NEWS OF THE DAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21581, 7 December 1944, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Beneficial Rain Well over half-an-inch of warm rain which fell in Auckland and various parts of the province on Monday will be an inestimable boon at a time when persistent cold winds had dried out the topsoil and retarded the growth of summer crops. It was the first heavy rain that has fallen in the Whangarei district since the middle of October, over six weeks ago. Glowing School Roll A slight increase on the record roll of 753 at the Gisborne High School this year is expected in 1945, according to the annual report of the rector, Mr. J. Leggat, to be presented at the breaking-up ceremony of the school to-night. Next year, he said, attendance at school became compulsory until the age of 15 and this change would result in a slight increase in enrolments. School’s Proud Record Nine hundred and fifty-nine old boys and girls-of the Gisborne High School have served or are at present serving in the armed forces. Of this number 72 have given their lives, 13 are missing and 68 are prisoners of war. Seven have won distinctions or decorations during the past year. From small sums voluntarily contributed each week by pupils at the school parcels are provided for those on service and in prisoner-of-war camps. Breaking-up Ceremony A special feature of the .programme in connection with to-night’s High School breaking-up ceremony will be the .first public performance of the school band, which is to render two numbers. Formed about the middle of this year, the band has been coached and instructed by Mr. A. Wood, conductor of the Gisborne City Band. To-night’s function also will include items by the school choir. An address is to be given by Major K. G. Scott, an old pupil of the school. Called Up For Nursing Duty Mr. H. L. Bockett, controller of man-power, stated in Wellington yesterday that a limited number of qualified Voluntary aids in other districts were being called up for nursing duty in the Wellington— Lower Hutt area. Mr. Bockett pointed out that Wellington had been called upon to supply more mannewer than other areas because of the industrial centre in the Hutt Valley and the burden had become disoroDortionate. The number to be called from other districts was not large.—P.A.

Concert At Hospital Record takings, amounting to approximately £25, resulted from the concert held at the Cook Hospital last night in aid of funds for the Christmas tree for inmates. There was a large crowd and fine weather permitted the function to be held in the open. A varied programme comprised .-vocal and instrumental items, dancing and Maori action songs. The medical superintendent, Dr. R. J. B. Hall, expressed thanks to all who had assisted to make the concert such a success. Those who took part were later entertained at supper. Snow at Waikarenioana An unusual weather phenomenon was experienced by a Wairoa motorist when travelling to Waikaremoana on Tuesday. He stated that over the last 500 or 600 ft. Huiarau Range there was a steady fall of snow with a fairly heavy hailstorm occurring' at the same time. It was bitterly cold and rain fell both before and after the snow and hailstorm. Due to the * warmness of the ground, the snow quickly disappeared and the motorist saw very little on his return later in the day. It is most unusual to see snow fall in this region as late as December. The cold winds of t.he past week or so have caused farmers in the higher country considerable worry, particularly in those districts where lambing has been late. However, the losses, considering the weather conditions, have been very small.