LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23863, 14 January 1941, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Cartridges Explode A packet of .303 cartridges exploded when the engine of a cnr owned by Mr. C. E. Bailey, of Springdale, Te Aroha, burst into flames. Fortunately no one was injured. Before the flames were extinguished the wiring and upholstery of the ear were destroyed. Emergency Ambulance A large motor-van specially fitted for quick conversion to a six-stretcher ambulance has been made available by a city firm for use in emergency by the St. John Ambulance Association. Members of the medical and technical sections of the Emergency Precautions Scheme are to inspect the vehicle at the ambulance station this altenioon, and a Iter ward they will view the screening of a film showing the action and effects of an incendiary bomb. Bearded Seamen Beards grown during their captivity aboard German rafders have been retained by some of the members of the crew of the small steamer Holmwood, one of the raider's victims. The passengers and crew of the Holmwood returned from Australia by the Mariposa yesterday, and some amusement was caused on the waterfront by the sight of obviously young men with their faces almost entirely hidden behind vast growths of hair. Fisherman's Luck hour months ago a Wellington man had his bicycle taken from outside his place of business. This disappearance was reported to the police, but the bicycle was not recovered. A lew days ago the bicycle owner went fishing at the Clyde Quay wharf. With his first cast he hooked something heavy. The catch proved to be bis own bicycle, covered with sea growt.li after months of rest in 30ft. of water. As the police said when the find was reported to them, it was the best fish yarn they bad heard for years. Cypress Tree Stolen An Epsom resident was very surprised to discover that during Sunday night someone had removed one of her two cypress trees which were planted on either side of the gate close to the road. Trie stolen tree was about oft. in height and considerable activity must have been necessary to dislodge it. while a vehicle of some sort must have been employed to carry it away. As the area is particularly well lit and is on a busy bus route, the thief must have shown complete disregard of observation or else operated in the small hours of the morning. Scouts Renew Promises According to the wishes of the actingDominion Chief Commissioner cubs and scouts, brownies and guides throughout New Zealand renewed their promises at 10 o'clock on Sunday morning as a fitting testimony to the value of the life of Lord Baden-Powell. Owing to the holidays the remembrance services in honour of Lord Baden-Powell, who died last week, will not be held until February 23. The renewal of the promises was carried out by members of the movement privately and, in a number of cases, collectively wherever they happened to he at the appointed hour. Hew Zealand's Help The reaction of the British people to the arrival of New Zealand and Australian troops in Britain was mentioned last night by .Mr, Noel Coward during a broadcast address. "How your hearts would have been gladdened," he said, "if you could have seen the faces of the people a few months ago when they were told the Anzacs had arrived." Nor could he describe, said Mr. Coward later, how Britain felt when New Zealand and Australia, on the declaration of war, immediately went in with Britain. It. made them feel, be said, that there were still ties that were unbreakable in a world of treachery and fear. Soldiers' Remedial Treatment The first of the Expeditionary Force volunteers who were previously classified as temporarily unfit were called yesterday before a medical board for decision whether they are likely to respond to four weeks' remedial treatment and become fit for service in any part of the world. The treatment is part of a Government scheme to remove temporary unfitness and so increase the number of men available for active service. In the meantime, as announced last week, it is being confined to Expeditionary Force volunteers and will not apply to married men with more than two children. Those immediately affected in the Auckland area number several hundred.

Industrial War Potential The industrial resources of India and the uses to which they may be put in wartime are shown in a souvenir issue of the Calcutta Statesman at the time of the Eastern Group conference at New Delhi. Manufactures of all kinds, including guns, jute, cotton, rubber, chemicals, army stores, paper, apart from the growing of tea, cotton, timber and wool, have been greatly stimulated, and plans have been made against the time when the war is over .and the country will adjust itself to peacetime needs and markets. In the past 20 years there have been numerous advances in the development of established organisations and in the foundation of new enterprises.

Poultry Food Shortage The Australian ban on the export of bran, pollard and stork wheat following a severe drought is largely responsible for a shortage of feed, which is adversely affecting the quality of poultry in the Auckland Province. Supplies of wheat are diminishing, as the grain is being used to a great extent as a substitute for the other items. It is stated that some poultry-keepers have been selling their young birds owing to their inability to obtain bran, which is essential for pullets. During the last war, poultry-keepers grew their own crops for food, and it is considered that the same could bo done again. Merchants have been rationed by the Government for some time.

Non-delivery of Lifts Lifts ordered overseas some time ago for both the Jean Batten State building and the mail building at the rear of the chief post office have not arrived and there appears to be no information as to when they can be expected. They are now needed for both buildings; indeed, in the case of the mail building the conveyor plant is almost installed and occupation is practically dependent on the provision of the lifts, it is anticipated that the Jean Batten building should bo ready by April. Interior plastering has been completed up to the sixth lloor and a start has been made with the glassing of windows. Scaffolding has been removed on the top section, and on other storeys workmen nre pointing and cleaning the BtonewOrk.