PROVINCIAL SECTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24791, 16 December 1941, Page 8

PROVINCIAL SECTION

THE OAMARU DISTRICT

AIR RAID SHELTERS JOINT MEETING OF COUNCILS " This is the first time in history when the Borough and County Councils have met, and never has there been a time when things have been so serious in the Dominion," said the Mayor (Mr J. C. Kirkness) at an emergency meeting of the Oamaru Borough and Waitaki County Councils yesterday morning. "There is no need for panic or alarm," Mr Kirkness said, "but it is a time for serious thought, and every man should get behind the authorities and assist wherever possible." He had called the meeting because the joint councils were responsible for expenditure incurred by the EPS. Instructions had been given to the E.P.S. authorities to carry out certain works for the defence of the Dominion and the protection of its people. He thanked the County Council for its co-operation. The first thing to be attended to was' the emergency exit from the Public Hospiial, and he asked that this should be done at the earliest possible moment There were certain places in the country districts, such as the Pukeuri" Freezing Works, where air raid shelters were needed and big bodies of men must be protected. Employers must provide shelters for the employees. It would also be necessary to provide air raid shelters in the town, and private individuals should make shelter trenches in their grounds. ' Full Co-operation I Mr James Rodman (chairman of the Waitaki County Council) assured the Mayor of his council's co-operation to the limit. Mr Nuttall said the power grader was being held up on account of petrol, but

the horse grader was being brought in, and the road at the Public Hospital would be put in hand at once. .* Mr Kirkness said that provision for air raid shelters for the .people would have to be made immediately. These shelters would have to be made wherever suitable, and reserves might have to be dug up. Mr A. R. Tait said the work should be done immediately, and this was agreed to. Mr Kirkness said all unemployed labour would be made available, and he also appealed for volunteers to assist in every class of work. Every citizen was expected to provide his own shelter. There was no necessity for deep trenches, but shallow trenches in which to He down gave protection from splinters and concussion. The authorities could use any vacant section. E.P.S. Meeting A meeting of the E.P.S. Committee, together with all councillors and representatives of local bodies was held subsequently, the Mayor occupying the chair. Mr Kirkness reported on his representation to the authorities in Wellington on the appointment of Mr D. E. Neave (Kurow) to be in charge of the transport in Oamaru, and stated that Mr Semple had instructed Mr Neave to ap-

point a deputy with full power in Oamaru. Mr Giffin's buses had been commandeered by Mr Neave. These buses were absolutely essential for the E.P.S. medical unit. All that the E.P.S. had done concerning transport had been undermined. The meeting approved the Mayor's strong protest to Wellington in the matter. Mr Nuttall was nominated as controller in Oamaru. It was decided again to advertise the lighting regulations, and the meeting emphasised the importance of residents reading the regulations and the E.P.S. booklet, which is to be revised and brought up to date. Mr Kirkness then gave a report of the Wellington conference and paid a tribute to Mr Semple for his handling of the position. He appealed for at least 250 more helpers for Oamaru. No further trials could be held, on account of the petrol position, but Mr Hargreaves might be able to arrange a trial without the use of motor vehicles. Wives and mothers of soldiers who could not make shelters would be assisted, and he appealed to Boy Scouts to help in this direction. It was the duty of every reasonably flit man to take his place with the E.P.S., Home Guard, or National Reserve. Mr Semple said that if they did not get the response to the appeal, then there would be compulsion. _ „ The resignation of Mr V. T. W. Sutherland as controller of publicity, on account of his removal to Christchurch, was accepted with regret, and Mr H. E. Wedde was appointed to the position. The Red Cross Society accepted the committee's proposals concerning emergency work, and advised that headquarters would be situated in Messrs Wright, Stephenson's building. Air Raid Shelters Major W. H. S. Widdowson (controller), Dr E. S. Stubbs, Messrs W. R. Williams, F. G. Whiting. A. Wilson, and A. Nuttail were appointed a committee to control the erection of air-raid shelters. Lieuten-ant-colonel J. F. Tonkin advised that members of the Home Guard would assist. A large number of air-raid and lighting wardens are required. Mr Laurenson reported that Mr Dalmer \vas to visit Oamaru to-day to organise the petrol resources of the district, and asked for the assistance of the E.P.S. and Superintendent T. Herron to confer with him in connection with auxiliary firefighting appliances. Mr Kirkness advised that the Borough Council would provide sand for residents for dealing with incendiary bombs, and authority was given for enrolling boys, 16 years of age, with bicycles, as messengers. Where husband and wife are both engaged in E.P.S. or similar work, the women's organisations will look after the children. Everyone connected with the E.P.S. must be enrolled and sworn in. All enrolments must be handed in to Mr R. Fotheringham. The meeting was adjourned to Thursday at 9 a.m.

