NORTH OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24834, 6 February 1942, Page 8

NORTH OTAGO

GIFT PARCEL SCHEME COMFORTS DISPENSED AN APPRECIATIVE LETTER Writing to the Mayor, Mr J. C. Kirkness, the county clerk, Mr R. K. Gardiner, states that in view of the doubts sometimes expressed regarding the gift parcel scheme sponsored by the Otago Provincial Patriotic Council, he would probably be interested in the following extract from a letter recently received from Captain H. Murray Reid (formerly county engineer) one thing I forgot to tell you was the way the Y.M.C.A. and patriotic people came to light when we came back. They were truly wonderful, and dispensed comforts, razors, chocolate, and tobacco right and left. I saw one of the Y.M. trucks right in the front one day issuing cigarettes during heavy shell fire. They are great chaps, and don’t get half the credit they should.” AMUSEMENTS Majestic Theatre.—" This England,” a cavalcade of events in the life of a great nation, will be shown finally to-night. Main characters are portrayed by the English stars, John Clements, Emlyn Williams and Constance Cummings. Opera House.— For the doube bill attraction to-night the musical play, " Swing It, Soldier,” together with the action-filled attraction, " Return of Daniel Boone,” will be screened.

EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS DISCUSSION ON RECENT TRIAL The Mayor, Mr J. C. Kirkness, was in the chair at a meeting on Wednesday night of members of the E.P.S. units who had taken part in the recent trial. Mr Kirkness explained that the meeting was an informal one for the purpose of holding a round-table talk. There had been shortcomings, as all were aware, and it was thought that a discussion would help to remedy weaknesses in the organisation. Mr A. Nultall submitted a comprehensive report on the trial, giving instances of inefficiency and of messages going astray. At the start of the trial, Mr Nuttall said, the units functioned well, but as time went on some messages did not reach the units concerned, and so the necessary action was not taken. f The various points raised were fully discussed, and suggestions were made for improving the efficiency of the organisation. Mr Nuttall was thanked for his report, and Mr R. E. Dimick (chief warden) was empowered to select all the wardens and messengers required under the zoning system, and arrange for the training of the personnel in their duties. In conclusion, Mr Kirkness stated that every try-out had its mistakes. Every unit made mistakes, and headquarters was not exempt. That applied to every centre as well as Oamaru. They were all trying to remedy mistakes, and no one was more anxious to do so than those at headquarters. He pointed out that in a trial they were trying to do~in an hour or an hour and a-half something that would extend over a much longer period. A “ blitz ” might do a lot of damage, but the only units to operate at once would be the medical, fire, and works services, and others would function only when things had subsided somewhat. He was quite convinced that they had an organisation that would function in an emergency, despite all the mistakes, and he was convinced that they would cope with an emergency, and cope with it reasonably well.

WOMEN’S BOWLING , \ • FOURS COMPETITION 1 The weather was cold and windy for yesterday’s play at the Phoenix Women’s Club’s annual tournament. The greens were heavy after the previous day’s rain, but four games in the Fours Competition were completed, the section winners being;— Section A.—Mesdames Foster, Jack Reid, Joe Reid and Sorley (Phoenix), four wins; Mesdames Pryde, Leeden, Jones and Higginson (St. Kilda), and Mesdames Hamer, W, Brown. R. Brown and Whale (Mornington), three wins each. Section B.—Mesdames Watts, Jamieson, Adams and Ashton (Phoenix), four wins: Mesdames Sparrow, Hannah, Lloyd and Seddon (St. Clair), three wins. Section C.—Mesdames Mulligan, Kemp, Miss Smyth and Mrs Rusbatch (Awsmoa). Mesdames Nimmo, Dick, Kilgour and Robertson (Meadowbank), and Mesdames Bremner, Brown, Grant and Miss Symington (Phoenix), three wins each. The post-section play and the finals in all competitions will be completed today. ITEMS OF INTEREST IN AND ABOUT TOWN Emergency Reserve Enrolments.—To assist enrolments In the Emergency Reserve, the enrolling officer (Mr ,Neil H, Colquhoun) will be in attendance at the Waitaki County Council office from 7 to 8 o’clock to-night, and from' 9 a.m. to noon, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Up to noon yesterday over 600 enrolments had been received. High Tides.—High tides for the Port of Oamaru for to-day are at 6,55 a.m. and 7.21 p.m. Rainfall.—For the 24 hours up to 9 a.m. yesterday 66 points of rain had been recorded by Mr W. Forrester, making a total for this month of 172 points. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY THE AUTUMN SHOW Mr G. S. Jones was in the chair at the meeting of the North Otago Horticultural Society on Wednesday night, when it was decided to request the following to act as judges at the autumn show;— Mrs J. Tait, cut blooms: Miss Dewar, decorative: Mr A. J. Petrie, vegetables; Miss M. Lindsay, children’s sections. The following stewards were appointed:—Mr J. Campbell, cut blooms: Miss W. Slater, decorative; Misses Ireland and Kay. children’s sections. Mrs Domigan offered to take charge of the tea rooms. It was agreed to lend 150 vases for the Kurow Show on February 20.

PERSONAL ; Mr and Mrs H. F. Maude, of Oainaru, have received word that their son, Private Cyril Maude, .who is in the Middle East, is fit and well. Mr J. Braithwaite, town clerk, left for Timaru yesterday, where he will spend his annual' vacation.