Mushrooms in Wairarapa.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 123, 23 April 1940, Page 6

Mushrooms in Wairarapa.

Steady rains through the Wairarapa during the past few days have resulted in a good crop of mushrooms in all districts. Hospital for Overseas. The First New Zealand General Hospital, commanded by Colonel A. C. McKillop, M. 8., nearly 200 strong will 1 roceed overseas with the Second Echelon of the Expeditionary Force. Library Extensions. The Palmerston North City Council has decided to approach the Kairanga Countv Council in order to ascertain a possible basis of co-operation m connection with the provision of a library service in the county. Recruiting in Wellington. In II weeks 470 men have enlisted at the Army recruiting depot in Wellington, and 16 who joined up yesterday brought the total for the tA ellington and Hutt Valley district (ho. 5 area) to more than 5000. Traffic Safety Zones. The Palmerston North City Council has decided to secure reports from the traffic manager (Mr H. J. Smith) and the ditv engineer (Mr J. Jt. Hughes) oil the" cost of providing safety zones for pedestrians and traffic lights at each of the chief crossings in the city. Beautification of Paraparaumu. The Paraparaumu Beautifying Society has been strengthened by the election of a committee which had been formed to further beautifying work in the beach area, and plans are already in hand for work to be carried out during the coming planting season. Traffic Lights. With, the object of facilitating the passage of traffic, the Palmerston North City Council has decided that the traffic' lights at the junction of Itungitikei Street with the Square will operate only from 8.15 a.in. to 5.45 p.m. (except on Fridays, when they will remain working until 10.45 p.m.) ; also from 8.15 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, and not at all oil Sundays, improved lamps and reflectors are to be fitted at an estimated cost of £54. School Revenue. Contrasting the position with 1936, when capitation grants reached a low ebb, creating a great deal of dissatisfaction at the time, the chairman of the Central School Committee (Mr W. G Black) presented interesting figures at last liight’s-meeting of householders, Of the total net revenue of £1156 16s 7d for the last biennial period £B7l had been received as capitation, the balance of £285 16s 7d having been derived from the baths and voluntary effort. In contrast, prior to Februarv, 1936, capitation grants provided only £512 out of a total net revenue of £1093. Mr Black added that in the current accounts cognisance had not been taken of £222 disbursed for special labour on the grounds under the No. 5 scheme, this amount having been refunded by the Labour Department.

Section As Gift. A valuable building site has been offered to the Masterton Patriotic Committee to be raffled when the now regulations are issued. Gift of Trees. Fifteen thousand trees are to be offered by the Wellington Beautifying Society to the Public Works Department for planting near Wellington this winter. Petrol Tank Explosion. While holding a petrol tank which had been removed from a motor lorry and was being soldered, Mr N. Daldy, of Mangamutu, suffered a dislocation of his left thumb when the tank suddenly exploded. Bowling Novelty. Members of the recently-formed women’s section of the Paraparaumu Beach Bowling Club had their first experience of tournament play on Saturday, when they took part in an all-day pairs tournament, in which men were the skips and women the leads. Second Echelon Parade. Al>out 2000 officers and men of the Second Echelon of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. will parade in Wellington on Saturday morning and,will be addressed in front of Parliament Buildings by the Governor-General (Lord Galway), the Prime Minister, the Mayor of Wellington, the Loader of the Opposition, and a representative of the It.S.A. Practical Help. Praiseworthy efforts on behalf of two young Napier business men, anxious to servo their country, have been made by some of their rivals in the retail trade. The business conducted by the two men lias now been closed down because oi both desiring to serve. The whole of the stock has been taken over by three prominent Napier business men at 20s m the £l. West Street Crossing. Following representations by the Manawatu Automobile Association, the City Council last evening adopted a recommendation from the transit committee that the words “Railway crossing” be painted on the roadway at the two approaches to the West Street level crossing. Several serious accidents have taken place at this crossing in recent years. No Scottish Battalion. The determination of the Government not to establish and dress a Scottish battalion ior service overseas with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force has been made clear by the Minister for Defence (Hon. F. Jones). He explained, however, that if two companies of Scottish soldiers were recruited by the Scottish societies they would be established and kept together as units of the third Echelon. Bird Sanctuary. The Forest and Bird Protection Society recently wrote to the Palmerston North City Council with reference to the intention of the council to acquire the Hokowhitu Lagoon, expressing the fear that the council would permit the public to visit the sanctuary in numbers. The council decided, at a meeting last evening, to reply that its experience with birds in the Square enclosures was that their proximity to the general public has not interfered with thensafety. More Motor-Vehicles. There has been a remarkable increase in the number of motor-vehicles licensed in New Zealand. At March 3L last the total was 315,520, an increase of 9096 vehicles, or 3.17 per cent, over the number of licenses at the corresponding date in 1939. The PostmasterGeneral said last evening that compared with last year’s figures, the ear licenses had increased by 7372, or 3.4 per cent., and commercial vehicles by 4223, or 5.56 per cent. Motor-cycle licenses had decreased by 1908, or 9.0-1 per cent. The Real Battle. The great dangers facing the world to-day from the anti-spiritual forces that threatened countries from within, were referred to by the Bishop of Wellington (lit. Rev. H. Holland) in an address at Wellington. It was not sufficient to think that the elimination or defeat of Hitler would make all well again. It was possible to grasp the spoils of victory and lose the pearl of great price. They wanted to conquer, with England, not alone militarily and economically, but in the great battle to retain the abiding things that were wanted for world salvation. New Municipal Motor Bus. The Palmerston North City Council has decided to acquire a new motor bus. The body will seat 33 passengers and will be of the same design as that put into service prior to Christmas. The report of the traffic manager (Mr LT. J. Smith) showed that in March 60,046 passengers were carried on the municipal services for a revenue return of £726 14s Id. These totals showed increases over the corresponding figures of March of hast year of 6742 passengers and £9B 11s 5d in revenue. Apathetic Parents. Comment on the apathy of parents in not attending the biennial meeting of householders was voiced bv the chairman of the committee (Mr G. Tremaine) at the West End School last evening. “Once every two years we give an account of our stewardship and it is a pity more parents do not take an interest in the proceedings,” he said. A most comprehensive annual report had been prepared, but there were only 12 persons present to hear it read. Of these, seven were members of the retiring committee, two were teachers and one was the wife of a committeeman. The only other householders present were two reporters. Parent’s Difficulties. Modern methods of teaching children have proved a little too much for at least one parent, and at the meeting of householders of the Russell Street School, last evening, lie asked if it were not possible for some magazine to be circulated among parents telling them the best methods of helping their children with school work. He said that he had experienced great difficulty in assisting his children because they were taught differently from the methods he knew, particularly in spelling. Tile headmaster (Mr .T, Connor) said that the only tiling be could suggest was a training college for parents. (Laughter.) Ho could appreciate the (1-fficulties of parents, but. could not he of any assistance. Changed Days. “Refund from schoolboys for cost of broken windows” was an item which appeared in the statement of accounts read at the Terrace End householders meeting last evening, and it revealed a change from the days when the breaker of windows was haled before the headmaster in awe. Mr A. W. Thompson, the headmaster, explained that no longer did sucli offenders fear punishment: they came forward and admitted the breaking, the amount charged them being Is 6d for each breakage. Another financial transaction in the school which caused some humour was the “fining” of four bovr six shillings in all to cover the cost of some peaches which had been taken from a neighbouring tree when in the course of a game of football the leather would repeatedly he sent into the next door garden. The amount was paid to the owner of the peaches.