General News

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23800, 20 November 1942, Page 4

General News

* Removal of Mine Naval personnel who arrived at Westport on Wednesday morning inspected the mine that had been washed up on Carter’s beach, and with the assistance of the military authorities removed and disposed of it. Maoris For Duntroon The Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) said yesterday that youth of the Maori race who fulfil the conditions of entry are eligible for selection as cadets to undergo training at the Royal Military College of Australia to qualify for commissioned rank in the New Zealand Regular Forces. — (P.A.) Missionary Adventures News of missionaries formerly in the Western Solomo's was given yesterday in Christchurch to members of the North Canterbury Methodist District Synod. The Revs. J. F. Goldie and A. H. Voyce were on furlough when the Japanese invaded the islands, and have since been unable to obtain permits for their return. The Rev. C. T. J. Luxton was commandeered with his ketch to evacuate Government officials and planters, and, after taking them 1000 miles to Port Moresby, he had sought in vain for permission to return to his work. When the Japanese were reported at Faisi, Dr. Rutter and the Rev. E, C. Leadley had brought a party o' women to safety after a perilous voyage of 1200 miles in the small mission schooner. Orari Bridge Repairs Repairs are proceeding satisfactorily at the Upper Orari bridge, two miles north of Geraldine, on the Main North road, and cars can now make the crossing by the use of planks placed acoss the remaining gap. This greatly lessons the distance from the Rangilata and Peel Forest districts to Geraldine. Information in Farmers’ Appeals A surprisingly large number of farmers who have given evidence to the Armed Forces Appeal Board at Grcymouth were unable to supply information about the value oi quantity of butter-fat supplied by them to dairy factories. In some cases they stated that their wives attended to the business side of the farm, and in others plain forgetfulness was professed. The chairman (Mr W. Mcldrum) said that in all appeals by dairy farmers, the board required to have such relevant information to enable it to determine whether it was worth while carrying on the herd. Motor Vehicle Regulations In future it will be an offence to leave clinker or ash on the roads or otherwise to use gas-producer equipment on motor vehicles so as to cause damage or be liable to cause damage to property or persons. This provision is contained in an amendment to the Substitute Fuels Emergency Regulations gazetted last night. Another provision designed to save wear and tear on motor lyres also appears in the Gazette. It is a notice fixing the maximum loads that may be carried on tyres of all classes of motor vehicles. Thus, two regulations designed to save tyres are now in force, namely, that fixing the maximum speed of motor vehicles on open roads to 40 miles an hour and that limiting the load which may be carried on tyres.— (P.A.) Good Work by Land Girls "Many land girls are milking daily 30 to 35 cows, and doing it well,” said Mrs M. M. Droaver, M.P., in speaking at the Civic Theatre last evening on the work of the Women’s Land Service. “And farmers tell me,” Mrs Dreaver added, "that the cows like the women's touch and produce more milk.” Direction to Essential Work “The Placement Officer or the Manpower Officer should make arrangements so that women, girls, or married men with children who are not already in essential industries could be directed to undertake necessary work and release young men for camp,” said Mr C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., at a meeting yesterday of the Auckland Armed Forces Appeal Board, of which he is chairman. -(P.A.) Service In Doric “The quaint and expressive words of the Scottish Doric were employed to great advantage by the Rev. T. W. Armour, of Christchurch, when he preached a sermon and conducted a full service at St. James’ Presbyterian Church, Auckland, in braid Scots,” says the “New Zealand Herald.” "To a number of the elderly members of the congregation the words were a breath of their native land and reminiscent of their early days. Many of the younger generation found difficulty in understanding the full meaning of some of the phrases,” Violent Coastal Currents' Thick bel'-, of kelp, hundreds of yards long, ana several feet wide, floated in a.iu out of Auckland harbour with the tides last Friday, the presence of >:r, much seaweed being a sign of the violence of coastal currents set up hy the recent persistent high winds. Ferries and other craft on the harbmii had to make considerable diversions from their normal courses at times to avoid the possibility of the seaweed fouling their propellers. An Effective Protest As the result of a protest made by the Invercargill City Council last week against being compelled to deduct income tax from the wages of an employee. mstrnciions to discontinue the deductions have been forwarded to the council by the Commissioner of Taxes. Advice lo this effect has been received by Mr W M, C. Denham, M.P.. through whom representations against the commissioner’s a'ucn were made. Mr Denham said that the worker’s wages would not be subject to the special deduction. A strong protest against the provisions of the Finance Act, 1942, was made by the council. The Act provides tha: employers may bo compelled to deduct lax payments from the wages of workers on the instructions of the commissioner. During the discussion it was stated that the worker concerned was not liable to pav income tax, but he had failed to furnish a return and efiam exemption for his five children ii der 18 years of age. Gas Masks for Auckland E.P.S. The distribution of civilian anti-gas respirators to personnel of the Auckland Metropolitan Emergency Precautions Service has been in progress for more than a month, says the “New Zealand Herald.” Recently about 400 members of the law and order unit whose duty it is to help the regular police in an emergency, attended the Town Hall to be fitted. The respirators were made in Christchurch and had arrived in three sizes. The most suitable size is chosen and then adjusted to the wearer’s face by three webbing bands which m«t at the back of the head. The wearer is shown how lo put on the respirator and how to take it off. No directions have yet b:r’ given about fitting members of the general public in Auckland. For the present, fitting E.P.S. personnel throughout the metropolitan area and the outer districts is a quite sufficient task. It is probable that when it is completed the remaining respirators will bo held in store until further ins. ’lions are received. Waipiata Sanatorium “We have had another set-back in regard to the additions at the Nurses’ Home,” said Mr E. Macdonald, chairman of the Waipiata Sanatorium Committee this week. “The additions were intended to nrovide accommodation for the domestic staff as well as the nurses, and although we don’t really need them to-day because of the difficulties of getting staff, we must have increased accommodation for normal limes,” Mr Macdonald added; “Unfortunately, the additions were not put on the first priority list by the Government, so we have decided not to go on with them in the meantime." Mr Macoonald referred to the death of Mr James Ritchie, the last of the original members of the Waipiata Committee, and praised his services to the institution as an adviser and administrator. During last month, said Mr Macdonald, 31 patients were admitted to the sanatorium and 32 were discharged.