OUT AND ABOUT

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 13945, 24 December 1945, Page 2

OUT AND ABOUT

Native Seeds Sent Overseas As part of an exchange agreement. seeds of native plants have recently been sent from Christchurch to Belgium and South America. Mr F. Thorne, acting-director of the Christchurch Domains Board, reported this to the board, when, in his monthly statement, he said that 9 5 packets of native seeds had been sent to the University of Brussels and 13 packets had gone to the Rio de Janeiro Botanic Gardens. Potatoes Not Fattening Many persons are afraid to eat new potatoes because they think potatoes are fattening,” states the Department of Health. “Potatoes, new or old. will not widen a figure any more than other food. Potatoes are good for everyone. Their carbohydrate provides fuel for muscular energy, and they contain minerals, especially iron, and vitamins B and C. There is no food that readily takes the place of potatoes, so they should be eaten every day.” ,

Reporting Accidents

A reminder to motorists of their obligations 10 report accidents in which they were involved was given by Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M., in the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court, when a charge of having tailed to report an accident was being heard. “If there is a collision, and anyone is injured, it is an absolute obligation on the motorist to report the accident to the police at once,” Mr Ferner said. “If it is not done, the motorist lays himself open to a heavy penalty.”

Wheat Production In Britain

Although the war has ended, the world food situation remains very difficult, says a British official publication. For 104 G the Minister has already reminded farmers that there must bo no easing-off in wheat production. It is essential, in the national interest, that all suitable laud that comes into turn for wheat should he sown this autumn, and the target is 21 million acres. All wheat of this season’s growing is wanted for milling. Controls have not been relaxed. The last harvest was down 575.000 acres on the war peak production.

Refresher Course

A further three weeks’ refresher course at the Otago Dental School for the benefit of demobilised dental officers is being considered by the Rehabilitation Board, says a statement from the department. A similar course was held last May and proved very successful, and it is tentatively expected to hold the second course in-May. 1946. The fees for the course, with subsistence allowance, are met by the board. At present the services are contacting dental officers who may. wish to take the course, for which they must apply through their district rehabilitation office by the end of January.

Op;Ui to Servicemen

A recent notice from the Public Service Commissioner refers to two scholarships in librarianship open to ex-servicemen and women. They are tenable at the New Zealand Government Library School for the session beginning in February next. Applicants have to be university graduates, and should at the end of the course he suitably Qualified for employment in the Public Service as archivists and librarians. During their training period the successful applicants will receive an allowance. They must undertake to remain in the Public Service for at least three years after completing the course. Medallions For Justices “Unfortunately the serious illness of Mr Stratford. Registrar of the Federation, lias delayed the procuring' of medallions for justices who have joined during the past year,” stated the registrar (Mr J. B. McKinney) in his report to the annual meeting of the Bay of Plenty Jus-

tices of the Peace Association on Wednesday afternoon. The registrar added that he had been assured

by the president that the question of medallions would shortly be put in order. A copy of the December issue of the New Zealand Justices’ Quarterly should also be received by every new member.

Freedom In New Zealand

“The more one reads in the news papers, the more one realises how fortunate we are to have liberty and opportunity and our wonderful heritage,” said the Primate of New Zealand, Archbishop West-Watson, speaking at the annual prize-giving ceremony of St. Margaret’s College, Christchurch. “When we consider the regimentation of other countries we should be thankful for our freedom. I do not think we realise how near to disaster we were. The Allied Forces saved us from a great disaster. The thought of that should raise us above miserable grumblings about what we have not got, and make us thank God for what we have got.”

Cost of Absenteeism

Reduction in output through absenteeism was referred to by Mr James Begg, chairman of directors of the Westport Coal Company. Ltd., at the annual meeting in Dunedin. The output for the year amounted to 200.651 tons, as against 259,117 tons in 194 4. This was partly accounted for by worked-ont* areas and partly by absenteeism, which was causing concern, he said. One manager had recently reported that five of his truckers had been absent from work for a fortnight, while others had been absent for four, five, six and eight days during the period, coninued Mr Begg. abo Millerton output was also lower because of shortage of labour and absenteeism. The pegging of coal prices, while perhaps necessary, had not been altogether satisfactory, said Mr Begg, and there were instances of inferior lignite coals fetching the same price as the best Westfield product. Hazards Of The Road An appeal to all road users to exercise courtesy and consideration on the road during the coming holiday season is made by Miss M. Magill, who is a member of the New Zealand Road Safety Council, and a past president of the New Zealand Educational Institute. “Too many holiday seasons,” she declared, “have been marred by needless accidents on the road. This summer, with the return of so many of our servicemen from overseas and the general relief from the strain of war, there wiU natually be such holiday-making there has not been since before 1939. At Christmas and New Year the roads will be busy, and travellers may feel carefree. Do not let ns repeat the tragic experience of -J day when eight people were killed on our streets and highways on that 4 one day of great celebration. “Children, too. on foot and on bicycle, will he on the reads in great numbers during the summer holidays” continued Mtss Magill. “They have been taught their traffic drill, hut children are impulsive. In their play they ma> rush out into traffic without thought. The motor-driver must he prepared for this, remembering that his own child probably does the same thing, and is exposed to the same danger. Let ns all —motorist, cyclist and pedestrian alike —make allowances for the other person’s errors and use the roads carefully and sensibly ouv-