NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 171, 16 April 1942, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF

National Savings The National Savings movement continues to make steady progress, 236 towns being successful last week in flying their quota flags. Many more places fell short of their quota attainment by duly a small amount. Lust week all of the principal centres succeeded in raising their quota flags. Matches in Short Supply. Matches, both wooden and wax, are in short supply in Wellington. In most of Hie shops visited yesterday only one box would be sold to a customer; and some shops were not in a position to supply that modest demand —they were completely out of stock.

Mining Privileges Case. After heaving legal argument lasting two days and a half, 'he Full Court reserved decision yesterday on tlie motions to strike out the appeal of the Crown against the decision of rhe waiden in the Ouekaka iron mining privileges ease. The decision of tlie warden was against the Crown in its suit against the Ouekaka Iron and Steel Co.. Lid.. Golden Bay Proprietary, Ltd., and Pacific Steel, Ltd., lor llie forfeiture of the privileges.

State Rental Houses. The N.Z.U.S.A. Ims been advised by the Minister of Housing, Mr. Armstrong, that the representations made by the Dominion executive committee that a minimum of 25 per cent, of Slate rental houses should be made available to servicemen now returning from the present war, has bis wholehearted approval. It is the intention of the N.Z.R.S.A. to watch the position closely, and when servicemen are returning to civil life in increasing numbers, tlie

association will make further representations to have the percentage of preference increased. Accidental Drowning. A verdict, of death by accidental drowning was returned by Hie coroner, Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., at an inquest tn Auckland into the dentil of Petty Ollieer William Reid Stuart, 26. single, residing Ji t I levonport. whose body was found in Waitemata Harbour, near the Ferry Wharf, Birkenhead, on Marell 6. Evidence was given that Stuart was last seen after leaving the Workingmen's Club in Devouport at 1.1.30 p.m. He was sober. There were no marks of violence on the body and no evidence as to how Stuart got into Ihe waler. — F.A.

Supplies of Fire Hose. A Wellington merchant who represents a big English lirm stated yesterday that Hie supplies of lire hose for the New Zealand brigades were now fairly satisfactory. A year ago such was not the case. Many of the brigades were then rather short, of hose, and the small consignments which did come to hand were distributed in small lots. That state of things was brought about by some heavy losses al sea through enemy action. Since then the British Government had been more liberal in its views on the export of such manufaeliircs. and fairly satisfactory consignments had arrived from time to time.