NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24431, 17 October 1940, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

'T'HE fact that, in spite of the outX break of war and the many consequent appeals to citizens for patriotic purposes, every society which had a regular annual street day in Dunedin had shown an increase this year in the amount it had received from that source was quoted by the Mayor, Mr A. H, Allen, at the annual meeting of the Plunket Society yesterday as evidence in the community of a wellestablished habit of giving. “The fact that all these returns are up in spite of the many other calls on people’s purses shows that giving is a habit—and a good habit,” the Mayor said.

“Adoption ” of War Craft A suggestion that residents in various parts of the Dominion should be permitted to “ adopt ” a particular trawler or minesweeper for the purpose of supplying the crew with comforts has not been found practicable, states a report issued by the New Zealand Navy League. Residents had desired this could be forwarded through the league, which has undertaken that responsibility. The report states that naval, policy prevents the idea being adopted. ■

Foundations on Sand The curious fact that the stability of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, depends on a small subterranean stream was mentioned by Mr Dudley R. Wills in the course of a talk at the weekly luncheon of the Invercargill Rotary Club. He said that in spite of the building’s great size and weight, the foundations of the cathedral were only four feet deep and they rested on sand which was kept moist and solid by a small stream. “Should the stream be diverted or should it dry up, the whole cathedral might collapse,” Mr Wills said. “ That is why the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s will not allow any excavations near the cathedral except under their supervision.”

Goods Lost in Transit The Minister of Customs has advised the United Kingdom Manufacturers and New Zealand Representatives’ Association (Inc.) that goods shipped in replacement of goods which had been ordered under third or fourth period licences, but which have been lost in ships sunk as a result of enemy action and which otherwise would have arrived in the Dominion prior to expiry of the licences on December 31, these replacement goods will be admitted under fifth period licences which will be granted for that purpose without affecting the importer’s normal allocation for that period in the event of the replacement goods not arriving until after the end of this year.

Wire in Lung for 25 Years When doctors X-rayed a man s chest in the Royal Melbourne Hospital recently they discovered a piece of barbed wire nearly three inches long embedded in his lung. The man coulo not enlighten the amazed doctors when they asked him to account for tne presence of the wire, but later recalled that in the last war he was one of a patrol party of his regiment which used to go out at night and put down or repair barbed wire entanglements. They used to carry pieces of wire in their mouths. One night a shell burst near them, and he was rendered unconscious. He thought he must have swallowed the wire then. The doctors say that this is almost certainly the answer.

Schools and War Shortages Circulars recently issued to headmasters by the Wellington Education Board reveal how, in two directions at least, war shortages are affecting the schocls. Science equipment is now very difficult to obtain, hence it is urged that special care should be exercised in the use of scientific apparatus, and particularly in the conservation of mercury .used in barometers and thermometers, mercury being practically unprocurable. It is also emphasised that handles fcr spades, rakes and other gardening tools are now unprocurable, hence the necessity to take special care of such implements.* This would seem to open up an avenue of educational research as to the utility of various New Zealand woods for such purposes.

Maoris’ Gifts to Warship A model war canoe and a carved crest have been presented by Princess Te Puea Herangi to a New Zealand armed.cruiser. The gifts were accepted by the captain, in whose cabin a short cereinony took place. The canoe and crest were fashicned at Ngaruawahia, and they represented a goodwill gesture from the Maori people. A finelywoven Maori cape was also given to the captain to be worn in time of action, so that, in accordance with Maori tradition, the wearer and his cause should be successful. A small taiaha was presented to one of the senior officers who had assisted in arranging the ceremony. As spokesman f:r Princess Te Puea, Mr Te Rore Eruera gave a short address in Maori, after which Mr W, C. E. George, Mayor of Huntly, conveyed greetings from King Koroki. The ship’s commander thanked the Maoris for their interest, and especially thanked Princess Te Puea for coming to Auckland to present the gifts herself. A replica of the famous canoe Tainui. the model is about five feet long, and is a fine example of Maori art in wood. The crest is a handsome work, ccntaining two taniwha, or Maori sea-gods, •at the base, and representations of the sun, moon and a star above. Engraved across the top cf the crest arc the words “ Waikato, Taniwharau," while below is the ship’s name. The entire crest is inlaid with paua shell.

