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Evening Star, Issue 23727, 7 November 1940, Page 8

Approval of the establishment of two more recreation huts at Waiouru camp was given by the Standing Committee of the National Patriotic Fund Board yesterday. Previously approval was given to huts at the camp for the Y.M.C.A. and the Church Army. The additional huts are for the Salvation Army and the Catholic Church. The provision of a Y.M.C.A. hut at the Whennapai training centre and an extension of the Church Army hut at Burnham camp were also sanctioned. , That coming events cast their shadows before was borne out in no uncertain manner last Friday, when two men working in a large cutting at the Public Works Department’s camp at Taratuhi experienced a remarkable and providential escape. They were operating a steam shovel and a tractor, engaged in removing spoil, when they heard a minor slip coining down the hillside outside the cutting. Leaving their machines, they went to investigate, and no sooner had they loft the cutting than approximately 0.000 yards of rubble came crashing down, completely covering their machines, which they had loft only seconds previously. “ Publicity is a very powerful method of interesting the public in matters on which tlio public may bo uninformed. There are. however, some things which are better left unsaid. One of these is the locality in which a species of birds or of plants nearing extinction is to bo found,” says Mr E. V. Sanderson, president of the Forest and Bird Protection Society. “ The broadcasting of such information is only too apt to be used by the collector as a means of acquiring rare specimens and thereby completing the extinction of the rare species.” Six of each of the Saturday issue of metropolitan newspapers and copies of the five weekly journals are to bo sent to the New Zealand forces in Great Untain. A grant has been made iodine purchase of music lor the I'ir.vt Echelon Baud.

The secretary of the Dunedin Amenities Society lias been advised by the town clerk" (Mr RAA. Johnston) that the Reserves Committee desires to draw the society’s attention to the fact that •JI of the JO (lowering cherry trees presented by the society to the department for planting out at the Dundas street entrance to the Gardens have been destroyed by vandalism, the top of each tree" being broken. The whole of the vandalism occurred in one night. Efforts aro being taken both by the department and tho police to chock this practice, bub so far without result. In the event of tho offenders being caught strong action will be taken by tho council. 'the city organist (Or V. it. Galway,) will give an 'after-church reeual m ”mo 'town Hall on (SuiKlay evening next at B.lb. 'J lie programme, is tu.u ot interest, two ul tne items —'toccata 1 rom the J ir.st Sonata (Guilmant) and

• Jjpithaiumc ' (.Salome) being •played for the brst tune at these recitals. Uach a brilliant I'roludo and Fugue in A minor is an item worthy ot special mention. Other pieces to he pertouued are ‘Allegro Uiocoso ' (Handel), L< ouutam Reierio (Fletcher), ‘ A Spring Song.’ by the blind organist, Alfred Moimis, and ‘Morning Star ' (Dallicr). Dr Galway will bo assisted on tins occasion by the Otago Girls’ High School Choir, under the conductursliip of Mr C. Roy Spackman, iVlus.B. tlic choir will sing (a) ‘ Song of Hope ’ (Johnson) ; (b) ‘the .Gentle Sounding Flute ’ (Rath bone); (c) ‘ln Derry Vale ’ arranged by Shaw; (d) ‘Night’ (Franz); (c) ‘Weep You No More’ (Demutli); (f) ‘ Like to the Damask Rose ’ (Flgar).

The useful work done by Roy Scouts was a revelation to many people who witnessed tho “ rally ” in Hobson Park, Auckland, last Saturday afternoon. An outstanding display was tho erection of a 60ft liagpolo by St. Peter’s Troop, Onchunga, winch was accomplished in the quick time of 17 minutes. “While this was not a record for the boys—they have done it in 15 minutes —it was a most creditable performance, and deserved the loud applause which greeted tho filial stage of the flagpole’s erection. It was built in two sections from loose timber and rope, and not one nail or piece of wire was used in the construction. When tho base of the structure was in position tbo boys with great dexterity hauled the upper portion into position. A moment afterwards a Scout climbed up a rope ladder to the crosstrcos to cut away some rope lashings. He performed this duty in true sailor fashion. Tho Union Jack was then broken out from the flagpole and the Scouts stood to attention while the National Anthem was played. An engineer of long experience who witnessed tho performance remarked afterwards that the work was a great credit to the troop. The boys were quick and skilful, and it was a pleasure to watch them at their work.

Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., v presided over a meeting of the Magistrate’s Court this morning, when judgment by default, with costs (£1 5s 6d) was given in the claim by S. I. Lloyd against Frederick Griffin for £4 8s 7d, for goods supplied. In the claim for £1 7s on a judgment summons by tho Silver Band Taxi Company against .1. Denton for £1 7s for taxi hire, the defendant, who did not appear, was ordered to )>ay the amount forthwith, with costs (7s), in default two days’ imprisonment

