NEWS OF THE DAY

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 279, 25 November 1939, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Troop T:ain Cancelled. The cancellation of the special military train which was to have transferred the 19th Wellington Battalion of the Special Force from the Central District mobilisation camp at Trentham for Waiouru to morrow was notified to the statiomnaster at Palmerston North yesterday. The battalion was to have commenced two weeks’ field training at Waiouru under Lieutenant-Colonel F. S. Varnham, M.C., E.D. Examination Candidates Candidates for the Public Service examinations at present being held in this city number 52, according to the supervisor, Miss T. E. Low. This is a substantial increase over last year’s figuro. The entries for the forthcoming matriculation examination number 145. Post Office Alterations. It is hoped that by Christmas the whole of the new accommodation at the Palmerston North Post Office will be available, at the completion of the reno- > rations. At the week-end a shift will be made with the postal department, and it is expcc'ted that the new counter will be available to the public on Monday. With the exception of the flooring, all of the work should be completed by Christmas. ■ South Main Trunk l ine Nearly 12 miles of new railway along the South Island Main Trunk line will be open for traffic for the first time on Monday. This was announced by the i Minister for Railways, Hon. D. G. Sullivan, in a statement this week. Until early in December only goods traffic will be carried, to allow the formation to consolidate. The new terminus will be at Hundalce, at the point where the Conway River crosses the main road to Kaikoura and Picton. Road Improvement. Improvements are at present being effected to the surface of Rangitikei Street with a special preparation which is put down, smoothed off with a road planer, and made compact by normal traffic. From the .Square to King Street the full width of the street i.s being treated, but from King Street to Fcatherstonc Street a 40ft. wide strip is being laid down in the middle of the roadway, this being the length over which there is considerable parking of cars next the footpaths. Need for Personal Appeal “Like any other organisation, wo have to conform to the laws of the country, but we do feel very strongly on the decision of the Government to establish a national fund for patriotic purposes,” said Mr. J. M. Runciman, secretary of the Hawke 's Bay centre of the New Zealand Red Cross Society, in Havelock North. Mr. Runciman and other speakers expressed the hope that eventually the Government would reconsider its decision and allow more encouragement to be given to the personal appeal. Italy and the War Documents now reaching New Zealand from Japan appear to show that Japanese business houses expected Italy at one stage to join with Germany in the present war. The insurance policies issued by certain Japanese insurance 1 companies contained a clause to the effect that goods out of Japanese steamers must not be transhipped into German vessels. The significant feature of the clause is that it was originally printed prohibiting (if the insurance was to hold good) transhipment into German and Italian vessels; but the words “and Italian” have been crossed out and the alteration initialled. Members of the clerical staff of the Palmerston North City Council, to* gether with heads of departments and the Mayor (Mr. A. E. Mansford) gathered this week to bid farewell to Mr. E. S. Kelly, who has enlisted for service with the Royal New Zealand Air Force. A presentation of a travelling bag and a money belt, both suitably inscribed, was made to Mr. Kelly by the town clerk (Mr. J. B. Ilardie), who referred to the sincere and conscientious manner in -which Air. Kelly had carried out his , work during the years he had been employed by the council. Mr. Hardie . wished Mr. Kelly every success while on active service. The Mayor also spoke, referring to the good qualities of Mr. Kelly and extending best wishes to him. Lower Age for Territorials

Several months ago the ago for enlistment for territorials was raised to 21, but the question of reducing this limit is under consideration. The Mini-, ster of Defence, Hon. F. Jones, said this week that he was not able to indicate what will be the selected age. The present limit, explained Mr. Jones, was imposed in peace-time, the reason being that there was a larger proportion of men from 18 to 21 than required, especially as the territorials were getting more men of the higher age group. “But,” he added, “it seems worth while to consider reducing the territorial age limit of L’l to take in younger men who will be readily trained as territorials and, if they wish, could eventually transfer to the special force when qualified. ”

Power Lines Danger The danger of x ,e °pl e working on buildings near electric power lines, even where the cable was triple braided, was stressed by Mr. I. Webster, electrical engineer to the Hamilton Borough, at a i meeting of the borough council. “At various periods reports have come to our notice of persons receiving electric shocks while working on buildings to which power lines are attached,” said Mr. Webster. “We have communicated with painters and plumbers warning them of this danger and requesting that they apply to use ot have tho power cut off while working near tho lines.” Mr. Webster said it was the consumers and private persons who did not consider the risk they were taking in painting or doing repairs to a house to which power lines were attached. EPIDEMICS AND WAR Epidemics exact a greater toll than armed hostilities. There are always millions of germs that must be guarded against. New Zealand’s strongest protection against colds and ’flu is Baxters Lung 'Preserver. Always take care, always take “Baxters,” the proved remedy. Best seller everywhere in 4/6, 2/G and 1/6 sizes. 1