In the News

Southland Times, Issue 24055, 20 February 1940, Page 6

In the News

Wool Appraisal

The second wool appraisal in Invercargill was completed by the Government valuers yesterday. The basis of •valuation was the same as that for the first appraisal. Prompt date has been fixed for March 4.

Dogfish Caught at Bluff While fishing from the east end of the main wharf at Bluff yesterday a visitor landed a dog fish. This is a species of shark and resembles the grey nurse variety in appearance. The fish, which was nearly four feet long, put up a great fight before finally being landed. Fire At Menzies Ferry

Fire destroyed a five-roomed wooden house in Coal Pit road, Menzies Ferry, early yesterday afternoon. The house was owned and occupied by Mr Albert Duthie and his family. The house ana outbuildings were completely destroyed and only one or two articles of clothing were saved from the contents of the building. The origin of the fire is unknown, smoke was first seen in the roof over the front room and superheater. Mrs Duthie was in the washhouse av the time of the outbreak. Her baby was in the house but it was rescued unharmed. The house and contents were insured with the Royal Insurance Company.

Reservists To Parade Men in Class II of the National Military Reserve will hold their first parade of the year in the Drill Hall at 7.30 tomorrow night. They will be given a lesson in tactics by Captain T. Ham. Sand will be used on the floor for the tactical exercises. It is hoped that there will be a full attendance.

Drainage at Airport In spite of the recent heavy rains and the high level of Lake Hawkins, the surface at the Invercargill airport yesterday was hard and firm—an indication that the drainage system is likely to be successful. The large drain encircling the ground has been completed and the interior drains are well advanced. It is hoped to have the ground ready for use next summer.

Visit To Health Camp Dr Elizabeth Gunn, Director of School Hygiene, visited the Omaui health camp yesterday accompanied by Dr E. Irwip, school medical officer in Southland, and members of the Health Camp Committee. Dr Gunn inspected the arrangements at the camp and the children and expressed herself as well satisfied with what she saw. This second camp has been unfortunate in experiencing very wet weather which has interfered with the children’s outdoor activities. They have all done very well in spite of the adverse conditions. The camp breaks up on Friday.

Service in the Navy “No more applications are at present required for service in the Royal Navy,” said the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) in an interview. He explained that in response to previous announcements many hundreds of applications had been received from technicians, tradesmen, yachtsmen, and others. Selections for technicians and tradesmen had already been made, and selections were now being made for yachtsmen. The Minister said that the applications from yachtsmen totalled more than 500, and that the vacancies at present were limited to 10, so that it was not at present possible to deal with any new applications. In the event, later, of further applications being required, a public announcement would be made. In the meantime, it was hoped that members of the public would refrain from calling at or writing to the Navy Office, since the staff was fully occupied in dealing with candidates whose applications had already been filed, and who would shortly receive a communication about their selection. '

Fewer Bankruptcies Bankruptcies dealt with by the Official Assignees in 1939 numbered 230, as compared with 267 in 1938 and 222 in 1937, according to the Abstract of Statistics for New Zealand. The 1939 figure is, with the exception of 1937, the lowest recorded since 1920. Private assignments totalled 79, as compared with 73 in 1938 and 86 in 1937. The 1938 figure is the lowest on record since the information first became available in 1928.

Change of Fare on Troopship The exceptionally fine treatment accorded members of the Ist Echelon at sea had an unexpected result in one case, when officers travelling by one of the liner transports, after a fortnight of messing on the excellent but somewhat foreign food provided on the vessel, requested plainer fare. Letters concerning the change have been received from a young officer. Stating that living conditions were amazing, he commented that “every once in a while I pinch myself to make sure that it is really me who is having this good time.” “The meals are wonderful and served perfectly,” said a letter dated early in the voyage, but a change of tone was apparent in one written less than a week later. “The messing arrangements for the men are excellent, and, frankly, after the remarkable food served in our mess, I would be glad to change places with them,” he wrote. “We thought our meals were wonderful at first, but give me New Zealand lamb, green peas, and new potatoes, and I would be happy.” Before the ship had been at sea a fortnight the change in opinion had become complete. “We are now all heartily sick of highly-flavoured dishes, tricky entrees, and the other miscellany,” a letter states. “The day of reckoning came yesterday, and as a result of a combined procession of officers to the powers we are all set for a spot of real cooking. This morning we had porridge, beef steak, bacon and eggs, and sausages. Good old New Zealand cooking. The fellows are very pleased at their efforts.”