NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24850, 25 February 1942, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

REFERENCE ttf the "Blue Cross" work for injured animals was made by the president (Mr W. Downie Stewart) at the annual meeting of the Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals yesterday afternoon. ' Mr Stewart said that a story was told of a dog which was an inmate of a Blue Cross hospital in France during the war of 1914-1918. It was said that this dog would lie quiet when French and English planes were overhead, but that it would bark loudly as a warning when the German planes were coming over. Moreover, the hearing of the dog was so sensitive that it could detect the planes long before the people on the. ground could do so. The hearing of a dog is. of course, rather remarkable. Otago Wool Appraisal

The fourth Otago wool appraisal, which was scheduled to take place on February 25, is not now to take place until March 9. It is expected that over .20,000 bales will be submitted to the appraisers. Church Union Project A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that after a long discussion on the proposed union of the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Congregational Churches, the Methodist Conference yesterday decided that a basis of union should be placed before the quarterly meetings of the churches and synods of 1942. Petrol for E.P.S. Vehicles It was announced yesterday (says a Press Association telegram from Wellington) that the Government had agreed to allow all vehicles used for E.P.S. work one gallon of petrol,for the remainder of this month. The instruction given to this effect will apply throughout the Dominion. Historic Land Transaction

The first deed recording - a sale of land in New Zealand was dated February 24, 1815, and was therefore 127 years old yesterday. This historic transaction took place between the Rev. Samuel Marsden, acting on behalf of the Church Missionary Society, and the Maoris of the Bay of Islands. Two hundred acres of land at Rangihoua were purchased for 12 axes, and it was there that the original mission was founded. Heavy Death Duties

Death duties amounting to about £55,700 have been paid on the estate of Mrs Alice Merry, who was found dead in bed from natural causes in October of last year. The estate (says a Press Association telegram) was sworn for probate at under £105,000. Cash assets were available to meet the duties. Though no will was ever found. 10 beneficiaries were located. Incapacitated Servicemen (

To determine the need for a suitable home for permanently incapacitated former servicemen, the headquarters of the New Zealand Returned Services' Association is inviting reports and dftails from all branches about service men who are not inmates of a recognised home or institution, and are incapable of looking after themselves. Should it be found that such a home is necessary, the Dominion Executive Committee will interview the Minister of Health and the Minister of Pensions to endeavour to- arrange for the provision of such an institution. This information was received at a meeting of the executive of the Christchurch branch of the Returned Services' Association, and it was decided to make an investigation in Christchurch. and, later, to compile a report. General Smuts \

At its annual meeting last year the South African War Veterans' Association passed a resolution congratulating the Prime Minister of South Africa, General J. C. Smuts, on his promqton to field-marshal in the Imperial Army. A copy of this resolution, together with an extract from the association's annual report, containing reference to the matter, was forwarded to General Smuts, whose private secretary has replied as follows:—" General Smuts wishes me to state that he is very grateful for the association's message, which he values very much. The heroic comradeship of the New Zealand and South African forces in North Africa is establishing a new bond between our two peoples, which the general trusts will prove unbreakable. In conclusion, the general sends his good wishes to his New Zealand comrades and your country." A Sharp Contrast

Contrasts in the war effort of different sections of the community were provided by Mr A. Renton (Balclutha) at a meeting called by the Dunedin Primary Production Council last night to discuss the agricultural programme for the coming season. An address on the subject was given by Mr R. B. Temient, Director of Primary Production; " I know a man in South Otago with a 240-acre farm carrying crops of wheat, oats, and turnips. This man and his daughter milk 70 cows each day and are working 80 hours a week. The thing that riles farmers is to see a man and even a boy on specialised work earning £l4 a week and usually working only 40 hours a week. Is that a war effort? " he asked. "We have no double or treble pay on a farm. I hope Mr Tennent will use his influence to get the 40-hour week abolished.— (Laughter.) I say it again, a man who is working a 40-hoiir week is not doing a war effort."

Protecting Convoys Stories of the continued success of fighter aircraft in protecting Atlantic convoys are told by British seamen reaching New Zealand ports. Spitfires and Hurricanes which are catapulted from the bows of the larger merchant vessels in the convoys attack large four-engined Focke-Wulf bombers, with which the enemy is harassing Allied shipping. Usually at the cost Of their machines and at great risk to their lives, British pilots save whole convoys in this manner. Only when they are near land have the pilots a chance of saving their machines after destroying or beating off the enemy. If well out to sea they bale out and land in the sea by parachute and wait for the escorting corvette, destroyer or motor rescue boat to pick them up. Some pilots have become experts at making pancake landings in the ocean next to their " mother " ship. Striking the water with the tail down to prevent nosing over, they are frequently able to clamber on board the ship from their machines, which float for a short time.

What Is a " Dumb Animal "? During his address at the annual meeting of the Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals yesterday afternoon the president (Mr Downie' Stewart) said that he had recently come across an interesting passage on the question of the use of the words " dumb animals." The words were usually used, he said, in the sense that the animals were unable to mak*> known their sufferings or their maltreatment. But he had found recently in the biography of Winifred Holtb.v an amusing protest against the idea that animals were dumb. She wrote- " Let a townsman accustomed to the hushed hum of urban traffic sleep near a farm. If he is not awakened by the jugging of the nightingale, the hooting of owls, the howling of a dog at the moon, or the love serenades of cats, let him wait for the crowing of cocks or the early milkers bringing up the cows. Then the pigs, then the guinea fowls, then the geese and ducks, and the clucking hens advertising their new-laid eggs join the chorus with mooing cows and braying donkeys. Mr Hore-Belisha may curb the valiant toot of motorists, but just try to silence an old rooster in the dawn. Nature is not silent, and never was a name more derisively inappropriate than when we speak of these non-human creatures who hoot and bray as dumb animals."— (Laughter.)

The drawing of " You'll Be Lucky " Art Union is to take place at the Masonic Hall, The Terrace, Wellington, this morning, commencing at 9.30 a.m. Coffee tor breakfast. Order from /our grocer a tin of " Bourbon," the coffee of quality. Instructions in every tin. Prepared by Durie's, coffee specialists, 32 Octagon. Dunedin.—Advt. For rings, watches and jewellery, try Peter Dick, jewellers, 59 Princes street, Dunedin.—Advt.