NEWS OF THE DAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21603, 4 January 1945, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

R.N.Z.A.F. Personnel Return Nearly 100 R.N.Z.A.F. personnel have returned from India and the Middle East. Included in the draft was Flying-Officer M. L. Ludwig, Gisborne. Boy Electrocuted A hoy was electrocuted when he came in contact with an electric wire under a caravan parked in a section in Takapuna, Auckland. He was Peter Herbert Barrett, aged seven, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Barrett, Takapuna. Missing Launch Safe The launch Aletia, which was reported missing on a trip from Wellington to Picton, has arrived safely at Endeavour Inlet after a rough trip. The owner, Mr, Charles Garrood, was accompanied by Alan Ellis, whose sister has received a message from him announcing their arrival. Merriment in Theatre The film not being one of those in which the breath-taking exploits of a devil-may-care hero follow so closely upon the heels of each other that members of the audience are constantly “on their toes,” a visitor to a Gisborne theatre during an afternoon session this week fell into a deep slumber. Sounding clearly above the comparatively soft dialogue of the actors, his peaceful snoring gave rise to considerable merriment among other patrons. Use of Rata Timber “During the past year I have been in contact with about six mills in an endeavour to obtain New Zealand rata timber, but they have none or will not cut it. However, there is a possibility that a mill in Rotorua can supply some to tide us over. This rata, however, is a different, species from Hie rata at this end of the island," said Mr. W. A. Waters, engineer-manager, in a report to the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board. “For example,” added Mr. Waters, “rata cross-arms which I erected in Taihape 34 years ago are still sound and carrying the cables.”

Matai for Tallow Casks Hitherto it lias been the custom to pack prime white mutton tallow and other edible fats for export in white pine casks exclusively, because of a general impression that any other New Zealand timbers would impart some wood taint on discolouration to the tallow. The Dominon Sawmillers' Federatiop has now been informed, however, that the export division of the Mai-keting Department recently shipped a sample lot of 14 casks of prime white mutton tallow to London packed in casks made entirely from matai timber. The casks were examined bv the British Ministry of Food and pronounced satisfactory. The Sawmillers’ Federation says that the result of the experimental shipment will materially ease the position of finding the requisite quantity of high-grade timber needed for tallow cask manufacture.