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Evening Star, Issue 23498, 12 February 1940, Page 6

A series of escapades by two boys was unfolded at the Children’s Court, when, on their appearance there, it was stated by the police that they had stolen a quantity of milk from doorways. They had also raided various shops and had gone to Purakanui on the proceeds of one of the thefte. They did considerable damage among cribs at Purakanui. The lads were committed to the care of the superintendent of child welfare.

At the monthly meeting of the Mosgiel branch of the New Zealand Labour Party a resolution was passed that representations bo made to the Post-master-General to have a multiple coin in the slot telephone installed when the new post office is completed. It was pointed out that at present the exchange was not open continuously, and that during closed hours only Dunedin could bo communicated with from the public telephone. It is felt that a multiple coin machine, if available, would obviate this disabiity.

A Wellington Association message states that Mr Savage has now received further messages of congratulations upon New Zealand’s Centennial. Sir Charles Fcrgusson, with his wife, recalls tho many happy days they spent in the Dominion. Lord Craigavon expresses, on behalf of the Government of Ulster, its profound admiration for New Zealand’s patriotic war efforts} Another message comes from tho Australia and New Zealand Association of Buenos Aires.

Tho Postmaster-General (the Hon. F. Jones) announces that arrangements have been made for cheap-rate cablegrams having reference to urgent private matters to be accepted for despatch to members of His Majesty’s Army or Air Force serving abroad, with tho exception that, in the meantime, the service will not be available to Canada or Egypt. The rato will bo 5d a word for the text and signature, with a minimum charge of 2s 6d for each message. No charge will be made for the words contained in the address, which should include full particulars of the addressee’s number, rank, unit, etc. Similar messages will be accepted from soldiers serving abroad addressed to their relatives in Now Zealand. The Minister stated that negotiations for tho extension of the service to include Canada and Egypt were proceeding, and it was hoped to make an announcement in this connection at an early date. The ratepayers’ meeting of protest on Saturday night was not without its brighter moments. A speaker from the body of the hall, who evidently associated the higher valuations with the amount of interest charges to be met by tho corporation was talking about “ debt charges,” but the chairman was in some doubt as to whether the phrase was not “ death charges.” Elucidation was hardly offered by the man who shouted “ depth charges,” but, from the acclamation, the audience was heartily in accord with the idea of associating this instrument of warfare with the corporation. The chairman, later, was talking of the increase in valuation of a house, which, from his description, was badly borer-ridden. “ I don’t know what they'll make the valuation next year.” ho said, “ because by that time the borers will have eaten it, ground and all.” Delivered at the right moment, the comment was appropriate enough: “Perhaps they valued it as a going concern!”

Tho Postmaster-General (the Hon. P. Jones) stated in an interview that the Post Office was anxious that letters for soldiers should reach tho addressees with as little delay as possible. Not only was it important that letters for soldiers who had proceeded abroad should be fully and correctly addressed, but it was equally important that the words “ N.Z.E.F. Overseas should he included in the address. A complete address should include the soldier’s number, his rank, and his unit, followed by “ N.Z.E.F. Overseas.

There is at least one man in Auckland Who likes to make his gesture ot defiance to the world (says the Auckland ‘ Star ’). He startled Queen street during the week by walking along with a large white feather firmly attached to the lapel of his coat by two safety pins. What it was all about nobody was clear, and nobody could muster up sufficient courage to ask. It was just another of those mysteries that pass like ships in the night. Three hoys, ranging in ago from 14 to 16 years, appeared before the Children’s Court on Saturday in connection with thefts from the dressing boxes at the Municipal Baths. It was mentioned by the' police that this kind of. offence was becoming too prevalent. The lads were placed under the supervision of the Child Welfare Department.

“ Thorough, if anything too thorough,”—that is the description ot England’s black-out by a former Aucklander now with the R.A.F. “On a dark night one almost has to crawl on one’s hands and knees to save tripping or bumping into things,” he says in a letter to relatives. “If people show a glimmer of light they are fined anything from £1 to £SO. Coming in oft patrol at night, you find it almost impossible to tell where you are, and if you happen to be a bit off your track there is the danger of anti-aircraft fire. We have lost two machines through bad weather at night, so they have decided to send us off at night only in cases of dire necessity.”

The strength of the north-west wind on several days last week was shown in a remarkable manner near Rangiora (says the Christchurch ‘ Press ’). A heavy goods service lorry was overturned by aii exceptionally strong gust, and came to rest with the wheels in the air. The lorry had a heavy load of eggs, but the damage to the load amounted to the smashing of two loose crates of eggs The lorry was being driven, along the Flaxton road from Rangiora to Christchurch, and had just crossed the railway lino when the tail of the lorry was caught by a gust of wind and slewed round off the camber of the road. A stronger gust struck the tail, and the lorry was completely turned over. Only the steel-lined roof of the cab saved the driyer, Mr F. Eldertou, and his companion, Mr J. Watkins, from serious injury. TJie portion of the lorry covering the goods was crushed to matchwood.

The latest development in education in the United States was the establishment of the comprehensive central school, stated Mr E. G. Jones, science lecturer at the Auckland Training College, in an address to the Auckland Education Board. One such building, he stated, was now nearing completion at a cost of £IIO,OOO. The lower floor was for primary grades, and the upper was devoted to junior and senior high schools. The building also housed two gymnasiums and an auditorium. When the school opened this year it would have a roll of 800 and staff of 35, and would ultimately grow to accommodate I,OQO. Children would spend six years in the primary department and six in the secondary, after which they would spend two or three years at a vocational school or university.