Amongst the thousands of stories told of diggers of tho old A.I.F. was one about a dsitinguished Australian who went on a visit to the battlefields in France (says the Melbourne ‘Age’), and as he approached tho front lines asked a British soldier if ho knew where tho Australian troops were located. “ Can’t tell you for sure, ’ tho Tommy replied, “ but over by yon ridge there’s a new lot of fellows with gold in their teeth, and they all call each other ; perhaps they’re Australians.” The visitor said : “Thanks; no perhaps about it,” and hurried towards the ridge. That was about 25 years ago, but apparently the dental problems of the present A.I.F. are no less urgent than those of the last war period, whatever improvement might have come about in the language. A report issued by tho Department of the Army shows that no fewer than 197,000 dental operations have been performed by dental units in the A.I.F. in Australia since tho present war began, This number included 103,000 extractions, 71,000 fillings. 1.7,000 fittings of false teeth, and 6,000 repairs to dental plates. Dental treatment for the A.I.F. in Australia and garrison battalions, it is stated, is being carried out by 100 dental units, while 36 additional units arc operating with tho A.I.F. overseas. “ It is a striking commentary on the condition of Australian teeth,” the report adds, “that only one man in 12 was dentally fit on enlistment.” The Duller Labour Representation Committee, at a full meeting last evening passed the following resolution: “ We deplore tho mutilated, misleading reports appearing in tho ‘ Press ’ and the ‘ Dominion ’ regarding addresses delivered during his tour of tho district by Mr Webb, and affirm complete, confidence in tho Government and in Mr Webb as the member for Bailor.” —Westport Association message Prices for fat cattle at yesterday’s Burnside sale, consequent upon tho heavy yarding, were easier than of late, heavy bullocks going back 30s a head, while medium-weight bullocks and cows and heifers eased by 20s a head. Extra prime heavy bullocks made to £23 7s 6d, prime heavy £lB 12s Cd to £2O is 6d, prime medium £l4 12s 6d to £l6 17s 6d, light and unfinished down to £ll, extra prime cows and heifers to £ls 17s Cd, prime £ll 2s 6d to £l2 17s Cd, medium £8 2s 6d to £lO 2s 6d, light and unfinished down to £5 7s Od. In the fat sheep section, 1,481 head were penned, and a keen sale resulted. There were few prime heavy wethers, these being firmer by 2s a head. Some choice consignments of heavy eiycs were also up by Is 6d a head. Preference was shown for shorn sheep. Extra prime woolly wethers realised to 49s 3d, prime 41s to 43s 6d, light from 33s Cd, extra prime shorn wethers to 40s, prime from 34s to 375, light from 255, extra prime woolly , owes to 40s, prime 35s to 375, light from 22s Cd. extra prime shorn ewes to ' 33s Cd, prime 28s to 31s, light from IGs.

Owing to the collection of non-ferrous metals,'there will be no boys’ cricket or tennis fixtures on Saturday morning. This will give every boy an opportunity to assist in this worthy cause. Tennis matches will be played according to draw by mutual arrangement. In connection with recruitment for a specialist unit of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force it is pointed out that enlistment is available only to men between the ages of 21 and 40 who have not more than two children. The urgency of the call is emphasised, and suitable men who have had experience with tho Public Works Department, large contractors, or local bodies, and who wish to go overseas, should communicate with the Public Works Office, Dunedin. Men specially wanted arc those used to handling mechanical plant such as tractors, bulldozers, excavators, shovels, etc., while enlistment is also available to such tradesmen as mechanics. fitters, welders, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and bricklayers.

Fixed prices, or the abandonment of the natural law of supply and demand, constitute a, system that has one inherent weakness, which, perhaps, could be overcome by the institution of a completely totalitarian system. By this, people could bo made to buy the produce offered and the producer made to sell it at the right time. But, under democracy, fixed prices are artificial aud hard to maintain. The Government, through its Internal Marketing Division, has been, all this season, endeavouring to sell apples'at fixed prices. Of late, changes at frequent intervals have indicated a weakness in tho system This week, it has been abandoned. All supplies of apples are now, once again, being submitted to auction. The markets are being cleared daily.

Pleading guilty in the Police Court this morning to having used indecent language within hearing of persons in a public place, Albert Francis Cameron Duff (51) was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within 12 months. Senior-sergeant Vaughan said that the language had been used to accused’s wife at their homo in Maclaggan street in the early hours of this morning. Accused’s only explanation to the Bench was that he had had too much to drink. He got on well with his wife as a rule. Mr H. W. Bundle was the presiding magistrate. “ Have you heard of Alphonso?” asks a member of the N.Z.E.F. serving “ somewhere in the desert.” Probably you haven’t. Alphonso is 4ft long and is tho proud possessor of a shiny, silver coat trimmed with unique markings. He spends most of his time in his guardian’s breast pocket, and has the “ unofficial ” distinction of being the regiment’s mascot. Alphonso is a snake'; therefore it is hardly to be expected that tho majority of the men agree about electing Alphonso a “non-com-batant ” member of the regiment.

Ingenuity was always tho attribute of the small boy, and four of the species at Tomahawk turned their native talent to good use on Guy Fawkes Day. They revived the ancient custom of burning tho “ guy ” after carrying it about the district extracting largesse from the citizens. The fact that this particular “ guy ” had a recognisable likeness to Hitler no doubt swelled the results of their efforts. Tho most praiseworthy part of the performance was the fact that the collection, amounting to 16s ;Ud, was handed by them to Mr .1. F. Himburg for the Spitfire Fund, which is being "started to-morrow by tho comnmnity°sing with which “ ITimmy ” is connected.

Yesterday afternoon there were two malicious false alarms answered by the Citv Fire Brigade. The first was to College street, Caversham, and tho second, at 6.0, to the corner of Havelock street and Eglinton road. Today there was an automatic false alarm from M'Leud Bros, at 12.28 p.m.

Tlic Hailway Department ailveriHes in tUU isMie particular* of special train* IjoIv/een Dunedin mul Mo?gioI on .Sunday next.