LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23969, 20 May 1941, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Bomb Splinter In G-oods A Cambridge firm recently received an order of linoleum from England, and in the middle of one of the rolls was a bomb splinter which had penetrated nine thicknesses of linoleum. Either the premises of the London firm or the ship in which the goods were brought, from England had been bombed. Mounted Rifles Training' Valuable trailing to equip them for their part in the defence of New Zealand is being carried out by a number of Independent Mounted Rifles squadrons throughout New Zealand. In the Northern Military District, the No. 2 (Kaipara) Squadron is at present giving each troop a week's special training in camp. Already two of the troops have completed their courses, another is in camp this week, and the fourth will follow it on Friday. Dismantling Heavy Crane The intricate work of dismantling the 10-ton crane which has been on the roof of the new Government building in Shortland Street is now proceeding and heavy parts of the equipment are being lowered to the ground from the tall structure. Work began on Saturday and portions of the crane were lowered yesterday by the use of winches. It is expected that the last piece of equipment will be off the building by this afternoon. Emergency Fire Service About 70 recruits for the Emergency Fire Service in Auckland who have been selected tor a non-commissioned officers' course will begin to-night the first section oi their training. They have been chosen either for their administrative qualities or previous fire service experience. Since recruiting started in February, •572 men have been allotted stations, but 70 more are needed, especially in Devonport, Takapuna and Otahuhu, and to a lesser degree at Ellerslie. Tamaki and Remtiera. Soldiers' Rehabilitation The rehabilitation of returned soldiers. applications for relief, and the naming of the fund from which assistance will be granted, are subjects to be discussed at a conference in Auckland next Tuesday. The standing committee of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council decided recently to call the conference, at which its delepates will meet an equal number from the joint committee of St. John and the Red Cross, as well as three co-opted service representatives. Maori Music for Troops A request from Captain Harvey TurI nor, now managing the New Zealand | Forces Club in Cairo, to the Auckland Rotary Club for Maori gramophone records has brought a quick response. The president, Mr. F. M. Winstone. reported to the club yesterday that, through the good offices and generosity of two members, Mr. I>. A. Fadv and Mr. C. I. Nathan, one lot of •">() records was being forwarded from New Zealand, and another of 42 was being sent from Australia, partly by air freight to ensure speed. The thanks of the club was expressed to these members. Oyster Season Prospects Between ">•)()() and 5100 sacks of oysters are expected to be marketed in Auckland during the season opening on May 2!>. This quantity is in the vicinity of 100 sacks less than last season. Ihe reduction was decided upon after a survey in the Ifauraki Cult', where it was found that although the supply is bountiful, an unusually high proportion of young oysters would have been destroyed in removing the mature ones from the rocks. The position will bo normal again next season. It is not intended to take the usual supplies for the market from Whangaroa in the coming season as the beds have auf- | fared a good deal from poaching.