LOCAL AND GENERAL

Grey River Argus, 11 January 1944, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

After a month’s trapping operations in the lower Wangaehu area, a rabbiter employed on contract by the Wanganui Rabbit Board has taken more than 2000 rabbits. The same rabbiter, over a period of five years in the Patea district, where he was. previously employed had a tally of more than 200,000 rabbits.

The installation of equipment m the sub-station at the Town Belt is in course of completion. The work of removing the old poles ih Murray Street which carried the 11,000 volt lines now transferred to new poles, has been completed.

An opportunity is offered to children in the Waikato to earn money, by gathering cocksfoot seed from roadsides. The grass is very plentiful, and now is the right time to cut off the heads and winnow the seeds from them. Cocksfoot seed is selling at a record high price, and there is an unsatisfied demand both in New Zealand and overseas.

It was necessary to requisition a steam train to replace the rail-car for the afternoon run to Ross from Greymouth yesterday, a mechanical defect having developed in the railcar, which Was also out of commission for the journey back to Greymouth. The passengers for the evening run were taken bv train to Stillwater where they transferred to a rail-car. Almost 1000 teacups, valued at about £7O, were removed or broken on the Hill and Derby enclosures at Ellerslie racecourse during the Christmas and New Year meetings. In addition well over 200 soft-drink bottles were removed. <The cups were new and of New Zealand manufacture. About 500 were taken on Boxing Day and another 300 on New Year’s Day, according to a statement byl the caterers.

One trainload of coal has so . far been sent from this district to Westport for shipment, owing to the adverse state of the local bar. It is not known when the next load will be railed to Westport, as three of the State collieries are meantime idle. The Mines Department yesterday had available only about a sixth of the coal to meet a commitment of 1200 tons for transport to Westport. While the Dobson and Blackball State collieries were yesterday workin?. the Wallsend, Strongman and Liverpool State mines were idle. It is stated that at the latter mines the men’s action was taken on the same grounds as that of the men of the Wallsend mine It is also reported that the three mines which were not ■yesterday working will to-day remain idle.

Radio sets are a fire hazard. An incipient outbreak in a private house in Auckland was caused through an overheated set taking fire. Some sets are so built that there may be some flimsy material near the heated points; in other cases people may even stuff radio notices, and old accounts, or waste paper into the set, never dreaming that their action creates an element of potential danger from fire.

An unusual interlude was provided at Ohope Beach, near the Bay ot Plenty, by Mr R. S. Whittaker, of Whakatane, who seized a young fourfoot shark in the breakers, dragged it by the tail into shallow water, and finally threw it up on the beach, where it was despatched. The shark, which was first noticed by watchers on the shore, sent bathers in the vicinity hurrying for safety It then made in the direction of Mr. Whittaker, who caught it by the tail.

The amount of goods conveyed through the Otira Tunnel eastward, last week, was 5959 tons, compared with 8754 tons for the same period in 1943 an'd -10,1'02 tons in 1942.

In an effort to check the ravages of wild pigs in the King Country the Government is supporting a Plan for organised poisoning. An Upper Wanganui settler said that already a noticeable improvement has been effected. Sheep cracases are placed adjacent to pig tracks, aiid the pigs absorb the poison when they eat the flesh. Death comes swiftly. Large areas of pig-infested country are being covered, and the work will help to restore productivity to some bush farms that were abandoned on account of the prevalence of wild pigs.

Fashion has a score of things on her mind but the new Summer Frocks at White’s disclose her foremost recent thoughts.—White’s Fashion Corner. —Advt.

Yesterday was observed as a trade holiday' to celebrate the anniversary of the Province of Westland which occurred on December 1. All businesses were closed except the Post Office and the Banks. The weather was perfect. A number took advantage of the long • week end. to spend it in Christchurch, 'me beach was patronised by bathers whilst many others went picnicing or spent part of the dav on the bowling greens and tennis courts. Flags were flown from all public buildings.

