In the News

Southland Times, Issue 24524, 27 August 1941, Page 4

In the News

Invercargill’s ‘Only Attraction’ “The only attraction down there is the oyster season,” commented Mr K. McLeay at a meeting of the Napier Chamber of Commerce, when it was learned that the annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, was to be held this year at Invercargill. Recognition of V.C. Winner The Wanganui City Council has decided to set up a special committee to formulate a scheme for the suitable recognition of Sergeant-Pilot J. A. Ward’s distinction of being the first New Zealander in this war to win the Victoria Cross. To enable Sergeant-Pilot Ward and his friends to have “a bit of a beano,” the Wanganui Education Board is sending him a gift of £5. Throwing Pennies The practice of some wrestling patrons of throwing pennies into the ring was criticized by Mr F. H. Levien, S.M., when four men were charged with disorderly behaviour in the Auckland Town Hall. Counsel for one of the men said he was charged like the others with disorderly behaviour, but it was not a question of shouting and generally creating a disturbance. Defendant threw one penny gently into the ring, more as a joke than for any other reason. All four were ordered to pay costs. Chinese in Scottish Regiment The practice now being adopted by the military authorities of drafting balloted territorials to the ranks of established regiments in order to fill their complements has led to the association of a Chinese recruit with the Scottish Regiment in training at Burnham camp. Taking his amusing position in good part, the recruit, who is said to be the makings of a good soldier, has been subjected to much chaff I from his camp companions, who have I nicknamed him “Willie Mac-Wong.” Coins Found in Sewers I Large quantities of small coins have I been found by workmen of the Greymouth Borough Council who are at ; present cleaning the sewerage system ■ in the town. In one drain alone coins I of a total value of £3/10/- were recovI ered recently. | Demand for Horse Collars i “More horse collars are being re- ! quired today than during the last few i years, because of the petrol restrictions, ’ ■ said Mr H. Edwards, chairman of the ; Auckland Footwear Manufacturers’ AsI sociation, during a case before the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board. “Farmers are now using their horses more than their trucks,” he said. Growth of Police Force In 1901 the Police Force of New Zealand numbered 600 of all ranks; today the number exceeds 1500. In 1901 the force included 10 commissioned officers, 60 sergeants, and 25 detectives; today there are 28 commissioned officers, 155 sergeants, and 97 detectives. The police cost the country in 1901 3/I per inhabitant; today the per capita cost • is slightly more than 7/-. These figures were quoted by Inspector G. B. EdI wards at a police function in HamI ilton.

German Pamphlet to Anzacs A pamphlet dropped by a German pilot when flying over British troops in Egypt has been sent to a resident ot iTe Aroha. It reads:—“Aussies: After Crete disaster Anzac troops are now being ruthlessly sacrificed by England in Tobruk and Syria. Turkey has concluded a pact of friendship with Germany. England will shortly be driven out of the Mediterranean. Offensive from Egypt to relieve you totally smashed. You cannot escape. Our dive-bombers are waiting to sink your transports. Think of your future and your people at home. Come forward — show white flags and you ■will be out of danger. Surrender ” Planted 2,000,000 Trees Mr James Wells, a resident of Whangarei and formerly of Canterbury, who is now in his 82nd year, has planted, according to his own estimate, more than 2,000,000 trees. Twenty years ago he started tree-planting in Whangarei by laying down the plantation on Lookout Hill, and for 14 years was engaged in tree-planting at Parahaki. Mr Wells was born in Blantyre, Scotland, in the same small cottage on the bank of the Clyde where Dr Livingstone was born. Recently Mr Wells walked from Whangarei to Auckland, the trip taking five and a half days. An Anzac Rose As a tribute to the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought in North Africa and Greece, Mr Frederick H. Howard, an internationally famous rose culturist, of Montebello, California, has named his latest rose creation “Anzac.” He claims that the rose, which is a warm pink in colour, will bloom all the year round, and that the flower when fully open measures seven inches in diameter. The Anzac soldiers have proved a thorn in the side of their enemies, but the new rose is claimed to be thornless. Lucky Find An unexpected find was made by the resident of a country town not 100 miles from Dunedin when he was clearing up a hut formerly occupied by his uncle who died recently. Carefully stored away, but apparently forgotten, were 20 sovereigns and three half-sovereigns. Just how long they had remained there it would be impossible to say, but from the stains on the coins it must have been many years. Some of the coins were dated as far back as 50 years, but other than the stains of age there was none of the usual signs of wear and tear such coins used to have. Why Not Square Cheeses? A letter appearing in a recent issue of a Canadian newspaper makes the novel suggestion that to save valuable shipping space cheeses should be packed in square, and not round, crates. The letter came from a man living in Upper Wyche, Malvern, England. His name was Mr Spencer E. Warner, and from the name of his home, “Wanganui,” it is possible that he has some connection with New Zealand. In his letter he states that the change-over to square cheeses would be welcomed by the trade and It would save much precious shipping space. It is obvious, of course, that to make such a change would involve a tremendous amount of expenditure and trouble in altering plant to manufacture square cheeses.

Wild Boar’s Attack Prompt action by a returned soldier, Private Reuben Williams, probably saved the life of Mr lan Blake, of Tangowahine (North Auckland), when he was knocked down by a large wild boar.

The two men set out to hunt a wild boar which was known to be killing lambs on a farm. They were travelling along a narrow track in scrub and teatree when the boar charged, knocking Mr Blake down. The boar was on top of him when Private Williams fired from his hip, putting a bullet through the boar’s neck. Two more shots in the head killed the animal. The first bullet, after striking the boar, wounded Mr Blake in the upper part of his left leg. He was able to walk and was taken to the Northern Wairoa Hospital. Private Williams, who is aged about 26, was hampered by having his left arm in splints, the result of wounds in Crete, from where he returned last month.