LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23966, 16 May 1941, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Precious Onions The greatly-enhanced value of onions in Britain to-day was exemplified in a letter received by an Auckland resident from a brother serving in England. He said he recently attended a patriotic function, at which a raffle was held, the first prize being a large onion and : the second ■ a dozen bottles of champagne. Miners and Home Guard "It might bo difficult for miners, working from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., to attend Home Guard parades," said a mine manager when giving evidence before the Xo. 2 Armed Forces Appeal Board at Iluntly. The chairman. Mr. .S. L. Paterson. S.M., said lie could not see the difficulty when farmers, working much longer hours, could find time to prepare themselves in case of an emergency. Warm Autumn Weather Temperatures reminiscent more of .summer than autumn have ruled in Auckland for the past week and office workers have been glad to discard coats in the cause of comfort. The spell of warm weather has been accompanied by high average barometer readings and fine sunny days without the humidity that often mars similar temperatures in summer. The highest thermometer reading during the month so far was 69 degrees. Corn Broom Grown at Remuera Success with the growing of Canadian corn broom on his property in Waiatarua Road, Remuera, has been obtained by Mr. E. Oldfield, who has planted a crop as an experiment. The broom is a relative of the sorghum family. Mr. Oldfield imported the seed iloin Oklahoma, and. considering that the soil has not been fertilised, the results are very good. The crop has grown to a height of I.4ft. and the long cane-like stalks are very sturdy. Ambulance Out-patient Service The out-patient service conducted by the St. John Ambulance Association at its headquarters in Rutland Street has developed to such an extent in the past year that recently it was found 1 necessary to appoint another district nurse. In the March-April period last year 718 patients received treatment. : but in tin.: corresponding period this year the number rose to 1251. The cost of this service is borne by the association, v without any subsidy from the State or the Auckland Hospital Board. British Export Cargoes Information regarding the scheme for I la.' speedier loading of vessels in Britain was received in Auckland yesterday. Port emergency committees have been set up in many parts of Britain and it is necessary for manufacturers to obtain peiniit.s before goods are sent to the docks for export. The object of the procedure is to prevent delays and accumulation of goods at the ports which occurred from time to time, particularly in the winter months. It is considered the measure will improve port handling and a turn round of ships by approximately 40 per cent.

The British Spirit Tim unquenchable spirit of the ordinary people of Britain in the face oi the heaviest, enemy nir raids is shown in a letter received hy an Aneklander from a woman of 78 who lives in London. "We are going through such a terrific time that we never know from hour to hour if our homo and effects and ourselves will lie blown to pieces," she writes. "Our flat is over a confectioner's shop and post office, and the night before last, for the 27th time, the front was blown in completely under us and two adjoining shops. I still manage to maintain my Devonpluck, but it takes a bit of doing at times. L am answering your letters at once, in case of what -might, happen. It is no tiso sitting down moping, for if a bomb puts an end to my mortal life then. I shall not be on a bed of sickness yew after year,"