SOLDIERS INJURED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24464, 23 December 1942, Page 2

SOLDIERS INJURED

EIGHT IN HOSPITAL CAPSIZE OF VEHICLE (0.c.) EOTORUA, Tuesday Eight soldiers were injured, one seriously, when an Army vehicle capsized about six miles from Rotorua in the vicinity of the Taupo-Rotorua main highway this afternoon. A number of other soldiers who were in the vehicle had a fortunate escape. The injured men were admitted to the Eotorua Hospital. The condition of Gunner L. G. Alexander, aged 29, single, of Te Haroto, was reported to be serious. The other seven men, who suffered minor injuries, were:—Lieutenant E. P. Rogers, aged 23, single, of Christchurch; Gunners E. Julian, aged 21, single, of Christchurch- A. H. Jackson, aged 26, single, of Picton; R. S. Smith, aged 28, married, of Dunedin; I. D. Allen, aged 28, married, of Dunedin; J. H. Rutherford, aged 31, single, of Opotiki; G. D. Lewis, aged 22, married, of Leamington. The accident occurred at about three o'clock, when the vehicle capsized after striking a ditch. Military ambulances and medical aid were quickly sent to the scene and after the injured had been attended to they were removed to hospital. The vehicle was considerably damaged. GIFT OF £9320 MADE NECESSITOUS SERVICEMEN (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday Through the action of an anonymous Wairarapa resident, ex-servicemen who are handicapped in life as a result of war service and are in necessitous circumstanc&s will obtain a measure of relief. In accordance with the wishes of the donor, £9320 in Government stock has been set aside to form a fund to be known as the Anon Trust Fund._ The administration of the trust _ is vested in five trustees, and all applications for relief will go to the trust through the Dominion executive committee of the New Zealand Returned Services' Association. It is_ stipulated that the whole of the fund, income and capital, shall be used during the period commencing on the execution of the trust and terminating at the expiry of ten years from the date of the declaration of peace in the present war, and that one-half of the trust fund shall be used entirely for the benefit of Wairarapa residents, who may benefit under the terms of the trust. ENSURING LOYALTY CITY COUNCIL EMPLOYEES (P.A.) DUNEDIN, Tuesday A meeting of the Returned Services' Association executive raised an objection to the City Council's policy in relation to the attitude toward the war of applicants for employment with the council. The matter arose from the town clerk's letter answering former objections, in which he stated that the council considered it unwise and outside its functions to make prior inquiries concerning the attitude toward the war of such applicants. Heads of departments, however, were instructed to avoid engaging those known to have expressed subversive views. It was decided to inform the council that the association was seriously concerned at the adoption of a polic\* which might permit the places of loyal men and women who served the Empire being taken by supporters of those who made default in such service. INTEREST IN MAORIS NETHERLANDS DELEGATE When the delegation representing the Netherlands Government , at the Tasman tercentenary celebrations was visiting Rotorua, Dr. C. 0. van der Plas, head of the delegation, was greatly interested in the Maoris and especially in the children. They gathered round him while lie taught the children a game as played in Java, and in return he besought them to sing him one of their songs. The impromptu choir was soon in full voice aud Dr. van der Plas was so interested that he called for several encores. The delegation also met Princess Te Puea Herangi, and other leaders of the native race. Princess Te Puea gave Dr. van der Plas a greenstone ornament, while the other members of the delegation received carved sticks of native wood. SECURITY "BENEFITS Continuing the payment of age and other beneficiaries, the Auckland central office of the Social Security Department yesterday experienced another busy day, 3741 applicants being paid a total of £23,050. Of this sum £5671 was paid to 859 age beneficiaries and £17,379 represented 2882 payments to people entitled to other benefits.