NEWS OF THE DAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 291, 9 December 1941, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Gift Appreciated Appreciation was expressed at a meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board last evening when a cheque for £2 2/ for the Princess Mary Block of the Auckland Hospital was received from the Auckland Workingmen's Club and Mechanics' Institute. The request was made that the money should be expended in providing children in hospital with comforts at Christmas time, particularly in the form of a Christmas tree. Hospital Visiting Visiting at the Auckland Hospital was referred to at a meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board last evening by the chairman, Mr. Allan J. Moody. He said that it was con* sidered necessary to keep the hospital closed to visitors except for an hour on Sunday afternoons, but an effort would be made at Christmas to allow visitors to attend more freely. . Gazelle as Mascot An artillery unit in the Middle East has adopted a young gazelle as a mascot. A member of the unit, i Gunner, D. W. R. Bell, of Hamilton, writes that in all probability the : gazelle is the only mascot of its kind 1 in the Middle East. At the time the letter was written, the animal was a little wild, but he was gradually becoming tamed. The gazelle had been duly christened after, the officer commanding, and was known to all as "Young Steve." Gunner Bell wrote that there was a great deal of game where he was stationed. Herds of gazelle were frequently seen, while foxes and pariah dogs occasionally sneaked out from their lairs in the i hills. Clipper Receives News After the Clipper left Noumea early yesterday morning for New Zealand the passengers were informed by the commander, Captain R. Ford, that wireless messages had been received stating that Japan bad declared war en the United States of America "The sight of tha New Zealand coast some hours after the announcement was very welcome," said an Auckland passenger, Mr. Howard Hunter, to-day. He added that there was an air of tension on board when it became known that hostilities had commenced. Captain Ford said there had been no news of the sudden attack by the Japanese pn Pearl Harbour when the Ciioper took off from Noumea.

Law Professors Gift A gift of £50 towards the establishment of a Law School War Memorial Library Fund was received at a meeting of the Auckland University College Council yesterday afternoon from Professor J. Stone, who recently retired from the chair of law at the college to take up a similar position in Sydney. It was decided to refer the question of establishing a fund to the legal members of the council. The appreciation of the council of Professor Stone's gift was placed on record. Friendly. Society and BM.A. The Wellington division of the British Medical Association has appointed a committee to meet representatives of the friendly societies and try to arrive at some agreement regarding medical benefits, as has been done in Christchurch, states a Press Association message. Mr. J. L. Stewart, secretary of the Manchester Unity Oddfellows, stated today that negotiations had been reported from most parts of the Dominion, the cities of Auckland and Wellington excepted. Valme of Walking "One of the best branches of physical welfare is walking," said the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Parry, speaking to members of the Otago section of the New Zealand Alpme Club. "The time is coming," he continued, "when people who want to see New Zealand will have to walk to see it. I know of, no country that offers a greater reward to walkers than this beautiful Dominion of ours. Instead of crities of physical welfare work sitting back and passing offensive resolutions, it would be better if they had a walk occasionally to observe what others are doing." An 111 Wind Pedestrians walking along Tay Street, Invercargill, shortly after noon one day last week, were amazed to see banknotes of various denomiI nations being scattered by the wind. In their wake came a worried-look-ing young man making a desperate effort to retrieve the notes, but without success. The bag in which he had been carrying tne notes had snapped open at the treacherous "bank corner" and a strong gust of wind had sent £65 in notes scurrying down the street. The notes, some ol which lodged in doorways and under parked motor vehicles, led the owner and a police constable a merry chase, Pedestrians lent a hand, and the street was a scene of considerable activity for some time. In tibi* finish all but £6 was recovered.