NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25101, 17 December 1942, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

SPHERE was a realistic prelude to the A demonstration of the working of the new turntable ladder which was given yesterday by members of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade. The function, which was timed to begin at 2.30 p.m., had to be delayed for nearly half an hour because a few minutes before the starting time the alarm was sounded and the brigade turned out with two engines to a fire at premises in King street. The outbreak, however, did not prove of a serious jiature, and most of the members were back at the station within half an hour.

R.S.A. Membership At a recent meeting of the Dominion Executive Committee of the New Zealand Returned Services’ Association it was reported that the membership of the association at November 30 showed an increase of 2811, of whom 1342 were returned men of the present war. The total number of men of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. who have joined the association now stands at 2363.

A Waste of Whisky Going with a man to the cellars of a Christchurch club, a boy of 16, while roaming round, turned on the tap of a 30-gallon keg of whisky, thinking it was beer. He broke the tap, and was unable to turn it off, with the result that whisky to the value of £142 ran to waste on the floor. These facts were given by Senior Detective Nuttall in the Children’s Court, t when the youth was charged with committing mischief. The boy was placed under the supervision of the child welfare officer for 12 months.

City Rates The city treasurer, Mr H. H. Henderson. said yesterday that the amount paid in city rates to date this year was £180,094 out of a total of £362,866, which was equivalent to 49.8 per cent. December 28 is the last day on which payment may be made without incurring the penalty of 10 per cent, on unpaid rates. Last year the Anal day for such payment was December 18. There are still seven working days left before the final date of payment, and at the corresponding period of last year the amount collected was £153,200 out of a total rate of £342,900, this representing 44.68 per cent,

Hospital and University The Finance Committee will recommend at the meeting of the Otago Hospital Board to-night that, in connection with the notices appearing in the local press with respect to proposed alterations in the constitution of the council of the University of Otago, the following resolution be approved:—“ The Otago Hospital Board has valued the liaison existing between the Otago University Council and itself, and believes that its representatives have without exception proved to be valuable members of the council. This board would view with regret the prospect of a discontinuance of the present relationship.”

An Opportunity to Practice A suggestion that the girls engaged in learning tractor work in Dunedin might cut the grass at the Caledonian Ground was made last night at the quarterly meeting of delegates to the Otago Council of Sport, at which the problem of cutting the grass was again discussed. It was stated that the grass was growing quickly in spite of the fact that 50 sheep were grazing there and that - the ground would soon be required for sporting purposes The first cut of grass would be a major task almost like cutting a crop of oats, but it was thought that it would be good practice for the girl tractor drivers. It was decided to place the suggestion before the Primary Production Council.

Snooker Ball Thief The alertness of a constable in Courtenay place, Wellington, resulted, in inquiries being made from the proprietor of a billiard saloon and the pursuit and arrest of a young seaman, who appeared before Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., charged with the theft of snooker balls valued at £l4. Anthony Brandon Loughlin, seaman, aged 22, pleaded guilty and was committed to probation for 12 months as it was his first offence. The police stated that a constable heard the rattling of the snooker balls as Loughlin ran from the saloon, and was able to make a prompt arrest after the proprietor had laid a complaint.

Begging Children Charges that a group of Wellingtou children, boys and girls aged about nine years, were systematically begging for money from visiting American servicemen were made a few days ago. A well-known citizen stated that he had watched the children at work in Courtenay place this week. He heard them ask for and saw them receive small sums of money from Americans. Later he saw two of the children handing the money they had received to a woman. He spoke to an American, who said that he was continually pestered by children asking for money. The visitor added: “They talk about the rackets in the United States, but they’ve got nothing on this.” Wanton Mischief

Unable to give any reason for her act, a girl, aged 16, slashed with a razor blade new boots and shoes to the value of £SO in the factory at Christchurch where she was employed. She was charged in the Children’s Court with committing mischief, and was placed under the supervision of the child welfare officer for 18 months. For some time it had been found that boots and shoes in the factory had been damaged by slashing them with a razor blade, said. Senior Detective Nuttall. Over 70 pairs had been damaged. When interviewed the girl said that she did not know why she did it. She had no grudge against her employers and it was just sheer wanton mischief, concluded the senior detective.

The Transport Situation Discussing the transport situation the new Minister of Transport (Mr J. O’Brien), speaking at Greymouth, said that he would be called upon to make some very important decisions in the near future, particularly in the direction of conserving petrol and tyres. Only six weeks .to two months’ supply of commercial tyres was available in the Dominion, and any tendency by certain firms to hoard tyres would have to be rigorously opposed so that the best possible service could be given the community as a whole in the most efficient manner. Having just taken over the portfolio, it was too early yet to say a great deal about it. but it was apparent that duplication of road and ran services would have to be reduced to the minimum and that zoning would increase. The carriage of goods by sea would be encouraged.

Calling New Zealanders A diary with pages full of New Zealand addresses has been brought back to New Zealand by Mr Bernard Page, who was city organist at Wellington for 20 years. Just before he left England, he was bombarded with messages to give to people in this country, and telephone numbers to ring. Mr Page met hundreds of New Zealanders at the New Zealand Forces Club in London and other places, and he obligingly took down all the names and addresses he was given, which covered all parts of the country, together with some intimate messages. One of these is “ Somewhere over the Rainbow,” which is intended to bring a sentimental memory to an Auckland girl from a New Zealand lad in London. Another from two airmen is ‘‘Tell him we’re drinking.” Mr Page said the people he met from this country were happy and enjoying life in England. Government Motor Cars

Representations to the Public Service Commissioner regarding the safety of Government motor cars are reported in the Public Service Journal. The Executive Council of the Public Service Association, when interviewing the commissioner, stated that in some cases officers were asked to drive cars for which a warrant of fitness would not be issued if the cars were privately owned, thus creating a grave danger. Several cases had been quoted where no warrant was in existence. The complaints applied to both departmental and Post and Telegraph cars, and came from Rotorua. New Plymouth, Kalkoura, Tokanui, and Invercargill. The commissioner informed the council (hat, so far as he knew. Government cars should have warrants of fitness, as in the case of private cars. The council decided to supply information on specific cases.