NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 226, 24 September 1928, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

A Successful Effort.

The effort made during the week-end by the Auckland Girls’ Athletic Association to raise funds for the newly-acquired, playing area at Remuera resulted in about £l5O being collected. It is e:, eted that when further promised donations come to hand, the total will amount to £2OO.

A Good “Close-up.” Passengers on the 8.20 a.m. ferry steamer from Devonport to the city to.-day had an excellent view of the berthing of the Royal Mail motorship Aorangi. The liner had up-anchored aftei the granting of pratique a few minutes before the ferry boat left the northern shore, and ie smaller vessel overtook the larger'one as she was being nosed towards her appointed berth by the Harbour Board’s tug Te Awhina. For some tune the Aorangi and the ferry steamer came along side by side, and- there was an exchange of greetings between the passengers. Independent Broadcasting. A feature of interest to listeners-in will be presented from the independent Christchurch broadcasting station 3ZC (250 metres) to-morrow evening, when the Christchurch branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association will present a diggeis entertainment from an imaginary estaminet “somewhere in France.” The station will “switch over” to the estaminet at 9 o’clock. Station 3ZC now broadcasts three sessions daily from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., 12 noon till 1 p.m., and’ from 5 p.m. till 5.45 p.m.

Unemployment in City. Unemployment figures for the past week show an increase of 20 over those advanced by the Labour Department’s bureau for the previous seven days. At present there are 847 men seeking engagement through this medium. Two weeks ago the official army of unemployed was 802, and it was anticipated that the commencement of seasonal occupations would relieve the situation appreciably.. Of the total requiring work, 708 men are suitable for heavy work, and 139 fit for light labour. During the past week the Department succeeded in placing 35 men in positions. Jewish Services.

In the Synagogue last evening a special service in connection with the Ten Days of Penitence, the most significant period of the Jewish j ear, was held. The service continued for over two hours from sunset, and there was a large congregation. The service was conducted by the Rev. S. A. Goldstein, who referred to the Day of Atonement, which was observed to-day. The Day of Atonement was remembered at a special service, which opened at 8.30 o’clock this morning, and will continue until 6 o’clock. The service marks the conclusion of a succession of festixals held during the past week in observance of the Jewish New Year, 5689, which opened last Saturday. Find the “Jonah.”

With coat collar turned up and almost covering his chin, and a miniature Niagara Falls pouring over the brim of his bowler hat, a racegoer at Avondale on Saturday endeavoured to find shelter in the corner of a doorway which oflerod just about enough room to stand a broom in. He looked for all the world as though he had just established a new record by swimming the channel with his clothes on. “It’s always wet at Avondale,” he said, “and I think the club should call a meeting of the members to try and find out who the Jonah is. I only hope he isn’t a life member.” *

Fine Belt Doomed. Death is placing its merciless hand on a fine belt of pines that fringes the first long arm of the Msnukau in the vicinity of Otahuhu. The unmistakable brown tinge is becoming every season more apparent, and those who have an admiration for this noble and useful tree view with regret the work of some unseen destructive agency. Although the majestic slender trunks still wave gracefully in the teeth of western gales and the winds make music in the slender leaves, which brought delight to the ancient poets, more soft and continuous than in trees of richer foliage, the doom of the pine belt brings a sigh of disappointment at the fact that Otahuhu is becoming an industrialised area. The pine is a tree of social habits, and thrives on wind-swept mountain slopes, where the pure air is free from harmful fumes.

Gruelling Cycle Test. So exhausted were some of the competitors in the cycle road race from Hamilton to Auckland on Saturday that they fell from their machines to the mud at the Showgrounds, where the finish was staged. Torrential rain and a biting wind resulted in gruelling conditions over the full stage of the long journey, and a number of the 38 competitors retired from the contest. In some parts the road was very rough and treacherous, and punctures and other mishaps caused numerous halts. With one or two exceptions, all the riders to finish were so stiff that they could barely hobble to the dressing sheds. It was one of the severest tests in the history of local cycling enthusiasts. One competitor, R. Barry, aged 18, collapsed and rolled down a bank near Mercer. Fortunately he was found by a passing motorist and taken into the township, where he was unconscious for two hours. A later report indicates that he is recovering. Postal Efficiency. Postal efficiency in New Zealand was the subject of highly complimentary remarks passed by Mr. H. H. Brown, organiser of the Auckland division of the Post and Telegraph Employees’ Association, at an annual reunion on Saturday evening. “Public men from other countries have stated the efficiency of the Department is greater than anywhere else in the world,” he said “The < fficers in Australia are not as efficient as those in New Zealand, and they are not required to be so versatile. The P. and T. Department of New Zealand is a general utility service, and whenever a new venture is undertaken by the Government the job is foisted on us. Although officers are now called on to do more work than ever before, they have never complained of that, but only at the remuneration they receive.”

An Octogenarian’s Suggestion. An octogenarian who has received considerable benefit from the Helensville springs, and who thinks sufficient advantage is not taken of the waters by the poorer people of the city who suffer from rheumatism and kindred complaints, approached the Relief Committee of the Hospital Board with a scheme whereby small houses, which could be rented at about 14/ per week, might be available for those who were not able to pay hotel fees. He pointed out that if the people could only be renewed in health after making use of the Helensville waters, which would put new life into them, they would be ab'e to become self-supporting, and would cease to be a burden on the board. Far too many old folk were crowding into the city, he thought, who would be far happier in the country, and would be able to live more cheaply. It worried him a good deal to see so many old people limping about on sticks because they were full of rheumatism when near at hand there was a spa which would give them a new lease of life. He was surprised at the new vigour which was attained after a course of the mineral waters. To get a house at a weekly rental of 14/ equal to a house at 25/ in the city was in itself worth consideration. The chairman thanked the old gentleman for his suggestion, but pointed out that the board had too many problems now to deal with without going into a housing scheme at Helensville. “I’m afraid you people have got into a groove, and are afraid to try my scheme, was the parting remark of the would-be benefactor.