Mount Eden Footpaths A special appeal is being made by the Mount Eden Borough Council to occupiers of residential properties for cooperation in maintaining the grass verges which have been laid down in many streets. The council some years ago launched a policy of replacing asphalt footpaths in residential streets with concrete paths of half the former width, the other half being sown in grass. Up to the present, out of 80 miles oPpaths, 40 miles have been converted. The success of the scheme depends on each householder's willingness to incur- the small trouble of mowing the strip of grass opposite his frontage. Saving TTsed Stamps An appeal for an intensification in the saving of used stamps for patriotic purposes throughout tho province was issued yesterday by the Mayor, Mr, J. A. C. Allum, in his capacity as chairman of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council. He said it had been decided to dispense with the present methods and to dispose of tho stamps by weight, at 2s a pound, at which figure it was estimated that the Patriotic Funds would benefit to the extent of upwards of £3O a month, provided sufficient supplies were forthcoming. He appealed to all business houses, local authorities, institutions and individuals throughout the province to send forward their parcels of used stamps regularly. Milk In Bottles Frequent complaints from householders that milk vendors have been bottling milk either in the street or on their doorsteps were reported to the Metropolitan' Milk Council, yesterday by the secretary, Mr. N. R. Chapman. A number of consumers, he said, were in the habit of placing a bottle, which might or might not be their own property, outside as the receptacle for their milk,' naturally paying the loose milk price. The complaints came from persons who bought bottled milk, put out a bottle which they might or might not have washed properly, and which the vendor filled and possibly capped., If the council considered that to prevent an insanitary practice the filling of or pouring milk into bottles, should be prohibited, the present regulation would have to be enlarged. The deputy-chair-man, Mr. A. S. Bailey, said the matter was a difficult one to deal with and he did not think they could do more than watch the position closely.