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Evening Star, Issue 25684, 7 January 1946, Page 4

A Mataura baker has announced that from January 14 he will undertake the delivery of bread around the town (says the ‘Southland Times’). Despite statements that the present high costs would make the delivery of bread at the present time an uneconomic proposition, he considers that it can be made a payable venture. A recent report from Wellington stated that Timaru bakers intend to begin the delivery of bread on February 1. So far as can be ascertained, tho announcement at Mataura is the first since the war to be made in Southland. Country deliveries have been made with grocers’ vans throughout the war.

1 Having made the trip from Tahiti in 17 days, the three-masted auxiliary schooner Oiseau des lies arrived at Auckland late on Saturday afternoon. Owned by a French phosphate company, and normally engaged in _ the interisland phosphate trade, she is in Auckland to undergo repairs and for general overhaul. She will probably remain in port for about two months. The captain of the Oiseau _ des lies is M. Prau Andre, and there is a crew of 19, most of whom are French Tahitian. The voyage was made in ballast, but if suitable cargo is offering as the end of her stay in port, the schooner may proceed to Sydney before resuming her interisland trade. Interest in New Zealand as a place of residence is being manifested in centres as far away as Aden, from whence the South Islands Travel Association has received an inquiry from a highly-placed police official on behalf of a retired medical man and his wife, who desire to settle in the Dominion. The correspondent, who has been receiving publicity matter from the association, adds: “My own retirement is still some little time away, put I look forward to my ultimate settlement in New Zealand when the time does come.” Empty kerosene tins without handles are being offered in retail shops in Auckland for Is 6d. People not so old can remember a time when local authorities were burdened with the problem of how to get rid of such tins. In the early days of- motoring, .when everybody bought their petrol in fourgallon tins, roadsides became littered with “ empties ” thrown away, and scenic spots were disfigured by them. Great dumps were then set aside, where thousands of the tins were collected, but in some instances the heaps grew so mountainous and unmanageable that men with heavy hammers were employed to do nothing else hut hatter the tins flat so that they would occupy less space. Then came the roadside petrol pump. Extensive damage was caused to a five-roomed house at 12 Balfour street, North-east Valley, by a fire on Saturday afternoon. Altogether three rooms were gutted, and the remaining two were damaged by heat, smoke, and water. A strong wind caused the fire to spread Tapidly, and it had a good hold before the arrival of the brigade. The cause of the outbreak is unknown. The house is owned hv Mr H. E. Tyrveil, and occupied by Mr H. M. Prior. At 7.33 the same evening, the fire brigade attended to a chimney fire in Greenhill Avenue, Wakari. At noon to-day the Green Island Fire Brigade attended a chimney fire at 21 Emerson street, Concord. Mr L. G. Lukey, who wheeled a passenger, Mr G. Barnard, in a wheelharrow from the Leithfield . Hotel to the Amberley Domain, a distance of four miles 100 yards, in 46min 17sec, won a wager on New Year’s Day (says the ‘Press’). He had previously wagered with his passenger that he would complete the distance in less than an hour, the loser to pay £5 to the Amberley Bowling Club, which was holding a gala at the domain on New Year’s Day. Since the Labour Government came into office at the end of 1935 the public and patriotic services of New Zealanders have been recognised by the conferring of 23 knighthoods. Fifteen were conferred between 1935 and 1939, and eight were announced in the New Year honours list this week. The fall list since 1935 is: Judges (4)—Sir John Reed, 1936; Sir Michael Myers, 1937 (elevation' to higher order); Sir Hubert Ostler, 1939; Sir Archibald Blair, 1946. Scientists (2), Sir Theodore Rigg, 1938, and Sir Thomas Easterfield, 19SS. Doctors (2), Sir James Elliott, 1936, Major-general Sir Frederick ffiowerbank, 1946. Professors (3)—Sir Algernon Thomas, . Auckland University College, 1937; Sir William Benham, University of Otago, 1939- Sir Thomas Hunter, Victoria University College, 1939. Diplomatic (2), Sir Carl Berendsen and Sir Alfred Turnbull, 1946. Services (2), Lieuten-ant-general Sir Edward Puttidk and Air Vice-Marshal Sir Leonard Isitt, 1946. Others (8) —Sir James Hutchison, 1936; Sir George Shirtcliffe, 1936; Sir Ernest Davis, 1937; Sir Charles Norwood, 1937; Sir Albert Ellis, 1938; Sir Charles' Luke, 1939; Sir Wilham 3?erry, IM.Ii.C.* Sir JjiniGs julctcher, 1946. Road traffic during the holidays has been moderately heavy, but not up to pre-war volumes, according to the Transnorc Department. From the north'to the south the traffic inspectors report that road conduct has ou the whole been very good, traffic has been I orderly, and serious accidents very rare. These reports are borne out by the fact that only five fatal accidents have been recorded from December 23 to January 1, inclusive. Reviewing the year 1945, road fatalities numbered 129, and this is the lowest total on record. In 1944 there were 140 deaths, the smallest total hitherto. Of the 129 persons killed 68 were occupants of motor vehicles, 15 were motor cyclists or pillion riders, 33 pedestrians, and 13 cyclists. In 1944 the corresponding figures were 56 occupants of motor vehicles, 17 motor cyclists, 42 pedestrians, 23 cyclists, and 2 others. Wishing to test her pupils’ general knowledge, the mistress -of a class in one of the city’s leading girls’ secondary schools fired a series of questions on a variety .of subjects one day near the end of last term (says the Christchurch ‘ Star-Sun.’) “ Can anyone tell me,” she inquired, “ who it was uttered the famous words: ‘ Kiss me Hardy? ’ Quick as a flash one of the girls rose and answered: “Laurel.” A new juvenile confidence trick was introduced to New Plymouth recently by two girls whose ages were estimated by one victim to he between 10 and 12 years. Operating outside a busy department store, one child would go up to a kindly-looking woman and ask in a worried voice: “Please, could I have a penny for the lavatory.” When success crowned her efforts she would immediately hand the booty to her accomplice and go in search df another victim. Few could resist such a guileful. plea, until an alert woman -uncovered their racket.