NEWS OF THE DAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20568, 30 May 1941, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Closer Unity. A decision to endorse the policy of closer unity between the various farmers’ production branches was made at the monthly meeting of the Wairoa branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union yesterday. “I have been associated with the Fanners' Union for the past 40 years,” said Mr. H. D. deLautour,” and the union has been working to that end right throughout. We might get somewhere this year.”—Special. Numerous Small Towns of N.Z. One of the things that had impressed him about New Zealand as different from other countries was the number of small towns and centres of industry and learning, said the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in New Zealand, Sir Harry Batterbee, replying to the welcome tendered him on ’his official visit to Feilding. He thought the Dominion enjoyed an immense advantage in this, and hoped it would always remain so. River Board Secretaryship Members of the Poverty Bay River Board, at then - annual meeting on Wednesday, recorded their deep sympathy with the family of the late Mr. H. M. Porter, who was secretary of the board since its inception in 1912 until his death this month. The chairman, Mr, W. C. Pilmer, stated that the late Mr. Porter had had a wide experience of local body affairs, and this had been of the utmost assistance to the board. It was decided to invite applications for the post rendered vacant by Mr. Porter’s death.

Young Nick’s Head and Beach Search A complete search has been carried out by the police and members of the Muriwai Home Guard of Young Nick’s Head and the beaches at the foot of the Head, but no trace has been found of the sender of the distress message contained in a bottle picked up on Wednesday morning. According to the message, an Arthur Jackson was in difficulties with a broken leg on the headland, and was requiring the assistance of the police. The distress call now- appears to have been no more than a hoax, and although the police were sceptical when the news ,was first received the matter was fully investigated. No person of the name was known to live in the district.

Napier Harbour Outlining the improvements to the Napier breakwater harbour, which will receive immediate attention, Mr. T. M. Geddis, chairman, said that dredging already down to 351’t. at the overseas berths and to 30lt. for a large portion of the fairway and swinging basin, would be cleared of the remaining patches of 26£t. within about eight months; the second concrete wharf would be completed within six months; the first cargo shed would be finished within six months; and work was progressing on the shore roads and railway. He pointed out that the first new concrete wharf (No. 3) had been in use by overseas vessels for 18 months, and that the available navigable depths of 26ft. at low water was equal to any other breakwater harbour in the Dominion. Mr. Geddis said that excellent work had been done at the new wharf in handling export loadings, and it should not be long before all exports arid imports were handled exclusively at tlie breakwater. He added that the inauguration of deep-sea port facilities at Napier was of national as well as local importance, and he hoped that before long international affairs would have so altered that the fullest use could be made of the port.