NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 100, 24 October 1942, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Cows Electrocuted. Three cows were electrocuted on Wednesday night when a power pole snapped, breaking the service line it was carrying through the property of Mr. J. Blackman, at Pukekura, near Cambridge. Tribute to Chinese Clerks. "Chinese are among the finest clerical workers we have in our service," said Mr. James Morton, general manager of the South British Insurance Company, in returning thanks for a vote of appreciation passed to the staff at the annual meeting. "To the Chinese the task is always more important than the reward, and their loss is a severe one," he added. There was no news of the fate of many of them since the Japanese occupied the territory where they were engaged, but all who could be found would receive the bonus that had been voted to the staff. Essential Work. The Minister of Industrial Manpower (Mr. McLagan) is at present considering the possibility of assistance being granted where a worker has suffered financial loss through transfer to an essential industry. In response to an inquiry the Minister said that in all probability recommendations would be placed before the Government. He added that manpower officers had been instructed not to transfer workers to positions at a lower wage rate if it could be avoided. Wellington R.S.A. Premises. The Wellington Returned Services' Association heads the list of membership for New Zealand, said Colonel C. H. Weston, president of the Wellington R.S.A., in an interview. Not only does this apply in the total number of members, but also in the number of Second N.Z.E.F. servicemen who have returned from overseas and whom the association has been proud to welcome. An appeal was made recently by the association for a building fund to acquire more suitable premises for the association. Up to September, 1942, the net result for the Wellington centre area was £10,318, and £2579 was additionally obtained for the Hutt Valley sub-branch. The latter had already acquired a site and was now awaiting a favourable opportunity to proceed with the building The Wellington Associatior had purchased the freehold of its present premises in Victoria Street, and negotiations were now being entered into in regard to an extensive reconstruction programme. Life-saving Awards. Awards made by the New Zealand Council of the Royal Life-saving Society for life-saving ability during the past year totalled 6681, the second highest number ever issued for any one year. This is a result, the council points out in its annual report, which reflects the greatest credit upon each of the several hundred instructors who have been responsible. It also affords proof that "the teachings of the society are becoming more widely recognised as of inestimable value to the community by minimising the appalling loss of life by drowning." It was a tribute also to the work of those who were carrying on in the absence of the many members on service with the armed forces. Wellington's total of 1532 awards included 51 awards of merit, 14 bars to that award, and two diplomas.