GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 20 February 1941, Page 4

GENERAL ITEMS

Monkey Recaptured One. of the three monkeys still at large after the monkey colony at the Wellington Zoo had “broken camp” was recaptured yesterday when it was chased into a public lavatory. Schools Make Munitions Instruments required in ranging by artillery are being made at the School of Engineering of the Auckland University College at the request of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, according to a statement made by the principal of the j Seddon Memorial Technical College, Mr G. J. Park, at a conference regarding the training of men for the engineering industry. The collaboration of the Technical College had been invited by the School of Engineering, he said, and as a result one instrument had been made by technical college pupils. The result was so satisfactory that six more were to be supplied. Unusual Airways Freights The handling of unusual freights for transmission from New Zealand to Australia is becoming an everyday thing for officials of the Tasman Empire Airways. On one recent trip a box containing two queen bees from a New Zealand apiary was shipped, and on another occasion the freight included a pair of canaries. Highway Problems Concentration on the maintenance of existing main highways rather than on schemes of major reconstruction is being urged on the Main Highways Board by the Automobile Association (Auckland). It is pointed out that funds could best be conserved in this manner. The association’s officers are at present carrying out inspection of sealed main highways and secondary highways in the province. Home Guard Parade In a report of the Home Guard parade in yesterday’s “Mail” the rank of Mr L. B. Rowe, Company commander in the City Group, was given as Major. It should have been Lieutenant. A Lost Opportunity Disappointment that New Zealand has apparently lost a valuable opportunity by not taking greater advantage of the markets offering in the East, is expressed in a letter recently received from Mr R. S. Thompson, of Wetherstones, from Flying Officer J. P. Thomson, who, 12 months ago, was transferred from Singapore to Hong Kong. “By jove.” Flying Officer Thompson writes, “New Zealand missed the boat in trade out here. The imports of mutton and beef are terrific, and all come from Australia. All kinds of tinned foodstuffs are also imported from that country, but never hav2 I seen any from New Zealand. I cannot understand why your Meat Boai'd did not act when it was first warned that the meat quota restrictions would be enforced in 1939—there was then plenty of time to act. As you know, I have travelled very extensively in the East during the past two years and I can assure you that there is an unlimited and remunerative market here for all the foodstuffs that New Zealand can spare or produce. There are no quota restrictions on foodstuffs out this way. I must confess that I am rather disappointed that New Zealand, through lack of enterprise, and by placing all its eggs in one basket —trading only with Britain—has lost a golden opportunity of extending its trade in the East.” 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 Memorial Museum, 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 an 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 Ngauruhoe, and many in these parts are named after Mr J. C. Bidwell. the first European to climb Ngauruhoe 102 years ago. Three Cargoes Lost A Rotorua business man, taking all precautions against trouble, placed his Christmas order overseas early last year, but the ship carrying it was sunk. There was still time for a repeat order to arrive in time for Christmas, but that, too, went to the bottom. Advice has now been received that for the third time the goods have been sunk. All that has so far arrived is the invoice and the bill. Family’s Fine Record With four brothers serving in the forces, another waiting to be called up and the mother of them all, Mrs E. F. Williamson, Marton and formerly of Bonny Glen, learning nursing with the St. John Ambulance Brigade, a family record for war service considered to be unsurpassed in New Zealand has been established in Marton (states the “Wanganui Herald”).