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Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 73, 27 March 1936, Page 6

Salt spray, borne on high winds and deposited on the insulators of electric high power lines, was responsible for 21 short circuits in the Taranaki district during February'. As the headquarters of the enumerator for the Horowkenua district, the office of the Postmaster at Levin, on Tuesday was the focal point of a continuous stream of inquiries relative to the filling in of census schedules. Many' startling questions were asked of the harassed Postmaster and his assistants, but perhaps the gem came from a poul-try-farmer who wanted to know the position with regard to young chickens in the furnishing of poultry returns under the headings of males and females, and who plaintively asked, “Do I have to have them sexed?”

After preliminary tests, the first of tho new rail-cars for passenger use on the New Zealand railways will be employed on special services between Wellington and Masterton. The first vehicle will be completed about the end of May, according to a statement made by the Minister of Railways, Hon. D. G. Sullivan, who added that a second car would be available about three weeks later. “I have great hopes for the future of the rail-car,” states Mr Sullivau. “Actually seven cars are already on order, and plans have been prepared for an additional number. It is proposed to use them for a night passenger service between Wellington and New Plymouth, and if they come up to expectations, as I have no doubt they will, their use will be extended to all lines. They should be of particular value for a fast passenger service between Auckland and Rotorua, for use in the Waikato and on the North Auckland lines and for numerous services iu the South Island. It is not intended to restrict their use to '• one particular area.”