General News

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 9 February 1943, Page 4

General News

Sunday Hole Ford Hardly a meeting of the Automobile Association (Nelson) goes by without some reference to Sunday Hole ford in the Maitai Valley. When the "get-you-hovne’’ service accounts were being discussed last evening surprise was expressed that none resulted from motorists being stuck in the ford. It was also pointed out that the warning sign at the ford had disappeared. ‘‘When the war is over a Jeep should be purchased and permanently parked there for the purpose of pulling motorists out," suggested one member of the executive. “Stooker" Soldiers "We stook to conquer” is the motto of hundreds of soldiers in the South Island this autumn. For a few weeks, precious weeks to the farmer with his crops to harvest, a big proportion of the South Island’s Army personnel has temporarily transferred its affections from Bren guns to binders, and from jeeps to tractors. The unit harvesting scheme has been devised as a practical solution to reconciling the conflicting demands of the Army 7 and the harvest on the man-power front. It does supply the labour needed if the Dominion is to meet its production requirements, and it avoids the ill effects of breaking up camp units at a time when, in the interests of training and morale generally, the unit should remain as a whole. And so, stages ttye. "Timaru Herald,” for the next few weeks, when soldiers in South Canterbury are heard talking of "stookers,” the public will realise that they do not mean dive-bombers. Band Raises Over £ 100,000 With the dual purpose in mind of raising funds for the Nelson quota of the Patriotic Fund and of arousing interest in recruiting for the Royal New Zealand Air Force the Band of the R.N.Z.A.F. will arrive in Nelson on Thursday next for a stay of four days. The band has just completed a particularly successful visit to the North Island where it was the means of raising over £IOO a day for Patriotic Funds. In all the band has been instrumental in obtaining more than £IOO,OOO for patriotic purposes during the last three years.

Wellington Water Supply A picture of the future when Wellington wo ild have such an adequate water supply that hosing restrictions would be unnecessary was painted by the mayor when he opened the Wellington flower show. Mr Hislop said that plans had been completed for a mam water supply from the head of the Hutt River, sufficient to meet the needs of the city and surrounding area for many years to come. The plan would have to be submitted for Government approval before obtaining a subsidy, and he felt sure that the scheme could be carried through without any undue burden being placed on the ratepayers. White Lines oil Roads "Why don’t we have white lines along the centre of the highways in the Nelson district similar to those in most other parts of the Dominion? asked Capt. W. R. Grace at last night’s meeting of the Automobile Association (Nelson). He pointed out that the white centre lines were a great help to traffic and it appeared that the Nelson district was about the only one where they were not provided. It was decided that the president (Mr C. M Rout) discuss the matter with the District Public Works Engineer Belling and Hose Imports

Licenses will be granted, on application, for importation from the United Kingdom in 1943 of belts and belting, and flexible hose, tubing, or piping for amounts equivalent to those of licenses for imports from all sources in 1942 though licenses for the hose and tubing will cover hose partly of rubber of metal, or other material, but not canvas hose. This advice has been received by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce from the Customs Department The Chamber has also been advised that licenses granted to import musical instruments during the seventh period from the United Kingdom will be made available also for imports from Australia and British India.

Standard Fines Suggested A suggestion that the Timaru Bor ough Council should approach the Municipal Association to obtain standard lines for unregistered dogs and small breaches of traffic by-laws such as parking over five-plugs, etc.’, has been made by the Town Clerk nf Timaru (Mr E. A. S. Killick). “if the council’s inspector were permitted to impose these fines on the- spot,” said Mr Killick, “and collect the amount giving a receipt, the time involved in Court proceedings, and the payment of costs would be saved. If the lender elected to go to Court, then he would be entitled to do so." The Town Clerk” suggestion was considered at a meeting of the works committee of the council and it was decided to take no action. ’

February W'eather in Takaka February weather in Takaka has been marked by \ery hot davs made unpleasant alternately by oppressive humid conditions and hot dry winds The nights have been as trying as the days. There have been sufficient Showers of ram, however, to keep the country green and in this respect Takaka is much better off than the Nelson and Waimea districts.

"Forgotten Man" A plen for greater recognition of New Zealand's “forgotten man," James Busby, first British resident in this country, was made by Colonel J. H. Nankivell, United States Military Attache at Wellington, when speaking at a gathering of the New Zealand Founders Society on Saturday night. "He did more than any other white man to make the Treaty of Waitangi possible, the treaty that was based on l’aith by both sides," said Colonel Nankivell, referring to the fact that Saturday was the 103rd anniversary of the signing of the treaty. School Improvements Considerable improvements have recently been carried out at Hampden Street School, among which are the installation of stormwater drainage at the infants’ school and the top-dressing of three tennis courts and the asphalt portion of the playing area. W’utcr Shortage in North So serious has the water situation become that dairy farmers in the Maraetu district, North Auckland, are being supplied by the Maungaturoto Dairy Company. Their cans are sent with cream to the factory in the morning and returned filled with water for domestic purposes on the farms. Flaked Soap Incident A boy of 14, who threw flaked soap in Victoria street. Hamilton, instead of confetti, on Christmas Eve, appeared before the Hamilton Children’s Court charged with mischief. It was slated that, as a result of the boy’s prank, a young woman had to receive hospital treatment for injury to her eyes. The boy was severely admonished, and was placed in the care of the child welfare officer for 12 months.

Hampden Street School Baths The community value of the Hampden street school baths is being increasingly demonstrated this summer. During the school holidays 3(589 attendances were registered. Thirty-two children were taught to swim and dive while 33 qualified for distance certificates. The tuition was given by Miss Joan Williams. Lure of High Wages "No longer are boys and girls moved by the spirit of taking up a worthwhile career and getting ahead by honest study, hard work, and the normal increments,” said Mr N. G. Gribble, secretary of the Government Youth Centre. in Auckland when commenting upon the high wages young people were receiving. "They want the jobs with big money, even though these jobs will probably have no future,” he said. "We had a greater chance of doing something worthwhile with the boys in the depression than we have with those of the present-day boom. Of course, we must be fair and understand the temptation to youngsters of these high wages, but it is not a healthy situation. A high sense of responsibility and the wisdom that comes with years of service and experience are needed to - handle big money.”