NEWS OF THE DAY

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 44, 20 February 1941, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Sailor’s Amazing Escape A sailor, Air. I. P. Blunemsen, had a rcmarkablo escape from severe injuries when lie fell a considerable distance from the yardarm of a ship at New Plymouth. He narrowly missed striking the ship’s side, which he just grazed, ns he crashed downward and fell into the water, from which he was rescued. His injuries were not serious. Teachers and H,ome Guard. When two teachers inquired of the Wanganui Education Board yesterday if they w r ould be permitted to leave their school district ou Home Guard duty if called at a minute’s notice, the board agreed that they could, but only if the need arose and a proclamation was issued. Teachers will not be permitted to enter camps for Home Guard training. Making of Wines Extensive additions are to be made to tho buildings and plant where the Department of Agriculture manufactures wine at Te Kauwhata, it being intended to expedite some of the work in time for this season’s operations. One innovation will be a still an other plant for the manufacture of brandy*. Import restrictions and war conditions are favouring the New Zealand wine industry. Message Children. The Wanganui Education Board yesterday received a request from the Mayor of Palmerston North (Mr. A. E. Mansford) for permission to distribute cards for hanging in schools containing a message on morale. The board could not see its way to comply although expressing agreement with the sentiments set out in the cards. It was felt that school children would not understand the message because of the high-sound-ing words used. Something in simpler form was needed. Tracing the Missing. The New Zealand Red Cross Society has just handled its 2000th letter of inquiry concerning relatives w'ho arc domiciled in New Zealand but who are now in belligerent countries. This statement was made on Thursday by the general secretary for New Zealand for the Red Cross (Captain M. S. Gallaway). He said that just lately a batch of 300 answers to the inquiries had been received from the International Red Cross at Geneva, which itself had handled its 2,000,000 th letter concerning missing men and prisoners of war. Child’s Death The inquest was concluded yesterday into the circumstances surrounding the death of Marion Wightman, aged one year and eight months, daughter of Air. and Airs. J. F. Wightman, of Bulls, who was run over by a motor-lorry at Foxton on February 7 and died in the Palmerston North Hospital later. The finding of the Coroner (Mr. A. J. Graham) was in accordance with evidence given by Dr. J. Amour, house-surgeon at the hospital, that death was caused by shock, combined with internal haemorrhage and severe internal injuries.

Tender Accepted for River Cut. The Afinister of Public Works (Hon. H. T. Armstrong) announced at Wellington yesterday afternoon that a satisfactory tender had been received and accepted for the construction of the Whirokiuo Cut in the Alanawatu River. It involves the shifting of 370,000 cubic yards of spoil and will shorten the course of tho river by about five miles, thus lessening the flood difficulty. The Minister pointed out that by proceeding with this work as an advance instalment of the major scheme the river yrill have an opportunity to stabilise itself before the additional cuts higher up the river and the other features of the improvement scheme are put iu hand. Pigmy Tree Exhibits An exhibition of 60 sub-alpine plants, collected from the volcanic plateau in the vicinity of Tongariro, at present on show at the Auckland War Alemorial Aluseura, includes forest trees in miniature. In full fruit of a brilliant red colour is a pigmy rimu, which grows to a height of only two or three inches. Another shrub is a pigmy totara, which grows to au average height of 18 inches. There are several species of daisies and two rare veronicas, the latter being found in the scoria country at a very high altitude. The plants are representative of those to be seen on the mountain slopes between Waiouru and Nguruhoe, and many of these parts are named after Air. J. C. Bidwell, the first European to climb Ngauruhoe 102 years ago. Historic Naval Uniform. The uniform once worn by Admiral Sir Joseph Nias, which was a featur® of the Navy Department’s exhibit in the Government Court at the Centennial Exhibition, has now been added to the historical collection at the Dominion Museum. Nias was commander of H.AI.S. llei’nld, when she brought Hobsou to New Zealand as first LieutenantGovernor; ho was present at Waitangi, and afterward, at Port Underwood, he proclaimed British sovereignty over tho t3outh Island. The uniform is actually that of a vice-admiral of 100 years ago. It comprises a heavily-braided, brassbuttoned coat of navy blue and gold, cocked Iml, waistcoat, embroidered shirt, braces, cuffs, belt and sword. There are in all about 50 bright buttons on the uniform, all of w*hieh no doubt had to be polished by the admiral ’s man beforo he turned out on any formal occasion. Christchurch Mayoralty. Six of the ten sitting Labour members of tho Christchurch City Council want to be Alayor, slates the Star-Sun. They are Aiiss Mabel Howard and Alessrs. J. S. Barnett. E. Parlane, G. Aranning, H. E. Denton, and J. E. Jones. Their names have gone forward to the Labour Representation Committee’s selection ballot, through which the Labour Party will choose its candidate for the Mayoralty election in Alay. Actually nine names have been submitted. These include the names of the present Ata.por (Private R. AI. Alacfarlane, M.P.), and Alessrs. T. H. Ale Combs, M.P., and J. Alathison. Sitting councillors whose names have not been submitted for selection are Alessrs. J. D. Carey, E. A. Sharp, T. Nuttall, and F. G. Thomas. It was announced earlier that, for health reasons, Air. Thomas did not intend to take part in the elections, either for the Alay orally or the City Council, this £car.