NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24506, 15 January 1941, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

"PRICE adjustments some little time ~v ago created a shortage of pennies and half-pennies because b£; the rise in the prices of many commodities to broken amounts, and . considerable difficulty has been experienced at times by retail businesses, particularly in the case;of large sales of popular lines, in finding the requisite change. Now, however, news has been received that a supply of pennies and halfpennies, which should be sufficient to meet the new demand, will be made available, and that Duriedin's share will come to hand in about 10 days' time. ' ~~, ~; , , , Decree Examination Papers ■• ',Qn account of war risks, to obviate chance of loss, degree examination papers of the University of New Zealand, completed last November, have gone .no further than Australia for marking purposes. Some have not gone as far as that and are being marked in New Zealand.■■'■ Ordinarily the-papers go J 0 England, but an arrangement was made with the English examiners to have the papers marked this time nearer home. One result should be an earlier announcement of results. ■ ■'■■'.. •'-'' ;-.,'.'. Petrol Coupon Frauds -Several petrol resellers in Auckland have been victimised by cleverly-faked petrol coupons. Various methods were employed'to make figures correspond With ;the authorised numerals. Invariably old tickets were Hised and extra figures added either by pen .-and,-India ink or rubber stamp. The;> most elaborate and ingenious method 'was to combine portions of two Old tickets in a'way that made numbers corresponding with those authorised. No matter how cleverly .'extra numbers were added; the perpetrators of the frauds were unable to overcome the "difficulty that the normal position of the figures in relation to the lettering was wrong. "Fancy Wages" .'■' We are not going to pay them these fancy wages," said the Auckland City coroner (Mr F. K. Hunt) when the question was raised of witnesses' expenses, for waterside workers who had given evidence. A police sergeant said that the standard rate for these men was £1 3s 4d a day. "As much as 1 get ; and. more," exclaimed ■■ Mr "Hunt The sergeant said that such witnesses were paid for what they had actually lost by attending court, and they had to produce a certificate to ; prove the loss. Mr J. J. Sullivan, who was appearing in the case, said these men were not adequately paid. There were--700 or 800 accidents on the wharf every year. They took their lives in their hands. "I know," .Mr Hunt said. "Everyone else takes his life in his hand."

Scarcity of Tyres -Import restrictions, manufacturing difficulties in Britain and enemy action against New Zealand-bound shipping have resulted in' an acute shortage of motor tyres in Auckland. While one or two importers reported a/few days ago that they had fair stocks, .and in one instance a fresh shipment had been received recently, the majority said that stocks were extremely low. "Thereis an extreme shortage in practically all sizes," one importer said; " The scarcity is not confined only to .the more popular sizes, though, of course, it is felt most where, the demand is greatest. The fact is that stocks of tyres are limited, and the goods are simply not here for people to buy. Imports have been severely restricted for dome time, and we have been drawing on our reserve stock during the past year, as importations have been nothing like sufficient to meet the demand." Envelope as Evidence The envelope in which he received notification that he had been drawn in a. ballot for Territorial , service was produced by an appellant as evidence when he appeared before the Auckland Area Man-power Committee in support of his appeal. The appellant, who was a manufacturer, quoted the postmark cancellation on the envelope, which said: "Increase production and help the war effort." " How can l increase production when my whole staff is disorganised by my being withdrawn from managing the business for three months?" he asked "In which position can I give, best service? " The chairman of the committee (Mr H. A. Anderson) asked the appellant if he wished the envelope entered as evidence, and received an affirmative answer. " Quite an interesting exhibit," commented Mr Anderson. The committee reserved its decision.

Beneficial Rain A Press Association telegram says that steady rain fell throughout Canterbury yesterday afternoon and last night, and will be of considerable benefit to the crops, which have been seriously affected by the recent drought conditions ~ Reading Material Wanted A request has been made by the Army Department to the Joint Council of the Red Cross and St. John Ambulance for reading material foi sick troops in the Wingatui and Forbury Territorial Camps. Anyone having suitable magazines and books is> asked to leave them at the Red Cross office at 125 High street: A Reward of £SO Though it is over three months since an R.N.Z.A.F. Airspeed Oxford bomber with a crew of three was lost when on a flight from Hobsonville to Ohakea, the Air Force authorities still hope that the machine will be traced. Piloted by Flying Officer A. N. Major, of Auckland, with whom were Flight Sergeant S. B. Smith (Auckland) and Corporal R. B. Smith (Wellington), the twin-engined monoplane left the Hobsonville air base at 11.45 a.m. on September 30. From then on nothing positive is known A machine was seen flying in heavy mist and rain heading for the coast north of New Plymouth, and another report was that a crash had been heard in the rugged country inland. An intensive search was made, without any result, but so that efforts may be continued even after so long a time the Air Department is offering a reward of £SO for information which will conclusively establish the fate of the missing plane and its crew.

The Burns anniversary concert will be held in the Town Hall Concert Chamber <on Saturday, January 25. The programme will be given by wellknown entertainers. Coffee for breakfast. Order from your grocer a tin of;" Bourbon," the coffee of quality Instructions in every, tin Prepared oy Durie's, coffee specialists 32 Octagon. DunedinAdvt For rings watches, and jewellery, try Feter Dick, jewellers 59 Princes street Dunedin.—Advt