In the News

Southland Times, Issue 24237, 21 September 1940, Page 6

In the News

■- Consolidation Of Schools The fact that on account of the petrol restrictions the Education Department is not at present encouraging the consolidation of country schools was mentioned by the Minister of Education (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason) during the conference which he had with members of the Southland Education Board yesterday. The chairman of the board (Mr S. Rice) assured the Minister that the schools in the board’s district, which had been brought to his notice as requiring renewal, additions or alterations, were not in any case likely to be subject to consolidation later.

Valuable War Effort The contribution New Zealand was making towards the war effort was a valuable one, said the chairman of directors (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) at the annual meeting of the Southland Farmers’ Co-operative Association, Ltd., yesterday. It was easy to criticize, he said, but he thought New Zealand was playing its part in earnest. Wheat-Germ Bread

Bakers in Invercargill are taking a keen interest in the evolution of the new process for the inclusion in bread of the wheat-germ. So far as was known in Invercargill, the new process was not being used commercially in Southland, said representatives of the trade yesterday. One baker said he considered that it would come in time, but bakers would have to have more information about the process before wheat-germ bread could be put on sale. National Fitness Rally

Good wishes from the Minister of Man-Power (the Hon. R, Semple) for the success of the national fitness and sports rally which is to be held under the auspices of the Invercargill Metropolitan Patriotic Committee at Rugby Park on September 28 were brought by the chairman of the committee (Mr W. Grieve) when he returned from Wellington last night. Mr Grieve said he had intended calling upon the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. P. C. Webb), but he was out of town. Mr Semple said that while it might not be possible for a Minister to visit Invercargill for the rally, both he and Mr Webb would send messages of goodwill on the day.

Soldiers’ Club The Southland Provincial Patriotic Council has been asked through the chairman of the executive (Mr W. Grieve) to provide the cheese, the coffee and the condensed milk for the Union Jack Soldiers’ Club at Christchurch. Mr Grieve visited the club this week and he said last night that it was the finest soldiers’ club he had seen. It was particularly well appointed, the service was excellent, and there would be many soldiers from Southland who would enjoy its hospitality. Mr Grieve was also asked if the Patriotic Council would supply copies of the Southland newspapers for the club. London Relief Fund

The town clerk of Invercargill wishes to acknowledge the following additional donations to the London Air Raid Relief Fund:—“J. Sonboy,” £5; the Misses Irving (Roslyn Bush), £2. Sound Position

The sound financial position of the Southland Farmers’ Co-operative Association Ltd. was referred to by Mr E. A. Cameron at the annual meeting of the association yesterday when expressing thanks for his re-election to the directorate. Although they did not know what lay ahead he thought they could look forward to the future with confidence.

Street Lighting At Rosedale A request that six extra street lights be installed at Rosedale was received by the Southland County Council at its meeting yesterday in a petition which was signed by 26 Rosedale ratepayers. The points suggested were at the corners of Wilton and High streets; Wilton and Terrace Wilton and Lomond streets; Wilton and Talbot streets, Waihopai and High streets, and Waihopai and Lomond streets. This locality, it was stated, was at present unlighted. The matter was left in the hands of the riding member (Mr A. S; McNaught) and the engineer (Mr G. R. Milward). Dominion Day

Although Dominion Day will be observed on Monday, Thursday marks the anniversary of the raising of New Zealand to Dominion status. On the return of the late Sir Joseph Ward from England in 1907 he brought back as his “surprise packet” the news that New Zealand was henceforth to be officially styled as a Dominion. The Order-in-Council issued by the King was dated September 9, 1907, and took effect from September 26 of the same year. Dominion Day is now observed on the nearest Monday to September 26, hence its observance on Monday, when legal offices and banks in Southland will be closed. Free Road Service

The free road service scheme of the Automobile Association (Southland) is widely appreciated by members, states the annual report of the association. A total of 213 services for members was given during the year at a cost to the association of £ll2/4/10.

Land To Give Away A Southland woman through a legacy has become the owner of a small section in sandy land well north of the Waimairi Beach Surf Club’s pavilion. In a letter to the Waimairi County Council seh asked on what conditions she could abandon th section to the council. The chairman (Mr J. Liggins) said that the rates owing on the land were 7/5. Cr W. J. Walter suggested that it should be made the prize in a patriotic raffle. Another member said that it might be impossible to discover where the section really was. It was decided to inform the owner that it was legally not possible for her to abandon the land to the council.

Hall To Be Moved Permission to the Oteramika Hall Committee to shift the Oteramika Sunday School hall along the main road to a site 10 chains distant from the present location was granted by the Southland County Council at ■ its meeting yesterday. In a letter received by the council the committee said the hall would be dragged by a tractor over skids which would be placed on the road. It was not expected that the road would be damaged, but if it was the committee would pay for repairs.

Appeal For Packing Cases The Patriotic Council would appreciate the gift from business firms and others of large size packing cases to enable soldiers’ Christmas parcels to be shipped overseas. Cases may be left at the patriotic rooms in The Southland Times buildings, Esk street, where the parcels are being made up.

Five Brothers Serving Pilot Officer Michael James Herrick, who has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, is a son of Mr and Mrs E. J. Herrick, Lindisfarne, Pakowhai road. Hastings. Five Herrick brothers are with the Air Force or the Navy. Pilot Officer Herrick, who

is 19 years of age, is the youngest son. He spent four years at the Wanganui Collegiate School, and in April last year he joined the RoyaJ Air Force, going to the Cranwell Flying School in England for training. When the war came he was well advanced in hij training and eventually went into active service. Lieuten nt T. D. Herrick, the second son of Mr and Mrs Herrick, is on active service with the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean. There is another son, Pilot Officer B. H. Herrick, with the Royal Air Force. D. T. Herrick is with the Royal New Zealand Air Force and is stationed at Wigram. He has just completed his training and has been given his wings. Sub-Lieutenant L. E. Herrick is serving in a submarine in the Royal Navy.