NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 195, 14 May 1940, Page 9

NEWS IN BRIEF

Forgetful Juryman A juryman, who failed to answer to his name in the Supreme Court, Wellington, yesterday morning was fined £2 by Mr. Justice Ostler. He later appeared 'before his Honour and explained that lie had been so busy art his work that he had forgotten his duty to the country. His Honour said lie could understand such a happening and would remit the fine. “You will be required to attend at 2.15 tomorrow,” said his Honour, “and don’t forget this time.”

Outbreak of Fire. Slight damage to the roof of a leanto at the Adams Bruce factory, Marjoribanks Street, Wellington, was caused by an outbreak of fire about 7 p.m. yesterday. The fire is believed to have been caused by heat from the ovens, which are in contact with the woodwork. Three engines from the Central Fire Station attended the fire, which was extinguished with bucket, pumps.

Radio Licences. In the five years ended March 31 last, the number of radio receiving licences in New Zealand more than doubled and almost 90 per cent, of the homes in the Dominion are now equipped with radio. Figures released by the PostmasterGeneral, Mr. Webb, show that the number of licences has grown during the last five years from 152,808 to 345,710. During the financial year just ended the number of radio licences increased by 28,187.

Infectious Diseases. For the week ended yesterday, 12 cases of infectious disease and seven deaths —six from pulmonary tuberculosis'and one from diphtheria—were reported to the Wellington office of the Health Department. The cases were: Pulmonary tuberculosis (5), pneumonic influenza (3), scarlet fever (2), erysipelas (1). and septic abortion (1).

Durability of Totara. A Te Awamutu resident is now firmly convinced that heart of totara is a very durable timber for underground work. Twenty-one years ago he placed a sawn batten of totara wood about 3ft. underground, and last week he removed it. The batten was as good as new, with no sign of rot or saturation, and even showing the saw marks as clearly as ou the day they were made.

Planted Traffic Islands. The committee of the Wellington Beautifying Society decided last night to suggest to the city council -that the traffic islands which have been constructed in Waterloo Quay be planted with flowers as has one in Jervois Quay, near Taranaki Street, it was decided that the council be congratulated on the planting of the Jervois Quay island.

Must Answer for Consequences. The rather surprising statement that any person can practise surgery or medicine provided he does uot hold himself out as specially qualified was made in the Magistrates’ Court, Auckland, during the hearing of a charge against au endocrinologist. “In other words,” said the magistrate, Mr. Orr Walker, to Mr. Bainbridge, counsel for defendant, “there is nothing to stop you or I from taking a leg off?” “No, sir.” replied counsel, “but we would have to answer for the. consequences, which might be dire.”

Marist Brothers Suffer. No doubt the three schools of the Marist Brothers in Denmark, and the 15 teachers, will now come under the same “protection” as the Marist schools in Germany, states “Zealandia,” the Catholic newspaper. Before the Nazi attack on the Church the brothers were nearly 300 strong in Germany, conducting 15 schools, with an enrolment of 12,000 pupils. The Hitler regime closed all .the schools and drove the brothers from their homes, as they were “uot adapted for the propagation of Nazi principles.” The Marist Brothers College in Austria suffered the same fate. Soccer Enthusiasts.

With the appearance in Christchurch of an association footiball team from the interisland steamer Rangatira, in the senior reserve competition, is revealed an enthusiasm which is very helpful to the code. These members of the crew work all night on the way down from Wellington, play on the Saturday afternoon, and on the same evening work on the trip back to Wellington. In addition, during the past two weekends the vessel has made an extra trip. It says much for the team that, in its matches so far it has given excellent exhibitions. 15-Year-Old Enlists.

During the period of enlistment in Christchurch there have been many attempts to join up on the part of youths under the specified age of 21. In some cases, where objection has not been raised by parents or guardian, they have been successful, and there is probably quite a number of recruits under the age of 21 nmv members of the Second -New Zealand Expeditionary Force. The outstanding example of keenness, however, is 'that of a recent; recruit, who managed to get his registration accepted though he was only 15 years old. A. protest was subsequently made and this lad will have to wait a few years before he will be allowed to join up again.

Newspaper for Ship’s Crew. While it is usual for newspapers to be published on most large liners for the benefit of passengers, a venture ot a somewhat different type has just been undertaken on the Matson liner Monterey, which visited Auckland recently. This is the publication of a weekly newspaper by the crew for distribution among themselves. Apart from disseminating information of general interest the newspaper, which is to be known as the “Monterey Mariner,” is to be used to foster a greater spirit of comradeship among the crew of about 400 and to create enthusiasm and support for the sports teams which compete against shore teams at the ports visited.

Women in Business. “With the continued drain on young manhood for the ranks of the army there will undoubtedly lie an increasing call on the service of women and girls to close up Hie ranks of business,” says the latest issue of the “New Zealand Draper. Clothier and Boot. Retailer.” "It has often been argued that there are some trades only in which women show proficiency, though that idea should have been dispelled by the experiences of last war. In other parts of the world, too, women have taken their places in trades and professions that were supposed to be the preserve of men. There can be no doubt but that they did the job well, t 0 —j n some cases more competently and more conscientiously than the men they released. A great, change, has come over the commercial world within recent years in connexion with the employment of women. No longer is it considered ‘infra dig’ that she should work. She is looked on as unusual if she does not.”