In the News

Southland Times, Issue 24181, 18 July 1940, Page 8

In the News

Mail Clearances Commenting on the sub-editorial on suburban mail clearances printed in The Southland Times yesterday morning, Mr C. B. Tapley said yesterday that the deputation which had been appointed by the council of the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce last week had had a long discussion on the question with the Chief Postmaster (Mr H. Miller). The deputation had suggested that the present afternoon clearance of the suburban mail boxes should be abandoned and replaced by a clearance at 10 p.m. each day. It was understood that this arrangement would not cause great inconvenience to the department and it would certainly meet the needs of Invercargill residents who were greatly penalized because of the abandonment of the evening clearance. Enlistment Badges The enlistment badge which is being issued by the Army Office is a neatlydesigned emblem in gold and blue enamel. It is about the size of a halfpenny and it is designed in monogram style with the letter V in blue enamel on a gold background surmounted by a crown and crossed by a fernleaf. With the badge is issued a certificate bearing the holder’s name and the number of the badge. The badge must not be worn unless the holder carries the certificate, which must be produced on demand by a person with authority to do so. Rights On Titi Islands The rights of natives on the wellknown Titi (mutton-bird) Islands were explained by Judge G. P. Shepherd at the Native Land Court which sat in Invercargill yesterday. “The islands I are Crown lands,” he said, “and the only rights the natives have are the privileges to take mutton-birds; they have no ownership rights.” Sections For Patriotic Fund

Gifts of two more building sections to be raffled or sold for patriotic purposes have been received by the Southland Provincial Patriotic Council. One is a section at Bluff given by Mr and Mrs E. J. Tall, 96 Fox street, and the other is a section in Kakapo street, Waikiwi, given by Mr John Darragh, of Underwood. Hemes For British Children

Up till noon yesterday offers of homes by country residents for 90 British children had been received by the clerk of the Southland County Council. The total offers of homes so far made in Southland (city and country) will accommodate 212 children. Sitting Of Native Land Court A sitting of the Native Land Court began in Invercargill yesterday, when several applications for succession titles and other matters affecting the ownership of native lands were considered. The sitting will be continued today and tomorrow. Judge G. P. Shepherd, of Wellington, is presiding over the Court. Mr H. Katene is the clerk. Greatest Air Force “I predict that the Empire Air Force, now under construction, will be the greatest air force the world has ever known,” said the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser), speaking at Dannevirke. It had been demonstrated beyond doubt, said Mr Fraser, that the pilots, many of them New Zealanders, and the machines of the Royal Air Force were infinitely superior to those of Germany. Cromwell-Queenstown Road Advice that the Cromwell-Queens-town road was now clear was received by the secretary of the Otago Automobile Association (Mr P. F. Harre) on Tuesday night. A heavy slip occurred at the Nevis bluff on Saturday, and although a large body of Public Works men were employed the rock could not be cleared during the week-end. The road surface at this point is, however, rough, and motorists are requested to exercise care.