NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 80, 1 October 1940, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Prayers at Council Meeting. A prayer was offered by Archdeacon A J Petrie at the opening of the last meeting of the Akaroa Borough Council states the Christchurch Star-Sun. At its Previous meeting the council decided that prayers should be offered before the business was begun, and the clergy of the district; were asked to compose suitable prayers. Those submitted by Father O'Meeghan and Archdeacon Petrie were considered the most suitable, and as it was Archdeacon Petrie's last attendance as a councillor, the Mayor (Mr. F. R. E. Da^rt asked him to offer the prayer which he had written. "Business as Usual." "All safe so far. Business as usual, stated a cablegram received by Mr. L. rChambers, of Auckland from a London firm to whom he had sent a trade inquiry, adding a message of good Ses and sympathy for the ordeal which Londoners are passing through, states the "New Zealand Herald. Proof that business was as usual was indicated by the fact that the London firm's reply came three days after the message had been sent. Details ot price and stocks available of the commodity inquired about were forwarded. The London firm added appreciation for the good wishes. Artificial Silica Steam Vent. Among the varied attractions in the gardens being planned around the Rotorua Town Hall, and one likely to make the gardens memorable for visitors, is an artificial silica cone constructed at the rear of the building, states a Rotorua correspondent. Built over the vent from which the surplus steam of the central heating system escapes, .the cone looks quite natural with its cement sides veined in grey and pink in the manner of the silica formation. Children in Uniforms. A fairly popular practice during the Great War, the dressing of children in uniforms of naval or military design, appears to be becoming fashionable with parents again, states the "New Zealand Herald." Several young children have been seen in the city clad in this manner recently, and one small boy who attended the ceremonial parade of the First Battalion, Auckland Regiment, at Epsom yesterday afternoon, attracted much attention in a smart outfit resembling that worn by members of the battalion's motorcycle platoon. Morse Code Training. A suggestion put forward by the director of the Wellington Technical College, Mr. R. G. Ridling, to increase the training of Morse code telegraphists, was adopted by the college board of governors last evening. "To reach twenty-five words a minute a great deal of practice is required," said Mr. Ridling. "For a student attending three classes a week a total of two and a quarter hours' practice would be given. This is not enough, although help can be obtained now from 2YC from 10 p.m. to 10.25 p.m. If possible, a small room should be wired up and equipped with a number of telegraph keys and earphones, in such a manner that students can communicate with each other, and so that the instructor can plug into any circuit to check the nature of transmissions.. The room snould be made available for groups of students to attend at any time of the week." Favourable Spring. North Auckland is experiencing one of the most favourable springs for the farmer, states a Whangarei correspondent. There is an abundant growth of feed and, with the comparatively mild winter, cows have come into production in good condition. This is in marked contrast to the previous spring. Although, on account of instructions from the Northland Dairy Association, individual dairy factory output figures are not available, it is known that one factory is manufacturing one ton of butter more each day than was the output last September. In August this factory's output was about four times that of the like month of last season. There is still a good demand for dairy stock and high prices are being realised for beasts showing quality. The sheep farmer is also passing through a satisfactory spring. The lambing percentage has been high and the morItality among the young lambs low. Ine ewes have wintered well and this yearshould see a large number of ±at lambs pass through the freezing works from Northland.