Local and General News

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21957, 8 May 1941, Page 4

Local and General News

“Must be Good Chaps” “I am very glad to see all you gentlemen returned,” said Mr T. B. Garrick (chairman of the Levels County Council), at monthly meeting of that body yesterday. “It s.'jws that we must lie good chaps, or they would not put us back again.” Crowded Living Conditions The crowded conditions under which an Auckland family is living were revealed when a woman appeared on a minor charge in the Magistrate's Court on Saturday “Accused is a married woman of 35,” said Sub-Inspector Pender, “and has nine children. I understand that she, her husband and seven of the children all live in one room of a house in the city.” Soldier Stretcher Cases Five soldiers, stretcher cases, who have been in Wellington Hospital for observation since the arrival of their hospital ship, reached Auckland in a special coach attached to the express from Wellington yesterday. They were met by military officials and relatives and driven by ambulance to the Auckland Hospital. All are progressing well. Too Young to Register An unusual distinction has been gained by Mr J. G. Norman, of River Road, Hamilton, who has been informed that he passed the recent pharmaceutical examinations, but cannot register as a chemist for two years, as he is only 19. Completing his first examination in July, 1940, Mr Norman completed his final exammation, which is considered a two years’ course, in six months. Short Pastorates Speaking at the meeting of the Presbytery of Dunedin on Tuesday, the Rev. Thomas Miller said that it was necessary to-day to do all possible to prevent unduly short pastorates. Instead of expediting the endeavour of some ministers to move after a brief period a leg-rope might well be applied to some men. Short pastorates weakened men; long ones tended to strengthen. Fishermen Suffer The fishing fleet operating from Port Ahuriri has suffered severely as a result of the recent heavy rain. Swollen rivers discharging into Hawke Bay have brought down considerable quantities of debris including large logs and small trees. These have been gathered up in trawling operations and have wrought havoc with fishing nets. Catches have been very poor as a result of the flood, although there is no immediate prospect of any severe shortage of fish. Letter on Biscuit An Australian soldier serving in the Middle East has sent to his wife now residing in Dunedin, a unique war souvenir by post. To convey greetings to his wife he used a large army biscuit, writing the address on one side and a message on the other side. Although this biscuit measuring about 6in square and tin thick, was damaged in transit, it was safely delivered by the postman recently. “Now you can try an army biscuit yourself,” said the soldier. “It is very useful for building dugouts, also useful for a stepping stone in swamps. It is useful, in fact, for almost anything except eating.” America and Libya The United States was given credit for the British victory over the Italians in North Africa recently by the Italian news weekly “Tempo.” The article said the war had become a conflict between all Europe and the “Anglo Saxon world,” in which England continued to exist only because America was supporting her. In this world, said “Tempo,” “there exists materially only North America; not England, which lives and fights only because the United States makes it possible. The latest proof is the North African offensive, made possible only by the American neutrality which furnished tanks, aeroplanes, ammunition and artillery.” Military Fashions News photographs just received from England throw light on two Important matters. One is the new military moustache, which is also to some extent in vogue in the Royal Air Force. Clean shaves still predominate in both services, but the new adornment is making a strong bid for favour. It runs the full width of the mouth and terminates in waxed points extending outward and at an angle of 45 degrees. The effect is cheery, optimistic and suggestive of the “thumbs up” sign. The other point of interest is that the “Sam Browne” belt, with shoulder-strap supporting a non-existent sword, is beginning to find its way back, as everybody expected that It ultimately would, in spite of official discouragement. Wager Won Because they, had carefully fished the Waitahanui river, Taupo, for long hours without touching a single trout, some of the overseas guests at the Waitahanui Lodge challenged the proprietor, Mr F. Fletcher, last Saturday night, to produce visible proof that fish were to be caught in the river. Out of the challenge there arose a small wager, Mr Fletcher undertaking to catch a trout within 10 minutes of making his first cast. Watched by a doubting party, Mr Fletcher prepared his gear, chose a suitable night fly, and walked across the road from his lodge to the Boat Pool. On his first cast a fish took the fly and attempted to run down the river. With precious seconds ticking away, Mr Fletcher held the fish firmly, brought it ashore in nine minutes, and ran back with it, still struggling in his hands, to the lodge, delivering his fish within the stipulated 10 minutes and winning his wager. Ambulance Examination The following members of the Timaru St. John Ambulance and Nursing Dlvisioiw were successful in the examination held in February: Miss May Elizabeth Marriott, Miss Isabel Elizabeth Young, Miss Mary Morrison Toneycllffe, Mrs Mabel Airini Brownie, Miss Florence Mary Clissold, Mrs Beatrice Pickering, Miss May Boulton, Miss Anne Ritchie, Mrs Kathleen Janette Thomas, Miss Jean Doig Stuart, Mrs Agnes McLeay, Mrs Gertrude Marie Marshall, Miss Margaret Mary Cosgrove, Miss Ellen Theresa McAteer. Messrs Hubert Arthur Toneycliffe, Albert Edward Chapman, William George Drew, George Arthur Hutt, Thomas Henry Innes, Ronald Hannam, Daniel Hartstonge, Frank William Burford, Frederick Burberry, Colin Peter Tutty. The lecturer was District Officer J. Dickson, of Christchurch.