General News

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23412, 20 August 1941, Page 6

General News

Bank Saved by Staff ; How the Bank of New Zealand in London w s as saved from destruction by fire after an air raid was described by Mr David F. Reid, who recently retired from the position of London manager, and has now returned to New Zealand. Mr Reid said a large tank of water had been installed on the roof, and hoses laid to every floor. While buildings round the bank were burning fiercely, members of the staff kept the fire away from the bank with these hoses, thus giving the bank protection which was not available to other premises. The bank suffered comparatively slight structural damage, and was operating again in the same building.—P.A. Seepage at Staveley At the request of the seepage committee in the Staveley district Messrs S. P. Taylor (chairman of the Ashburton County Council), H. H. Hood, M. S. Turton, G. Kelly (county clerk), and H. A. Vezey (county engineer) made an inspection on Monday of areas where seepage and drainage problems arising from surplus water nbar the irrigation channels have been encountered. Afterwards, Mr Taylor said that the County engineer would take the matter up with the Public Works Department to ascertain what proposals they had under consideration for the affected localities. “Tommy’’ Guns For Reserve A supply of “Tommy” guns has been received by the National Military Reserve at Greymouth. These will form part of the unit’s equipment and instructions in their operation will be given immediately. Otekaike Settlement Leases The Otekaike settlement 33-year leases held by the original settlers expired on June 30 last, and five farmers have not renewed their leases. Of this number four have decided to leave their holdings, so that the farms are vacant. In 1908 when 60 allotments were offered, there were 699 applicants. Food for War, Prisoners Cabled advice has been received by the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society, from LieutenantColonel F. Waite? Red Cross Commissioner in the Middle East, that 30 tons of bulk foodstuffs have been dispatched to prisoners of war in Greece. The prisoners of war inquiry office of the Joint Council draws the attention of next-of-kin of prisoners of war to the fact that until camp addresses are officially notified, they may send parcels care of the High Commissioner for New Zealand, 415 the Strand, London, W.C.2. P.A. Emergency Fire Service High praise for the staff of the Fire Brigade in the work it was doing for the Emergency Fire Service was given by Mr J. D. Carey, chairman of the committee of the service and a member of the Christchurch Fire Board, at a meeting of the board last evening. He said that the public generally was not aware of the fact that the board’s staff was giving hours and hours of work for nothing to train members of the emergency service. He would like publicity giyen to their wonderful effort. Mr Carey’s remarks were endorsed by the chairman (Mr T. M. Charters), who said that the staff gave its time not only to the Emergency Fire Service but also to instruction of women’s organisations and to equipment. Missing N.C.O. Praised Private advice has been received by Mr W. fi. O’Callaghan that his son, Corporal Denis William O’Callaghan, is missing and is believed to be a prisoner of war. A high tribute to the service and devotion to duty of his son is paid in a letter to Mr O’Callaghan by an officer who was previously in charge of the section in which his son served. “His officers spoke very highly of his ability as a non-commissioned officer and also of his leadership, coolness, and courage. He handled his men- exceptionally well, and in him they had the greatest confidence,” it states. £20,000 for War Loan A decision to invest £20,000 in the Government’s £10,000,000 war loan was reached at a meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board, when a report by the finance committee was received from the board in committee. “It is our plain duty to stand behind the Government in this loan,” said the chairman, Mr H.*Li|ke. The board would have to use some of its reserves to subscribe to the loan. Mr J. H. Frater said this was a contribution not only to assist men in the fighting field, but an insurance against aggression and damage to the board’s property, “I think this is the finest security we can contribute to,” he added.—P.A. Sale of Fire Engine A report that the New Brighton fire engine had been sold for £llO to the Kaiapoi Fire Board was received with considerable satisfaction at a meeting of the Christchurch Fire Board last evening. The chairman (Mr T. M. Charters) said that the machine was quite an efficient one of its type and would give quite useful service to Kaiapoi. The Kaiapoi people agreed that it would. Trailer Pumps Made in Dominion Trailer pumps for fire-fighting, capable of doing the work of fire engines when provided with water, are being manufactured in Wellington at the rate of 20 a month, complete with branch and stand pipes and hose couplings. The machining is done in a number of shops, and the assembling and testing at one engineering foundry. The engine and couplings are maije locally, but hoses are imported from America and Australia. Soldiers’ Travelling Arrangements Travelling arrangements have been made for military .personnel at present on leave from North Island and Burnham camps. The North Island piersonnel from Christchurch and its vicinity will leave by train departing from Christchurch on Sunday. The Burnham personnel will return to camp by train leaving Christchufch at 3.30 p.m. the same day, and South Canterbury personnel will travel by train leaving Timaru at 4.15 p.m. on Sunday for all camps. . The West Coast personnel for the- , North Island will leave Greymouth, the train leaving Greymouth at 9 p.m. on’ Saturday, and then leave Christchurch at 9 p.m. on Sunday, North Canterbury personnel will travel into Christchurch on Saturday and leave by the same train. Burnham personnel from the Coast will .travel by train leaving Greymouth at 10.18 a.m. on Saturday. North Canterbury personnel will travel by train from Hundalee at 1.53 p.m. the same day. Fewer Earthquakes Only 120 earthquakes were felt in New Zealand last year, the lowest figure for some years. Of these 90 were felt only in parts of the North Island and 40 only in the South Island, 10 being common to‘both islands. Most of these shocks were slight ones, unnoticed by most people. The Hawke’s Bay-Bay of Plenty region provided much of the seismic activity during February and March.