NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 85, 7 October 1943, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

WEATHER FORECAST

Moderate north-westerly winds, freshening at times. Weather fair to fine, with moderate to mild temperatures. The further outlook is for mainly fair weather. The Moon. —Full moon, October 14. High Water.—Today, 11.20 p.m.; tomorrow, 11.40 a.m.

Broadcast by Chief Eabbi. [ Jewish circles in Wellington have 'received advice by cable from London I that the Chief Rabbi, Dr. Hertz, will I broadcast in the 8.8.C. Pacific service I from 7.45 p.m. to 8 p.m. today (New Zealand time). , Qood Fishing. Buller fishermen had the best run of whitebait for the sfeason on the Buller River on Sunday, states the Christchurch "Press." One fisherman caught six kerosene tins of whitebait and others caught up to four tins. The price ruling in Westport is now 3s a pint. Good catches of whitebait were also reported from South Westland, and three and a half tons were con-i signed from the railhead at Ross to | Christchurch by train. Plentiful sup- j plies were also obtainable in Hokitika j on Monday. The retail price of 2s 6d a pint at Hokitika is the cheapest this season. Butter Rationing. Addressing the Chamber of Commerce on his observations during his recent trip abroad, Mr. A. Leslie Wall referred to the magnificent spirit of the British people under war conditions. He understood there had been some discussion in New Zealand about butter rationing. "If the British Government had requested increased quantities, and provided shipping space was available, we should be ashamed of ourselves for every, week we delayed putting rationing into effect," said Mr. Wall. The British ration is two ounces of butter and six ounces of margarine, and it is of the utmost importance that we do all in our power to maintain that, he concluded. ■ ' Lamb Losses. . - Lamb losses in Canterbury as a result of the cold and wet weather of the last month are likely to be at least 20 per cent., according to reports from stock inspectoi-s received by the stock superintendent of the Department of Agriculture, Mr. E. Elphick. In the Kaikoura district some farmers have lost up to 200 lambs in a night, and heavy losses, of newly-born lambs are also reported round Fairlie, states the "Press." Losses in the Christchurch area, which extends from the Ashley River to the Rakaia River, and back to the foothills, are estimated at 15 to 20 per cent. ' Many farmers in the Lincoln district estimate their lamb mortality at 20 per cent., and losses among sheep have also been reported. Mr. Elphick said he understood that losses on Banks Peninsula were also likely to be large. No reports had yet been received from the Timaru and Ashburton districts or North Canterbury. Man-power Control. Information that the Minister of Man-power (Mr. McLagan) had taken very drastic steps to deal with the man-power situation was given by Mr Morgan Williams, M.P., at a meeting of the North Canterbury District Council of Primary Production yesterday, states a Press Association message. He was commenting on a suggestion by Mr. 'J. W. Earl that the council should advocate the urgent review of the number of units engaged in all theatres of war and on home defence. The National Council of Primary Production had repeatedly made representations to the Government on the lines suggested by Mr. Earl, Mr. Williams said. Definite1 steps had been taken by the Minister of Manpower to deal with the situation. He was not at liberty to say what steps had been taken, but the Minister .had taken very drastic steps. Moa Egg' Display. A permanent display of moa eggs is to be shown in the New Zealand bird room of the Canterbury Museum, states the "Press." To date, 12 reasonably perfect moa eggs have been recovered, 10 found in the' South Island and two in the North Island. The display at the museum will comprise three models of eggs, and three actual specimens. A model of the first moa egg to be found will be shown. The egg, which is now in the British Museum, was found in 1852 at Awamoa, near Oamaru, by Mr. Walter Mantell. The second model on display will be of one of the largest moa eggs known—lo inches long and seven and a half inches wide. The egg was found with a human skeleton on the property Qf Mr. J. D. Fyffe at Kaikoura in 1859. The custom of burying eggs in graves has been found to be fairly common, but in every other instance known the egg had been perforated at one end; in this case, however, the egg was unperforated. In 1865 the specimen was. sent to Great Britain, where it was purchased by the famous collector Rowley. Interruption of School Work. Criticism of the calls constantly being made on school children to take part in public processions, together with the granting of holidays to celebrate minor victories, was expressed by Mr. E. J.. Ellis at the quarterly meeting of the South Canterbury School Committees' Association, states the Christchurch "Press." "We should voice our disapproval," he added, "because it is disturbing the work of the schools." Mr. A. Manning, a member of the Canterbury Education Board, said that the Minister of Education had made the recent decision to close all schools without consulting the boards of education. "The authorities could hardly wait to consult the various boards or committees if a major victory were to come unexpectedly," said Mr. W. S. Curr. Agreement with Mr. Curr's opinions was expressed by other members, who objected to the number of calls made by local authorities for schools to close for the purpose of participating in processions. It was decided to communicate with the Canterbury Education Board conveying the view of the association that tHfe schools should not be closed unless the con- < trolling authorities were consulted, and J that the practice of expecting schools | to close for the purpose of taking part in processions arranged for various purposes should be discouraged.