LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 20197, 23 December 1937, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

By-Law Standardisation. A plan for standardisation throughout New Zealand of local body by-laws has boon supported by the Stratford Borough Council, which has offered to co-operate. Coloured Lights in Pollen St. Festoons of coloured lights have been strung across Pollen Street at intervals by the borough electricity department. They will help materially to brighten the town for the Christmas season. Followed His Luck! A resident of Leamington had a lucky escape from serious injury some months ago when the lorry he was driving left the road and rolled down a 70ft. bank. Ho was persuaded to buy a ticket in "Tatt's" and lias now received word that he has Avon a £5 prize. Nikau for Decorations. Action is being taken by the Whangarei Borough Council to prevent shopkeepers k using ferns and nikau fronds for Christmas decorations. This is being done in the interests of those seeking to conserve native trees and ferns. It is considered that other boroughs will act similarly. Crowds at the Coast. The beaches along the Thames Coast are already showing signs of activity, with the erection of numerous camps. During the week-end a further attraction will be trips by the fast speed motor-boats, Lady Moreen, Peter Pan and Miss Roberta. Interest Dead. Interest in the Spanish civil war appeared to be dead in Great Britain, and unless anything unusual occurred the newspapers scarcely took notice of it, said Mr. N. J. T. Webster, who has returned to New Plymouth after touring Britain with the New Zealand cricket team. Embryo Film Stars. "When I suggested separation to him my husband expressed the view that separation agreements were only for film stars, 1 ' said a petitioner who was seeking a divorce from her husband in the Supremo. Court at Auckland. "There must be a large number of embryo film stars about Auckland," commented Mr. Justice Callan. Technical Training. "The future development and pros penty of New Zealand will be largely in the hands of those technically trained," said the Hon. W. E. Barnard, M.P., at the Napier Boys' High School, when he said he was glad to hear a statement by the board chairman that threefifths of the boys had" taken technical courses. Ready Cash at Call. A very useful holiday service rendered by, the Post Office Savings-bank is its letter of credit, which enables depositor's who are travelling to secure prompt payments of cash at any of the 920 savings-bank offices throughout the Dominion. Last December, 2259 letters of credit were issued of a total value of nearly £40,000. "Second Gear Roads." "Second gear roads" is how Dr. Walter Sclnnid, acting-Consul for Switzerland, describes New Zealand roads. He was comparing them with the roads of America, which he describes as "third gear roads." However, Dr. Schmid considers the tar-sealed road from Urenui to New Plymouth very good, and also praised the road from Auckland to Hamilton. He is not, however, particularly impressed with the gravel roads over which he has travelled.

'Xmas Greetings Received. The "Thames Star" reciprocates heartily Christmas greetings from the following (inns: John Dickinson (N.Z.) Ltd.; the Newspaper Proprietors' Association; Gordon and Ootch, Ltd.; United Press Association, Ltd.; Tiinaru Herald Company, Ltd.; Wilson and Horton, Ltd.; Carmichael and" Co., Ltd.; Stanley S. Sargent and Co.; the officers of the Chief" Post Office, Thames; CattsPatterson and Co.. Ltd; Illustrations, Ltd.; and K.K.O. Pictures.

Ngatea Bridge Collision. A motor accident occurred on the Ngatea Bridge about 4 o'clock on Monday afternoon. A small car owned by Mr. John Porter, of Pipiroa, and driven by Miss B. Porter, came into collision with a post on tlic bridge when the driver was endeavouring to pass another vehicle. Apparently Miss Porter thought there was room to pas* without stopping in the bay at th. j top of the bridge, but she drove over t.hn side rail into a post, bending the front axle and damaging the mudguard and lamp on the left-hand side. The other car suffered only a slightly scratched and dented rear mudguard.

Minister Suggests Prayer. "You ask if everybody will be paid for wet days between now and Christmas. Well, how on earth can I answer that? If you fellows have never prayed in your lives, 1 suggest that you get down on your knees to-night and pray hard for fine weather," said the Minister for Labour (the Hon. 11. T. ArmStrong) to a deputation from the Christchurch and New Brighton branches of the National Tin employed Workers' Movement last week. "Yon are the god in this case and we are praying to you," said a delegate. "Oh, well, if there is extraordinary wet weather wo will probably have to do something for you," replied Mr. Armstrong.