NEWS OF THE DAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20570, 2 June 1941, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Sheep Hoif Trials After postponing their annual trials twice previously, the Waimata Sheep Dog Trials Club has decided to cancel the meet altogether because of the number of members who will be away in camp with the Independent Mounted Rifles. The trials were to have commenced on June 19. Free Medicines An agreement has been reached by Whangarei chemists to supply prescriptions under the social security scheme as from to-morrow. The decision was made at a meeting at which a report was received from the delegate who attended a conference of chemists in Wellington.

Contact With Occupied Lands More than 5000 inquiries from New Zealanders concerning friends in enemy-occupied countries have been handled by the Red Cross Society. A special form is supplied for the purpose and according to an announcement by Mr. A. A. Harker, secretary of the Auckland centre of the society, the percentage of replies has been very satisfactory.

Shortage of Iron The shortage of corrugated and plain galvanised iron has become more acute, and there are indications of even tighter control of supplies, states the Auckland Herald. Corrugated iron is only released for specific purposes, and a new departure is that before such iron can be obtained for repairs an inspection of the proposed work is necessary in order that the authorities may be satisfied that a permit is justified.

Motorists Still Camping Motorists from outside centres are still visiting Gisborne and making use of the facilities provided at the seaside camping ground at the Waikanae Beach. Campers with tents to house them while on holiday have given way in the colder weather to those provided with caravans. However, apparently it is not too cold for tents, as there are still four permanent canvas homes in the camping area. There has not been a day since the beginning of the season without at least one visiting party occupying a camping area.

A Way of Living “Farming is not only a way of making a living—it is a way of living—and when one comes to consider the things which affect the farmer, one finds that they are not only the things that affect the ordinary individual citizen of the country, but they are also the things which affect most of ihe businesses in the Dominion,” said the Dominion secretary of the Farmers’ Union, Mr. A. P, O’Shea, when addressing farmers in Hastings. ‘Transport, taxation, telephone facilities, country educational facilities, freezing questions, noxious weeds control, are all questions affecting the farmer, and although they are only a few of the things, the foregoing list demonstrates how wide are the interests of the farming community.” British Woman’s Gratitude “On receiving a parcel of clothes through the British Red Cross, I came across a little note in my sleeping suit and I want to thank you for your kindness in sending such nice things for the poor people of London who have gone through such a lot lately,” writes an Englishwoman to the Auckland centre of the New Zealand Red Cross Society. “I was bombed out of my house in Bow, and I have lost everything, including my new perambulator for my baby. We have been evacuated to Northampton, my husband, my baby and myself. We only have 26s a week to keep us, and it does not go very far nowadays. However, I suppose we must not grumble. We must thank God to be alive. It is quite a treat to have a night’s sleep after being in shelters so long.” Machine-Guns For Reserve Two non-commissioned officers of the No. 8 (Gisborne) Company, National Military Reserve, returned home on Saturday night from Palmerston North, where they took a short course of instruction in the mechanism and manipulation of heavy machineguns. The company is to have heavy machine-guns as part of its homedefence equipment, and sections are to be trained to handle the weapons, which, owing to their greater range and destructive power, have tactical uses distinct from those of the light machine-gun of tiie Lewis and Bren types. The Gisborne non-commissioned officers were members of a group

wh.cn completed a course at the Central Military District school of -instruction, and in marksmanship tests with the gun, one of the Gisborne men registered the top score for the class.

Driest May For Gisborne

Last month was the driest May experienced in the Gisborne district since rainfall returns were begun. Only ,?9in. of rain, ,81in. less than the toial for May, 1930, which up to this year was a record low fall, was recorded at the Gisborne meteorologicals station, Darton Field. Rain fell on seven days, the heaviest tali being on May 3, when .29in. was recorded. Most of the rain fell during the first week of the month and only ,02in. has been recorded since May 8. The average rainfall for this district over the last 60 years is 5.30 in. and the highest fall recorded was in 1916, when 18. loin. fell. The total rainfall ioi this year is now 17.48 in., 2.37 in. below the average. Although the February and May rainfalls were well below the average, the deficiency was almost made up by the January and March totals, which were both over 2in. above the average.

Alan Loveday’s Progress Mr. .1. P. Davitt, secretary of the Alan Loveday Trust Fund, Palmerston North, has received the following comment, published in the Surrey Mirror, of file 11-year-old New Zealand violinist's first professional engagement: There was superb confidence in the young player’s handling of a number of pieces that demand technical equipment beyond the ordinary. A natural aptitude for the instrument and the guidance of a good teacher were both evident in die facility with which, for instance, the Wieniawski Polanaise was played; it was a brilliantly polished performance which contained: not only an assurance as to technique, but a promise that an alert mind has thought for the shape of a phrase, and vvilli that naturally, must come a sense of style. The last quality was particularly noticeable in Master Loveday’s playing of the TartiniKreisler Variations on a theme of Corelli. If maturity brings a perception of the inner content of music to add to his already not inconsiderable attainments, then this young New Zealander has a future of boundless possibilities.”