General News.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19172, 1 December 1927, Page 8

General News.

Australian treasury notes are subject to discount in New Zealand * ten shilling note issued by the Commonwealth was accepted by a Hamilton business man on Saturday at par. On depositing it in the Post Office Savings Bank he was charged 8d ex. change. British treasury notes are accepted free of exchange by the po st office.

"The atmosphere of a gaol is ideal for study," said the Rev. H. Whitby James, formerly of St. Mary's Church, Tenby, South Wales, who arrived at Auckland by the Athenic on his way to take charge of the Church of England parish at Tainui, Wellington. Mr James was one of 300 ex-soldiers who completed their theological education in the disused Knutsford Gaol. He stated the surroundings of the converted penitentiary were conducive to a massed concentration on preparation for the Church. During the war, Mr James was assistant to an army chaplain. He is one of the first ex-service candidates of the Knutsford Gaol "University" to answer the World Call for mission work in this part of the Pacific.

An Association of "Old Contemptibles" was formed in Auckland last week, 27 veterans of the Retreat from Mons assembling under the chairmanship of Captain J. Dawson. The secretary, Mr W. C. Pilgrim, said the Returned Soldiers' Association had offered the use of its rooms, and the support already given was most encouraging. There would be other old comrades in Auckland, and the district, who must be discovered, and it was hoped to extend the membership all over New Zealand. Mr P. C. Furley, who proposed the toast of the evening, said generations to come would learn of the glories of Crecy, Agincourt, and Balaclava, but Mons would be emblazoned at the top of the list. At a meeting of the Farmers' Veterinary Club at Ngatea (Hauraki Plains) Mr R. Burke urged that in view of the prevalence of tuberculosis in Hauraki Plains cattle i the Government be' asked to examine all herds twice a year, it was stated that about 200 cows were condemned tn the Plains annually, and there was no doubt that diseased cows were milked as long as possible before their condition was 1 brought to the notice of the stock inspector. A motion as suggested was v carried unanimously. The resolution also raised the question of the necessity for abattoirs. Mr Burke said that no doubt with 'he large proportion of diseased cattle on the Plains all stock slaughtered for human consumption should be inspected. It was decided to make representations to the Auckland City Council on the subject. Members of the Toe H movement in New Zealand will be interested to learn that their "university," which was established after ,the war in the disused Knutsford Gaol, has sent its first graduate to New Zealand (states the "Auckland Star."). This is the Rev. H. Whitby James, who took holy orders after graduating there, and subsequently spent some time working among the miners of South Wales. He is one of the first of the service candidates to answer what is known in Anglican circles as "the World Call" for service overseas. The Rev. Mr James enlisted through Archdeacon Harper, came out on the Athenic, and was to leave Auckland on Monday to take charge of the Tainui parish, in the diocese of Wellington.

There will be further delay in starting to extend the high pressure water scheme to Papanui township as Papanui road is at present having drains laid in it.

Yesterdav, the last day of November, was St. Andrew's Day. The only observance in the City was the closing of the banks and some of the legal offices.

An enormous eel, 30ilb in weight, eighteen inches in girth, and sft 3m in length, has been caught by Mr A. Grev, Kaiapoi, in the north branch of the Waiinakariri.

The permanent staff of the Defence Force in the Southern Command will go into Burnham Camp from December sth till December 16th for a refresher course. The camp will be in charge of Colonel Gard'ner. *' Inter-Island telephone communication has been improved by putting new trunk lines between Christchurch and Sockburn. This work is finished as well as the construction of the main lino between Kaiapoi and Christchurch. Besides the permanent outside staff there are 207 men engaged on City Council works at present. Forty-four men are engaged on loan works, one hundred and twenty-one on water supply extension, and forty-two men are working as casuals. "I shall be pleased if you can let me know the rules governing whippet racing, which I take is motor-cycling or car racing," wrote the secretary of a newly-formed sports club to the secretary of the Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Athletio and Cycliug Union, which met last night. Dr. T. F. Telford, Medical Officer of Health for Canterbury, reports that the year is proving a healthy one. With the exception of enteric fever the amount of infectious disease is much less than that of last year. Although' the figures for enteric fever are higher than last year's they are below the average.

