LOCAL AND GENERAL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 64, Issue 4535, 11 February 1942, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Fishing in the Rangitata near the railway bridge, Alan Scott, aged 13, of Winchester (Canterbury), landed a 201 b. quinnat salmon. Contrary to all expectations, the run of salmon which commenced early in January is continuing. Fish are still being caught in both the Rangitata and Opihi Rivers.

It is probable that the medical examination of reservists called up in the recent ballot for military service will occupy five or six days. Just over 150 men will be examined in Te Awamutu, and it is hoped to deal with at least twenty each day, starting next Monday. It is probable that no sitting of the Board will be held on the following Thursday.

At a meeting of the Committee of the local Swimming Club last night it was reported that several generous donations of trophies and cash had made it possible to give prizes for all gala night events, and to provide for suitable points prizes for events in series, such as the championship and the Middlebrook and Weatherell Cups. Prizes will be given to winners at last Friday’s sports.

Last evening, when the Committee of the Te Awamutu Swimming Club were discussing holding another gala night, they received such a broad hint about lighting restrictions that they decided to hold their next meeting in daylight—on Saturday, 21st instant. The last swimming sports were such a success that it was felt desirable that the championships and the Middlebrook and Weatherell Cups contests should be continued.

The meeting in the Panehakua Hall, Puahue, convened for last evening to consider the All Purposes patriotic appeal, was poorly attended. Mr L. S. Richards presided, and it was decided, on the motion of Mr W. G. Park, seconded bv Mr A. Cooper, that the meeting, which that night was regarded as hardly representative of the district, be adjourned till Saturday evening next. It is honed that there will be a good, representative meeting of residents on that occasion.

On Monday evening last a fire in a northerly direction from Te Awamutu attracted widespread attention. The scene of the outbreak turned out to be the Rukuhia Swamp, which had caught fire and blazed fiercely for some hours. The exact seat of the fire was an area between the Frank-ton-Ohaupo portion of the Main Trunk railway and the Frankton-Tuhikara-mea road. Yesterday the fire had died down, but the peat was still smouldering.

The unity of the Chinese the world over in the attempt to defeat Japan and the financial assistance being given in New Zealand with this in view, were referred to by Mr Charlie Meng Yee at a meeting of the Gisborne Rotary Club. Mr Meng Yee said all -overseas Chinese were organising and working together to help by sending money home. There were about 3000 Chinese in New Zealand, and they taxed their employees’ incomes to the extent of 2s in the £1 and the employers paid l‘os a week. By this means they had sent £lOO,OOO to China.

At the monthly meeting of the St. John Ambulance Brigade there were present Superintendent I. Deed and Messrs W. Mensforth, A. H. Roberts, C. Petersen, E. Onion, E. Menary, L. Steele, A. Vette, and J. Vette. A general discussion took place on the advisability of obtaining new members to fill the vacancies caused by members going overseas. There were only seven active members left, one of whom would be going into camp any day now. Hope was expressed that anyone wishing to join would step forward and help to swell the sadlydepleted ranks. Accounts passed for payment totalled £7 13s 9d.

“You are engaged in the production of a commodity more valuable to the country than any other raw materials,” said the chairman (Mr G. A. Maddison) at a sitting of the No. 7 Area Manpower- Committee, in addressing a Maori shearer, for whom the Director of National Service had lodged an appeal against overseas service. “Without the manufacture of fleece into uniforms for the services, we in New Zealand could not hope to maintain our navy, army and air force. Although it is distasteful to us to arrive at this decision, we can assure you that by remaining in your shearing position you will be performing a signal service to the country.” Admiration was expressed of the reservist’s attitude and his readiness to serve in a combatant capacity, for which he had volunteered.