Shortage of Accommodation

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 57, 9 March 1943, Page 4

Shortage of Accommodation

Talmerston North, in common with other centres, is feeling the effects ot shortage of accommodation, especially at the week-ends. On Friday and Saturday nights, accommodation was almost unprocurable and overseas servicemen were noticed sleeping on tho benches in tho Square. Due to the kindly action of the police, the men, 14 of them, were accommodated in the waiting-rooms at tho police station, and made as comfortable as possible with cushions, rugs, etc. The police have now gone a stage further and have arranged with the Army authorities for a supply of blankets and palliases should such an occasion again arise. Electricians to Confer The annual conference of the New Zealand Institute of Electricians is to be held in Palmerston North on Saturday, March 13. There are a number of important matters set down for discussion, such as the raising of the status of electricians and the need for better education facilities for apprentices to the trade. The institute is concerned about the poor standard revealed by the last examinations, attributing this in a large measure to other duties such as Home Guard, that have made inroads into the school time available for apprentices. Members of the institute will be present from all over New Zealand. National War Savings At tho fortnightly meeting of the Palmerston North National War Savings Committee, a discussion took place re obtaining a weekly guarantee of £BOO from citizens who would be willing to make woekly investments (or when called on), in order to see that the city obtained its weekly quota. A sub-com-mittee appointed was asked to draw up this list. It was also decided that a circular letter signed by the Mayor and tho chairman be sent to leading business and private citizens pointing out the advantages of investing money in National War Savings accounts oi bonds, this letter to be followed by a personal call from the organiser. “He Thought Wrong” Instead of making for the “jyide open spaces” when they get on a horse the Marines holidaying in Palmerston North make for the centre of the city. Why shouldn’t they? One, however, crashed outside the city. and failed to reach his objective. H$ had been lent a horse which is very wellknown in tho show ring. As he left the stable the Marine put his foot on the “accelerator” and disappeared in a cloud of dust. He failed to take the first corner and he finished feet up in a box-thorn hedge. It was not so hot. Home time later he arrived back at the stables leading the horse and the owner of the hunter—a young lady—said: “How did you catch him?” The Marine’s reply was: “He came back. He thought I wanted to get on again. He thought wrong.”