NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 17, 21 January 1944, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

WEATHER FORECAST

Strong and squally southerly winds. Weather overcast and dull, with further periods of drizzle or rain. Cold temperatures. I The further outlook is for a gradual improvement. The Moon. —New moon, January 26. High Water.—Today, 12.49 p.m.; tomorrow, 1.15 a.m., 1.37 p.m. Angling- Prospects. "'" Except for the smaller streams, which the Wellington Acclimatisation j Society advises are low and in some cases weedy, main streams in the district were in good fishing order today. The weather is unfavourable at pre- I sent, but unless there are heavy falls of rain in the; back country the water j should be fishable for the weekend. Medicinal Paraffin. As adequate supplies of medicinal paraffin are now reaching New Zealand, approval has been given by the Minister of Supply (Mr. Sullivan) to the lifting of the restriction on the size of containers in which medicinal paraffin may be sold retail, and also in regard to the maximum of 25 per cent, by volume of liquid paraffin which may be used in manufacturing emulsions containing this product. A notice to this effect has been gazetted. Orchards Neglected. Public works and other similar employment have proved more attractive to Maoris than farming and agriculture, with the result that several settlements beyond Pipiriki appear virtually deserted, and orchards which were once a feature of the middle reaches of the Wanganui River are showing signs of neglect. This was the observation of members of the Aramoho Boating Club who made the nine-days' trip in the motor-canoe Joan of Arc. A Brilliant Meteor. j A particularly brilliant meteor was seen in Wellington at 9.50 p.m. on Tuesday. It appeared some 15 to 20 degrees above the horizon to the east of north-east and travelled to the north of north-west, being visible for five or six seconds. The colour in the main was a brilliant blue, but the head of the meteor appeared to radiate red spikes. It was a very fine spectacle, and the Carter Observatory would welcome reports from any who were lucky enough to see it. "Worker, Brother." There was a flutter of interest at the Auckland bus terminal one Sunday recently when a number of passenger workers were seated in a large bus. The driver was day-dreaming over the wheel and a parson appeared on the step. The driver came out of his day-dream, turned in* his seat, and inquired of his passengers: "What'll we do about this chap? Is he a worker?" The parson, with a brisk movement and without blinking an eye. entered the bus, leaned close to the driver, thrust his ticket down, and exclaimed . with a grin, "Worker, brother!" The slightly-astonished | driver punched the ticket and thej parson took his seat amid the chuckles of the other passengers. Attacked by Steer, A Jersey steer recently provided an unenviable experience for Mrs. T. W. Maclean and her two small children near Mataura. While paddling in the Kelvin Creek with her son, aged 4, and her daughter, aged 21 months, she was rushed and knocked down by the steer. Calling to the little boy to run for his life, she hurriedly took off her frock and threw it over the horns of the steer, which continued to toss the dress. Mrs. Maclean, although bruised, was able to make her escape with the little girl. State Vegetables Too Dear. On account of the high price asked, the Whangarei Hospital Board has decided not to purchase vegetables from the State gardens near Whangarei on the terms offered, but is willing to purchase at wholesale ruling rates.The Agricultural Department has offered vegetables to the board at a flat rate, but this rate is in excess of wholesale rates.- The board is at present procuring vegetables from a State garden at Waipapakauri, free of charge, being required only to pay freight. ■ • • £40 a Fortnight. Evidence of the high wages received by New Zealand- civilians employed by the Americans was given at a sitting j of the Auckland Man-power (Industrial) Committee on Wednesday. The j appellant was Dick' Lehdich, a labour-1 er, who appealed against being directed from the United States Joint Purchasing Board to the Westfield Freezing Company, Limited. Lendich asked that he be placed in employment where he could have time off to help on his father's fruit farm. That was possible while he was working for the Americans. "Some of the men working for the Joint Purchasing Board drew £40 a fortnight," said Lendich. "I did not get that, as I had time off to work on the farm. In six months I received £200. I worked long hours. I am not asking, to be allowed to remain with the Americans, but to go to a position where I can have time off." The appellant stated'that he was an unnaturalised Dalmatian. "As a young, single man; if you had been naturalised you would probably not have been here this morning." said the chairman, Mr. J. O. Lidde'll. The appeal was dismissed. '