NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 142, 13 December 1939, Page 10

NEWS OF THE DAY

King's Birthday,

Tomorrow will be the birthday of King George VI, but as the official observance of the Sovereign's birthday falls in June there will be no particular functions to mark the occasion. Flags will be flown on all Government buildings.

Magistrates Win Turkey,

Hamilton's two Stipendiary Magistrates. Messrs. S. L. Paterson and W. H. Freeman, were members of the winning team in a Christmas turkey competition held at the Hamilton Bowling Club's green last weekend, states a correspondent. The power of the law in other than legal matters was further evidenced by the fact that the Hamilton Inspector of Police. Mr. C. W. Lopdell, was a member of the team that was runner-up.

Centennial Covers

So great has been the demand for the six special Centennial covers, issued by the Post Office in anticipation of the appearance of the Centennial stamps on January 2, that supplies have been exhausted. Although a, very large printing of them was made, it was apparently not large enough to satisfy the demand, and it was not many days after the covers were first available that they were all taken. A fresh printing, however, is being made, and those who have been disappointed will be able to obtain covers about the 20th of this month.

Tapu Waters,

Not being aware of the regulations which have been issued, it is quite possible that some people who cruise or fish in the waters of Wellington's harbour may find themselves getting into trouble with the military authorities. There are certain areas which are tapu, Somes Island being one of these. Approach within half a mile is forbidden, but as it is notoriously difficult for the ordinary person to judge distances on the water it would be safer to give that' island an even wider berth, thus nullifying any danger from miscalculation of distance. There have already been instances of unwitting breaches of the regulations.

Religious Book Imports,

The recent announcement of a 50 per cent, restriction on the import of all books and papers caused considerable anxiety to the authorities of the Presbyterian Church, who feared that the limitation would cause inconvenience and hardship to Sunday school scholars and teachers, and to ministers and church members generally. This anxiety has been removed by a notification from the Minister of Customs, Mr. Nash, advising the manager of the Presbyterian Bookroom in Christchurch that it has now been decided to grant licences for the importation of religious books.

Courage at Sea.

"I must pay the highest tribute to the work of the marine in these days," said Mr. G. R. Ritchie, a director of the Union Steam Ship Company, on hiis return from a visit to Britain, reports the "New Zealand Herald." They are fine fellows. Their courage is exemplified in the manner in which they take ships to and fro on the Atlantic, particularly in the very stormy weather experienced at this time of the year," Mr. Ritchie said that the laying-up of such great liners as the Queen Mary, Empress of Britain, and Mauretania could not be regarded as a sign of trepidation. Very high insurance rates would have to be carried by these vessels and the intermediate class of fast liner was well able to cope with the smaller traffic now offering on the Atlantic run.

Auckland's New Cool Store.

It is expected that the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company's new cool store on the Mechanics' Bay waterfront will be opened next Tuesday for receiving and freezing fresh butter, [states the "New Zealand Herald. 1' The machines are now being tested, and the opening date may possibly be delayed if the tests are not completed by the beginning of next week. With a capacity of 600,000 boxes, the store is the largest of its type in the world, its only possible rival, in England, being limited to the reception and storage of butter and not providing for freezing as well. In time the Auckland unit will ship dairy produce straight into vessels lying at the new export wharf now being built, Until the wharf is completed the produce will be shipped from existing wharves by using the present rail facilities.

"Give Us a Match!"

•'Give us a match!" and "Give us a light!" are not quite the same thing. The pipe smoker prefers the wooden to the wax match; the cigarette smoker is not so particular, so -long as he gets a light. Possessors of wooden matches may seem mean compared with their former generosity, but this will be due to a shortage of. the wooden match. Imports are nominally prohibited, but the resources of local manufacturers are strained to their utmost. Makers are in want of additional machinery (on order), and output at present is not equal to the demand. Wax matches are being made to the fullest capacity of the plants and their use is increasing, but shortage of the "safety" is still reported to be acute. Some relief is being afforded by imports from Australia, but this business is not being rushed as the manufacturers are conserving their supplies of raw materials and naturally give preference to their own domestic markets. ■

Te Kooti's Cane

When the famous Maori chief and warrior Te Kooti stalked through the country, defying all efforts to capture him, he was wont to carry a special stick or cane cut from a New Zealand tree, This cane has for some years been in the possession of a Hastings resident, and he recently received a request from a young Maori soldier in camp to be allowed to have it as part of his kit and to take it with him overseas, The Maori, at one time a Victoria University College student and a Rhodes Scholarship nominee, said that he was a follower of Te Kooti's religious beliefs and would regard the cane as a mascot, He would also undertake to see that the cane was returned to its owner should anything happen to him while on active service. The request has been granted, and Te Kooti's cane is now proudly carried by the young Maori warrior of the present generation.

Insurance Protection.

Arrangements have been made- by the Education Department with the Health Department and the State Fire and Accident Office for a special cover against the legal liability of school committees, owners and drivers of private cars used by arrangement with school committees or with dental clinic committees for the transport of children to and from the dental clinics for treatment. The cover applies in respect of accidents to the school children, excluding the children of the owner and/or driver. Arrangements have also been made for the State Fire and Accident Office to indemnify schools and owners and drivers of private cars against legal liability for accidents in the conveyance of ch.il' dren to and fron sporting fixtures, the children of the owner and/or driver again being excluded. Notification of the details of the schemes was contained in a letter received by the Wellington Education Board today from the Education Department.