NEWS OF THE DAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20826, 3 July 1942, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY

Wairoa Flies Flag Having reached its weekly national, savings quota of £195, the moneyball on the flagpole of the Wairoa Post Office was replaced yesterday by the victory flag. Girl Found Drunk “It is most disgraceful for a girl of 18 to be found drunk in company with a man in a public park. If you behave like this, you probably will be before the court on a more serious charge,” said Mr. Raymond Ferner, S.M., in Whangarei, to a girl who had pleaded guilty to a charge of having been found drunk. Exempted Farmers in Home Guard Many men in the Waikato who, on the ground that they are essential to primary production, have been exempted from service in the army, are rendering first-class service in the Home Guard. The Waikato group director, Lieutenant-Colonel t>. Bruce, recently stated that the enthusiasm for the Home Guard in the rural areas was much more marked than it was in the towns. The Army and Music Writing to his parents in Wairoa, Corporal G. McG. Mowat tells an interesting story of his life in the Middle East and mentions a visit to a restaurant wherp Czechoslovakians and Polish soldiers played the Maori Battalion song as he was the only “Enzedder” present. So wrapped up in music are some of the Poles that during the evening one of them sat down and began to write music while his place in the orchestra' was taken by another Polish soldier. Freezing Workers in Forces Interesting figures concerning the number pf employees of Nelson’s Ltd. who are connected with the armed forces were given by Mr. A. Kirkpatrick at a hearing of the No. 7 Area Man-Power Committee in Hastings. Eighty-nine men are overseas, 120 are in camp in New Zealand, 38 are awaiting orders, 36 were directed into other essential work, 25 were medically unfit and 12 were given sine die adjournments. These figures do not include 37 cases which were dealt with this week. Prisoner “Missing” for a Year Almost a year to the day since being ‘ notified that her son, Gunner D. C. Perkins, was missing in Crete, Mrs. A. A. Perkins, Merivale, Christchurch, has received official advice that he is a prisoner of war. In that time Mrs. Perkins has had no communication from him and for nearly a year she had no clue whatever as to his fate. Recently, however, she received a letter from an officer of his former unit, who said there was reason to believe Gunner Perkins was a prisoner and that he might be heard from shortly. U.S. Interest in New Zealand Products The interest felt by Americans in New Zealand produce was demonstrated by a letter which was recently forwarded to the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce by a retail firm operating at Timaru. The letter was from the Resolute Commerce Company, of New York, and stated: “We are interested in buying a wide range of items, including those which can be used directly or indirectly in the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries, such a vegetable, essential and aromatic oils, edible fruit skins in brine, honey, waxes, gelatins, seeds, herbs, roots and barks for pharmaceutical uses.” It is understood that the letter has been forwarded to the Associated Chambers of Commerce. Prisoner-of-War in Italy News of Lieutenant Percy J. Brewster has been received toy his oarents, Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Brewster, Nuhaka. Lieutenant Brewster is a prisoner-of-war in Campo U.P.G. 33 P.M. 3200, Italy, He said the snow had lifted and it was spring-time, the weather being warm and sunny. “The valley about us is a glorious sight, with its closely cultivated farms and different shades of green,” he writes. “During the cold weather time hung very heavily, but now the days go fast. Our meals are much better as we are able to buy a few extras, although prices are a bit high for luxury. We have bought 150 books in order to start a library, and they are n great acquisition. We have hired a piano, and after mess once a week we have some excellent community sings. I am secretary of the gardening committee. We have about half an acre of garden, also fruit trees and vines. It should pi:ove a great boon both from the recreation and material points of view. We are able to buy a little chocolate and toffee and dried figs. We have organised lectures and study classes. In all, life is quite pleasant and there is no need to worry.”