NEWS OF THE DAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 151, 28 June 1945, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Time No Object The address on a letter received at the Auckland Star office to-day was written in a script based on Old English characters. A good deal of filigree work and the use of red and black inks added to the effect. Much time had obviously been spent by the sender of the letter in addressing the envelope. Ferry Statistics During the past year 10,584,949 passengers were carried by the Devonport Steam Ferry Co.—a decrease of 13,993. A total of 636.100 cars were transported, an increase of 23,338 on the previous year's figures. These figures were quoted at the annual meeting of the company to-day. "Bobby-Sockets>" Appear

Commonly observed in Wellington and other southern centres, "bobbysockers"—young girls wearing short woollen socks with or without full length stockings—are occasionally seen about Auckland. In the United States the "bobby-sockers" developed into a cult dedicated to hysterical worship of the crooner Frank Sinatra. However, there is no evidence that the bobby-sock habit in this country is dictated by other then a desire to keep the feet warm on cold mornings.

Fire Police Praised Reporting to the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board on the swearing in of 13 fire police, the chairman, Mr. B. Brigham, said these men were of great assistance to the board. The service was entirely voluntary, the men even buying their own uniforms, and they were keen on their work. The chairman said he had been very pleased with their "turn out", in their distinctive uniforms of khaki shirts and black trousers, at the swearing in ceremony. On his motion a letter was sent to fire police expressing the board's appreciation of their work. His Face Was Red It had been a good day for the three Maori sportsmen. The pheasants were plentiful, the weather mild, and well satisfied they were on their way home when striding towards them they saw the ranger. This was a crisis, for though three had guns only one had a license. Followed a brief tactical conference, and off foK the tall timber raced one member of the party. After him went the ranger. The chase was hot, but the law triumphed and the runaway was brusquely ordered to produce his license. With a smile he brought v? T?r inspection. No one knows where nis two companions went.

Football Bladders

The New Zealand Council of Sport, after asking national bodies for their requirements, applied to the Rubber Controller to obtain release of rubber for the manufacture of 10,000 bladders. Representations to have a greater quantity available were unsuccessful. The total was 3000; League, 500; Soccer, 1000; Basketballs, 2750; schools 2750. Overseas Messages The Chief Postmaster advises that the public telegraphic service has now been restored to Luxemburg. Messages must be in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese. Code is not permitted. Telegraphic communicaation has also been extended to all parts of Italy except the towns of Gorizia, Trieste, Pola, Zara, Fiume, Udine, Bolzano, Trento, Aosta, Torino, Cuneo and Sondrio. Dissipated Energy

"Over every mile of its course when it is running one-third of its maximum flood, the Waimakariri river in South Canterbury loses 150,000 horse-power," said Mr. H. W. Harris in an address to the Canter- 4 bury Progress League. Mr Harris quoted this figure as an illustration of the force of water. Dealing with rainfall, he said a calculation had been made that water equivalent to 200 times the normal flow of the Mississippi was converted back into rain or snow by precipitation over the whole of the earth's surface.

Strawberry Planting Earlier anticipations that plantings of strawberries would be greatly increased this season have now been realised as a result of favourable June conditions. The fine spell came at a time when most gardens were being established, and the sunny days helped the plants to develop new roots, minimising. loss through root, which is always worst under wet conditions. About 3,000,009 plants were distributed to Auckland growers in May and June, and the cropped area will probably exceed 100 acres. This compares with 1,750,000 plants and nearly 60 acres last year. "Easily Got At"

The remark made by a member of the control board of the Auckland Football Association at last evening's meeting that "Mr. So-and-So was easily got at" caused the delegate concerned and others to blink in amazement, for the matter under discussion was representations made by clubs without the knowledge of the control board. Another delegate immediately asked how the member concerned was "got at", and it was then explained that the remark was made because of the fact that the delegate concerned was employed by a Queen Street firm and was easily accessible.