NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 119, 15 February 1944, Page 4

NEWS IN BRIEF

Religion In Schools

“I feel that the trend of thought of the: people today is such that it will be a bold Government* which will decline to introduce religious instruction into the schools,” said the chairman of the Wellington Schoo] Committees and Educational Association, Mr. W. Sadd, When discussing a remit to the forthcoming meeting of the Dominion Federation of School Committees’ Associations. “X am speaking as one who is a supporter of the Labour Government which has always been opposed to such a move, but I feel that if the people have such a desire it is the duty of any government to give effect to it.”

Extra Main Tr,unk Expresses. Till further notice a limited express will run from Auckland on Monday and Friday evening of each week and from Wellington on Tuesday and Saturday. Lower Hutt Baths. The takings at the Lower Hutt municipal baths for November and December last <ear were £222/1/7, compared with £l5B/12/8 for the corresponding period in 1942, au increase of £B3/8/11. Boy Falls Off Roof. Rex Greenslade, Pinehaven, Silverstream, a child, fractured his right forearm when he fell off the Silverstrea.n School roof at midday yesterday. He was taken to hospital by the Free Ambulance.

Gracefleld Footpath. The Public Works Department has advised the Lower Hutt City Council that when labour is available it will construct a temporary footpath on the east side of Gracefield from the end of the existing footpath to the scientific and industrial research laboratory corner.

Disease Cases. - Twenty-two cases of infectious disease were notified in Lower Hutt City during January. “The incidence of scarlet fever has shown a marked decline from January 7, since when only eight cases have been notified.” said the engineer, Mr. H. R. Bach, in his report.

Drunk In-Charge. Having hit two stationary motor-cars and finally collided with a bus, a Maori, Michael Morunga, was fined £2O by Mr. Luxford, S.M., in the Magistrates’ Court, Auckland, yesterday, and prohibited from having a driver’s licence for a year. He had been driving a 2J-ton truck without a licence and was found guilty of being drunk at the wheel.—P.A.

Unlicensed Sale of Liquor. For keeping intoxicating liquor for sale without a licence and for selling a bottle of rum for £5, Thomas Gordon, labourer and taxi-driver, aged 36, was sentenced to one months’ imprisonment, in the Magistrates’ Court, Wellington, yesterday. Police found in accused’s car 15 bottles of port, 11, of ale and two of rum. Karori Presbyterian Church.

The last meeting of the Presbytery of Wellington made arrangements for the induction of the Rev. J. M. Bates, M.A., to the charge of Karori on February 24, at 7.30 , p.m. The Rev, J. T. Macky, Moderator of the Presbytery will preside, the Rev W. C. Comber will preach, and the Rev. D. M. Hercus will address the minister and the congregation. Blind Servicemen’s Fund. The Trustees of the Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen’s Blind Soldiers and Sailors Fund (No. 2) acknowledge the receipt of a cheque for £lOO from the estate of the late Major C. T. Tatum through the Guardian Trust and Executors Company. Major Tatum was for many years a country dub member of the Wellington O. T. & W. Association. Vocational Guidance. A letter from the Worser Bay School Committee protesting against details required on the educational and vocational guidance primary school record card was considered by the Wellington School Committees and Educational Association last night. It was decided to ask the Education Board that an officer of the board attend the next jneeting of the association to explain the details of the card.

Escaped From Borstal. Two domestics, Anne Grace, aged 20, and Pauline Irena Blake, aged 19, were sentenced to three months’, hard labour by Mr. Stout, S.M., in the Magistrates’ Court, Wellington, yesterday, for escaping from the Point H'alswell Borstal Institution. On Saturday afternoon during a recreation period at the institution, accused hit a ball over a fence and asked permission to get it. They did not return and were arrested on Sunday. Both accused had previously escaped from the institution. Reduced to Rankf.

Warrant Officer (second class) Norman Owen Mathews. 2nd N.Z.E.F., was found guilty by district court-martial at Trantham of absence without leave and ordered, to be reduced to the ranks. Lieut. J. B. O’Regan prosecuted. Mr. G. H. A. Swan represented accused. The charge alleged absence from November 4 to November 26, 1943. Major A. B. Sievwright, EJ)., was president of the court. Accused had nearly three years’ service up to December, including a period in the Pacific. :

Invitation to Furlough Men. Men in the second furlough draft from the Middle East whose homes are outside Christchurch are offered the opportunity of a week’s holiday in Christchurch at little cost to themselves. The Union Jack Club, which is responsible for the scheme, offers to provide free board and lodging for . those men who care to accept the invitation, Accommodation' is available for 100 .men each week, and the scheme operates immediately. The scheme is identical with that which operated for members, of the first furlough draft.—PA. , Glass on Cycle Track. When a separate thoroughfare is provided for cyclists away from the other traffic, they expect to enjoy comparative freedom from the normal dangers of the road. This, however, is not the case on the Hutt Road. The whole section from the Thorndon ramp to Ngahauranga is strewn with pieces of broken glass. Cyclists find that instead of a spell or peaceful cycling, they are harrowed by the fear that at any minute a piece of glass may find its way into one of the inner tubes. This state of affairs has existed lor a long time, with the result that many cyclists have abandoned the side track, and have taken to the road. Grass on Road Edges. \ "Numerous complaints are being received regarding the growth of grass on the edges of the roads,” said' the chairman of the works committee of the Lower Hutt City Council, Mr. W. C. Greg-' orv, in his report to tile council last ni-'ht “Owing to lack of labour it is impossible ,for the city engineer to give attention .to this matter, and the committee would like to take this opportunity of pointing out to residents that: they can greatly assist the council by fitting the grass, and, this Having been done, it they advise the. engineer’s department, arrarigemeuts will be made lor its re movat.”

New Association. . After hearing Mr. Will Appleton. candidate for the Wellington mayoralty give his views last night on a greater Wellington, a preliminary campaign meeting or supporters decided to iorm a Wellington Progressive Association to work tor the expansion, development and betterment of the city. A. nou-political democratic constitution is to be framed. Anybody 18 or over is eligible for membership at a nominal fee. Steps are to be taken to cooperate with electors’ associations or other city aud suburban civic organizations Mr. V. M. Simpson moved the motion to establish the new association, Mr. W. Stuart Wilson seconding.

Near Surf Fatality. . , Bv the prompt action of the Island Bay Surf Club a fatality was averted on Sunday morning. Three youths in a canoe were well out in the bay when the southerly began to freshen up. canoe capsized and one lad managed to swim to a moored launch. One ot the others, who was unable to swim, was held by his brother. Fortunately members of the Island Bay Life Saving and Surf Club were on the beach and went to the rescue with a lifebelt and reel. Two other members went out m a canoe ana were able to support the boy who could not swim till the beltman arrived. By that time he was in a drowning condition, and after lie was brought ashore artificial respiration was carried on for an hour till he revived. A doctor was sent for aud gave treatment.