GOSSIP FROM THE QUEEN CITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18056, 17 January 1927, Page 11

GOSSIP FROM THE QUEEN CITY.

(Special to the “Star.”) AUCKLAND, January 17. Inadequate Service. Large numbers of people who visited Point Chevalier yesterday were marooned until nine o’clock last evening on account of an inadequate bus It is estimated there were over 10,000 people on the beach and reserve. City Council buses arrived, crowded, from nine o’clock in the morning until three o’clock in the afternoon. Between five and six, when large numbers decided to go home they found there was a wild rush for the available buses, and some people had to wait for over two hotirs. Crying children and weary mothers sitting on the kerbside with babies made, a pitiful sight. On the previous Sunday about thirty buses w'ere engaged on the route, bxit yesterday there were eight less, and in addition four broke down and were n replaced. Complaints against the City Council authorities were rife. It was considered the council should have traffic men on the spot and be prepared for abnormal crowds. False Declaration. Quite a Sot of trouble was caused by Keith M’Alister (21), who pleaded guilty to fraudulently stating that he posted a letter containing £ll to H. L. White, Karangahapc Road, whereas he didn’t do so. Accused was in arrears with the payment on a motor cycle and complained to White he hadn’t received a receipt for £ll he had posted. M’Alister signed a postal declaration stating that the letter containing the money had been posted at St. ITelier’s, but inquiries proved that this was false. The Senior Detective also remarked that accused's action had placed postal officials under suspicion. The Magistrate, Mr Hunt, remanded M’Alister until to-morrow, remarking that he doubted whether he had jurisdiction.