NEW QUARTERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25001, 18 September 1944, Page 2

NEW QUARTERS

REHABILITATION iWOEK JEAN BATTEN PLACE The Auckland branch of the Rehabilitation Department transferred its quarters from Civic House,* Queen Street, to the Government building in Jean Batten Place on Saturday morning, and the new premises will be open for business this morning. The department now occupies the entire sixth iioor of the building. While little structural work was necessary, various partitions have been removed and re-erected to allow of sufficient office space. This work was carried out by about six students from the department's carpentry training centre in New North Road, under the supervision of the chief instructor, Mr H. C. Smith. The new building will be more convenient for the general public and is in a more central position. The new quarters will allow of more efficient internal administration, but although there is provision for some expansion it would appear that .p lo *" 6 accommodation will be necessary if the department continues to grow at the present pace. Separate rooms have been provided for the district rehabilitation officer, the secretary of the Auckland Rehabilitation Committee and the farming and trade training secretaries Iwo small interviewing rooms are available, and there is a public waiting room, which has been furnished with chairs and settees. . Opposite the waiting room is the public counter. A large room has been provided for the records staff, and there is sufficient file space to allow for a 50 per cent expansion. Several other rooms will accommodate the various section clerks.

LOCAL COMMITTEE NEW SECRETARY APPOINTED The appointment of Mr J. N. S. Flett as secretary of the Auckland Rehabilitation Committee has been made. Mr Flett succeeds Mr L. Stone, who lias accepted a position with a private firm. Mr Flett commenced with the public service in 1929, after attending the Auckland Grammar School, and lie served for nine years in the Public Trust office in Auckland and "Wellington. He then spent four years in the land development branch of the Native Department, before joining the Army in 1942. Mr Flett served overseas for almost two years. Several recent appointments to the Rehabilitation Department in Auckland were announced by the district rehabilitation officer, Mr M. Simmonds, on Saturday. These additions to the department have brought the total inside staff to 39, while seven others are employed on the instructional staffs at various training centres. After 25 years service in the Public Trust office, Mi H. A. Williams has joined the department as accountant.

BUSINESS ORGANISATION COMMERCIAL CONTACT CENTRE Although officials of the Commercial Contact Centre, the organisation which has been established by the business community to assist ex-servicemen, have done a great deal of preliminary Avork since its opening on _ September 1 ? they will not be in a position to function fully for some weeks. A questionnaire is being despatched to city business firms, asking what positions employers can now provide, what will be available in the post-war period and if the firms can assist disabled ex-service-men. A meeting will be called shortly or "all interested organisations and the bilsiiie*s community generally which will be addressed by the chairman of the centre, Mr H. "Turner. A brochure also is being distributed setting out the aims and objects of the centre. Officials of the centre are now installed in their new offices in the R.S.A. building in High Street. Several city firms _ have given material assistance in furnishing the new rooms.

TABLE TENNIS AUCKLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS The finals of the Auckland table tennis championships were held on Saturday night and resulted in some interesting and exciting play. The final of the men's singles was fast and spectacular, 0. Jaine, the winner, having a rocklike defence which triumphed over the attack of J. Brien. The ladies' singles title was won by Mrs B. Langton, whose experience was too much for Miss G. Kniveton. The men's doubles event w.as won by 0. Jaine and J. Brien, who beat E. Cheal and J. Capstick after a hard-fought final. The ladies' doubles provided a very even contest, the losers, two B grade players, putting up a meritorious performance against the senior pair, Mrs P. Russell and Mrs Langton. The combined doubles wont to O. Jaine and Miss Robertson, whose play was steady. The most noteworthy feature of the tournament was the fact that O. Jaine, aged 18, won the three senior finals with consistent and brilliant play. At the conclusion of the tournament Mr F. T. McAneny, president of the association, presented the prizes. Results of the finals were:— A Grade.—Men's singles: 0. Jaine beat J. Brien, 17—21, 21—17, 18—21. 21—14, 21—18. Men's doubles: Brien and Jaine beat E. Cheal and J. Capstick. 21—15. 22—24, 21—18, 22—20. Men's plate: F'. C. McGullough beat H. W. Brien, 21—16. 15—21. 21—12. Combined doubles: Jaine and Miss M. Robertson beat .T. Brien and Mrs ,T. Brien, 21—14, 13 —21, 21 —18. Ladies' singles: Mrs B. Langton beat Miss Kniveton, 21--.-14. 21—10. B Grade.—Men's singles: H. Pflton beat F. O'Hagan, 21—17, IS—2l, 10—21. 21—13. 21 —18. Men's doubles: Paton and D. Taylor beat J. White and D. C. Jinman, 21—17, 22 —20. 21 —10. Ladies' singles: Mrs D. Rea beat Miss J. Goddard. 21—11, 21—9. Ladies' doubles: Misses B. Gould and N. McDonald beat Mrs Rea and Miss Goddard, 21—15, 21 —Ifl. Combined doubles: "W. H. Jaine and Miss M. Robertson beat J. White and Mm ,T. Brien. 21—11, 21—7. Ladies' plate: Mrs P. Brien beat Miss M. Price, 21—13, 21—fl. C Grade.—Men's singles: B. Goodman beat A. Jackson. 25 —23. 21 —13. Men's doubles: C. Johnson and R. Vause beat N. Johnson anil G. Yonng, 23 —21, 21 —14. Men's plate: F. S. Vause beat A. ,T. McDonald, 21—19, 19—21 21—18. D Grade.—Men's singles: B. Tills beat A Goulding, 15—21, 21—10. 21—17. Junior Provincial Championship and Munnf Memorial Trophy.—D. C. Jinman beat ,T. S White, 21—10, 12—21. 21—10.

BOXING IN ENGLAND LONDON, Sept. 15 .lank London, aged 30. beat Freddie Mills on points over 15 rounds at Manchester in one of the finest fights between heavy-weights in Britain'for some years. London thus gains the British and Empire championships resigned by Len Harvey. Mills retains the cruiser-weight title he won from Harvey. Mills, overcoming a weight . handicap of nearly three stone, seemed on the way to victory for 12 rounds. London, much the older man, appeared to be tiring rapidly under the terrific pace of a lively figPtt. London, however, made a great effort in the last three rounds and landed lefts and rights to the face and body, staggering Mills several times.