Circular to Girl Workers Girl workers in a Dunedin clothing factory have received during the past week or so an anonymous circular urging them to refuse to accept their present conditions and to organise an attempt to secure higher wages. So far as is known, the circular has been distributed in only one factory, which, like most of the others, is engaged to a certain extent on military orders, but since the statements made in it are obviously false it is understood that little notice has been taken of it. Any suggestion of,an organised attempt at sabotage of the war effort is discounted. Cost of Milk Production Following on a request by the Otago Milk Producers’ Society the Minister of Agriculture has sent a commission to Dunedin to investigate the cost of milk production on the farm. This step is being taken with a view to stabilising the price to the producer. The members of the commission have commenced their visits to the farms in the vicinity of Dunedin.

A Camp Newspaper Burnham’s first newspaper, the Compost, has blossomed into publication as the "journal of the Composite Battalion, ‘Z’ Block.” Edited by Private lan Munro, this unpretentious document (states the Christchurch StarSun) serves to record the activities of territorials now in camp. It contains a number of brightly-written paragraphs, and its cyclo-styled sheets, numbering three, give the impression that the soldiers of to-day are not behind their fathers in the gentle art of exaggeration. It is all meant ih good fun and serves a good purpose in bringing a grin to the faces of the lads, after the hard work of the day is done. Is there a raw “ rookie.” who could fail to be moved by learning from the Compost that Sir Andrew Russell’s recent visit to the camp was made,, principally to decide upon the colour of the lampshades for the tents?

Another False Rumour A rumour that the first echelon of the New Zealand Division had been heavily engaged in Egypt and had suffered severe casualties gained wide circulation in Auckland over the weekend. It had its origin in a special leave parade at one of the camps, and as they travelled the reports, as is ever the case with rumours; became more and more detailed, until finally a figure was placed on the number of casualties. “ That is just another rumour,” said the Prime Minister, Mr P. Fraser, when the matter was referred to him. "There is nothing at all in it. The Government has not received any wcrd that the New Zealanders have been engaged in any battle, and it would have received some advice if that had been the case. As for the leave which is being granted, it has nothing whatever to do with any engagement, real or imaginary, in which New Zealanders have been concerned.”

Use of Hospital Appliances “On several occasions recently,” wrote Dr M. H. Watt, Directorgeneral of Health, in a letter received by the South Canterbury Hospital Board, “ the department has been approached by hospital boards for ah opinion whether or not in-patients of public hospitals may be charged for surgical appliances, splints, etc., provided in connection with their treatment. The department is of the opinion that any surgical appliances, splints, etc., supplied to a patient while undergoing in-patient treatment should be free of charge to the patient. Similarly, surgical appliances and splints made for and required to be worn by a patient on discharge from hospital should be regarded as part of hospital treatment and should not be charged for. J Where such appliances or splints are not for permanent use by the patient and have any residual value to the hospital, a charge should be made if they are not returned in due course.” Dress-circle Seats “When you are out in the open where we are you have a dress-circle seat at. cne of the most wonderful shows in the world,” writes a member cf the second echelon, N.Z.E.F., from England. “It is customary to see overhead practically every day squadrons of planes, our cwn and Fritz’s. There was a scrap up above to-day and a Heinkel was brought down not far away. I saw the Spitfire which got him do the Victoi’y Roll after the shew. They always do this roll after finishing off a German plane, if not too hard pressed. We are now averaging about 90 German planes a day, as against 15 of curs. It sounds 100 good to be true, but it is about right. The Germans have to fight better planes and better men. All of ours are seeded pilots, while the Germans are mostly kids of 16 and 17 years of age, I have actually seen German pilots bale out before their planes are hit. All cur team are in good nick, with their chins up.”

Attention is drawn to a sale of mining material advertised in our columns. Tenders arc invited by the Public Works Department for the supply of alloy steel. The closing date for entries for Harrop Scholarship examinations is advertised in this issue by Manchester Unity Oddfellows. The Railways Department advertises in this issue particulars of special trains between Dunedin and Mosgiel on Sunday. Coffee for breakfast. Order Iron, your grocer a tin of “ Bourbon," the coffee of quality Instructions in every tin Prepared by Durie's. Coffee Specialists B2 Octagon Dunedin - Advl