NEWS OF THE DAY

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 259, 1 November 1940, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Citizens' Lunch Club ‘‘Johannesburg” is to-day’* subject at the Citizens' Lunch Club meeting. Mr. L. Gold is the speaker and Mr. C. V. Ciochetto the chairman. Increased Production The effect of favourable weather conditions is being made apparent in this district by the increased yield of cream and the percentage of lambs. A Pohangina farmer reports having docked 302 wether lambs and 358 ewe lambs from 673 ewes including t'wotooths. Plant Research Bureau Following the serious fire of early Wednesday morning when the Plant Research Bureau building was burned to the ground, arrangements are being made to carry on the office work in other buildings in the vicinity, while temporary accommodation is also being provided. Value of Ambulance Work The importance of first-aid and ambulance service has never been greater, states Colonel J. L. Sleeman, Chief Commissioner of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas, writing from London to Mr. C. J. Tuuks, commisioned for the brigade in the Auckland district. In congratulating Mr. Tunks on the part he has taken in this work, Colonel Slccman says that what has been done in training men in this service is contributing directly to a saving of life and a lessening of suffering. He adds that the value of those who havo been trained overseas and are now on service in England hRs been great, and will be greater as the war proceeds. Vegetable Canning

Tho opinion is expressed in a report supplied to the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture by a special sub-committee that the war should result in an extension of the vegetable canning industry in New Zealand. The report says thousands of pounds of New Zealand money are being sent overseas, mostly to America, Canada, and Australia, for imported lines of the.se goods. It adds that an excellent variety of canned New Zealand asparagus is being produced"’in the North Island, and also says members feel confident tomato juice will sell well, when its value and cheapness as a pleasant drink before meals become known to the public. 78 Miles An Hour

Complete satisfaction with the performance of the new standard rail-car was expressed by the Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, after his return to Christchurch from Greymouth in the car. The journey was tho second half of the inaugural trip of the vehicle, and was made in 3 hours 40 minutes’ running time. On the run over to the West Coast, tho highest speed attained was 65 miles an hour, but coming back yesterday a speed trial was run. Tho highest speed registered was 78 miles an hour, and for many miles the car held with great ease speeds of more than 70 miles an hour Travelling at these speeds, the car is markedly steady, and completely comfortable for the passengers. There is an entire absence of sway or roll. Butter Box Timber

Current production of white pine in New Zealand is sufficient to meet the requirements of the dairying and freezing industries, and millers on the West Coast have been instructed by- the Government to give priority to the urgent supply of 2,000,000 board feet of sap riwu for the manufacture of butter boxes. The Minister of Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, said a similar amount of sap rirnu had been obtained earlier in the season, but the increase in butter production had been phenomenal and had made it necessary to obtain more timber. “Units of the sawmilling industry have been advised that provided the necessary priority is given, the Government has no desire to utilise the powers conferred on it by the Timber Emergency Regulations,” said Mr. Sullivan. “The industry has responded magnificently in the past, and I know that it will do so again. lam confident that we will get 2,000,000 board feet of rimu on schedule.”

Pitcairn Stamps A curious position has arisen over the new pictorial set of stamps issued for Pitcairn Island. A number of people in New Zealand have received mint sets, and yet, officially, the stamps will not be issued until November 15. Some months ago it was announced officially from Fiji that on and after October 15 the postal affairs of Pitcairn Island would be administered from Fiji, and not from New Zealand, as heretofore, and that on that date the new pictorial stamps would be issued. It was also stated that mint sets would be obtainable from Fiji on and after that date, although naturally first-day covers with cancelled stamps on them showing the date, October 15, could be obtained only from Pitcairn Island itself. As there appeared to be no prospect of the mail containing all the orders for first-day covers reaching Pitcairn Island by October 15, it was decided to postpone the initial date of issue of the new st*mp3 until November 15, and instructions were issued accordingly. There was some misunderstanding, however in Fiji, and on October 15 the postmaster there posted the mint sets for which he had received orders; whereas he should have held them back until November 15.