POWER SUPPLY MEETING OF WAITAKI BOARD Mr James McDiarmid (chairman) presided at the monthly meeting of the Waitaki Electric Power Board yesterday morning. Formal resolutions were passed in connection with the loan of £20,000 and covering special security rate and other charges. An application from Mr D. H. Scott (commander, Home Guard, Enfield) for a supply to the bakehouse at Enfield for Home Guard purposes, was referred to the engineer. The board decided to revise its hirepurchase terms for next year. The engineer was authorised to arrange for the installation of the usual electric lighting at the Kurow Health Camp. It was agreed to make a one-third reduction in the street lighting charges to the Hampden Borough Council. Finance.—Accounts totalling £1662 16s 5d (Power Fund £1276 19s 7d, Loan Account £385 16s lOd) were passed for payment. An application for financial assistance under new range terms was approved> The secretary (Mr C. F. Jones) reported: Sales of electricity for November £3851, against £3828 (1940), and £3723 (1939), and for eight months of financial year, £35,204, against £34,635 (1940). OAMARU FRIENDLY BAY IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY REPORT The annual report of the Oamaru Friendly Bay Improvement Society for 1941, states that improvements carried out at the bay during the year included replanting of trees in the children's playground, and the erection of a stone wall on the west side. Miss M. White had been the successful tenderer for the tea rooms and tennis courts. Constable Furney and Mr A. C. Macpherson, both members of the committee, had left Oamaru during the year, the former being transferred to Kurow; and the latter being at the war doing radio work. AMUSEMENTS Majestic Theatre.—The comedy, "The Housekeeper's Daughter," featuring Joan Bennett, John Hubbard, Donald Meek, and Adolphe Menjou, to-nighl and on Wednesday. Opera House.—There will be no pictures to-night at the'Opera House, but George Formby fills the bill for to-morrow night in " Come On, George." OAMARU SHIPPING High Water.—December 16: 0.51 a.m. and 1.17 p.m. Coastal Movements The Wainui is due this evening to load for Wellington, Napier, and Gisborne, via Timaru and Lyttelton. The Waipiata is expected early in January to load for Wellington and Auckland, via Timaru and Lyttelton. The Waipahi is due on Friday, December 19, to load for Wellington, Nelson and New Plymouth, via ports. ITEMS OF INTEREST Soldiers' Parcels. —On Saturday night the Waitaki Old Boys held a social evening, and during the course of the evening a collection was taken for the parcels fund for old boys who are serving overseas. A little over £3 was raised for the purpose. Afternoon In Gardens.—The North Otago Women's Patriotic Committee invites wives, mothers, and next-of-kin of .soldiers, nurses, naval men. and returned men to an afternoon in the Gardens on Tuesday. If the weather is wet, it is to be held in the Early Settlers' Hall. Women's Club.—The Gardening Circle of the North Otago Women's Club held a rose show at the clubrooms last week, at which Mrs R. K. Ireland gave an instructive talk on roses, and displayed some choice blooms of the latest decorative type. . British-Am°rican Co-operation.—Dr E. S. Stubbs (president) was in the chair at an informal meeting of the Oamaru branch of the British-American Co-opera-tion Movement, held at the residence of Mrs R. A. McDowell on Friday night. Mrs McDowell reported on the.recent conference held at Wellington, and Mr Frank Milner gave a short address on current topics. Home League.—About 40 members of the Oamaru Salvation Army Home League were the guests of Mr Frank Milner at the Waitaki Boys' High School recently. They were conducted to the Hall of Memories, where a suitable programme was rendered by the school band and orchestra, and the classrooms were inspected. Mrs Burgess "(president) returned appropriate thanks to Mr Milner.