The question whether oysters are, or aro not, a legal bait came up at the last meeting of the Otago Acclimatisation Society. One member of the council said that he had taken legal advice on the question, and he challenged the society to take him to Court if he used oysters as bait. The president replied that the Marine Department held that oysters were an illegal bait. Referring to the relationship which exists between Maori and white man at yesterday's civic reception to Mr L. S. Amery, the Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) said that recently some stupid fellow from Australia made improper remarks on the subject. The Mayor expressed the. hope that the Maoris would not take that man as representing the people's views. The closest possible friendship existed ' between the two races, and they were absolutely one in the development of the Empire.

The maximum load at the Lake Coleridge power station during the week ended November 27th was 15,520 k.w. (previous week, 16,950 k.w.), which was recorded between 11.30 a.m. and noon on November 24th; at the Addington sub-station the maximum load was 11,960 k.w. (previous week, 12,840 k.w.) recorded between 4.30 p.m. and 5 p.m. on November 22nd. The lake level was at 1667.62 ft (previous week 1668.0 ft); and the average flow from the Harper was five cusecs—the same as the previous week. "I don't know what the Department is thinking of when there are so many New Zealand applicants for appointment as teachers,''' was a remark by the chairman of the Auckland Education Board, Mr A. Burns, yesterday morning, when an application was received through the Department from a married lady residing in England. The applicant claimed 25 years' experience and the Department stated that her application was commended by the League of the Empire. "I think we should be careful what we do in this matter," commented Mr E. C. Bank. The communication was received. — Press Service,

"A sheer hulk" is the present state of the old Tarawera which has been sold for breaking up, and is now having her fittings put ashore at Port Chalmers (says the "Otago Daily Times"). Everything saleable is being sold, and the partially-dismantled steamer will soon be merely an empty shell ready for sinking. Her past career of profitable usefulness included the interesting period when she was the popular picnic steamer conveying eager excursionists to the natural wonderland of the West Coast Sounds. The ship's band played stirring or languorous music, as required, and the official photographer recorded pictures of happy moments in enchanting environment. It was a gay and gladsome holiday, and the Tarawera usually made two trips in succession every season. During the early part of the week an electric crane was landing her internal machinery in the form of basketfuls of broken-up scrap iron.

In the "Scientific American" of this month, published before the accident in Sydney Harbour, there is an article on a physical phenomenon known as "Bernoulli's Principle," which may have a significant bearing on the cause of the Tahiti-Greycliffo collision. The article deals with the conditions of water pressure between two adjacent floating masses, and proceeds:—"Dynamically it will be the same whether the boats are moored in a stream or are moving forward side by side, for in either case the space between the boats is at reduced pressure. In naval manoeuvres it is hot an unknown accident for the navigating officers tc neglect to take such forces into account, whereupon the boats collide." The conditions described appear to be strikingly analogous to those of the recent tragedy. The article includes a diagram indicating the "draw" of two adjacent vessels proceeding in the same direction.

Preparations have been in progress for months past ut "Waahi, the home of "King" Te Rata Mahuta, to commemorate the anniversary of the crowning of Potatau Te Whero Whero, the first Maori Kin?, which took place at Ngaruawahia in 1857. Maoris from the Tamaki, Port Waikato, King Country, and Raglan are all in Huntly to pay their tribute to Potatau'a descendant Fish has been caught, dried, and put by for months ready for transit. One huge load of all species arrived by motor-lorry from Kawhia. Tons of kumeras and potatoes, pork in every conceivable form, vegetables in abundance, were collect ed. A staff of cooks and attendants were soon on the spot. Bread could not be cooked in the large quantities required, and the Huntly bakers had to come to the assistance of their brown brethren by making batches of 400 at a time. The visitors were seated in the big hall at "Waahi for meals, and six sittings were necessary before the huge crowd were satisfied. At daybreak on Thursday, the visiting chiefs arrived, and made speeches of congratulation to Rata, assuring him of their loyalty. No reference to any political matters was made, the gathering being entirely festive in character.

The Hotel Federal's new and up-to-date dining-room is now completed with accommodation for 200 guests, and specialising in casual luncheons from 12.30 to 2 p.m. Six courses (including grills), 2s 6d. 'Phone 1040 to reserve tables. —6

Hay-making time is almost here. Garner your crop this year with the best and most modern equipment—the Booth-Mac Sweep Rake and Swinging Stacker, both made in our own factories, to the pattern of the world's best I We are also making Sweep Rakes for tractor propulsion. Fullest particulars by return post. Booth, Macdonald, and Co,, Ltd. 0521