General News

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 26 November 1943, Page 4

General News

Malicious False Fire Alarms The large number of malicious false alarms which had beep received by the Nelson Fire Brigade during the last quarter was commented upon by members of the Nelson Fire Board at its meeting to-day. The superintendent (Mr A. J. Drummond) reported that of the 28 calls received during the quarter nine had been false alarms, four justifiable and five malicious. The board resolved to offer a reward of £5 for information which would lead to the conviction of any person responsible for giving a malicious false fire alarm.

Prosecutions for Chimney Fires. What amounted almost to an “epidemic” of chimney lires had been expo: enced in Nelson towards the end of the winter, stated Mr E. R. Neale, chairman of the Nelson Fire Board at the quarterly meeting to-day. For some months no chimney sweep had been operating in Nelson and it was impossible for the public to have chimneys swept. The chairman reported that the services of three chimney sweeps were now available, and the number of chimney fires had shown a decline. The board decided to request the continuance of prosecutions against the occupants of houses who permit chimneys to catch fire. 80 Dozen Garments Stolen Eighty dozen garments valued at £209 were stolen by burglars from the factory and showroom of Stirling Henry (N.Z.) Limited, clothing manufacturers, Queen Street, Auckland, towards the end of last week. The garmerts were all women’s pyjamas, nightgowns and underwear. Ten days previously £BO worth of similar articles were stolen. On each occasion c -j was gained to the premises by forcing the door of a garage on the grour ' floor and forcing another door on the stairs leading to the clothing manufacturers’ premises. Nothing was disturbed in. the motor garage or any of the offices.—P.A. Early Pohutukawa Blossoms Not to be outdone by its precocious Auckland cousins, a pohutukawa tree on the Church Hill has had three or four bunches of flowers in full bloom, reports a Nelson resident. These early blooms were apparently a very special effort on the part of the tree to make at least some showing before Christmas, for the rest of the buds on the tree were still small and tightly furled. Blenheim Stock Sale There was an average yarding ol fa 4 stock at the weekly Blenheim sale, with the’qualily up to normal standard, says “The Express.” Values showed an easing tendency. Most of the sheep were shorn and in the case of really well-finished .limals good prices were secured. Pictorial Roll of Honour An impressive pictorial roll of honour of men from the Nelson district who h« vc been killed on active service has ’ cen prepared by M. A. R. Kingsford, of the Broma Studio. The portraits have been mounted on a large board and will r e cn display at 1. j shop. The col .ction is far from coj plete, 35 photographs be ir.g assembled, anu it is hoped that portraits will be sent in to enable a full pictorial record tc be obtained. It s intended to hand the board over to nme respons o. u.ncr.ty after the

Rump steak and oyster pudding is a speciality of the “Cheshire Cheese,” the famous old tavern in a lane just off Fleet Street. Once upon a time the ancient house was frequented by a host of celebrities, including Dr. Samuel -Johnson, whose favourite seat is pointed out to this day. Upstairs is the quaint smoke-room, with its long table and array of “churchwarden" clay pipes. Here the wits and men of letter? were wont to congregate, and much tobacco was consumed, but whether its quality approached that of some of our modern tobaccos, notably "toasted,’’ is very much open to question. It has been truly said that when a smoker takes to “toasted” he has no time for any other tobacco. It is so fragrant and comforting. The six (and only genuine) toasted brands. Cut Plug No 10 ■-( Bu’.lshead), Cavendish. Navy Cut No 3 (Bulldog). Rivei head Gold. Desert Gold and Pocket Edition, have everything to recommend them. Not only are they of the first quality, but practically harmless owing to the elimination of the nicotine in them by toasting—the manufacturers’ own process^

Fatality on Gold Dredge ' Henry Hugh Taggart, aged 42, single, was killed on Ngahere gold dredge yesterday morning, stales a Press Association message from Greymouth. It is understood that he was dragged by a revolving screen into a narrow chute, receiving injuries which proved fatal before he reached the Grey Hospital. Thanksgiving Day Originating witn the Pilgrim Fathers, lo mark the bumper harvest which followed their first cultivation of American soil, Thanksgiving Day has become a traditional American national holiday, and was observed yesterday by Americans in New Zealand. Accommodation for T.B. Patients. With proper accommodation for only 76 tuberculous patients, the Wellington Hospital Board last month, mainly by overcrowding and the use of general wards, was providing beds for 18G. Another 14 tuberculous patients w e awaiting admission, and 51 were in sanatoria elsewhere. Prospects in the immediate future are for a shrinkage in the amount of hospital accommodation at present in use, and an increase in the number of tuberculous and other patients. The board is, therefore, seeking urgent repossession from the Government of a site at McKay’s Crossing, Paekakariki, which was selected some time ago for the erection of a tuberculous hospital. Paid Holidays The principle of annual holidays on pay for all workers was endorsed in Christchurch yesterday at the annual conference of the New Zealand Labourers’ Federation, which deci’ded to ask the Government to implement its promise to make provision for this. This question particularly concerns members c.' unions affiliated to the federation. Manpower Penalties The allegation was made at the annual ierence of the New Zealand Labourers’ Federation in Christchurch yesterday that the penalties imposed on workers in the Magistrates’ Court for breaches of manpower regulations were out of proportion to those imposed on employers. It was decided to make an emphatic protest and to make representations to the Government. Taihape Wants Clock Tower Since demolition of its post office clock tower, Taihape borough has had on its hands an excellent clock and chimes given in the first instance by a Taihape resident. At a recent public meeting it was decided that a tower worthy of the town should be built as a stimulus to future progress. A representative committee has been formed, and an appeal for funds, with £I2OO as the objective, has been launched. N.Z. Advertisers Meet. A representative gathering of members of the Association of New Zealand Advertisers attended the 12th annual general meeting of the association in Wellington yesterday. The president, Mr E. L. Rutledge, referred to the increasing interest which was being dismayed in advertising because of the problems arising from war conditions and in anticipation of a revival of healthy competition in the post-war period. This interest was reflected in the fact that the membership of the association had not only been maintained but increased, and in the larger attendance at the meeting. The report for the year showed that much useful work *>ad been accomplished and the balance-sheet indicated that the assocint: m was in a healthy financial position. The meeting expressed its confff' nce in the officers of the association by re-clecting them for a further term.

Patriotic Fund Secretary High tribute to the efficiency, tact, and courtesy displayed by Mr G. A. Hayden in discharging his important responsibilities as secretary and treasurer of the National Patriotic Fund was paid at the Dominion patriotic conference yesterday afternoon. Delegates from the various provincial patriotic councils without exception were unanimous in their appreciation of Mr Hayden’s services and the assistance he had given to the provincial councils and the patriotic movement generally throughout the Dominion. One speaker remarked that he considered ' Hayden had one of the biggest jobs in New Zealand to handle. A resolution expressing these sentiments was carried with musical honours.

Chocolate For Personnel Serving OverA postal chocolate service to New Zealand service personnel overseas is be inaugurated by the National Patriotic Fund Board on 17th January. Making this announcement yesterday

afternoon before the conclusion of the Dominion patriotic conference, Mr G. A. Hayden, secretary of the National Patriotic Fund Board, said that the board had been operating a postal tobacco scheme successfully for some time. The new service would cater for those who wished to send chocolates to members of the New Zealand Forces overseas and who now found difficulty in buying readily from the retail shops sufficient chocolate for this purpose. Arrangements had been made for the manufacture of chocolate which would withstand tropical conditions. Mr Hayden emphasised that the service would not be ready for operation till 17th January, and added that further particulars would be announced before then.