NEWS OF THE DAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21260, 24 November 1943, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY

Good of the Community “Although Mr. W. G. Sherratt was not a member of the chamber, he applied himself to the good of the community for very many years,” stated Mr. W. E. Mcllwaine, who occupied the chair at a meeting of the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon. Mr, Mcllwaine said the chamber recognised the work Mr. Sherratt had accomplished over a long life-time, and on his motion a vote of condolence was passed to the relatives.

War Barometer

War-risk charges are regarded as a good barometer regarding the trend of events during any conflict, and the reductions just announced in marine rates are received with much gratification by all concerned. One of the reductions directly concerning Gisborne and also the whole Dominion is the coastal rate which, just after the Japanese entered the war, was 1 per cent and which is now reduced, following previous revisions in the ' ate, to one quarter, or ss, per cent.

£25.000 Methodist Appeal Assent was given by the South Auckland Methodist District Synod, at its session to an appeal by the home mission department for endorsement of a conference resolution to raise a. special sum next year of £25,000 for ' home mission and church extension purposes. These purposes were stated to include rehabilitation of soldiers into the. church after the war, a programme of evangelism, the building of an adequate Maofi staff, church extension in new areas, and the stabilising of the home mission funds of the church.

Radio Coverage The claims of all areas not adequately served by radio broadcasting will be given consideration when men and materials are available after the war. This was the main point in a letter from the Minister of Broadcasting read at yesterday afternoon’s meeting of the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce in reply to representations from the chamber for improvement to the radio, coverage from the local station. The Minister’s letter said that while no improvements were possible to the local station at present, the matter would be given consideration when the time was'opportune.'

Appreciation Expressed

Appreciation of the services rendered by the Gisborne Herald in matters of local importance was expressed at yesterday afternoon’s meeting of the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce by the acting chairman, Mr. W. E. Mcllwaine. The chamber had been very active recently, and had had considerable help in publicity given through the columns of the paper, particularly with matters affecting the welfare of the town, including the railway, secondary industries and the hot springs. In the matter of the railway agitation, Mr. Mcllwaine added, they must also give credit to Mr. H. H. Barker for what •he contributed in letters he had written to the paper.

Spirit of the I.M.R. “The Spirit of the Independent Mounted Rifles” was a toast that was honoured with the utmost enthusiasm at the annual reunion of the No. 4 Troop of No. 4 Squadron of the I.M.R. held in Be Grand Lounge, when Lieutenant J. L. Bellerby presided. The toast was associated with the name of Trooper M. L. (Pat) Holden, a member of another troop in the district, whose gallant action in extricating the airman from the burning aeroplane on his property recently was a demonstration of the spirit that pervaded the unit during the most dangerous days of the Japanese menace when the I.M.R. was in camp. The purpose of the gathering was to remuster the members of the No, 4 Troop for a social gathering while the men were on indefinite leave without pay. The attendance was a good one, 35 of the total strength of the troop of 40 being present.