LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23617, 29 March 1940, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Two-Millionth Visitor Unnoticed and unacclaimed, the twomillionth visitor slipped in through the, turnstiles at the Centennial Exhibition, Wellington, at about five minutes past one on Wednesday afternoon. The millionth patron arrived on the GOth day of the exhibition, and the twomillionth turned up on the 120 th day, exactly maintaining the daily average rate of admissions. Popularity of Swimming In spite of the unseasonable weather the Hamilton municipal baths have been as well patronised this summer as in previous years. Since the baths were opened on November •'?, the total number of visitors, including school children and club members, is 20.612. Of this number, individual patrons accounted for 1 .'3,455 and children attending school sessions totalled 5125. Canteen for Recruits A welcome feature of the examination of air crew candidates held in Auckland yesterday by the Hoval New Zealand Force selection committee was the canteen installed in the same building bv members' wives and women members of the Auckland Aero Club. Light refreshments were provided, and they were especially acceptable to applicants who had come to the city from country districts. Price of Tea A slight reduction has been made in the prices of two popular brands of tea, but according to merchants the decrease is not likely to become general. There was a small drop in rates in Ceylon some time ago. it was stated, but there had been a rise since through Australia diverting purchases usually made in .lava to Ceylon. Most blenders had stocks bought before the drop, and were not in a position to reduce their prices. Giant Puriri Tree "1 put a steel measure round the trunk and the circumference measured 25 feet," said Mr. C. H. Moore, in describing the finding of a huge puriri tree at Kiritehere, Waitoino County, during a recent visit to that district. The tree, said Mr. .Moore, was of considerable age, probably .'IOOO years. It was not a tall tree, and its foliage was now going off. but its tremendous barrel made it an outstanding tree of its kind. Interest in Bastion Point Following the announcement that Mr. Savage is to be buried at Bastion Point, considerable interest was shown in the historic locality yesterday, many people inspecting it from the waterfront road or by walking over the siopes of the headland. To a large number who were probably visiting the area for the first time, the extent of the old earth and concrete works, including the gun pits and magazine area, was a matter for surprise. National Service Unit About 60 members of the Auckland Shop Assistants' Tninn national service unit have decided to become an auxiliary of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, to co-operate in times of emergency. They have already undertaken courses in first-aid and general Y.A.D. work, and in flic future they will undergo a refresher course each month and keep abreast of new developments. This decision followed an address given recently by Mr. F. .1. Hutchinson, assistant commissioner of the brigade, to members of the unit. Girl Rescues Baby The value of teaching children to swim at an early age was well demonstrated during the Faster holidays, when Eileen Osborne, aged seven, of Mataraua. rescued her baby brother, aged IS months, from drowning. She was carrying the baby over a single plank that crosses a stream on her father's farm when be slipped and fell into a deep pool. Although there were adults in the vicinity, the child did not hesitate to dive in and drag the infant to the bank. Eileen is a pupil at the Mataraua Valley School, where all scholars are proficient in swimming.

Fire Brigade Activity Fifty-three calls were answered by the Auckland tire brigade during February, according to a report, submitted by the superintendent, Mr. W. L. Wilson, to a mooting of the Metropolitan Fire Board yesterday. Of these, only 2M. including one chimney and five grass fires, proved to be actual outbreaks, there being no fewer than .'SO false alarms. Eight of the latter were justifiable. 13 were due to line or installation faults in connection with the automatic alarms, while nine were malicious. It was reported that one person making a malicious fire call had since been detected. Their Daily Apple Apples scattered over a section of Queen Street, yesterday formed the basis of an amusing incident which also proved that some Aticklanders are not unmindful of the injunction to have one apple, or more, a day. When a full case of apples was dislodged from a truck, spreading its contents over the roadway, numerous helpers rushed to assist in gathering the apples. The helpers, however, must have been influenced by a slogan 011 the box. which asked. "Have you had your apple today?" for. when the case was returned to the truck, it was only half full. Farewell to Troops Thronging the concourse and main platform of the Auckland railway station, many hundreds of relatives and friends yesterday afternoon fa rowel led troops returning from general leave to camp at Trentham and Ngaruawahia. About 280 soldiers left for Trent ban)at .T.'K), and a similar number lor Xgaruawahia at (.'2O. Members of the Maori Battalion set out for their camp at l'alniorston North in the evening, more than half of the •">()() men who travelled 011 the express being from the North Auckland area. Other troops returned south last, evening to Ngaruawahia and Trentham.

Universal Superannuation Heferring to the operation of universal superannuation from Monday, April 1, tlie acting-Minister of Social Security, the Hon. W. E. I'arrv, said that for the year April 1, 19-10, to March 31, 19J1, the amount will ho £lO, payable in quarterly instalments, the first instalment falling due at the end of Juno, 1910. For the year 19-11-42 the amount will ho £l2 10s, or £3 2s 6d at the end of each quarter, and the rate will increase b.v £2 10s each subsequent year until the maximum of £7B yearly is reached. In the case of a married couple, whore both husband and wife are eligible, each will require to lodge an application and each will receive the statutory amount of the universal superannuation.