NEWS OF THE DAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20620, 22 November 1941, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Appearance was Deceptive An object which looked remarkably like a seal floating down the Wairoa River yesterday produced some excitement. It was about sft. long and a blunt end gave a perfect representation of a seal’s head. Closer examination proved it to be merely a log, curiously shaped after its long journey from the bush. — Special.

Kookaburra at Whangarei. For the first time, so far as is known, a kookaburra was heard in Whangarei this week. Although these birds have been seen and heard on the mainland close to Kawau Island, there is no previous record of their having travelled so far north. The bird has been heard very distinctly, particularly in the early mornings, from the edge of a bush section at Whau Valley, on the outskirts of Whangarei.

National Savings in Wairoa An endeavour is being made in Wairoa to form a committee which will help the national savings scheme. Any person desirous of assisting should call on the postmaster. At present there are 870 accounts in Wairoa and this figure falls far short of the 100 per cent, asked for by the authorities. Last year the scheme drew in £3,000,000 in New Zealand, and this year £5,000,000 is wanted, Wairoa’s expected quota Is £l9O a week. — Special.

Water Wastage Supplementing his statement yesterday that the use of unattended hoses would not be permitted in the borough, the Mayor, Mr. N. H. Bull, said to-day that he wished residents to realise that the council intended to strictly enforce the restriction., He added that everything possible must be done to reduce the wastage of water, and he urged residents to adopt his suggestion for the use of their unattended hoses during the hours he suggested, namely between 5 and 6 p.m. in Victoria Township~and Kaiti, between G and 7 p.m. in Whataupoko, and between 7 and 8 p.m. in Te Hapara and the town area.

National Savings In an interview in Wellington on Thursday, Mr. T. N. Smallwood, chairman of the New Zealand National Savings Committee, referred to the campaign for a quarter million national savings accounts launched on June 9 last, and stated that this goal had been reached—2so,l6l accounts had been opened. Mr. Smallwooo said that it was felt that there were still many persons who could, if they wished, open an account. For this financial year, that is between April 1 and October 31 last, receipts from national savings bonds and deposits in accounts amounted to £1,981,536, making a total since the campaign started in October, 1940, of £3,302,992.

Marist Scout Organisation. The formation of a troop of 40 Scouts, with a Cub pack of more than 30 younger lads, was reported to a meeting of a committee connected with the Marist Brothers’ school, and held on Thursday evening with .Mr. R. Connop in the chair. The meeting was well attended, and heard from Mr. V. S. Caulton, district commissioner of the Scout movement, a short address on the principles and methods involved in the training of Scouts and Cubs. Mr. T. D. Baker, another prominent officer in the movement, also took part in the discussion. It was stated that the committee was organising its finances with a view to enabling the boys lo go into camp at Christmas time, and to afford assistance in the provision of troop and pack equipment and uniforms. Those present expressed appreciation of Mr. Caulton’s outline, and confidence in the capacity of the committee to interest a large number of supporters for the new organisation. “Returned Services Association.” Inquiries received by the Gisborne Returned Soldiers’ Association regarding the probability of an early change of its title to that of “Gisborne Returned Services Association” indicate that ex-soldiers and others are keenly interested in the step taken recently by the national organisation of ex-servicemen and women. At an emergency conference held last month, the national association changed its name after prior notice, in order to give representation not only to soldiers but also to other branches of the services whose members have always enjoyed privileges of membership, but not that of mention in the title. District associations, as incorporated bodies, are not obliged to change their titles, but naturally will do so as suitable opportunities arise. The matter probably will be taken up at a special general meeting of the Gisborne association fixed for December 1, at which a postal ballot proposal will be confirmed, and the report of the delegate to the emergency conference received.