General News

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24152, 11 January 1944, Page 4

General News

Special Cream Ration Suggestions that the system for the issue of permits for extra creapi to diabetics and others needing additional fats on medical grounds is being abused are not supported by the number of permits issued at the Chief Post Office. Since the system was introduced, 1270 permits for cream have been issued, the average amount being half a pint a week. Permits for cream are issued by rationing officers on the production of medical certificates. Before the sale of cream was banned, the average monthly sales of cream to wholesale and retail purchasers in Christchurch were equal to approximately 7000 gallons. The total extra cream ration is approximately 340 gallons a month.

Crocodile Shot by Temuka Soldier

The story of the shooting of a crocodile on one of the Pacific Islands is told by Gunner A. Curry, formerly of Temuka, in a recent letter. He wrote: “I had a bit of success game hunting when we went out crocodile shooting. The one I bagged was only 7ft Sin long, but it was an ugly brute for all that. It was just getting dark as I waited a short distance from our camp to get a shot at one. I spotted him when he poked his nose out of the water about 50 yards away, and my shot went through his eyes. He heeled over without a kick and lay on his side with one front leg sticking up in the air. Back in camp the news spread quickly about the catch, which was the first one made here so far, and we soon had a big crowd to look at it. Its mouth had between 50 and 60 teeth. The ‘old man’ crocodiles are up to 24 feet long. What a pretty smile they must have!” Demand for Houses An owner who advertised a new, well-equipped residence to let at Nihotupu, in the Auckland district, had ample proof of the keen demand for houses. The first telephone call from a prospective tenant came at 5.30 a.m., and before the day was over the owner had answered 81 applications by telephone and many of the applicants had called personally. All available accommodation on the bus that passed the house was quickly taken, and a number of other people made the journey by private car to prosecute their inquiries on the spot.

Large Sharks Seen

Some of the largest sharks yet seen in the Crnixclles—l4 miles' to the north of Caluke, in the Nelson district —are reported by holiday-makers. This is confirmed by a Blenheim party which has just returned from the locality and which saw one shark, which they estimated to be between 10 and 12 feet long, swimming close to the shore. As might be supposed, bathers there are not over-venture-some, and several campers who went for a swim before they were aware of the presence of the unwelcome prowlers were chased from the water by one of them. This particular shark was stated to be “as thick through as a cow,” and determined efforts were made to catch it, A stout line was fixed to an oil-drum and left floating in the bay. and a large shark was actually hooked. Excitement reached a high pitch as the shark made frantic efforts to escape, and attempts were made to shoot it. but finally it swam at full speed into the drum and the blow tore the hook from its mouth.

Supplies of Ice-Cream

The reduction of the content of but-ter-fat in ice-cream from the Governmept standard of 10 per cent, to 8 per cent, has been permitted by the Health Department. This has enabled Christchurch ice-cream manufacturers to meet the heavy demands caused by the hot weather. In spite of the new regulation from the Health Department supplies of ice-cream from Auckland manufacturers to retailers have been insufficient during the last few days to satisfy the demand. Some of the milk bars there had sold out of ice-cream by the middle of the afternoon on particularly hot days. Grey Coal for Westport

The first of the special trains from Greymouth to Westport with Grey district coal for shipment ran on Saturday afternoon, when 260 tons were hauled from Greymouth. Further trains will run as required. The Rata loaded only 700 tons at Greymouth on Sunday, leaving 150 tons, which will probably also be railed to Westport. Meanwhile, the consignments of Buller district coal by rail to Canterbury have been discontinued.

Unique Set of Drums

An indication of the way in which soldier-entertainers overcome difficulties is given by Private Gordon Hooper, of Wellington, in a letter to a friend in Hamilton from a Pacific base. In referring to a performance on the “drums” in a recent show, he says: “This drum set-up is unique. It consists of half a 40-gallon drum, two small-sized side-drums from half nailkegs, a washboard with’ a strip of tin down its corrugated surface, chimes, triangle, cymbals, and, last but not least, three skulls—red, white, and blue—mounted on a black ground. All are used.” - Training Marksmen The revival of interest in rifle shooting on a Dominion-wide basis so that in future New Zealand will have available at a moment’s notice a large contingent of able riflemen for national defence was suggested in a motion carried by about 100 riflemen and club members at the initial open meeting of the Waverley-Waitbtara Rifle Club at Waverley. The meeting was the first open event to be held in New Zealand for about four years and attracted 60 competitors from a wide area outside Taranaki. In addition there were present about 40 former marksmen, club members, and shooting enthusiasts.

Weight of Public Opinion

A soldier, a pineapple, a crowd of between 200 and 300 persons, and, finally, the police, caused some excitement outside a fruiterer’s shop in High street, Lower Hutt, recently (says the “Evening Post,” Wellington). The soldier, standing on one side of the doorway, had on a piece of paper at his feet a cut open rotten pineapple, which he had previously purchased at the fruit shop, the proprietor of which had refused to refund the cost on the ground that the pineapple had been sold to him by the Government and he was not responsible for its condition. The crowd, which was obviously on the side of the soldier, heartily cheered the police on their arrival, and ultimately the weight of public opinion prevailed and a refund was paid. Chinese Statue A Chinese statue, which should attract interest when it arrives at the Auckland Museum from England, has been bought by the Auckland collector, Captain G. Humphreys-Davies. Almost life-size, it represents a Lohan, a disciple of Buddha, and is in a gol-den-yellow wood, with traces of colour in the robes. It is a specimen of the Ming Dynasty, A.D. 1450, and has been on view at the Chinese Art Exhibition in Nottingham, Ambergris Found Weighing approximately 501b, a piece of ambergris has been found by a Whangarei resident on the beach at Matapouri. Tne ambergris was discovered lying on the sand, close to high water mark and when found had commenced to melt through the action of the hot sun. a musky odour drawing the attention of the finder. When examined by a Whangarei bank manager the find was declared to be ambergris of high quality. Disappearance of Luggage A party of Greymouth residents had an unfortunate experience when they travelled recently by rail-car to Christchurch, all of their luggage being removed before they could claim it at their destination. It is not possible to check luggage on the rail-car, and in the ordinary course it is removed from the compartment and placed on the platform to enable passengers to collect it. When the Greymouth travellers, who were among the last to leave the crowded car, went to obtain their luggage it had disappeared, and no trace of it could be found. It is reported that several instances of a similar nature have recently occurred in Christchurch.