NEWS IN BRIEF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23946, 23 October 1939, Page 12

NEWS IN BRIEF

Savouries cost money these days. A young Wellington housewife who needed a few tomatoes early last week for a small tea party got three hothouse tomatoes for Is 3d—sd each. Steps are to be made by the Automobile Association (Manawatu) after inquiry to secure, if possible, more adequate warning devices at railway crossings in the city. The matter was raised at the annual meeting of the association last week and referred to the incoming executive for action. Many boys in New Plymouth seemed to delight in “ showing off ” by riding their bicycles with both their hands off the handlebars, reported Inspector R. Day to the New Plymouth Borough Council last week. This, of-course, was contrary to the by-laws and was highly dangerous, and prosecutions were to be made y;hen offenders were caught. Special showing of all new Goods in the showroom: Children’s. Maids’ and Ladies’ Knitted Goods, Winter Frocks, Hats and Coats. Call early while the selection is here. Many goods we will be unable to replace.—Mosgiel’s Drapers, A. F. Cheyne and, C 0... All those members of the Automobile Association (Manawatu) who are to be on active service during, hostilities are to be accorded full membership rights of the association without charge, according to a resolution carried at the annual meeting last week. Inquiring as to the form of celebration adopted by Chinese .residents of Gisborne to mark the anniversary of the Chinese Republic, a pressman commented to one member of the community on the recent defeat suffered by the Japanese in China. “Your people semed to have given the Japs a big setback at Changsha,!’ he remarked. “Yes,” replied the Chinese. “ How is your war this morning? ” Civil servants usually met business men as complainants, and welcomed the opportunity, given them,in other ways to meet the commercial community on their own ground and in different circumstances, said the Chief Postmaster in Wellington, Mr F. G. Nind, when replying to the welcome extended him at last week’s meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce by the president, Captain S. Holm. Said McNab to, McTavish; ,“Noo, Sandy, jus’ try a sma’ yin. The Waterloo whusky is mighty guid an’ powerful, mind ye.”.. ' ' " ? Amateur talent amongst . Special Military Force soldiers in training at Trentharn was called on for, an ; openair, campfire concert which was given on Wednesday- night. Wednesday night’s effort was contributed to by the whole of the Special Force at Trentharn, but on subsequent Wednesday nights concerts will be staged by each unit in turn. . , ■ Contrasting the lengthy journey from Baghdad to Damascus with what would have bgen necessary in Abraham’s, day, Mr J. W. Clapham, speaking to members of the Hastings Rotary Club last week, commented that, thanks to the enterprise of two young New Zealanders who had blazed the trail, the journey could how be made in 24 hours by fast, modern motor transport. , “We have one thing in common—we both brush our hair the same way,” said the Minister of Labour, Mr Webb, presenting an amateur wrestling champioh, Bert Cooke,, with the light-heavyweight belt, in the Town Hall, Wellington, recently. There was laughter from the large crowd, for the Minister’s meaning was that they were both bald.. ; .'. \ “Seeds that grow,” that’s the kind that people can buy at Gray’s, Milton. They stock Cooper’s, Yates’s, and Sutton’s.. . ’ ' “ For several weeks past considerable damage has been done to seats, playground equipment- and other fixtures in the gardens, parks and reserves. This is not the, work of children, but irresponsible persons of mature age.” stated the Superintendent of Reserves in his report to the Invercargill City Council. "Records prove such outbreaks are common in parks departments everywhere. 'I suggest the committee issue a stern warning to offenders and offer a substantial, reward to any person giving information lead-, ing to the conviction of anyone responsible for damage to public pro'-. PC The first Maori in Wanganui t» enlist for service in the New Zealand Native Battalion is Kereti McDonnell Scott, whose ancestors fought at the battle of MoutOa> defending Wanganui against threatened invasion of the settlement by Hauhaus. ‘ The battle was fought on the island of Moutoa, several miles up the Wanganui River. One of Mr Scott’s ancestors has his name engraved on the monument standing in MoutOa Gardens in memory of the brave, friendly Natives whose defence saved. Wanganui from destruction. He volunteered for service within a stone’s throw of that same monument. When talking to the boyg..,of .Wellington College on traditions at the gathering held there the'other afternoon to*celebrate the foundation of, the college, Mr W. Perry, M.L.C.,, gave a personal example of how tradition affected him in France in 1917. He said he took a journey of some 10 kilometres to see an old friend. When he was returning to billets that night by bicycle he had a puncture. He nad to push the bicycle some four kilometres, and he could not help, on that perfect starry night, as he walked alone along that road in France, thinking of how extraordinary it was that he, from far-off New Zealand, was so near to the scenes of the historic battles of Crecy and Waterloo. Ii gave him a thrill, he added, to think that he was so close to those battlefields which he had read about in the history books when he was at school. Grandism (3954): A fortnight’s holiday generally means one at the seaside and two on the rocks. A great pick-me-up—Granvin... “ The standard •'of: miisic in New' Zealand is good, but I would like to see better music, broadcast at a time when people can listen to it,” said Dr C. Edgar Ford, an examiner of the Royal Trinity College of Music. London, who is visiting Wanganui. Dr Ford considers that there are some talented musicians in New Zealand but he would like to see better instruments, more organ recitals and theformation of big, symphony orchestras. Distressed knights of the road who • appeal for help from the occupants of a house on a hill between 20 and 30 miles from Auckland on the Main South road can expect scant courtesy. Something must have happened once that destroyed the faith of the occupants in motorists; or, perhaps, the constant appeals of car owners in difficulties on that lonely section of road are to blame. Whatever it was, the owner.' of the house has signified in no uncertain manner that he is never at home to, strange callers. On his gate is the bald instruction: “ Motorists, don’t bring your troubles in here.” Doubt whether New Zealand had the time team spirit in the crisis facing the Empire was expressed by the Mayor of Palmerston North, Mr E. A. f Mansford, at' the opening of the Northem Bowling Club’s season. . England was preparing and organising as never before in the history of the Empire, he said. Millions of men and women were being withdrawn from productive industry, and that meant that New Zealand would have to provide them with foodstuffs. The fact was that in New Zealand to-day the Government was crying out. for more production, and the farmers were, crying out for more labour. /On the other hand, marram grass was being sown by • subsidised labour at a cost of £lB an acre—a work which could be carried, .out at 18s an acre. That was not the proper team spirit or the spirit that would win the war. Have you tried Hitchon’s pork saveloys, pork sausages or Oxford sausage (cooked)? If your grocer can’t supply, ring our Dunedin Branch (12-344), Milton (22)...