NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11784, 21 March 1924, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

A laugh was caused at the Auck. land Magistrate’s Court by a judgment debtor, who was asked by counsel why he had not paid- any money off his account- “I went to the ■ plaintiff, ‘ was the reply, “and he told me if 1 could scrape up any money to bring it to him, and not to take it to his solicitor.’ ’

The racing car in which Normah (“Wizard”) Smith established the record of 13 hours 19 minutes for the run from Auckland to Wellington, a distance of 498 miles, last week, had ft narrow escape from being destroyed by fire in Auckland. While being overhauled and tested, in view of motor sports at Muriwai, to be held on Saturday, the engine backfired, and the car broke into flames. The city brigade quickly answered the call, the fire being extinguished after damage bad been done to the wiring and the bonnet of the car.

The length of time after sunset that street lights should be turned up, was discussed by the Hutt Power Board at its meeting yesterday, when a draft agreement was read setting out that local bodies should light, up one hour after sunset. Mr WT H. Barber said that bo thought one hour after sun set would be too late, especially in the winter time. “This is supposed to be the electric age,” he said, “but it seems as if wo are going to keep on plodding through the dark as before.” It was decided to hold this particular clause over until inquiries could be made as to how soon after sunset it became dark at different times of the year.

At a meeting of the executive of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association, says a Press Association message, a discussion took place concern ing the dispute which has arisen between the Auckland Association and headquarters regarding the allocation of Poppy Day funds. It was pointed out that if . unemployment is acute amongst returned soldiers during the winter, 80 per cent, of the proceeds of Poppy Day sales could be devoted to the relief of unemployment amongst the returned men. The following resolution was carried unanimously:— “That the Christchurch executive of the . Returned Soldiers’ Association warmly approves of the disposal of Poppy Day funds as decided by the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association.”

The taxicab 6tand at Ballance street is to he abolished as from March 31st A meeting of the creditors of Camilla Leslie, boarding-house keeper, Wellington, is to be held on March 28th. A motion imposing the 10 ner cent, penalty on unpaid rates, was passed by the City Council last night. The City Council has decided to make an extension of the public sewer at Rodrigo road, at an estimated cost of £llO. The total number of installations made by tho Hutt Valley Hydro-Elee trio Power Board to date is 570. This is approximately half the number estimated for during the first year. A donation of £IOO will lie made by the Wellington City Council to the Free Kindergarten Association next financial year, according to a decision arrived at last night. Electric light is about to bp installed in the 62 “day” carriages used on the Main Trunk trains. The lighting sets are arriving from England, and are being assembled and tested at the railway workshops.

“What would you say,” began the voluble prophet of woe, “if I were to tell you that in a very -short space of time all the rivers of this country would dry up?” I would say,” replied the patient man, “Go thou and do likewise.”

The Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey) has written to the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association stating that he will be in Christchurch towards the end of the month, and will be willing to receive a deputation from the association.

“You are telling the truth?” asked counsel of a witness in the Masterton Police Court “Yes,” was the reply. “The whole truth?” “Yes.” “And if you dropped down dead there now ?” “I wouldn’t be able to tel! you anything,” was the quick reply, which raised a general laugh.

“I have seen a number of farms sold by order of mortgagees during the past two years, and 1 do not know of any instance in a forced sale where tho property has realised more than the mod, age upon it,” said Mr G. Harold Smith, of Pahiatua, while giving evidence in the Supreme Court at Masterton.

The New Plymouth ‘'Herald” states that when the only lady competitor in the Flannagan Cup race was finishing on Sunday, a porpoise was seen to be swimming beside her. IVlien told of her unpleasant position net a word was beard from the swimmer, who ewam on to the finishing point, where she was loudly applauded for hor plucky effort.

Several Christchurch motor importers have been advised from American factories of an increase in the prices of some of the leading American' cars. This will mean an Increase in tho cost of future shipments. One importer states that it looks as if the constant drop in car prices had come to an end, and the public may, with the risen cost of production, look for dearer cars.

It was agreed by the Wellington City Council last night that an application from residents of Miramar, requesting that a stopping plaaj be installed at the junction of Princes street and Devonshire road, he grant ed on the understanding that the existing stopping nlaoe ana waiting shed at York street be moved to Old Farm road at the northern end of the reserve, a distanoe of about . three chains.

“This man was found in the Thorndon reclamation ground about three weeks ago in a very dirty condition,” explained Sub-Inspector Cummings at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when an elderly man named Andrew William Johnston was before the court. The sub-inspector stated that the accused had been drinking methylated spirits and had tasted no food for several days. A remand until to-day was granted for sentence.

Exception was taken by Councillor Bums at the meeting of the Citv Council last night to a recommendation <rf the finance committee that no rates be levied on the old tramshed site at Adelaide road until the council decided to sell the land. It war, another instance, he said, of the way in which the tramway committee was bleeding the city. The tramway department should shoulder its own responsibilities. He moved that the clause be referred back, but the motion lapsed for want of a seconder.

A meeting of Island Ray residents was held last eight Xo consider an appeal from the Salvation Army for assistance in the erection of a hall in the district. Residents expressed themselves as in hearty sympathy with the appeal, and special reference was made to Nthe splendid work the Army was doing in a non-sectarian way through its Boys’ Home at the Bay. where upwards of 70 lads were being housed and oared for under ideal conditions. The launching of the appeal was approved by the meeting in very practical fashion, the sum of £76 13» being suhsciibed in the room. During the next week.officers of the Army wffl he pushing the appeal throughout the district.