NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 228, 26 September 1929, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Providing for the Future. Discussion took place in committee at last evening's meeting of the Takapuna Borough on the allocation of finance for sewerage works in the district, and it was decided to set aside £40,000 of the loan of £119,000 for work in the western area. Grammar School Terms. The dates fixed by the Auckland Grammar School Board for the terms next year are as follow:—First term, opens Tuesday, February 4, closes May 9; second term, opens May 27, closes August 22; third term, opens September IG, closes December 19. First Aid and Nursing. The importance of nursing on the curriculum of the Auckland Girls' Grammar School is. indicated by the results of the annual examinations held by the St. John Ambulance. In the first aid classes 96 girls passed, 43 in the first class; 2G passed in the home nursing section, 17 class. Three pupils obtained medallions, and one* was awarded a pendant, all first class. Two students obtained labels and pendants, with first class passes. Donkeys for Milford Beach. Donkey rides for the kiddies will be an added attraction to Milford Beach during the coming summer. The Takapuna Borough Council last night. approved the proposal, the Works Committee recommending that permission be granted for three donkeys to be allowed to ply for hire, the fee being 10/ a week, and the conditions to be subject to the committee's approval. University Examinations. Arrangements have been completed for the annual terms examinations of the Auckland University College, which commence on Thursday, October 10, and conclude on Wednesday, October 23. The registrar, Mr. M. Rocke O'Shea, stated to-day that the number of exempt students was almost the same as last year, and there was a decrease in the entries owing to the decline in the attendance, referred to in the address of the president, Sir George Fowlds, on Capping Day. The University of New Zealand examinations will commence on November .1, and conclude about the middle of November. Ownership of Calliope Dock. Arising out of the contemplated extension of Calliope dock and the enlargement of the naval depot there, the Devonport Borough Council last evening were informed by correspondence from Mr. Alex. Harris, M.P., that in 1892 the dock and its environs were vested in the officer commanding the Naval Forces of the Australian Station. Parliament was now, however, revising this incidence of ownership, and legislation was being promoted to vest the property in the Crown under the Land Transfer Act. With an observation that the change in the legal ownership did not affect the position so far as the borough is concerned, the letter was committed to the information file.

Beautifying Bayswater. The North Shore suburbs are blessed with several energetic organisations that exist for the purpose of adding to the outdoor amenities of their various districts. One of them is the Bayswater and Belmont Beautifying Association, which last evening advised the Takapuna Borough Council that it proposes to commence with the planting of the area opposite Bayswater clubhouse. They stated that about 25 trees would jbe required, and also 250 field tiles to ensure proper drainage, and they wanted to know to what extent the council was prepared to assist in the good work. Approval of the scheme was expressed, and it was decided to refer the duties of co-operation to the Parks Committee, which will arrange an amicable settlement. Transport Authorities. "I think that the interests of the board and of the people of Auckland would be best served by leaving matters entirely alone cxcept where difficulties or minor improvements call for attention," was remarked by the chairman of the Auckland Transport Board, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, in commenting on the proposed new transport I legislation. Mr. Allum went on to say that j these matters could obviously be dealt with best by discussions between the board and the Transport Department or other authorities concerned, as the result of which no difficulty should be experienced in reaching agreement. "The proposed Act," he added, "appears to provide for a multiplicity of authorities, whereas the public demand is definitely in the direction of a simplification of control." A Father's Fall. "This is exhibit A," said Mr. F. T. Eyre last [ evening at the Devonport Borough Council, when his father stood up before the councillors with a patched nose and two black eyes. The matter under discussion was the condition of the footpaths _in Oxford Terrace, and Mr. Ellisdon, stressing the 'necessity for repairs, mentioned that a resident had fallen and hurt himself in the dark over a tree root in the fairway. Mr. Eyre, senior, offered himself for council inspection and narrated his injuries, philosophically concluding by saying that he would willingly endure his misadventure if the footpath were repaired thereby. "Some people regret that this accident did not happen to a councillor," said Mr. Ellisdon, "but it's quite bad enough when a councillor's father is concerned." The Mayor assured Mr. Eyre of the council's sympathy, and instructions were given that the footpath should be repaired forthwith.

Passenger Traffic by Road. Some idea of the serious situation which faces the railways of the Dominion may be gained as one travels by road through the country. A traveller who left Auckland on Saturday at about noon counted no fewer than 15 service cars coming into the city between Auckland and Hamilton, and most of them were filled to capacity with passengers. These vehicles held from four to ten passengers, the average car carrying about seven persons. The cars were passed, at various places on the main road and during a period of about three hours. The passenger traffic on the road during 24 hours must be' veryconsiderable. Another instance of how motor, transport is cutting into the revenue of the railways was noted on Sunday afternoon. Three service cars which left Rotorua for Auckland at j four o'clock had a total of no fewer than 19 passengers. One passenger explained that the railways did not give equal facilities for weekending in the thermal district. He said he left Auckland at about four o'clock on Friday afterand was thus able to spend two whole days in the district and be home again on Sunday night. Employment of Girls. Social workers in Auckland deplore the fact that in a young country like New Zealand there is need for women and girls to want. The suggestion was thrown out in the correspondence columns of the "Star" last week that some place should be provided for females similar to the men's soup kitchens that have been established in the city. The authorities of the Y.W.C.A., replying, stated that there was always an "open door" for destitute young women, and there were free meals and beds for genuine necessitous cases. A similar assurance lias been given by Field Major Annie Gordon, of the Salvation Army. "Any girl, no matter what or who she is, in need of assistance, should apply to me and she will always find a .helping hand," she said. "No women in this city under any conditions should be without meals and beds." Questioned concerning the state of the employment market for females, the Field Major said that for reliable girls there was any amount of domestic work, especially if they were prepared to go to the country. were a lot of shop and factory girls nit of positions. Still there war tio need for any of the. latter to-be without, or any woman to sleep out. "We are not going to allow that sort of thing to start in Auckland," she added. "There is absolutely'no need for it."