NEWS OF THE DAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 280, 26 November 1941, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

CapitaVs Housing Problem "We are not facing a first-class housing crisis. We are past that stage, and for this city it is going to be a tragedy of some magnitude. It is worrying, disconcerting and distracting, and I do not see any prospect of relief at present," said a leading Wellington land agent when surveying the property market and the conditions ruling for housing accommodation in the city. Another opinion expressed was that speculators in residential property were more active now than had ever been Si own before, and some were makg substantial profits on their dealings. It was stated that the erection of Government houses was not keeping step with the demand, that there were more than 8000 prospective tenants of these on the waiting list alone, and that in any event soldiers returning from active service overseas would have first call on these dwellings. Wanted To Serve Stating that he did not desire to be appealed for, a young man engaged in the manufacture of footwear told the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board yesterday that he wanted to join the army. "Of course he does," said the chairman, Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., "and so does every patriotic man. Sometimes, however, men have to swallow their desires and do what they are told. There are many policemen who want to join the army, but we cannot let them go. You know that troops must have boots—they can't go barefooted—and that is where men like you come in." The man who was being appealed for said that if hej was held back he wanted to join the Territorials, and was emphatic that it was not his wish to serve in the I Home Guard. In adjourning the appeal for three months, the chairman suggested to a representative of the firm that an endeavour be made to replace the man so that he could join the overseas forces.

Haha Beetle in Bus Excitement was caused in a crowded bus running from Bayswater to Milford last evening, when a huhu beetle flew in a window and took its place with the men in the back seat. One of the men picked it up and threw it forward where it landed on a young woman's dress. She immediately gave a loud scream and jumped up on the seat, clutching her skirts nervously about her, standing there until some gallant rescued it and dropped it in the back seat again. From there it was dropped on to a seat occupied by two elderly ladies, who, but for moving forward an inch or two, waited calmly until it was picked up again. The unfortunate beetle was then thrown to the front of the bus, where, after more screaming and laughter from the women seated there, it was battered to death with a copy of the Star. Troops' Rail Fares That individual soldiers going on leave from Waiouru camp should bei allowed the same railway fare concessions as when leave was granted to large numbers was the opinion expressed by members of the Auckland Metropolitan Patriotic Executive last' - night when a letter was received from the district railway traffic manager stating that on occasions of general leave and when sufficient notice was given to the Department, the second class return fare to Auckland was 17/10, and to Wellington 13/5. Travel might be by special or ordinary express trains as arranged. Individual soldiers' going on leave were required to pay j the ordinary single fare, less 20 per cent, for single journeys, and plus' approximately 20 per cent for return I journeys. The executive decided to reply that it could not see the reason for the distinction, and to ask whether the lower rate could not be made applicable to all men.