General News

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 24 November 1943, Page 4

General News

National War Savings Last week 177 towns attained Iheir quotas of National War Savings and in 16 of the 18 postal districts the full district quota was reached. In the Blenheim and Westport districts all offices were successful in attaining their allotted quotas. Bulb from Tunisia A bulb dug up in Tunisia and sent home by a Nelson soldier, is now in bloom in his home garden The height is about two feet, and the blooms, eleven in number, are of a rich magenta shade. Outsize* in Army Boots Outsizes in Army boots, specially made by a Dunedin firm engaged in war contracts, have recently been manufactured for native troops in the Tonga Group. The consignment consists of 65 pairs, made up of sizes 11, 12, and 13. These hardy islanders, used to bare feet all their lives, certainly could n t now be accused of being “too big for their boots!” Incidentally, there is an authenticated case of an infantrv

soldier in the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force who was sent back

frc..i the front line to base in Egypt as unsuitable for a line battalion because i.i the desert it was impossible to lit him with standard Army boots. He wore size 11. The British and Music "The last war has dispelled the hought of a musical inferiority cornlex which British people had. The British. in music as in anything else, can hold up their heads to anyone, and our musicians arc worthy of our support and praise," said Dr. Vernon Griffiths, vhen commenting on British composers at Timaru. Fire Disturbs Bees Spectators at a fire which severely damaged two back rooms of a sixroomed private dwelling in Church Road, Mangere. were debarred from takmg thei? usual idle interest in the work of ;.remen fighting the flames. Bees which had been swarming in the eaves near the front of the house were disturbed when the hoses were played on the roof and buzzed angrily around the heads of those who had come U« ' :, teh. The attention of th e majority was diverted from passive observation of a fi**e to active self-protection.

Tobaccos, that burn the tongue and irritate the throat? Why, they are as common as house-flies in summer! What’s wrong with them? That’s an easy one! Full of nicotine, so they may not only burn the tongue, but wreck the nerves affect the heart, attack the throat, and play up with’you generally Give them a miss if yo u value your health Why smoke them anyway, when you can get the genuine toasted for the same (or less) money* Toasting, the manufacturers’ complex and unique process. eliminates the poisonous nicotine, while at the same time enhancing flavour and aroma, and you not only get a thoroughly enjoyable smoke but a harmless one Toasted possesses that clean. pure =weet and fragrant quality you’ll look for in vain in other tobaccos. There are only six brands of the genuine article, remember: Cut Plug No io (Bullshead) Cavendish. Navy Cut No 3 (Bulldog), Riverhead Gold. Desert Gold and Pocket Edition. The three latter make the finest cigarettes money can buy! And once you change over to toasted you’ll never want anything else.*

Three Stages <»f Hurry “Speed is the essence of the contract," said the Minister ol' Works, the Hon. 11. Semple, discussing electrical development at a meeting in Nelson last night. He added: “I was born in a hurry, I have lived in a hurry, and 1 hope I will die in a hurry.” Dry Weather at Reefton With almost no rain since Labour Day, Reefton has had a month of long hours of sunshine and high temperatures. Residents who rely on tanks for domestic water supplies are becoming short of water and garden crops and pastures would benefit by a good soaking fall ol ! rain. It is some years since Reefton has had such a dry November. Volunteers for Seasonal Work Six boys of the Westport Technical High School have already volunteered to take up seasonal work during the school holidays. Last year four boys came to Nelson for the fruit-picking season. Nelson Pilot in Film When, a few weeks ago, a newsreel cameraman paid a visit to Allied units in a forward area of the South Pacific, he encountered the New Zealand Fighter Squadron on one of the islands and filmed some of their activities. Three or four of the pilots related their experiences in air battles with the Japanese. One of these pilots was Flight Lieutenant Sholto Duncan, of Nelson, who is at present on furlough. When the film was shown at the Majestic Theatre last evening Flight Lieutenant Duncan was in the audience and was greatly surprised to see his picture on the screen. He had not previously seen the film and was unaware it was included in the programme last evening. Sam Browne Belt Discarded The familiar Sam Browne belt, a feature of the British Army officer’s uniform for 70 years, has been officially retired. The Minister of Supply announced on 2nd September that henceforth no leather would be available for such decorative items, states a London message in the “New York Times.” The Sam Browne belt was designed by Genera* Sir Samuel Browne, V.C., in the 1870’s. It served two most useful purposes for many years. When an officer was mounted on horseback the belt held his pistol so that if it was accidentally discharged, as apparently sometimes happened, the wearer escaped injury. When dismounted the officer hooked up his sword in the belt, and so was able to walk or run without Tippin on the scabbard. A Pony’s Plight Because he did not drive off sufficiently with his hind legs when taking a jump in a competition at the Courtenay Show a chestnut pony became stuck in the middle of the hurdle and stood quite still for some time, looking helpless and rather pathetic with his forelegs on one side and his hind legs on the other side of the jump. The rider dis lounted to help her pony, but could not move him. Ground stewards came to her assistance and tried to dismantle the hurdle, but this could not be done without knocking the horse, so the two men each took a foreleg and lifted him back over the rail. The pony took kindly to this unusual handling, and did not appear to be upset over the incident. Neglected Clocks Writing with reference to a recent local in “The Mail” on the subject of the Post Office Clock a correspondent suggests that perhaps the clock sees the day not far distant when it will no longer be a “Triple Bob Major’’ in the busy daily hum, but merely a “Bob Triplet” in cold storage, with its companions in obscurity and neglect—the Cathedral and Nelson College clocks. Accent Sunspots Reporting on sunspot activity during the last thre*. months, Mr G. V. Hudson, Karori, says that on Bth September an active group of spots was observed considerably west of the

sun’s central meridian. This group rapidly increased in size, blit could not be measured with any approach to accuracy owing to its proximity to the sun’s western limb. It passed round to the other side of the sun on 13th Sepember. On 27th September number 29 was noted as just round the sun’s eastern limb, and it remained visible to mectators on the earth till about 10th October, when it. passed round the western limb for the second time. An observation made on 25th October revealed number 29 smaller, but still going strong. On 6th November it passed roui. l the western limb for the third time. An observation made on Sund 21st November, at 9 a.m. showed number 29 close to th e eastern limb, but still a fair-sized spot, with a small follower, having survived for over 74 days, or more than three average solar rotations. This fact is of special inercst at present, as it proves that, hough from the earth’s standpoint the ■ohir disc has appeared without spots >n at least. 13 days out of the 74, a spot considerable size has really persisted during the whole period. It must still be assumed, therefore, that the actual olar minimum occurred during the irst week in July thi** year.

Secretary Resigning Mr P. M. Butler, who has been secretary of the Ne\V Zealand Labourers* Federation for the past 14 years, has ncheated his intention of resigning that position. His resignation is to take effect immediately after the annual eonfence of the federation, which is to be held at Christchurch this week. Mr Butler intends to 'Concentrate his efforts in respect to the Wellington, Nelson. Westland and Marlborough Union. >f which lie is also secretary.

Alfred Gould announces details of a clearing sale at the rooms; Hardy street, on Friday, at 2 p.m.*