NEWS OF THE DAY

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 229, 27 September 1940, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Citizens’ Lunch Club. To-day subject is “Nutrition" by Dr. J. Melville, at the meeting of the Palmerston North Luncheon Club. Fire Brigade Called Out Early last evening the Palmerston North Fire Brigade answered a call to Messrs Collinson and Cunninghamc's premises where a fused wire had started a small blaze near the ceiling of one of the display windows facing Broadway. The fire was quelled in a short time with practically no damage done to the window interior. Rare Fish Discovered

An unusally largo speciman of an uncommon fish known as the wharehau was found recently by fishermen when trawling in the Hauraki Gulf, and is at present at tho Auckland War Memorial Museum. Measuring 3Sin. in length tho fish has long spiny fins and resembles a large schanppcr. A slightly smaller specimen was discovered ut Mayor Island in 1927, since when it hasbeen on exhibition at the museum. Clematis Cutters Cautioned

“This has been an early spring, and never have our native flowers, particularly tho kowhai, been so beautiful," remarked Mrs. Knox Gilmer at the opening of the Flower Show in the Wellington Town Hall. “The clematis season i 3 also at hand," she added, “and we must protect our native flowers. If any of you see clematis cutters at work, I hope you will take tho numbers of their cars and report them to the police, and I hope the fines won’t be light."

“We Are Winning" The splendid spirit of tho people of England, and particularly those of Lqndon, in the face of the continued air raids, is once again shown in a cablegram received by Mr. Bead-Gowing, of Auckland. He had cabled to his attorney, in the heart of the bombed area, seeking information about various members of his family in England. The attorney, who 13 one of London’s air raid wardens, replied promptly: “All well and in fine fettle. We are winning". Centennial Canoe Preparations for the erection of a building to house the large Maori canoe which figured prominently in the Waitangi Centennial celebrations in February are now being made by the Public Works Department. The canoe, divided into, three sections, lies under temporary cover alongside the meetinghouse near the Waitaugi Treaty House. Finality as to the exact design of the new building has not yet been reached, but it will be in keeping with that of the meeting-house. The site chosen is among some trees on the seaward side. Droving Feat Miss E. Aubrey and her brother, of Cattle Flat Station, Wanaka, recently drove 160 head of cattle from the station through Central Otago to Oamaru. Travelling ten miles a day, they reached their destination in three weeks and delivered their large herd in splendid condition, without tho loss of one animal. Miss Aubrey is only eighteen and her brother slightly older. The achievement is no mean feat and proves how well tho New Zealand gi/is tackle heavy work in these days when so many young men are away with the Arrfty. Send-off ror Recruits A suggestion that the men going to camp lor the 4th Reinforcements should be given a rousing send-off was made by Mr. J. A. Grant when speaking at a meeting held last night to discuss patriotic matters. Mr. Grant suggested that the men might march from the Square to the railway station headed a baud. He thought Palmerston North people had not given its recruits the public approbation that was due them. Tho Mayor, Mr. A. E. Maustorti, promised to take the matter up with the military authorities to see what could be arranged. New Zealanders In London

“Your boys were having a wonderful time at Homo when I left," said an Englishwoman who has arrived at Auckland after an exciting voyage from England. The New Zealand uniform was evident in most parts of London, she said, but the Strand was simply thronged with men of the second echelon. “I don’t know whether they are having suck a good time now," she said a little wistfully, adding that she spoke to every New Zealand soldier sho saw. London seemed gay, and in the beautifully fiuo weather Londoners were having a last fling before settling down seriously. Valiant Service.

The gallant sacrifices which Dominion airmen are making in the cause oil the Empire and its Allies are revealed in casualty lists compiled since the beginning of the war. Similarly, a growing list of decorations awarded to New Zealand pilots and air crews reflects the courage and determination with which they are carrying out their tasks. In just over a year of fighting, more than 150 Dominion airmen, mostly pilots, have been reported killed, missing, or missing and believed killed. While a few lost their lives in aircraft accidents, the majority failed to return troin operations against the enemy. At least 10 New Zealanders are reported to bo prisoners of war or internees m neutral countries, and it is likely that some among those missing may be held in German prisons. About 20 officers and men have been seriously injured. Dominion, airmen have won a full sljaio of tho awards granted for bravery and courage during operations. The Distinguished Flying Cross lias been awarded to 29 officers, including ono with bar. Ono officer has received the Distinguished Service Order and another the Croix de Guerre. Pilots other than commissioned officers have won three Distinguished Flying Medals, and three Air Force Crosses have been awarded. Several of the airmen decorated have since become casualties.