LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24145, 11 December 1941, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Automobile Association A further increase in the membership of the Auckland Automobile Association was reported at a meeting oi the council of the association last night, bringing the total membership to a little under 36,000. The increase since the outbreak of the war was nearly 3000. No Telegrams for Japan

As a natural consequence of the new state of war, the telegraphic service between New Zealand and Japanese territory has been suspended. The chief postmaster at Auckland, Mr. C. Clark, announced yesterday that telegrams would no longer be received for Japan and Manchuria.

Old Pupils in the War In a report presented at the annual prize-giving ceremony of Sacred Heart College last night the director, Brother Borgia, stated that to date 15 old boys of the college had been killed in the war. Over 20 old boys were either missing or prisoners of war. Although the list was not yet complete, it was known that at least 385 old boys were in the fighting forces. Gifts for Naval Men

Gratitude for the gifts and parcels recently sent to the officers and men of the British destroyer Newmarket was expressed in a cablegram received at last night's meeting of the Newmarket Borough Council from the destroyer's commander. "We wish you all a very happy Christmas," it said, "and look forward ,to speedy success to all our united efforts in the New Year."

Ergot for Great Britain At the request of the Department of Agriculture, the Auckland Education Board decided yesterday to cooperate in the drive for the collection of ergot for Great Britain. A letter from the Education Department, which stressed the value of ergot in checking bleeding, asked the board to assist by encouraging children to collect it, and stated that the work could easily and safely be done in the school holidays. Newmarket Red Cross

Red Cross and Emergency Precautions services were given a thorough test in Newmarket during the total blackout last night. The hall in the Municipal Chambers was fitted out as a hospital ward with threo beds. Three "stretcher" cases were brought in during the blackout with various complaints most likely to be contracted in an air raid, and prepared by nurses in attendance at the base for removal to hospital. Pedestrian Startled

An elderly man, obviously not versed in aircraft identification, had a fright yesterday morning when a monoplane flew fast over Epsom, at no great height. The machine belonged to the Royal New Zealand Air Force, but*its drone thoroughly startled the elderly pedestrian, who burst into a stranger's garden, and demanded of the astonished householder: "Young man, is that a Japanese aeroplane?" He was solemnly assured that it was not, and left, still looking skyward. Emergency Equipment

The statement that the Auckland City Council was cnlling for tenders for sand-boxes, shovels and rakes for use in emergencies, and that the local bodies would be able to obtain them at the same rates as the City Council, was received from the town clerk of Auckland, Mr. J. Melling, at last night's meeting of the Newmarket Borough Council. Much discussion took place as to the respective merits of wooden and metal implements, many members of the council considering that the prices mentioned were too high. On the suggestion of the Mayor, a committee of three was appointed to investigate the matter immediately.

Liberation of Sea Trout A batch of 50,000 salmon trout, commonly known as "sea trout," a species new to Taranaki, was released in the Wainongoro and Kaupokonui Rivers at the week-end by members of the Hawera Acclimatisation Society. These fish, which have been well established in the South Island by the Otago society, were procured from Otago as "eyed" ova. Well known to anglers in England and Scotland, the fish, which were released in the "swimmer" stage under perfect conditions, are a member of the trout family, but diser in their habits and colouring, and grow to heavier weights. They run to sea and are taken in estuaries of rivers, as are salmon, when they run in. It is proposed that similar liberations should be made yearly.