AUCKLAND STOCKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24302, 17 June 1942, Page 2

AUCKLAND STOCKS

MERCHANTS DIFFER

ESTIMATES OF SUPPLY

The problem of potato supplies for tlio northern market was reviewed at a meeting yesterday of the Auckland Grain, Seed and Produce Merchants' Association, after which it was stated that tho position was not such as to causo grave anxiety. Inquiries from individual trader.'!, however, revealed a considerable diversity of opinion. In some quarters it was stated that visible supplies were almost non-existent and that, if South Island growers persisted in their present refusal to quote, there would soon be no potatoes to sell. Information from other quarters was that stocks were sufficient for the moment and that there was a certainty, contingent on shipping, of the continuance of supplies on contract from the south. Those who could see no prospect of getting potatoes until after prices at the farm had risen sufficiently t-o make growers willing to execute deliveries, agreed that retailers in Auckland had recently been fairly well stocked and that other sections'of the trade which had contracts of supply would probably be landing further shipments before stocks were exhausted. While heavy quantities were not held, said a statement issued by the Merchants' Association, the supply position was such that the normal demand was being met. Nothing in the nature of a famine in potatoes was anticipated.

APPEAL OPPOSED POWER BOARD ACCOUNTANT (0.C.) GISBORNE, Tuesday An appeal against the Territorial service of S. W. Bruce, accountant, lodged by tho Poverty Bay Power Board at a sitting of tho Gisborne Manpower Committee, was opposed by the reservist, who stated that he wished to serve his country to the best of his ability. Supporting tho appeal on behalf of tho board, the managing secretary, Mr. It. P. Baigent, said the reservist was a qualified accountant and had been with the board for 13 years. He did invaluable work, and it was impossible to replace him. _ It was decided to adjourn the appeal for two months.

TEACHER RESERVISTS SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S ACTION (0.c.) HAMILTON, Tuesday An appeal by the Hamilton _ West school committee for the retention of two teachers was heard by the Hamilton Manpower Committee. The headmaster, Mr. L. Mark, gavo evidence that, besides himself, the two reservists were the only male teachers on the staff, and, if they were called up, they would probably be replaced by women. Control in the school and supervision of the boys' sport would consequently suffer. A member stated that, while he thought the men should stay v\heie thov were, the appeal should have hceii lodged by the Education Board, and not by the school committee. Decision was reserved.

BOMB DISPOSAL UNIT (0.C.) HAMILTON, Tuesday A bomb disposal unit is being organised in Hamilton, and a body of speci-ally-picked men has been selected for training.

ESCAPED PRISONER No trace has been found of Richard Cecil Humphreys, who jumped from a ship in the Auckland harbour on Saturday morning. Humphreys, who was wearing a singlet and blue trousers when ho escaped, is about _ 6ft. in height, has a fresh complexion, with brown hair and hazel eyes. The police search for the escaped man is continuing.

LARGE PROPERTY SALE (0.C.) WHANGAREI, Tuesday One of the largest property sales in Whaugarei for some time was completed yesterday when a block of land formerly belonging to tho J. Marshall estate changed hands for £26,750. The property, which is situated in Walton Street, comprises a number of large offices, the principal tenants being D. McL. Wallace, A. Buckland and Sons, nnd tbo North Auckland Farmers'

Motor Department.

GIFT OF - AMBULANCE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday Representatives of the Jewish women of Wellington this morning presented to the armed forces, through the Prime Minister, the lit. Hon. P. Fraser, and the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, a trailer ambulance for use in this country. Recently the Jewish woipeu of Now Zealand presented a fullv-equipped ambulance for the Middle East. The Ministers expressed tho warm thanks of the Government and of the armed forces. The trailer has been assigned to a fortress field ambulance. FIRE EQUIPMENT The Wellington Fire Board recently received from Britain six of the latest typo of self-contained smoke and dangerous fume masks, which enable brigadesmen to work in conditions wliero normal breathing would ho impossible. Two cylinders of highly-com-pressed air (charged to 180011).) give fresh air for two hours' normal breathing. A mechanised lung controls the release of air from the cylinders, so that breathing is just as easy as in the open air. Each set weighs about 401b. carried on pack harness.