NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 230, 28 September 1928, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Waterfront Road. The engineer of the Public Works Department, in charge of the Orakei Waterfront Road, has informed the Auckland City Couneil that the road to Orakei will be completed and open to all clase of traffic within twelve months, and to Mission Bay within two years. | Heavy Wear on Propellers. ! When the Southern Cross reaches Blenheim on her return flight, preparatory to the Australian '"hop," the propellers at present in use -will be, taken off and those used on the flight from America to Australia will be restored. The new propellers were in much worse condition after the 1660 miles from Sydney to Christcliureh had been covered than were the old ones after the much longer flight—eloquent testimony to the stormy conditions which were experienced. Not Yet Warranted. "The construction of a bridge across the Waitemata is not now warranted, but its future need is a likely possibility," stated the City engineer in a report which the Auckland City Council received last evening. He said that the bridge would not give the facilities for passengers or vehicular transport which the ferries offered, and if the bridge were loaded with the cost of passengers and vehicles, the burden on the North Shore residents would be greatly increased. The report was adopted without discussion. Baby Tiger Eaten. As docile and tame as a kitten, a tiger cub, born at the Auckland Zoo on September 10, was probably the first of the species to be born in the Dominion. The little, striped newcomer was somewhat weak and evidently did not enjoy the affectionate regard of its mother, for it was killed and eaten by the tigress the first day. Another loss to the collection, reported to the City Council last evening, was caused through, a case of cage paralysis, which made it necessary to destroy one of the sacred baboons. Three stump-tailed skinks, which arrived at the zoo recently, have also died, chiefly through the rigours of the winter climate. Protection of Forest. The protection of the forest on the reserves in the Waitakere Ranges was the subject of a report received by the Auckland City Counc'l last evening. It was stated that adequate protection from fire could be obtained by the education of the public, the declaration of a fire district, the organisation of patrols in summer nyanths and the provision of fire-breaks. It was decided to ask the Auckland Automobile Association for co-operation by reference to safety requirements in the association's booklets, to endeavour to have a lire district created and to make other safeguards as funds permitted. Maori Sports in Law— '"The Maoris have quite a sporting instinct towards the law. If they win it is all right, but if they lose it is all the sport of the game, especially in civil cases," said Mr. Justice Frazer, president of the Arbitration Court, in speaking to Auckland Justices of the Peace last evening. He related many an amusing incident culled from his experiences as a magistrate in the far North, and told a good story at the expense of one of his colleagues who was dealing with an astute j native, who defended a claim made against him by a tailor. Iloni submitted that the reason why he had not paid his account was that the suit was not a good fit, and it certainly wa* bulging considerably when he appeared in Coi. with it on. It was discovered later, however, that the defendant was wearing four vests, three shirts and two singlets, and consequently he lost the case. Swimming Bath Dangers.

The recent controversy regarding possible infection from the water in Auckland swimming baths lends interest to the following extra.. from "The Medical Oflicer": —"During the past two years the school medical staff in Fifeshire have been continually 011 the look-out for cases of middle ear -suppuration, and for nasal sinus suppuration, which might be traced to a visit to the swimming baths. In this connection, the aural surgeon, Mr. Douglas Guthrie, writes: The infection is not necessarily due to the presence of germs in the water in the baths, but rather to a lowering of the patient's resistance and chilling of the body surfaces by prolonged immersion in the water. Last year nine cases of acute otitis media appeared to be associated with swimming. The entry of water into the ears or nose in diving is a factor which favours infection, but the chief factor in such cases is the lowering of body temperature to subnormal, and the consequent lowering of resistance, which invariably follows prolonged immersion when this is unaccompanied by vigorous movement, or is followed by standing about in wet garments. Mr. Guthrie suggests that children suffering from otitis media, or with a history of earache, and those whose ear drums show a perforation as the result of some previous attack of otitis, should not be allowed to visit swimming ponds.'" "New Zealand Made."

An interesting reference to the branding of Xew Zealand-made goods is contained in the annual report of the Department of Industries and Commerce. The report mentions that an Auckland firm which has important branches in Great Britain and Australia has manufactured a well-known household line of undoubted quality, and at prices which are competitive with imported goods of the same kind and branded "British made." During the last year, however, two or three of these productions have been branded "Xew Zealand made," the remaining third, at the wish of the distributors, still bearing the brand "British made." The directors inform the Department that immediately the sales of the remaining third, which represents the highest quality manufactured, reaches a certain point the whole production will be branded with the country of origin, despite any representations that may be made by distributors. "The Department feels confident," adds the report, "that within a few years manufacturers in the Dominion will be able to rely upon their goods receiving from the public such strong support that there need be no further conecalment of the country of manufacture." Church Broadcasting.

When it obtains 1000 more members the Anglican Broadcasting Association of New Zealand hopes to establish a short-wave broadcasting station in Auckland. Although little has been heard of the association since its formation a year ago, the first annual report shows that it has not been inactive and that a campaign for funds is likely to be launched after Synod has met next month. The report says that the Radio Broadcasting Company, through its official paper and its communications to the Press, gave the idea to the listening public that its strong representations to the Government had prevented the association from securing a license. This was entirely contrary to fact. Even firms which were preparing quotations took no further action. The public confidence was r.haken, and the churchmen of the diocese were carried away with the stampede. The association's travelling representative had resigned in the face of this opposition. All points bearing on the location of the association's station, it wave lengths, etc., had been settled and agreed upon between the association and the Government. The delay had been advantageous, as there had been a wonderful development in short-wave transmission during the past year.