NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26779, 24 May 1948, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Children’s Effort

During the school holidays several children in the Opoho district busied themselves raising money for the distressed children of Europe. Three schoolboys made their own puppet show and, going from house to house, collected about £5 for the Children of Europe Fund. A group of schoolgirls from two Opoho families raised over £3 by selling sweets and doing messages. The girls also organised a con - cert which was given in one of their homes. No Meat Problem

Meat rationing does not trouble the meteorological staff on Campbell Island. Wild sheep, according to Mr T. L. Macquarie, engineer on the auxiliary ketch Ranui, are plentiful and the quality of the mutton is excellent. To give added Weight to his words Mr Macquarie cut some from a joint for a Daily Times reporter, who after sampling it, entirely agreed with him about its quality. Motor Plant Reduces Staff

A second motor vehicle assembly plant in the Hutt Valley has found U necessary to dismiss 50 men. The reason given is the inability of the firm to obtain additional licences for the importation of commercial vehicles and motor cars from the United Kingdom. Only a few weeks ago another big assembly works had to dispense with the services of some 60 employees for a similar reason.

Pay as You Earn A “ pay-as-you-earn" system has been adopted by the Hutt Valley Electric Power Board in respect of the payment of income tax by its employees. The board will, if an employe agrees, deduct the necessary amount from his wages and pay the money into a Post Office account. There are two trustees from the staff. Each employee in the scheme can either draw out his amount, with interest, annually and pay his tax, or the board will pay the tax for him out of the fund. About 61 per cent. of the employees have taken advantage of the offer.

Drilling for Oil Drilling for oil will be started at Moturoa in about four weeks if the weather in the meantime does not slow up the erection of a derrick plant which has already been raised about 40 feet, or one third of the ultimate height, and some of the heavy draw works are in position, states the Post's New Plymouth correspondent. The site of the new bore, which is sponsored by New Zealand Oil Refineries, Limited, is about 1000 feet south-west of No. 4 bore in the Ngamotu Beach, which has been a steady producer for 15 years. Crude oil from this bore gives a higher percentage of petrol than that from any other bore in the area. Houses as Offices

“ Strongest exception should be taken to the policy of the Government in buying residences for office purposes," said Mr C. M. Bowden, M.P., during an address at Karori. “There are many house properties occupied by the Government, a number in the Thorndon district, others on the Terrace, and in Fitzherbert terrace and Wallace street, and now Boulcott street, to mention just a few,” said Mr Bowden. “If these were available for residential purposes, many families could be accommodated who at present cannot get a roof over their heads, and probably take a dim view of the Government's action.” Roads to Suit As vehicles were increasing in size and speed, the Main Highways Board had to make the roads to suit them, commented the motorists’ representative on the board (Mr M. H. Wynyard) to the council of the North Island Motor Union. Mr Wynyard said that the standard of highway construction recently had been better than ever before. There were problems from the increase in heavy traffic, and to meet them the board had to increase the strength and width of the roads. Last year the board had done 601 miles of sealing, 227 miles of which was new sealing, and next year it was hoped to seal an even greater mileage.

Bold Contradiction . A remark by the Governor-General, Sir Bernard Freyberg, V.C., when, as General Officer Commanding the 2nd N.Z.E.F., he contradicted Mr Churchill and perhaps influenced the emphasis of British war strategy, was recalled by his Excellency at a reception held by the English Speaking Union in Auckland. Sir Bernard said he was dining at 10 Downing Street in July, 1940, when Mr Churchill declared that England was the decisive theatre. He had the temerity to contradict the Prime Minister and to say: “No, if we lose Egypt ” He thought his opinion made no impression, but an incident which was the outcome of his remark proved him to be wrong and furnished an illustration of Mr Churchill's character. It occurred when, shortly afterward, he was called to the War Office and asked to write an appreciation on the Middle East. “ I still have a copy of it,” his Excellency added.

For rings, watches and jewellery, try Peter Dick, Jeweller, 36 Princes street, Dunedin.—Advt.