Week-ends have not been fortunate periods for Dunedin recently as far as weather has been concerned. The last cannot be said to have been particularly favourable, with .42in of rain yesterday, accompanied by a strong wind for most of the day, while .12 fell on Saturday, which was showery, with a biting wind. Sunday, February 4, brought an extremely unpleasant west-south-westerly of almost gale force at times, while the preceding week-end also brought rain, only .06in. however. The major fall of that week arrived on January 27, a Friday,- when a torrential downpour gave a recording of .Clin. Sunday, January 22, also brought rain—. Olin.

The Automobile Association (Otago) has been advised that a now bridge is being constructed over Dog Kennel Creek, 32 miles south of Timaru. The work was commenced to-day, and while it is proceeding it will bo necessary to deviate at Merediths corner when coming from the north and at Pike’s Point, north of Glenavy, when coming from tho south. Warning notices have been placed in position, and motorists will need to follow tho red and white deviation colour bands. The extra mileage entailed by tho deviation is about 14 miles. The work will take about four months to complete. The old bridge was the scene of many bad accidents over a period of years, and automobile associations had made representations for a long time for a new bridge. One of the finest programmes of the series was offered last night by Dr Galway in his organ recital on the Town Hall instrument, and the largo audience expressed its pleasure demonstratively. The city organist opened the programme with an impressive registration of the powerful and resounding ‘ Bach Prelude and Fugue in B Flat.’ Equally interesting was his performance of the exciting allegro movement from Borowski’s ‘ Sonata No. 1/ while the popular Wider ‘ Toccata in E ’ and Wolstenholmo’s ‘ Finale ’ were treated witli delightful vigour. The quality of the solo stops was well displayed in the lovely gavotte from Gluck’s ‘ Iphigenia in Aulis ’ and ‘ The Sandman ’ (Brahms). The assisting artists wore Miss Dora Drake (soprano; and Miss Blanche Erringtou (contralto). Both young singers made a happy debut at these Sunday concerts. Miss Drake sang ‘ The Child and the Twilight ’ and ‘The Maiden’ (Parry), revealing a voice of excellent quality and range, and Miss Errington’s ‘ Omhra Mai Fu ’ (Handel) and ‘ Praise of God ’ (Beethoven) disclosed a voice of velvety quality and perception in its use. The two were later heard in the duet, ‘ O Lovely Peace.’ Dr Galway was the accompanist. A street collector on a Flag Day has many and various experiences, most of which, however, are of the pleasant variety.’ Ono lady who was stationed at Mothven’s Corner on Friday received a delightful surprise when a gentleman who handed her a pound note and was told she had no change replied: “ I don’t want ally change; just give me a badge.” Shortly afterwards tho same lady had a customer of another type. When the badge had been pinned on his lapel he calmly placed a threepenny piece in the box and departed. But the collector, remembering that her box would show a credit balance of at least 19s 3d, made 110 remark. A resolution which' described the present war as “ another Imperialist struggle ” has been rescinded by tho West Coast Trades and Labour Council. The original resolution gave rise to some controversy when it was passed towards the end of last year. The council met at Greymouth on Saturday (says the Christchurch, ‘ Press’) and the resolution was rescinded by 13 votes to 4. There was a representative attendance of union delegates. It is now revealed that only chance saved Napier from a major disaster when the coaster Koutunui collided with the Nobel Explosives Company’s ketch Miro, which was anchored in the roadstead. Details of the Miro’s cargo reveal what might have happened. It comprised 775 boxes of gelignite, each weighing 501 b, 150 boxes of blasting powder, each weighing 251 b, and 11 boxes of . detonators. It is stated that had the Koutunui struck tho Miro Bft further aft she would have rammed the detonator locker, which would probably have ignited the rest of tho cargo. What the consequences might have been can only be imagined, but the explosion might have killed between 80 and 90 men—the crews of the Miro and the Koutunui and the waterside workers, which the Koutunui was bringing back from the roadstead—as well as endangering the large oil storage tanks at Port Ahuriri. On account of the use of a blowlamp during burning-off operations, a fiveroomed, wooden house at 46 Melbourne street, South Dunedin, caught fire. The brigade was able to suppress the outbreak, which occurred at 3.20 p.m. on Saturday, before any serious damage was done. A chimney fire in Union street' occupied the attention of the brigade at 5.58 p.m.

A circular letter has been sent to its members by the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce which has been asked to request that all members should, wherever practicable, comply with the mayor’s request that February 20, Schools’ Day, should be observed as a holiday. As the original plan of Centennial celebrations has been curtailed on account of the war to this one function, it is desired, the circular says, that it should be an unqualified success. Should it not be possible to allow all members of staffs to observe this holiday, it is requested that those who are engaged in an official capacity in carrying out the arrangements for the function ■ might he released. Dunedin shivered on Saturday night when an icy breeze brought temperatures to an early winter level. The remark was frequently heard, “ It’s cold enough for snow,” and although that comment may have been delivered not altogether seriously, in reality it came nearer the mark than many who made it realised. For the sharp snap was accompanied by enow on many of the higher levels inland, the fall not being very heavy in most instances, but reachig unusually levy levels. This is the second time within a few weeks that snow has mantled the Central hills during months which normally are entirely free of snow. Already not a few residents of the hinterland are beginning to wonder if these happenings might not bo the warning of a very severe and early winter.