Householders’ Meetings.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 72, 22 February 1940, Page 6

Householders’ Meetings.

The Wanganui Education Board decided yesterday that the biennia) meetings of householders should be held on April 22. National Patriotic Fund. Donations to the National Patriotic Fund now total £24.854, including £IOO from Joseph Nathan and Co., Ltd., £IOO from Glaxo Laboratories. Ltd., and £l.O from "Box 55.” Feilding. The donations from the seal campaign to date total £9025. Unique Architecture. One of the largest structures of its kind, and one that is unique in the .Southern Hemisphere, a glass dome being fitted in the new Chief Post Office at Hamilton, is one of the outstanding features of the building. The dome lias a diameter of 40ft and a rise of 4ft, and is being made of 1660 heavy eight-inch glass lenses set on welded steel and bound with concrete. Dunedin’s Memorial.

With its inscription to the memory of the pioneers of New Zealand, the handsome foundation stone of the look-out monument which comprises Dunedin’s tribute to the past was “well and truly laid” on Signal Hill yesterday afternoon by the Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen). The monument takes the shape ot a look-out platform commanding a comprehensive view of the city, suburbs and harbour from one of the finest coigns of vantage in the environs of Dunedi.il.-—Press Association. Learning to Swim. Highly appreciative reference to the activities ot Mr N. Biddings, of the staff of the Terrace End School, and Air I>. Gillctt, of the Wanganui intermediate School, in furthering swimming and life-saving instruction in schools on a properly organised basis, was expressed by the chairman (Mr K. F. Hemingway) at a meeting of the 'Wanganui Education Board, yesterday. The acting senior inspector (Air E. Crosby) reported that in 1939 the numbers of new certificates issued in the board’s area for swimming was: 25yds, 1485; 50yds, 1072; 220yds, 844; 880yds, 479; total, 3880. For lifesaving the figures were: Primary school certificates, 251; elementary, 188; intermediate, 188- bronze medallion, 18; total, 645. The board is to make efforts to arrange for a film on swimming to he shown for the benefit of children in Palmerston North, this having greatly interested 1400 children in Wanganui. Later, it may he shown at the smaller centres.

Moa Remains Found. From tile windswept sandhills of Doubtless Bay, North Auckland, a large and important collection of moa bones was recently recovered by it museum expedition, according to a report to the council of the Auckland Institute and Museum by the director, Mr Gilbert Archey. Tree-Planting Scheme. The adoption of an afforestation 'scheme in North Canterbury similar to the scheme in operation on the prairie lands of the United States during the last four years will be suggested to the Government by the North Canterbury Advisory Committee on Thee Planting this year. Prolific Potato. One potato has provided a yield of •561 b for Mr J. Hunt, who planted it in his garden at Puketapu, Hawke’s Bay. The single potato, which was a Dakota Rod, weighed lib 14oz and was grown by Mr Drummond, Puketapu. But cutting the potato Mr Hunt got 18 sets, all of which grew well. Match Rationing. One of the lesser hardships of war, as far as the impact of the European conflict has been felt in Wellington, has been the inability of housewives to purchase more than a box or two of wooden matches at a time from retailers, many of whom have been rationing them out to their customers. Local Recruiting Drive. The registration of recruits for the Special Force in Palmerston North has shown a falling-off of late. Yesterday fill- E. It. Short-all, of Feilding, enlisted for service abroad, bringing the total number of enlistments for service overseas from the area to 902. Mr R. E. C. Andrews, of Palmerston North, has joined up for home service. Children’s Play Equipment. Speaking at the Terrace End gala, last evening, the deputy-Mayor (Cr Cl. Tremaine) stated tiiat although £3O had been raised last year by the Progressive Association for the provision of children’s playing facilities at Fitzroy Park, these had not been installed yet owing to the import restrictions holding up the supply of iron tubing. This was now available and the work would go ahead. Forest and Bird Protection.

Dr. E. E. Porritt (Wanganui) forwarded £1 to the monthly meeting of the Wanganui Education Board, yesterday, with the request that 20 boys from primary schools in and about Wanganui be enrolled as members of the Forest and Bird Protection Society. The board received the letter with pleasure and the chairman (Mr E: F. Hemingway) warmly commended the society for its work. Mishap to ’Plane. A De Havilland S 4 twin-engined aeroplane; used by the Royal New Zealand Air Force for transport work, and attached to Wigram, had to make a forced landing five miles north and inland of Waiuku, 20 miles from Christchurch, about 6 o'clock last evening. Seven passengers, all Air Force members. and tne pilot, Flying-Olficer W. T. Ellison, escaped injury, but the machine’s under-carriage was broken off and one propeller was damaged. Centennial Ribbons.

The Government has provided Centennial ribbons for issue to persons (Maori and pakeha) of 75 years or longer residence in New Zealand, leaving the arrangements for distribution of them to the Centennial committees. The latest statistics show that there are 9750 people who have been residentin New Zealand for 75 years or more and, therefore, qualify for a ribbon. However, approximately 2000 only have been applied for and distributed to date.

Intermediate School. “While the work on the new Intermediate School building at Palmerston North is not progressing as rapidly as one would desire, the building is certainly showing signs of moving toward completion,” stated Mr K. It. Hodge, architect to the Wanganui Education Board, in reporting to a meeting of the board vesWrdr.v. “Judging by the speed of the work I should say it would be quite four months before wo can say that the building is nearing completion.” Defective Eyesight. Nearly a third of New Zealand motorists have some visual defect that might cause trouble under certain conditions, according to tests of 3300 drivers made by the- Government Transport Department at the Centennial Exhibition. The results indicate that women have on the average slightly better eyesight than men. Of the 300 women tested, 88, or 29.3 per cent., have vision that is in some way defeceive. This percentage, though a little lower than that for men, is surprisingly high. Secrecy Enjoined. A reminder to members of the Military Forces that telephone conversations may be overheard is contained in a recent issue of the New Zealand Army Orders. “No matter, the knowledge of which might be of value to the enemy, should ever he discussed over an open line.” states the order. “The • consequence of any such indiscretion may ho the loss of many lives.’ A footnote adds that copies of the order are to he attached to every military telephone, both in offices and in the field. Patriotic Greeks.

Keen support is being given hv New Zealand Greeks to the National Patriotic Fund ap|ieal. Two members ol the Greek community in Wellington, Messrs Dennis Gerondis and A. Loucas, were appointed recently official collectors for the National Patriotic Fund Board among their fellow-countrymen in New Zealand. They formed a small sub-committee to further the work, and since then a full committee has been established to carry out ail appeal among Greeks throughout the Dominion. Fears Discounted.

Doubts expressed by railwaymen about the safety of that section of the Midland railway line on which an engine was derailed on November 23, causing the death ol the driver, are discounted by Bailway Department officials. Mr P. H. Morey, district engineer to the department at Christchurch, said that the department had taken all po.sible steps to meet any danger on this section of the iine. lie was emphatic that railway seivants, passengers and freight were not being exposed to any risk other than that normally associated with a railway service. Nearly Lost. Furnishings intended for the Palmerston North Intermediate School were endangered by fire recently, according to a report placed before the Wanganui Education Board, yesterday, in which it was stated that a fire in the board’s workshop had endangered £4OOO worth of goods and material. The board decided to commend those responsible for giving- the alarm and extinguishing the fire, and is to suggest to the insurance company concerned that compensation be paid for damage to clothing and medical expenses incurred by W. B. McClintoek, who carried a burning box' ’from the' building.