NEWS OF THE DAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 81, 6 April 1943, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY

Milk Billy Stolen A number of complaints have been made by residents in the Mount Eden district that money has been taken from the milk receptacles left at front gates overnight. One resident was subjected to an even greater annoyance. On going to collect the milk in the morning he found that someone had taken not only the milk but the billy as well. Writing on the Wall Unless fruiterers and greengrocers get together and build a national organisation to protect their interests, many of them will be forced out of business as a result of the Government's stabilisation plans. This was the-contention of the officials of the" Canterbury Fruit Buyers' Association, • when they addressed a meeting of over 100 fruit retailers in Christchurch this week. Mr. H. E. Denton said the writing was already on the wall. Strange Penmanship ..To the orthodox penman the person who uses his left hand for writing appears not only awkward but at a disadvantage in that his hand tends_ to cover up what he has written. This disadvantage is overcome in a peculiar manner by a member of the United States forces at present in Auckland. He was observed to place his hand at the top of his writing paper and turn his wrist downwards. Despite thestrange "stance," he wrote rapidly, and at least had a clear view of his writing. Cut and Plug Tobacco A few hardened old smokers were discussing recently how the Americans were most fastidious about the tobacco they smoked and debated with zest the differences in the various cut tobacco. It was different in the old days when smokers as a rule did not like cut tobacco; they much preferred the plug. One who had followed the hard life of a sailor last century, spoke in glowing terms of the fine flavour of the "bogie roll" and the "Irish twist," which was sold at ports of call. All agreed, however, that the pipe had been a great comfort to them all through their long lives, and it was only the best of "smokes" that was good enough for those who knew how to smoke wisely and well. Police Auction Sale Men and women are very forgetful. How else would it be possible for the police to come into possession of such a wide and varied assortment of lost articles as were disposed of by auction in Wellington recently. Such trifles as handkerchiefs, umbrellas and walking sticks may well be left here or there by absentminded folk who cannot afterward recall where they have been, but when it comes to kits of tools, bags of clothing, gold watches and rings, and even bicycles, it is rather difficult to imagine how such things can be forgotten. Needless to say, in these days of shortages there was no difficulty in securing good prices for almost anything that was offered. For example, four tire pumps brought 35/, a bunch of spanners went for 15/, a bright steel ballrace for a wheel hub 21/, rosary beads 5/6, new headlight and dynamo 42/6 and the beginnings of a cardigan jacket with. knitting needles and skein of wool 5/. While a gold watch was purchased for £5 by a Chinese, there was no bid at all. for a set of lower teeth, which the auctioneer said "must be good for someone."

I Winter Feed Shortage ~ -As the legacy of a wet summer, West- Coast farmers are facing a shortage of winder feed. Adequate supplies of ensilage could not be provided, and numerous turnip crops failed to mature. To meet the demands, it will be necessary to purchase supplies from Canterbury. Dairy farmers who are under contract to supply milk to Greymouth and other centres are in a difficult position, as they must obtain sufficient feed to maintain production. Otherwise, it may be necessary to bring milk to the West Coast from Canterbury. History of the Penguin In order to follow up the interesting habits of the penguin, Mr. L. E. Richdale, a well-known Dunedin naturalist, some time ago put identification rings around the necks of some of them. This week a young boy, who resides at St. Clair, was at Wickliffe Bay, where he had been spending the week-end. He found one of these penguins, the neck ring bearing the number W. 36, with the request that the finder report the matter to the Otago Museum. The bird was put back in the water, and the museum duly notified. It was stated by the curator of the museum that some, of the penguins marked by Mr. Richdale had been found as far north as Wellington, whilst others had appeared at Lyttelton. The history of the penguin was an interesting one, and Mr. Richdale's work was enabling the compilation of valuable records. Housing Problem The seriousness of the housing problem was stressed by Mr. M. Moohan (chairman of the Rehabilitation Board) in an address in Palmerston North. At present, he stated, there were 22,000 applications for State houses in the Dominion. There were 15,000 building contractors in the forces, and 800 in the Dominion were engaged on defence works. Provision would have to be made, and when the urgent defence works were finished men would have to be put on to housing. This would be done as soon as the men and material were available. Referring tc* rehabilitation, Mr. Moohan added that the plans envisaged for housing involved materials which would-cost about £10,000,000. Of the materials, 95 per cent of them could be made in the Dominion and there was here the prospect of a huge industry. Value of Sea Water An old yachtsman, in his 85th year, speaking of the old days, said that when cruising as a boy and even since he had learned to make the morning porridge with sea water drawn from a good depth instead of fresh water, and was satisfied it was a health giving food. The magnesium and the chlorides or sodium and other minerals kept the boatsmen in good health all the time they were away. An old French cook had told him that bakers living on the coast of France always used sea water for making their rolls and bread and French rolls were famous all the world over. The old sailing vessels on lonj; voyages always made their bread with salt water, which was especially good for young people and convalescents. The French people who first settled at Akaroa were free from goitre because their drinking water there was impregnated with water from the sea, containing iodine. More edible seaweed should be eaten and one of our leading physicians in Auckland has advocated this for the same reason.