NORTH OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24828, 30 January 1942, Page 7

NORTH OTAGO

EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS

MEETING OF OAMARU EXECUTIVE The Mayor (Mr J. C. Kirkness) presided at a meeting of the Oamaru Emergency Precautions Committee. The Oil Fuel Controller, in reply to the application for a monthly allowance of petrol for the medical and food sections, advised that the allowance could not be granted. If the circumstances were set out fully, the Advisory Committee would give the application faithful consideration.

Dr R. ,T. ' S. Fitzgerald reported that petrol was required for canvassing country districts for stretchers, etc. He strongly urged that further application should be made. In this he was supported by Mr R. K. Ireland, for the food seclion, and it was decided to furnish the particulars required by the Oil Fuel Controller in support of the application. The resignation of Mr R. S. Mitchell frcm the E.P.S. was received. The Columba Church Managers wrote agreeing to place the hall at the disposal of the committee, and giving permission to make any necessary alterations. Mr Ireland reported that these matters had been attended to.

Numerous circulars were received from the Director of National Service. The cuestion of air raid precautions and defence was referred to Mr P. W. Harnreaves; the care of animals in an emergency to the Societv for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; and the establishment of 'fire guards to Superintendent T. Hcrron. Advice was received that the deputy oil fuel controller in each centre hsd in his possession emergency twogallon petrol coupons to meet the petrol position in an actual emergency, and that all railway signal lights would be kept going in an emergency owing to the danger to railway traffic if they were cut off.

A suggestion that plates be affixed to gates indicating the homes of air raid wardens was approved. One of the problems faced by the committee is the system of alarm signals, and it was suggested that, in addition to the siren and fire s bell alarms, the old gas alarm of a piece of railway iron and striker be installed in every warden's area. Mr I. Dalmer's suggestion that up to £lO be spent for experimental purposes to ascertain the value of battery-driven sirens was approved. COMPULSORY ENROLMENT ALL E.P.S. SERVICES The Mayor (Mr J. C. Kirkness) - reported to the Oamaru E.P.S. executive on Tuesday night that Mr N. H. Colquhoun had been appointed enrolling officer, with an office at the County Chambers, for the purpose of enrolling members for the E.P.S. services, for which enrolment was compulsory for all males 18 t'o 66 years of age not included in the exempted classes, or who were not already enrolled in the National Reserve, Home Guard, or E.P.S.. or attached to the armed forces The appointment was approved. Mr R. K. Gardiner reported that enrolment forms had been distributed to all post offices in the county, which on completion would be returned to headquarters in Oamaru through the chief postmaster. After copies of the enrolments had been made at headquarters, the forms would be returned to county committees through the county clerk, and country committees would then be able to. make contact with the new personnel. NATIONAL RESERVE CAMP PRESENTATION OF BILLIARDS TABLE The officer commanding the Oamaru National Reserve in camp, Major M. H. R. Jones, recently appealed for comforts for the men and in particular for the use of a billiards table. The appeal has been answered by three generous Oamaru citizens, who have purchased a table and accessories. It was delivered to the camp on Wednesday night. Other citizens have contributed to the cost of the table, so that the expense would not fall too heavily on the original three who purchased the table. It is hoped to add a set of snooker balls in the near future. The men have appreciated this action to the full and when they have no further use for the table it will be sold, the proceeds going to the patriotic funds. PERSONAL Mr and Mrs Hugh Miller, of Dunedin, have received cabled advice from their son. Corporal Rex Miller, that he was wounded in the shoulder while fighting in Libya, and that he is now convalescing. He suffered no permanent injury. Corporal Miller, who was formerly on the staff of the North Otago office of the Otago Daily Times, enlisted from Oamaru with the first echelon.

COST PROHIBITIVE PUBLIC RAID SHELTERS Major W. H. S. Widdowson reported to a meeting of the Emergency Precautions Committee that the special committee had investigated the possibility of constructing dug-outs, with special reference to localities in Aln and Glen streets. To make an underground dug-out in Aln street would cost £25 a head, and a conservative estimate for accommodation underground for 25 people would be £SOO. In any case, 20-foot coverage would not- give protection from a direct hit. Glen street was not suitable for dug-outs, but slit trenches could be made there. The most suitable shelter in reach of everybody was the trench five or six feet deep, with cover, in the back yard. It could be built by personal labour. The only place that could be recommended for a dug-out was the borough quarry, and here a dug-out for 20 people would cost £I2OO, which was a prohibitive price. The Mayor (Mr J. C. Kirkness), who presided, gave particulars of the subsidies available for shelters, pointing out that, to secure the subsidy, Government instructions had to be received before the work was put in hand. The matter was referred to the special committee WOMEN'S AUXILIARY CO-ORDINATION OF,WAR WORK Advice was received from the Director of National Service by the Oamaru E.P.S. executive on Tuesday night, that the Government had directed the Women's War Services Auxiliary to be the only official body for co-ordinating and directing all women's war work in the Dominion. All women's organisations, which were undertaking some form of war or emergency work, would therefore come under the diiection of the, auxiliary, and the auxiliary would allocate functions to appropriate bodies in accordance with the policy already laid down by the Government. All other organisations would require to have their members, who wished to undertake war work, sign an auxiliary enrolment form in order to bring them under the provisions of the Emergency Reserve Corps regulations. Once enrolled with the W.W.S.A. and E.P.S. they would be entitled to the same insurance benefits. Dr R. J. S. Fitzgerald pointed out that all persons employed in the hospital would be insured under the Government insurance scheme.

ITEMS OF INTEREST The Tides.—At the port of Oamaru, high water for to-day is at 1.36 a.m. and 1.58 p.m. Borough Rates.—With Monday, February 2, as the last day for payment, the borough rates outstanding at 9 o'clock yesterday morning amounted to £10,357 14s Id. Social in Waitaki Hall.—A successful euchre* party and dance was held in the Waitaki Hall recently under the auspices of the local E.P.S. The prize-winners were: Women, Mrs Good 1, Mrs Godsal! 2 and Miss M. Doyle (consolation) Men: Mr A Cuthbertson 1. Mr T. Sargeon 2 and Mr H. Mountford (consolation). Mrs Hewson and Mr F. Mountford played for the dancing, and Mr G. Broadley was M.C. AMUSEMENTS Majestic Theatre.—The British picture " Ghost of St. Michael's," with Will Hay and Claude Hulbert in the leading comedy roles, will be shown finally to-night. Opera House. —The double bill to be shown to-night consists of the action picture *' The Devil's Pipeline" and the comedy of small town life, " Scattergood Baines." The new serial will also be shown to-night.