Fiji has her South Sea cowboy troubadour. His name Is Vattro, and he is only twelve years old. To the delight of American troops stationed in the group, he can sigh over “Rea River Valley” as mournfully as a barn dance headliner or Arkansas “'ridge runner.” His voice is of surprising volume and tone, and he is always sure of an appreciative audience. More sensational still, he can. yodel. Asked how he learned to sin- with such professional aplomb, Vattro confessed: “I watch the singers in the cowboy movies.” A review of development work carried out during four weeks ended December 31, 1943, at Blackwater mine, states that No. 15 level drive north was advanced 26 feet, the first eight feet being on reef averaging 15.55 dwts. over 33.6 inches, the last 18 feet being off reef. No. 15 level drive south was advanced 27 teet. The firs’, nine feet was off reef, and the remaining 18 feet on disturbed reef, averaging 16.08 dwts. over 18.8 inches. No. 14 level winze at 1485 was advanced 18 feet, the first four feet being on reef averaging 6.68 dwts. over 33 inches, and the remaining 14 feet off reef.

The proposed reduction from 5s to one shilling per cent, as the war damage premium on all fire insurance policies issued by Insurance companies will take effect as from March 1 next. The reduced rate will only apply to renewals oi fire insurance policies as they expire, and new fire insurances taken from that date onwards. For the purpose of taking advantage of the new rate during the currency of fire policies it has been authoritatively stated that no such concession can be secured on current policies as all such must run on to their present expiry, dates' before the insured can claim the benefit of the. decreased levy.

The other evening a soldier, a pineapple, a crowd of between 200 and 300 persons and, finally, the police, caused some excitement outside a fruiterer’s shop in High Stret, Lower Hutt. The soldier, standing on one side of the doorway, had on a piece of paper at his feet a cut open rotten pineapple, which he had previously purchased at the fruit shop,the proprietor of which had refused to refund the cost on the grounds that the pineapple had been sold, to him by the Government and he was not responsible for its condition. The crowd, which was obviouslv on the side of the soldier, heartily cheered the police on their arrival, and ultimately the weight of public opinion prevailed and a refund was paid.

Behind the award of the Military Medal to a New Zealand private in the Pacific forces lies the story of a Japanese attack on a small strongpoint defended by a New Zealand detachment. The officer and the noncommissioned officer in command were wounded, so the cook took charge of the situation and made a magnificent job of it. With his fel-low-privates, he held off the enemy all night and killed a record number for any one .attack in his sector. It was only when dawn began to break and the fighting was slowed down by the weight of enemy casualties that the cook began to look really worried. Someone asked, “What’s up now ?” The cook anxiously replied: “I’ve-got to get out of here. I should be getting the breakfast ready.”

Residents when • travelling are recommended to keep a sharp watch on their luggage when it has been placed by porters on a station platform or taken ashore by the steward’s staff for passengers on steamers. While every care is taken by those whose duty it is to handle baggage, it should be understood that no responsibility can be accepted should it disappear. Already, owing to the want of alertness on the part of those travelling, baggage is continually being sureptitiouslv and smartly removed by unauthorised persons almost under the eye of the owner, who has little chance of recovery when so. Jar as the thief is concerned speed is the essence of the contract and renders a quick get-away necessary.

Cabled advice has been received bv the Prisoner of War Inquiry Office that Stalag VIIIB will now be known as Stalag 344. Correspondence and parcels must be addressed accordingly. There are still approximately 1830 of the prisoners who were in Italian camps to be accounted for. Of the balance, 1520 are in Germany!, 182 are safe with the Allies. and 77 are in Switzerland. Next-of-kin who have received letters from New Zealanders who were known to be in Camp P.G. 78/1 at Acquafredda. near Sulmona, are asked to forward their names and addresses and those of prisoners concerned to the office headquarters in Wellington, who will investigate. Copies of letters from prisoners transferred to German camps from Italy would be appreciated. Influenza raging on the Continent! Death roll increasing! Yes, when Public Services break down, the health of the people is endangered. And here’s an important point to note—in England laundries are a public service Authorities realise the great burden laundry work places on the shoulders of essential workers and housewives, and. they have classed laundries as a No. 1 essential industry. Don’t you run the risk of breaking down your health by constant washing and. ironing—it sso easy to catch cold standing over a ! steaming copper then out into a cold wind. Sefid all your laundry to the Westland Laundry Ltd. All clothes are sterilised and washed under the most exacting hygenic conditions — all water is softened and all impurities removed. Try our No. 2 Thrifty Service—lB lbs. flat work completely laundered for 5/-. 'Phone 136 now. Depot: 27 Albert Street.—Advt.