LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 75, 21 December 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Tho Postal authorities have received advice from Sydney that the Uliiuaroa left at noon on December 17 for Auckland. Sho carries a small mail for Wellington aud the south.

Three distinct groups of sunspots are at present visible. The foremost is very near tho western edge of the sun’s disc, and will shortly pass out of view. The second is a small group, while the third, lying in tho eastern hemisphere, is interesting because it shows bridges of photosphere which cross tho dark umbra and divide it into three distinct parts. These numerous spots, stretching across the sun from east to west, indicate considerable sohn - change ami activity.

A serious boating accident near Bar(rett’s Reef, bof|ween the Heads and Lyall Hay, was narrowly averted on Sunday afternoon. Mr. Lukins and a party of three went out in a boat to do some fishing. Two of the party wore put on tho rocks to fish for crayfish and the other two pulled out from tho shore. A little later tho latter noticed another boat with three people aboard drifting past them. The boat continued to drift and eventually got out a considerable distance. Tho two in Mr. Lukins s boat thought that something was wrong, and after taking the two men off the rocks went to the, assistance of the second boat. They wore just in time, for it was half full of water when they arrived, and with tho strong wind blowing it could not have floated for more than half an hour. With great difficulty, the crew, which consisted of a man about <0 years of age, another aliout 40, and a ihov of 12, wore transferred to Mr. Lukins’s boat, and tho partly swamped boat was taken in tow. After a strenuous pull all were safely landed. It is stated that the party who got into difficulties know nothing about tho manage, ment of a boat nor the currents in this locality, and that but for the timely assistance they received they would have been drowned. -As it was. Mr. Lukins s boat nearly capsized during the transference of tho men.

Yesterday morning at Newtown and Worser Bay Schools, Mr. A. F. Roberts, vice-chairman of the Navy League, present od io tho schools copies of Norman Wilkinson’s picture, "Tho Surrender of the German High Seas Fleet. Mr. Fitzgerald-Eager, at Newtown, and Mr. J C Webb, at Worser Bay, thanked Mr. Roberts for tho very generous gilt of the Navy League.

The mode of dress adopted by some women nowadays was rMejred to in somewhat scathing terms at St. Patricks Cathedral, Auckland, by the administiator. states an exchange. He saidth© grossly immodest manner in which so many women in tho city attired themselves brought the blush of shame to the cheeks of any person of refined feelings He strongly urged Roman Catholic mothers io see that their daughters dressed in a becoming manner. It appeared to him that the majority of the volin" women, and some elderly women too. went to the greatest trouble possible to discover how scantily they could clothe themselves, and thus became veritable "female scarecrows.” An endeavour is being made io have the Spanish language taught at Otago University, according to an exchange. At a recent meeting of the University Council, it was resolved that a committee be’set un to confer with Dr. Elder as to the possibility of arranging for the teachin" of Spanish. Tho opinion was expressed that from a literary point oi view, and also for the purpose of commerce, a knowledge of Spanish was most desirable. Dr. Elder is a Spanish scholar, and spent some time at a university m Spain.

No fewer than 73 decrees nisi and orders for restitution of conjugal rights in matrimonial cases -were granted at the Auckland Supreme Court during the session, which concluded last week, states an exchange. A total of 80 matrimonial cases came before the Court, this l>eing an increase of alxiut a score on the previous record. The branch of the Labour Bureau in Auckland which deals with unemployed men is having little difficulty at present in placing experienced farm hands, for whom there is a good demand, but there is practically no demand for unskilled labour in tlie city, stalos the “Herald.” Very little reduction in the number of unskilled workers awaiting employment has been made during the past tw-o months, although a fair number are being placed on Government works, where they aro usually employed on the contract system. The vendors of peppermint sweets are doing a brisk business since the price of tobacco soared, says an exchange. It is stated that peppermint has a soothing influence on the yearning for a smoke, and consequently renders the practice of economy much easier.

The complaint of dilatoriness on the part of the. Postal staff in handling mails has induced “Appreciative” as a matter of fairplay to give the other side of the story. Here it is, dated December 20: "I received a sample by post this morning from Dunedin, and effected a sale o^same by 9.10 a.m. to-day, immediately wiring my principals in that town to book the'line. To this telegram I received t'he following reply, to use their own words: ’Jove! You are sudden, sample only posted yesterday. How was it managed?’”

In furtherance of his campaign for the Lower Hutt Mayoralty, the election for which is to' take place to-day, Mr. W. T. Strand addressed an exceptionally welbalteiided meeting at the local Town Hall last night. Dr. Mason presided, and the candidate received a good hearing. On the motion of Mr. A. Grierson, seconded by’ Mr. Jury, tho candidate was accorded a unanimous vote at confidence.

The system under which tho City Council took a percentage of the gate takings at To Aro Baths on occasions when the use of tho baths was granted and permission' given for a charge to bo made for admission lias now been abolished. Tho City Council has decided that on such occasions the following charges for tho use of the baths shall be made: —Afternoons nnd evenings from 2 p.m.. Jl5 55.; all day, .£8 Bs.