General News

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 12 January 1944, Page 4

General News

Value Nearly Doubled A former property owner regrets that the Land Sales Act was not in operation when he had dealings in property. Some years ago he sold his house in Auckland for £7OO and went pioneering in the backblocks. This venture, however, was not a success, and he was forced to return to the city. Wishing to buy back his old home, which was empty, he approached the owner, who, he learnt to- his amazement, was willing to part with the property at £I2OO or to lease it at 37s 6d a week. The house had nearly doubled in value, though it was 10 years old and had never been painted since the former owner left it. There was nothing for it, but to take it and pay the high rent asked for it. Crocodile Shot by Temuka Soldier The story of the shooting of a crocodile on one of the Pacific Islands is told by Gunner A. Curry, formerly of Temuka, in a recent letter. He wrote: “I had a bit of success game hunting when we went out crocodile shooting. The one I bagged was only 7ft 3in long, but it was an ugly brute for all that. It was just getting dark as I waited a short distance from our camp to get a shot at one. I spotted him when he poked his nose out of the water about 50 yards away, and my shot went through his eyes. He heeled over without a kick and lay on his side with one front leg sticking up in the air. Back in camp the news spread quickly about the catch, which was the first one made here so far. and we soon had a big crowd to look at it Its mouth had between 50 and 60 teeth. The ‘old man’ crocodiles are up to 24 feet long. What a pretty smile they must have !” The little joys of life! —how good they are!—“a day off” in a busy man’s round: the unexpected meeting with an old friend: the chance to do somebody a good turn; a quiet smoke and read when one is weary in body and mind. All these, and many more, are amongst life’s joys. Tobacco is certainly a wonderful sweetener of existence. But to get the full benefits of it you must relax thoroughly after lighting up. and "take it easy.” and if the baccy’s right —as, of course, it must be—you’ll soon find yourself under its beneficial spell and feel life’s worth living. As for tobacco. you cannot possibly have anything better than “toasted.” so sweef. fragrant and solacing, and—being toasted—so harmless! There are six brands of the genuine toasted—Cut Plug No. 10 tßullshead), Cavendish. Navy Cut No. 3 (Bulldog). Riverhead Gold. Desert Gold and Pocket Edition. They range from very mild to full strength, and are unequalled for either pipe or cigarette. Be it noted that these are the only toasted tobaccos manufactured.* Alfred Gould announces an auction sale of surplus furniture, floor rugs, sheets and blankets, poultry, fowlhouses, etc., next Thursday, at 2 p.m., on account of Mrs J. D. Robertson] junction of Washington Road and Richardson Street. C. W. Lipscombe. auctioneer, advertises extensive catalogue of tools, furniture. carpets, etc., at the Mart Wednesday, 19th January, at i 0.30 a.m *

Kuikoura’s Wettest Year on Record Although the months of November and December were very dry, causing grain crops to ripen off much earlier than usual and producing rank growlh of grass after heavy rain in September and October, with a consequent decrease in dairy production, last year was the wettest recorded at the Kaikoura town weather station. The total rainfall of 43.66 ins on 115 rain days was 9.56 ins above the average of 34. tins, on an average of 90 rain days, over the last 13 years. Egg Marketing Far from there being any indications of black marketing in eggs in the Auckland district, it was evident that producers were observing the regulations, as production has shown a substantial increase on previous years, states the chairman of the Auckland Egg Marketing Committee, Mr A. H. Honey field. He pointed out that for some considerable time the quantity of eggs received had represented an increase of 12.000 dozen, or 15 to 20 per cent. on the weekly receipts in the corresponding period in 1942. Unusual Fish Caught White netting for flounder at Wainui, on the Ohiwa Harbour. Mr J. King, Whakatane. and Mr T. Burke. Wainui, drew in a long whip-like fish of a greyish creamy hue. About 3ft. 6in. long, the fish was tapered at both ends, the head being almost like the beak of a bird, with sharp back-slanting teeth. There were no fins and the gills were barely distinguishable. It fought for a long time before it couJd be dispatched. The director of the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Dr. Gilbert Archey, said that the fish may belong to the family of snake eels. They inhabit New Zealand waters, but are rarely taken in a net. Wellington R.S.A. Club A contract for the alteration of the Wellington Returned Services Association’s building. Victoria Street, has been let to the Fletcher Construction Co., Ltd., and work has begun. An endeavour is being made to finish it before Anzac Day. An important part of the interior reconstruction is the replacement of the old-fashioned winding staircase with a less pretentious and more compact stair, increasing the useful floor space. Cheaper Frocks From Better Material British women will be more smartly dressed this year than in peacetime as a result of experiments, sponsored by the Board of Trade, in the production of a utility yarn. From this yarn is woven materials that cannot be distinguished from pure linen, real silk, crepe de chine or wool. None of these is priced higher than 5s 6d a yard. The best dress need not exceed £3 in price, with the added virtue that it has double the wearing quality of a pre-war garment sold at double the price. The material includes stylish checks and tartans. Thousands of yards are being reserved to help in the rehabilitation of Europe. New R.K.Z.A.F. Cadets A reminder of the responsibilities that their new rank would entail was given to a group of officer-cadets by Group Captain F. J. Letzer, of the Reserve of Air *Force Officers, when he presented the braid of commissioned rank at a ceremony at the Omaka Air Force Station on Monday (reports the "Express”). The parade was led by the station’s Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader C. W. D. Bell. The R.N.Z.A.F.. said Group Captain Letzer held a very high place in the regard of the People of New Zealand, and while it was mainly the General Duties Branch which received the credit, the administrative and ground staffs were just as worthy of admiration as the flying personnel. “We must work together as one great Service,” the Group Captain declared. “Do please try to foster friendship among all branches of the Service, irrespective of their functions. That will go a long way towards the success we hope to obtain.” A warm tribute to the Commanding Officer and instructors was paid by the speaker. The Air Department, he said, laid great stress on the qualities needed by the instructors at officers’ schools, and here they were of the very best type. Before the officer cadets were called out to receive their braid, the names of the three who had headed the examination list were announced. They were Officer-Cadet L. H. I. Watson, of Auckland: Officer-Cadet M. A. Greenslade, of Nelson (who, incidentally, is the proud possessor of a Caterpillar badge, having bailed out during the Singapore campaign, and rejoined his unit after having been given up as lost); and Pilot Officer C. B. Schlup, of Lower Hutt. Earthquake Repairs Though the big earthquakes took place in Wellington in June and August, 3942. impairs and strengthening work necessitated by the damage done on those occasions is far from completed (states “The Dominion”). This applies not only to the city, but to several adjacent country towns. where the earthquake was most severely felt, notably in the Wairarapa. There are still more than a hundred business premises that require attention, premises which would have been attended to long ago had the required labour been made available. There are some buildings in Wellington, outwardly undamaged, but inwardly wrenched, which might be seriously wrecked were they subjected to an earthquake as severe as those experienced in 1942. Though the work of strengthening the General Post Office and removing tophamper was carried on throughout last year, it is not improbable that the repairs and other work yet to be done may take several more months. Another building in the city which has had to be partly reconstructed is the Regent Theatre, Manners Street, and it will be some months before the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall can again be occupied. It is not only the Concert Chamber which requires attention. The whole of the northern corner of the Town Hall received a shake which cracked walls and plastered interiors seriously, though no such damage was suffered at the southern end of the structure.