NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 122, 25 May 1945, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

WEATHER FORECAST Forecast to 5 p.m. Saturday: Northwesterly winds predominating and freshening tomorrow. Weather fair to fine. Temperatures rather cool, with some frosts likely tonight. ■„.,<! Further outlook: Brief period of showers likely on Saturday night, but weather otherwise fair. An anticyclone extends from the Tasman Sea on to the North Island. A trough of low pressure is advancing on to Southland from the west. Temperature at 9.30 a.m., 48 degrees. Rainfall for the 24 hours to 9.30 a.m., Rainfall from April 25 to date, 3.65 in. Full Moon.—May 27. High Water.—Today, 3.40 p.m.; tomorrow, 4.2 a.m., 4.28 p.m. Sun Sets.—Today, 5.5 p.m.; rises tomorrow 7.31 a.m., sets 5.4 p.m. Memorable Marcli. An air letter received in Wellington recently from Lance-Sergeant Jack McKay, who was well known before the war as a commercial traveller, tells how, as a prisoner of war, he was one of many whom the Germans marched from 500 to 550 miles westwards into central Germany ahead of the Russian advance. "The march will live in my memory for a long time to come," he wrote. "It cost me about, two and a half stone in weight." When they were eventually rescued by the American 9th Army they were "loaded with food," with disastrous results after nearly four months of semi-starvation. He described the arrangements for receiving prisoners of war at the New Zealand base depot in England as excellent, everything, including pyjamas, shoes, and toilet gear, being provided. Northland Does It Again. As in all previous patriotic appeals during the present war the suburb of Northland has raised its quota (£300) towards the Sick and Wounded Appeal. The drive for funds was handled by'a joint committee representing the local Red Cross sub-centre, the Patriotic Committee, and other bodies. When the treasurer, Mr. F. P. Cleary, announced last night at a meeting of those concerned that the goal had been reached with, a little to spare, he said that all but a few pounds had been raised by a house-to-house collection. Most of the balance had come from the sale of patriotic raffle books. Tributes were paid to the fine work done by Mr. Cleary in organising the drive and appreciation was also expressed of the work of collectors. Tarawera Trout. Following a claim that an 18£lb trout taken at Waitahanui recently was the largest caught in the Taupo and Rotorua district since 1924, fishermen resident in the district have recalled that trout weighing 1941b and 191b were taken from Lake Tarawera in 1942 and 1944 by Mr. C. J. Monrad. Trout taken from Lake Tarawera are usually heavier than those from other parts of the district. Fishing in the last week of the season this year at Lake Tarawera, Mr. J. Smith, of Mount Roskill, landed an 181b trout in perfect condition. His bag of 12 fish ranged from 101b to 181b and averaged over 121b. About the same time at Te Wairoa stream outlet at Lake Tarawera, Mr. Monrad secured seven fish ranging from 101b to 161b and averaging 131b. Johnsonville Railway Fares. The distinction made between charges on the Johnsonville railway service and those on other suburban lines was discussed at the committee meeting of the Ngaio Progressive Association held last evening. It was pointed out that throughout the railway services elsewhere there is no variation of fares according to the speed of frequency of the service i and if on the Johnsonville line additional charges were to remain permanent on that account every suburban service might expect similar increases as their services improved. The Johnsonville line residents did not receive the normal railway concessions, and although, it was stated, this might have been justified at first if the traffic had failed to meet expectations, the present traffic considerably exceeded the capacity of the service, and the line should be placed on the same basis in respect to charges as other suburban services. A sub-committee was appointed to investigate the matter.