LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24277, 19 May 1942, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Northcote Flagstaff Because of the possible danger t-o low-flying aircraft the Northcote flagstaff is to be dismantled. It was erected during the first year of the Northcote Borough Council in August, 1908, in commemoration of the visit to Auckland of the Great White Fleet of the United States. Maoris In Court "My attention has been drawn to the number of assault cases occurring at the week-end in which Maoris have been concerned," said Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., when dealing with two Maori soldiers on that charge yesterday. Of the 14 persons arrested at the week-end, eight were Maoris or halfcastes. Paper Shortage The effect of the paper shortage on the Auckland Transport Board was mentioned at a board meeting yesterday by the chairman, Mr. J. Sayegh. Not only was it impossible to circulate an agenda, he said, but duplication of the minutes for circulation had also ceased. The meeting decided that the chairman and one other member should in future'have power to certify the minutes. Earlier Friday Courts Sittings of the Magistrate's and Police Courts will in future open at 9.30 a.m. on Fridays, instead of the usual time of 10 a.m. It is expected that the saving in time to interested parties will be considerable, as the number of summons cases heard on Fridays is usually large because of the wide variety of prosecutions dealt with. Criminal cases will continue to be dealt with first. Motor Tyre Shortage The serious shortage of motor tyres in the Dominion was stressed by the Controller of Motor Tyres in a letter read at yesterday's meeting of the Waitemata Electric-Power Board. The board had approached the controller to secure stocks of tyres and was informed that it was well up on the list of priority for tyres, but it was stated that some sections of the motoring public would be deprived of the use of their vehicles unless something extraordinary occurred in the near future. Exhibition Relic Sold Two years after it rumbled round its track at the Centennial Exhibition, the Kiwi Train was sold by auction recently. The blue and silver locomotive and tender were knocked down for £6O, the principal value being in the eight-cylinder motor-car engine that was the source of the locomotive's power. The five carriages were bought for £l6 10s each by a Wellington coachbuilder. Other equipment was also sold, but the rails had been disposed of previously. University Shelters The Auckland University College Council decided yesterday to proceed with the scheme for providing air-raid shelters for 800 persons in the basement of the new biology block and in a smaller room below the cloisters of the arts building. It was stated that the proposed plans had the approval of the City Council and the Public Works Department, and that the whole cost would be met by the Government. It was considered that provision for 300 would be sufficient, considering the average numbers'of people in the buildings at various times and the proximity of the Albert Park tunnels. Museum Acquisitions An interesting acquisition by the Auckland War Memorial Museum is a carved Maori fishing sinker. On rare occasions these sinkers were elaborately carved, given a name and handed down through generations. This one has two human figures on the top. Found near Kaiaua, Thames, it was presented to the museum by Mr. Tiraputuputu te Ahipo. Another valuable gift is the photographic collection of the late Mr. J. D. Richardson, honorary photographer to the museum, which comprises 35 albums of early Auckland photographs with data, as well as a large number of lantern slides. England's Greatness "It is really astounding when we consider that the Old Country has been up against it, fighting for her very life, for the last two years, and yet she manages to send us this first-class fire hose," said the chairman of the Christ church Fire Board, Mr. T. M, Charters, when the receipt of 5760 ft. of fire hose was announced. "I consider this a wonderful testimony of England's greatness, that she should still be able to produce enough hose to supply the colonies in spite of the huge quantities 6he has needed to produce for her own protection."