NEWS OF THE DAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20571, 3 June 1941, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Ilicks Bay Accident Suffering from an injured ankle, Mr. Robert Carr, aged 43, Hicks Bay, was admitted to the Cook Hospital last evening. It is understood that Mr. Carr fell from a horse-drawn vehicle while it was in motion. He was brought to Gisborne by private car, and was reported this morning to have spent a comfortable night. This Morning’s Frost Another heavy frost was recorded this morning at the Gisborne meteorological station, Darton Field. The minimum temperature on the grass last night was 22 degrees, a frost of 8.3 degrees being recorded. This is .2 degrees lighter than the black frost recorded on Saturday morning. Food for Troops Some indication of the immense problem lacing tire autnormes in maintaing l'ooci supplies for troops overseas is given in a letter nonprivate E. J. Towniey, Chrisicnurcn. The letter was written front Egypt, and described conditions on board a luxurious troopship. While on Kitcnen fatigue on board the snip, Private Townley discovered that me following supplies were required for one day’s meals: Breakfast, 081)0 eggs ana 8801 b. bacon or 5001 b. sausages; lunch, 100 sides of pork or 12 hindquarters of beef; tea, 10001 b. corned beef or 00 sheep. With the cold meats over 0001 b. of pickles were used lor eacn meal. Tne consumption of jam or marmalade was 7281 b. twice daily, and 5001 b. of butter was used for eacn meal. Thirty-three sacks of potatoes were peeled each day. “Left to Get Married” An Australian firm, well known in Hew Zealand as specialists in women's wear, deplores the loss oi women workers by marriage. The house magazine ot the firm quoted states: "It has been our experience during times of high producion and easy spending that there is a considerable increase in the number of our operatives who resign to be married, and a similiar falling off in times of depression. During the closing months of last year 57 of our trained operatives resigned, nearly all due to marriage. Nineteen had been with us up to four years, 14 had from four to six year’s service, and 24 had been with us more Loan six years. These experienced and highly-trained girls had to be replaced by improvers and juniors, as no skilled machinists are unemployed in these days of war contracts. Male labour has also been substantially reduced by enlistments. Gisborne Statistics. A slight increase in the number of deaths and a small decline in births is noted in the vital statistics in Gisborne for the year to date compared with the figures for the first five months of last year. The figures for last month are as follows, those for the same month of last year being shown in parentheses:—Births, 51 (55); deaths, 20 (19); marriage notices, 18 (21); marriages by registrar, 3 (4). The figures for the year to date are as follows, those for the first five months of last year being in parentheses:— Births, 224 (228); deaths, 80 (82); marriage notices, 88 (129); marriage by registrar, 15 (29).

Live Bombs Employed The experimental use of home-made bombs was a feature of the parade of the Engineers’ Company of the Gisborne Borough Battalion of the Home Guard held during the week-end at Awapuni. A large number of missiles filled with blasting-powder were employed, and also several gas-pipe bombs containing high - explosive. Members of the units practiced the use of explosives for demolition purposes, and also the throwing of bombs at a mark, together with the timing of fuse of the commercial type for use in improvised bombs. The work proved keenly interesting, and was completed without mishap. The chief interest centred upon the gas-pipe type of bomb, which is easily made from plumbing scraps. The shattering effect of this bomb was found to be remarkable, and its use against an enemy should yield the most gratifying tesults.