NEWS OF THE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 176, 26 July 1940, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Books Not Returned. In a report presented to the Auckland City Conneil last evening, the chairman of the library committee, Miss ]•>. Melville, said that during the year ended March 31 last 11- volumes borrowed from the lending department of the central and branch libraries had I not been returned. Efforts to recover i lie books had been unavailing. The value of the books, when new, was £32. It was decided tu write the loss off. Actuated Traffic Signals. Advice has been received by the Auckland City Council from the representalives of two British firms that, owing to air mail difficulties, tenders for the supply and installation of vehicleactuated traffic signals in Auckland will not reach Xew Zealand until after the closing time for the tenders. The council has consequently decided to make the closing time September 10, and it is believed that there will be no difficulty in getting the sisnals supplied. "With the Greatest of Ease." Passengers on an early morning ferry from Bayswater vesterdav morning were treated to an inspired exhibition of the ancient North Shore custom of lorry jumping at its best. Passengers of a bus which had arrived late by just those few seconds which count were disconsolately watching the ferry pull out when one young stalwart flew down tlie wharf and launched himself into space. Strong men held their breath as he flew through the air, and relaxed only when he hit the deck—the lower deck. It was almost the perfect swallow dive. London Carries On. j An exchange of greetings by cable between an Auckland business man and la. former Aucklander now in business in the heart of London has revealed the calm optimism which prevails in the Empire's capital at the present time. , The message sent from Auckland was one of good cheer, and the reply received this week was, "All well and cheerful. Love." '"That is surely an inspiration to us here." remarked the Aucklander, who said that recent letters described London as a city of sand-bagged buildings. parks turned into strong points, with dug-outs and trenches, machinegun nests at important intersections, and all street and road signs removed'. Linseed Tests. Sonic 45 varieties and selections of linseed are under trial in the Dominion, states the annual report of the Department of Industrial and Scientific Research. An outstanding introduction named rio has proved, so far, highly resistant to wilt, immune from rust and practically immune from browning. Seed yield is high, and the iodine content fair, but it has the fault of being rather short in the straw. The production of linseed oil in this country has iapsed in recent years, but the re-estab-lishment of the industry is under consideration, and for this reason steps are being taken to determine the most suitable varieties. Soldiers' Pensions. ' The action of the executive of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Associa.- | tion in requesting the Dominion Assoi ciation to press for an increase in pensions paid to ex-servicemen and their dependents in order to meet the increased cost of living was wholeheartedly endorsed at the quarterly meeting held last evening. It was pointed out by the president, Mr. J. W. Kendall, that the Act fixing pensior rates was passed in 1915, and since then the general rate of wages had increased and the cast of living was higher. "You will all agree with me that the cost of living is greater now; if you don't then ask your wives when you go home," said the president. Parcels for the Troops. Since the arrival of the Second | Echelon of the Expeditionary Force in the United Kingdom, the question of the proper channels for the postage of | parcels to the men has been the subject lof a further communication from the I High Commissioner, Mr. W. J. Jordan, iHo points out that parcels containing personal gifts sent through the Xew Zealand base post officer will be admitted free of duty. The National Patriotic Fund Board office advises that parcels for members of the Second Echelon may therefore, be posted t through the post offices in New Zealand in the ordinary way. As regards parcels for New Zealanders serving in the Royal Air Force, with naval units or other British units, these should be forwarded care of the New Zealand War Services Association, 415, The Strand, London, W.C.2. County Engineer's Call. The Whakatane County Council decided not to release the county engineer, Mr. C. H. Brebner, for military service. Mr. Brebner had been offered a commission in the Territorial Forces, based on his 1914-18 machine-gun experience and his profession, and his decision was delayed pending the council's advice regarding leave and the continuance or otherwise of his salary and allowances. The chairman of the finance committee, Mr. W. A. McCracken, said that the committee was of the opinion that Mr. Brebner's services were more valuable to the county than to the territorials. He was a key mair in the emergency precautions scheme. It was considered by other members that in view of the engineer's previous long service to his country and the fact that he was necessary at the present time in the county, a younsrer man should be approached. It was pointed out by the chairman, Mr. J. L. Burnett, that the Government nowjjiad the power of compulsion, but if that power were exercised the council would certainly lodge an objection. Appeal to National Party. "Where there is a will there is a way. If ever there was a time in our history when inflexible will—the will to unite and work and fight to achieve victory— was a first essential, it is to-day," says the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, in a circular to member* of the committee of the National party, in which he appeals for unity in the war .effort. "The task confronting the new War Cabinet is great and is extremely urgent," the circular continues. "I know our people are aware of this, and will stand up unflinchingly and loyally as they have always done in support of myself and my colleagues. This is a time for action* and decision rather than for words. This War Cabinet is at least a realistic approach to the ideal of unity and action which wc all cherish in our hearts. I would make a special appeal to our people everywhere now that we have representation in a body in complete control of the Dominion's war effort, to leave no stone unturned to make their support 100 per cent."