LOCAL & GENERAL

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 210, 21 September 1937, Page 6

LOCAL & GENERAL

Rangitihi Leaves London. The New Zealand Shipping Company advises that the Rangitiki sailed from London on September 16, and is due at Auckland on Oetober 20. Polioe Examinations. Eight constables and detectives from the Napier police district commenced their annual examinations at the Napier Courthouse thjs morning. The promotion examinations will last over the next tliree days, lnspector J. Fitzpatrick being in charge. Aero Club's Activities. The Hawke's Bay and East Coast Aero Club's Motli plane ZK — AAB was tlown from Hastings to Waipukurau during the week-end by the club's commercial pilot, Mr M. W. Bateman. Eive pilots and trainees made fligkts in tlie plane while it was at Waipukurau, and four passengers were taken up for rides. Napier Rotary Club Mr W. B. Stewart, science master at tHe Napier Boys' High Scliool, was tho speaker at the luncheon yesterday of the Napier Rotary Club. Mr Stewart gave a brief lecture of 'he photo-elec-tric ce]lfi and by means of diagrams and elecfrical apparatus demonstrated to his audience the usog to which the eells could be placed in business protective devices. Drama League Areas. The annual report of the New Zealand branch of the Drama League presented at the meeting at Rotorua on Thursday, stated that there were now 17 areas affiliated with the branch, one new area having been formed at Nelson and another being jn process of formation in South Conterbury. Overbridge Job resumed at Waipukurau Work on the overbridge ah the railway crossing between Waipukurau and Waipawa was resumed yesterday, after a delay of six weeks on account of the shortage of steel. V consigument of ij-inch rods, 54 feet long, has now arrived in Napier and should reach the ]ob witliin a few days. Three or four men recommenced work yesterday and six niode will start next week. The contractors, Messrs j. M. Olsen, Napier, expect to complete the two uiiddle spans within a month and to finish the bridge by December 31, the scheduled date." Death of Giant Tortoise. The giant tortoise which was imported to the Auckland Zoo last January and which was one of the instifution's most popular exhibits has died. Auckland's climate was too severe for this reptile from the tropical latitudes of Seychelles Islands. Although the age of the tortoise was not known, it was considered to be about 35 or 40 years. It was provided with specially heated quarters at night throughout the winter, but its health graduallv tama and no efforts by its keepers could bring about an improvement. Frosts in Central Otago. Reports from Central Otago indicate that the stone fruit season is likely to be earlier than usual — at any rate the blossom is a fortnight earlier than was the case last year. Growers, liowever, are beginning to have an anxious time. as some sharp frosts have been experienced during last week, necessitatiug tlie use of fire pots by those orchardists who have installed this method of combating frosts. It is, of course, too qarly to say whether any daniage has been done to the crops, as the fruit is not yet atothe setting period. Controllers of Radio. "It is an amazing fact that in New Zealand the railways can be controlled by a Minister and a general manager, but it requires two controllers, a Minister and a general manager to control broadcasting," said Mr H. Booth, secretary of the Otago Radio Listeners' League, in an address in Timaru. He added that as Mr J. Sbelley, Director of Broadcasting, proposed to inaugjurate a conservatorium of music, it wapossible that still another radio controller would be appointed, making three in addition to the Minister and general inanager to provide broadcasting for 250,000 iicensees. Centenary Road Race The possibility of iioJdmg a long-dis-tance road race with the New Zealand centenary exlnbition in 1940 was discussed at a meeting of the New Zealand Cycling Union. The secretary reported that the centenary exbibition sports committee considered the race would be of great interest, and favoured the suggestion. Several members expressed the opinion that the race should be run between Auckland and Bluff, but after a discussion it was deeided that the best track would be from Auckland to Wellington. Suggestions concerning the race will be sent to the sports committee for consider ation. Cricket Grounds. After a lapse of two seasons Cornwall l'ark is again to be the iieadquarters of cricket in Hastings during the coming season. The sports ground has been relaid, and in addition this year tliere will be available a pavilion for players and spectators. The Hastings Cricket Sub-Association has arranged with tlie Superintendent of Reserveg, Mr J. G. C. Mackenzie, to prepare five senior standard Vickets at tlie Park, three being available for Saturday players and two for mid-week players. It is anticipated that the combined intertown competition will be commenced on Saturday, Oetober 16, and tbe Hastings mid-week competition on tbe Thursday prior to that date.