NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25306, 17 August 1943, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY

rPHE executive of the Dunedin Re- -* turned Services’ Association, at its meeting last night, decided to ask the Government to expedite the importation of fruit trees from Australia and to give priority to ex-servicemen desiring trees. It was also suggested that immediate provision should be made for the establishment of nurseries in the North and South Islands as a rehabilitation measure in order to make New Zealand independent of overseas nurseries.

Service Station Entered A service station at the junction of the Anderson's Bay road and the lower road to Portobello was broken into during the week-end, entry being effected through a lavatory window. The office was ransacked, but nothing was stolen.

Tribute to Y.M.C.A. “The Y.M.C.A. secretaries in the Middle East are doing a fine job,” said Major M. D. Harvey, formerly manager of the New Zealand Forces’ Club m Cairo, in an address at the R.S.A. Social Hall last night. They were often seen in the front line distributing cigarettes to the men during an action, he added, and he “ took off his hat” to them.

Army Reorganisation In conformity with the reorganisation of the home defence forces, the Dunedin Fortress Headquarters is being abolished, and Littlebourne House, which has been used for that purpose, will be handed back to the City Corporation in about a fortnight. Following on the change, the area commander, Colonel J. G. Jeffery, with other officers of his staff, will be stationed at the Kensington Drill Hall. Walking Stick for Mr Churchill Three presentations on behalf of the Maori people were made when the Prime Minister. Mr Fraser, officially opened the Waiomio Native school yesterday morning. The first (states a Press Association message from Whangarei) was a carved walking stick, which is to be sent to Mr Churchill, the second a carved panel for Mr Fraser’s own use, and the third a gift of ornamental woods for Mrs Fraser. Eronte —and Nelson

News of the capture of Bronte by the Eighth Army in the course of the Sicilian campaign serves as a reminder that it is 144 years this month since the dukedom of Bronte was conferred on Lord Nelson. Nelson played a prominent part in assisting Ferdinand IV of Naples in repressing a rebellion in his kingdom of the Two Sicilies. The dukedom, with a small estate near Bronte, was the reward for Nelsons services.

Lunar Eclipse The eclipse of the moon yesterday morning was an interesting spectacle, the sky being perfectly clear Contact with the earth’s shadow took place almost exactly at the predicted time, and the moon, before setting, was reduced to a small crescent of light. Both the partial and the full shadow seemed to be rather darker than is often the case, and at the maximuni phase the obscured portion of the moon was scarcely visible. Tribute to Americans

The goodwill established by the American forces in the Dominion was referred to by the Prime Minister, Mr P. Fraser, at a civic dinner given by the Onehunga Borough Council to members of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. on furlough “They are a fine crowd ot men,” he said. “The many I have met have told me that they will carry away with them a love of New Zealand. The admiration they have expressed for our own boys is high indeed.” Condition of Main Street

A complaint that there were “holes that you could hide a dog in ’ between the tram rails in the main street was made by Cr D. C. Jolly at the meeting of the City Council last night. The condition' of the street was dangerous, he said, and repairs were urgently needed. In reply, the chairman of the Works Committee (Cr J. Wilson) said that the Transport Department was now repairing parts of the tram tracks, and the city engineer had made an arrangement with the department as a result of which the street would be put in order without delay. Mobile Optical Unit

A completely equipped and up-to-date mobile optical unit is now being used to provide a much-needed service for troops stationed throughout the South Island. Mounted on a four-ton chassis, and staffed by qualified opticians, the unit is fitted with the most modern equipment for optical examinations and prescriptions, and is capable of carrying out all the necessary work preparatory to the actual grinding of spectacle lenses, a process that is entrusted to private firms on a contract basis. Included in the various military units, are a combined ophthalmoscope and retinascope, a refractory unit which replaces the older system of employing trial lenses, a variable prism stereoscope for testing binocular vision and stereopsis, and a small electric welding apparatus for the repair of metal spectacle frames. Trapped! in Lift The assistance of the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Brigade was required shortly after 9.30 on Sunday night to release two servicemen and their three companions who were trapped for about half an hour in an automatic lift in a building in Customs street east. The lift jammed about four feet from the street floor level and constant shouting by the occupants failed to attract the attention of passers by on the street or of people present at a social in rooms on the third floor. When the predicament of those in the lift was eventually noticed from the ground floor the fire brigade was called, and the outside door of the lift forced open. The five people had to lower themselves through an aperture about 2ft 6in wide between the floor of the lift and the top of the outside door. Memento of Great War

A signed squadron roll presented to the women of Otago and Southland by the 7th (Southland) Regimental Squadron of the Otago Mounted Rifles before its departure for service overseas in the Great War is to be placed in the custody of the Otago Pioneer Women’s Memorial Association. The roll was prepared while the men were in camp at Tahuna Park, and was presented in appreciation of the efforts of women war workers in providing comforts and entertainment for the men. It was handed to the City Council for safe keeping and for some time has been hung in the Public Library. The Mayor (Mr" A. H. Allen) stated at the meeting of the City Council last night that a request had been made to him by representatives of the Pioneer Women’s Memorial Association that the roll should be placed in its keeping. This course was approved by the council. It was stated that the signature of “Dick” Travis, V.C., appeared on the roll.

Coastal Shipping and Railways Concern at the future for coastal shipping and fear lest there should be a return to “cut-throat’ and uneconomic competition with other forms of transport, especially the railways, were expressed at the monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Harbour Board. The subject arose as a result of a letter from the Northern Steamship Company recording the definite opinion of the directors that the time was ripe when consideration should be given to the question of what was to be done when the war was over. The question will be further discussed at the next meeting of the board. The chairman of the board, Mr C. E. Bellringer, said that years ago the board had pointed out the serious position arising from the competition of the railways. The Harbour Boards’. Association had taken up the question of railway competition 20 years ago, and had been fighting it ever since. It had been suggested that with the object of ensuring fair and equitable conditions a board should be appointed similar to that operating in England, where, however, conditions were different because both shipping and railways were owned by private companies.