General News

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23745, 17 September 1942, Page 4

General News

Camouflage Net Making A supply of twine sufficient for the making of about 1000 camouflage nets has been received by the organisation, conducted under the auspices of the Women’s War Service Auxiliary, which has been engaged in net making in “The Press” building since February. For some time the organisation has been without twine, and only a few women have been carrying on with the work of remaking unsuitable nets. However, greater assistance is now needed urgently—it was stated yesterday that there was plenty of work for another 40 helpers. Besides nets, covers for "tin hats” are also made. Since the organisation commenced its activities, more than 1500 have been completed. Education Board Election Voting in the Canterbury Education Board’s by-election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr J. W. Preen, in July, closed yesterday. The voting papers will be counted on September 23. Mr Preen represented the Timaru urban area, and there are two candidates for the vacancy, Mr A. E. Lawrence, formerly editor of the “Timaru Herald,” and Mr B. H. Low. formerly headmaster of the Timaru Main School. £207 For Patriotic Fund An exceptionally prime bullock given to the Patriotic Fund by the Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, formed the subject of a calculating competition at the Addington Market yesterday, being subsequently offered at auction. The total realised for the animal was £207 10s. Ice-cream for N.Z. Troops A New Zealand ice-cream factory has been added to the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force Camp at Maadi. The factory was opened by Lady Freyberg. The original intention was to establish a mobile unit from which the troops in the field could be supplied, but this proved impossible, and it was decided to establish a stationary plant with a refrigerated van for delivery in and round the base. The manufacturing plant, except the churn and motor, was made in New Zealand to the order of the National Patriotic Fund Board. The churn and motor were given by the Anzac War Relief Fund. New York. The ingredients for making ice-cream are sent from New Zealand, and these are provided from patriotic funds.— (P.A.) Level of River Styx “The level of the river Styx is lower than I can ever remember it having been before," commented Cr. W. P. Spencer at a meeting of . the Waimairi County Council last evening. The report of the works committee showed that when last taken the levels varied between half an inch and two and a half inches below contract level, with the exception of the bottom peg level, which was two inches above contract level. The level at the bottom peg is affected by tides. Excursion-train Music Travellers on the Timaru Sunday excursion trains are used to being entertained by performers on the mouth organ and even the accordion; but the experience of some who were passengers on the return train from Timaru last Sunday was probably unusual. A soldier played a violin and received the applause and praise of a whole carriage full of passengers. In a letter to the editor of “The Press” a correspondent says that the music was all good, and that the violinist gave the passengers much pleasure. Zoning for Cream Collecting A saving of more than 35,000 truck running miles will be made by zoning trucks of the Tai Tapu and Central Dairy Companies, according to a statement made by the chairman (Mr W. G. Macartney), at the annual general meeting of the Tai Tapu Co-operative Dairy Company, Ltd., last evening. He said that in recent years the two companies had co-operated in the cartage of cream to eliminate unnecessary mileage, but that further alterations in the routes would effect further savings in petrol and tyres. Repair of Lower Hutt Chimneys Unless the owners of approximately 200 houses authorise the Lower Hutt City Council within the next few days to repair chimneys damaged by the earthquakes, no action will be taken, according to a decision reached at this week’s meeting of the council. The Mayor, Mr Andrews, reported that 959 chimneys had suffered, 505 had been repaired, work was on hand on 167, and for the remainder the owners had not returned the authorisation forms. Councillors considered that in many cases householders had made their own arrangements. Vandalism in Dunedin A decision to offer a reward of £lO for information leading to the conviction of persons responsible for damage to trees, shrubs and seats in the city reserves and also to, ask for stricter police supervision was reached at a meeting of the committee of the Dunedin Amenities Society. When the attention of members was drawn to the apparent epidemic of- vandalism which had taken place in and round the city during the last few months, it was stated that it was unfair to blame school children for much of the damage that had been done, as, in the case of the damage to the seats, this could only have been the work of older persons. Mr S. G. Scoular said that unfortunately the damage was not confined to the reserves. The works department of the City Corporation had lost many hurricane lamps, and bull'seye reflectors had been removed from the walls of public air-raid shelters. Mr W. J. Birrell said that he had noticed children recently removing the sods from an air raid shelter and making a special shelter of their own. Release of 900 Timber Workers About 900 timber workers have been released from the Army during the last six months, according to the secretary of the Wellington Timber Work - ers’ Union, Mr A, Humphreys. These men have returned to work in the bush and the mills in response to the demand for timber for defence construction. Mr Humphreys said that the calling up for military service of men up to 45 years of age was likely to have a serious effect on timber production, as only a few of the skilled workers, such as benchmen, would be left. With other occupations it was inevitable that some would remain in their positions because of their physical condition, but the experience with previous ballots was that this did not apply with timber workers “Sabotaging the War Effort” The seriousness of the cargo pillaging problem was again emphasised this week by the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce. One member said he believed that a “black market” existed in Dunedin. Mr James Caldwell said that the majority of firms which suffered losses in Dunedin were soft goods houses. These received compensation, but could not obtain replacements. “The introduction of the coupon system has resulted in an increase in pilfering,” declared Mr Caldwell, who added that he believed investigations would reveal the existence ot a “black market.” “Pilfering is too mild a term for this offence.” said the chairman (Mr C. E. Begg). “It amounts to sabotaging of the war effort.” The chairman said he hoped that pressure would be brought to bear on the Waterfront Control Commission or some other authority to do something in an endeavour to end the practice. Earthquake Lowers Well Levels The level of water-in wells throughout the Hutt 'Valley has dropped by about 12 inches as a result of the earthquake, said the engineer of the Hutt City Council (Mr Bach) at the meeting of the council this week. He understood that there had been a similar drop in the level of wells in Wellington. It was not expected that this would cause any difficulty at the Seaview road pumping station, but at the other stations it might be found necessary to reduce slightly the quantity of water drawn off. A considerable number of leaks in water mains and house services had also been caused by the earthquake, at least 20 of them being in the mains.