NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 111, 13 May 1939, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

Horse to Retire. "Let's put him in for a pension under the Social Security Act," suggested a member of the Devonport Borough Council when the council was confronted with the fact that a horse which had given faithful service for about six years was due to retire from road work, states the "Auckland Star." It was reported that the 20-year-old animal was suffering from trouble with its feet, and that the roads were becoming too hard for it to work on. It would still be useful, however, on other duties, such as farm work. The council directed that it should be disposed of and another horse acquired. Tasman Air Service Equipment. A pontoon which passengers will use in embarking and disembarking is the latest equipment for the Tasman air service, states the "Auckland Star." The pontoon arrived by the Arawa from England. It has been developed to suit the Empire type of flying-boat, which will be used on the Tasman ser-' vice. The pontopn resembles a miniature floating dock, consisting of two parallel decks joined by a submerged framework. Buoyancy is provided by tanks. When the flying-boat has landed on the water, it is dragged by the ground staff tail first into the space between the decks. Inflated buffers in the inner sides of the decking prevent damage to the hull of the machine. When the sections of the pontoon have been assembled, it will be anchored off the base in Mechanics' Bay. A ramp will run parallel with the shore from the embankment to a large pontoon, which will be connected by gangways with the pontoon. Fruit Crop Failure. With less than two weeks now before the close of the export season for apples and pears, it appears most unlikely that the season's total export from Hawke's Bay will exceed 70,000 cases, which does not make good comparison with last season's record of 343,673 cases, states a Hastings correspondent. The closing date for export is May 22, but with only Doughertys left to handle now it is possible that the Hawke's Bay crop will be finished before that date. The total number of cases of apples and pears received for export so far amounts to 62,191 cases. At the beginning of the season it was thought that the season's crop would result in about 90,000 cases being available for export, while in some quarters 120,000 cases was suggested as possible. However, it is now quite definite that the final figures will reveal a total several thousand below the most conservative of the preliminary estimates. All varieties of pears have been cut out and with Stunners now finished the only apples remaining for export are Doughertys, which are still coming to hand steadily.