NEWS OF THE DAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 183, 5 August 1941, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Snow at Rotoraa j For the first time this winter there was snow yesterday on Ngongotaha Moerangl, a peak above Te Wairoa, in the Rotorua district, and other high ridges adjacent. In the town of Rotorua the temperature was not particularly low, but a keen south wind prevailed. Hamilton Alarm Siren The special siren installed at the Hamilton gasworks as an emergency signal alarm is to be sounded daily at 9 a.m. in a long blast, as it has been found necessary to use it daily to keep it in a state of efficiency. A series of short blasts has been arranged as the signal for special alarm, and the daily sounding of the siren will probably make the real alarm signal more effective when a crisis arrives. Bird Month Attention is drawn in "Forest and Bird," the official publication of the Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand, to the fact that August is bird month, when the birds are cold and hungry and glad of feed. It is pointed out that where people have gardens with trees most of the birds can be encouraged by feeding, and that many species render good service by the amount of insect life destroyed. Masterton's Emblem At the meeting of the Masterton Horticultural and Industrial Society Mr. H. L. Esau referred to the adoption of the flowering apple as the town's emblem. "The Beautifying Society has cooperated with great enthusiasm," said Mr. Esau, "and 800 flowering apple trees have been planted in Masterton. That can be considered good, but it is not good enough. I appeal to every householder to plant at least one flowering apple, preferably on Arbor Day." Display of War Posters

An interesting collection of British war posters, presented to the Mayor, Mr. J. A. C. Ahum, by the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom, Sir Harry Batterbee, has been placed on view in the exhibition room of the Auckland Art Gallery. Most of them are new to Aucklanders, the largest being a fine representation in full colour of a sailor, an airman and soldiers from all parts of the Empire marching with rifles at the slope. Excellent use had been made of photography in many designs. One of the most effective is a portrait of Mr. Churchill against a background of English open country, with tanks manoeuvring and fighters in formation overhead. The slogan is: 'Let Us Go Forward Together." A number of the posters issue warnings against careless talk, and others explain very simply what to do in air raids and how to deal with (ires and incendiary bombs.

Highest Point in Ranges Recognised by the Government Geographical Board and named Te Toiokawharu, a peak located by the city waterworks engineer, Mr. A. D Mead, is the highest point in the Waitakere Ranges. For many years the eminence known as Ruaotewhenua, 1437 ft, overlooking the new Scenic Drive and about 2h miles westward of Waiatarua, had been regarded as the highest point in the ranges, but Te Toiokawharu is approximately 70ft higher. Few people other than trampers are likely to visit this peak for some years, as there are no roads in the locality. Possible Family Record What is possibly a family record in military activities was established at the Northern Military District School of Instruction at Narrow Neck yesterday when a father and three sons, all of whom hold noncommissioned rank in the army, assembled to attend various instructional courses. The father is Ser-geant-Major P. T. W. Blows, New Zealand Permanent Staff, and his sons are Corporal B. O. Blows, New Zealand Temporary Staff, and LanceCorporals R. K. and R. K. Blows, both of the Ist Battalion, Auckland Regiment. All are stationed in the city. Next Victim? \ Speaking on the European situation last month, Mr. F. H. LaGuardia, Mayor of New York, forecast that Hitler sooner or later would turn upon another pact-partner— Italy. "I predict now that there will either be a complete surrender or turnlng over of complete control of the economy of Italy, or else he is going to treat Italy like he treated Russia. That is just a part of a proframme to dominate first of all lurope, then to get Asia and Africa. I also predict that he will wind up by declaring war against himself. That is, the German people will soon realise it has a fanaticallv obsessed leadership that is impracticable and unworkable, aside from being cruel and maniacal," was his comment. Petrol Conservation Reference to petrol consumption is made in the annual report of the Public Service Commissioner. The report states that 36 liaison officers have been appointed in various towns, and it has been their responsibility to review all itineraries, in order to ensure that, as far as possible, officers proceeding on a similar route should occupy only one car. In effect, it meant that no officers could leave a town by motor ear without the consent of the liaison officer, and a great deal of dead running had been saved. At different points the Post and graph Department and the Railway Department had stationed cars for i hire. The saving of petrol had been 'substantial.