NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 41, 18 February 1943, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

More Plentiful. Mushrooms are so plentiful in country districts this season that during the past week some thousands of cases have been sent to markets in the main centres. From an expensive luxury in Wellington mushrooms have lately ibeen within more reasonable reach of 1 the average pocket. Grapefruit at Is Each. A rich man's price for a "poorman's orange" was realised yesterday in the Auckland city markets. This fruit is now dignified as "New Zealand grapefruit," and a Henderson orchardlst realised 60s to 75s per bushel case. With a count of 80 to the case, this made an average for the top-priced lot of over lid each. The fact that this is the off season accounts for the dearness of grapefruit, which is not subject to price control. Income Classification. The classification of incomes of men in the forces as earned or unearned has been the subject or representations to the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) by the Dominion executive committee of the R.S.A. It was pointed out that in the case of a farmer who appointed a manager during his absence the income was classified as earned, states the association. Should the farmer not be able to appoint a manager, but leased the farm, the income from the lease was classified as unearned. The association claimed that there was little difference between the two cases, and felt that no serviceman should be penalised for being forced into such a position through his service with the forces. Smart Work.

The theft of over £300 from a shop in Te Awamutu was reported to the police this week, and within a few hours a man was arrested at Eltham as a result of police investigations into the theft. The premises from which the money was stolen were those of Mr. H. J. Magill, butcher, of Te Awamutu. The money, which had been hidden on the premises, was taken some time between midday on Sunday and 6 o'clock next morning. Profitable Shoe-shining. Business is good, if not particularly brisk, for some of the youngsters who have set themselves up as "shoeshiners" in Wellington. They regard visiting servicemen as their best customers, and the experience of one boy yesterday was quite sufficient to indicate the reason. In return for his shoeshine the visitor handed the boy, who appeared to be little more than eight years of age, a £1 note, and there was no question of any change being expected. The shining of other boots was profitable enough, but that particular offering lifted the day's takings to about 30s, which is certainly big money for a boy so young. Bomb Explosion Test. A vivid impression of what could happen in an aerial attack was given when one of the largest bombs that have been used in New Zealand was exploded in an area of sandy waste just outside New Plymouth. The bomb, which was over 2001b heavier than any formerly used by the New Plymouth bomb disposal section, was exploded during bomb disposal field exercises as an experiment and to test the safety of trenches at various distances from the explosion. The trenches withstood the test fairly successfully, the walls showing little sign of collapsing. The bomb, which was buried under six feet of sand, threw fragments of metal over a distance of about 300 yards. A crater nine feet deep, with a diameter of 28 feet, was caused by the explosion. Sacred Trust. "We have passed through an age of materialism which has developed a tendency to worship material possessions and to think in terms of mechanical progress," said the Minister of Education (Mr. Mason) in addressing a meeting of teachers in Taranaki. "This viewpoint must be aligned in the proper perspective and spiritual values must be taken into consideration. Teachers must realise the supreme importance of their work which is conaparable to practically no other vocation," he continued. "The help that a teacher gives to a child is a sacred trust, there is no mass production as far as the minds of children are concerned, and it is the duty of a teacher to develop the individuality of every child." The future and happiness of man depended not upon governments and organisations, but upon individuals, and to the teachers was imparted the power to mould the minds future generations so that they should become worthy and responsible citizens, he concluded.