NEWS OF THE DAY

Northern Advocate, 18 March 1948, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

lIOKIANGA FIRE OFFICERS In accordance with recent legislation, the Hokianga County Council yesterday decided to appoint its en-gineer-clerk (Mr H. Chappell) as chief fire officer. The riding councillors were appointed deputies under him. It was not considered necessary to declare any districts as special rural fire control areas. ‘COLLARED” KUMARA

A kumara which has grown through a hole in the bone from a loin'of mutton, has been raised by Mr A: T. Schick, of Onerahi. The vegetable is about five inches long, narrowing at the point where it passes through the hole and swelling out at both ends, thus being firmly fixed in the bone. Mr Schick’s garden has ability for producing freak vegetables, some of these including triple-headed onions and other strange phenomena. TAXI FIRE

A short circuit which occured in the wiring kinder the dash-board of a taxi on the James Street taxi stand was responsible for the- Whangarei Volunteer Fire Brigade receiving a call at 10 o’clock last night. When the driver, Mr Col Meale, noticed blue smoke issuing from under the dashboard in some volume, he rang the fire alarm, but the fire was prevented from spreading by disconnecting the battery. Apart from minor damage to the wiring, the car was not affected. INTERVIEW WITH MINISTER Reporting back to the Hokianga Hospital Board meeting yesterday, the medical superintendent (Dr G. M. Smith) described an interview he had had in Wellington recently with the Minister of Health (Miss M. B. Howard). Most of the report was regarded as being held in committee, but Dr Smith made it clear that the Minister and the Government held a very real interest in its special medical areas, also that the Minister’s views were much in accord with views held in Hokianga.

ST PATRICK’S DANCE St Patrick’s Day was observed by local Irishmen at a dance in the Wh tngarei Town Hall last night About 400 dancers were present, most of the women in evening dress. The stage was tastefully decorated, and artificial shamrocks, together with a cut-out Irish boy and girl, surrounded by a gold frame, hung on the curtain. Stage decorations were carried out by Mesdames McCabe,' A. Viscoe and M. Comrie. Supper was in the hands of the Catholic Women’s League, with Mrs R. Harrison “commanding.” Ces Wright’s Band supplied the music, and Miss N. Woods played extras. During the evening, Miss T. Warrington performed an Irish Jig and clog dance. Mr R. Harrison was M.C.

COMMUNITY ARTS SERVICE The Continental concert artists, Gerhard and Dora Willner, gave over 400 recitals for the British and Allied troops in the Middle East. This celebrated couple will be appearing here on April 28. ”81

Business bringers at Henry Wilson’s —Ladies’ smocks, were 21/9, for 7/11; wrap-on and lacing corsets, were 25/-, for 12/6; print house coats, were 46/6, for 25/-; ladies’ print frocks, were 33/6, for 19/6, and pure silk fully fashioned hose, were 19/6, for 12/11. r/wl