NEWS OF THE DAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 166, 15 July 1943, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Pipy Cleaners—Once There was a time not so long ago in .Auckland, when pipe cleaners were in extremely short supply, but apparently they are not so scarce as they were, for a shopper, intent on procuring a small item, of imitation jewellery or an ornament or some sort, found them in a shop this week. They were, however, quite useless for cleaning his pipe, for they had been made up into ornamental "flowers" for pinning on a frock, coat or hat. Being a mere man and used to the disappointments inseparable from battling, against priorities, he merely shrugged, though he toyed with the idea of buying one for his wife —and then unravelling it. Destruction of Grapefruit An unusual form of destruction is evident in the garden of a home at Devonport. It is thought to have been caused by either rats or hedgehogs. Fully-grown grapefruit by the dozen have been destroyed on a tree by the centre being eaten and only the shell left. In some cases the fruit has fallen to the ground in the process of destruction, but in other instances the shells remain on the tree Surprise has been expressed that a rodent could climb the tree and support itself sufficiently long on thin stalks to eat the fruit in such a manner. Art in P.O.W. Camp "The art section in this camp flourishes," writes a New Zealand doctor in a prisoner of war camp in Germany, in acknowledging gifts of art requisities. from Y.M.C.A.. representatives in Germany. His letter appears in a paper published in Geneva. "I have 12 artists here, the medical officer writes, 'and this year we held two remarkably successful arts and crafts exhibitions with paintings, pen drawings, pencil drawings, needle and wool work, which have been greatly admired. Your most recent gifts have supplied material sufficient to keep these men occupied for many months, and have paved the way for more exhibitions to brighten and raise the standard at this life of waiting. We also thank you for your previous gifts— the indispensable typewriter, musical instruments, sports gear, theatre make-up, hymn books, Bibles and library books."

Big Sum for Missions A total of £3886 has been received by the Board of Missions from the parishes of the Auckland Diocese for mission work for the year ended June 30. This is 30.8 per cent above the diocese quota of £2970. In announcing this result, the Diocese Mission Committee says that when so many calls are being made for money this is a fine achievement. Shortage of Clergy "The manpower problem in the diocese is becoming more and more complex and difficult," said the Bishop of Wellington in his opening address to the Anglican Synod. "The death of two of our vicars, the retirement of three more, and the removal of one of our curates to another diocese, together with the commissioning of three more of our clergy as chaplains, have made the proper staffing of our parishes next to impossible. Last year I ordained four priests and only two deacons, one of whom was priested the same year. Moreover, between now and the next Synod I see no likelihood of a single deacon being added to our staff." The bishop added that it had given him great pleasure to sign the documents allowing two chaplains of the United States Marine Corps to officiate in the diocese. King's Old Boys Old boys of King's College will hold a reunion this year, and a series of functions has been arranged for July 24 and 25. On Saturday afternoon, July 24, the main attraction will be the annual college football match between King's and Grammar, and in the evening the annual meeting of the Old Boys' Association and a concert will be held at King's School. On the following day, after a service at the College Chapel at Middlemore, old boys will be the guests of the St. John's College Board of Governors at luncheon. Recently the association posted to all old boys, whether financial members or not, a copy of The King's Courier, the old boys' section of the college magazine. This publication contains a remarkably fine and comprehensive record of the achievements of old boys in the armed forces, including a wide selection of photographs. i