LOCAL AND GENERAL

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22215, 7 March 1942, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Peter Pan’s Page Owing to pressure on space. Peter Pan’s Page has been held over till Monday. Injured in Fall The condition of Mrs E. Bracefield. 55 North Street, who was admitted to the Tiinaru Public Hospital after suffering a fractured femur following a fall at her home, was described last night as satisfactory. Dahlia Display For the dahlia display at the Public Library this week there were only three entrants, but the quality of the blooms shown was good considering the sharp frost experienced earlier in the week. The awards were as follows: Giant decorative informal: G. H. Edgeler 1 and 2, R. W. O’Connor 3. Giant decorative formal: R. W. O’Connor 1 and 2. Giant semi-cactus: R. W. O'Connor 1 and 2. Medium semi-cactus: R. W. O’Connor 1 and 2. Miniature decorative: G. H. Edgeler 1, R. R. Wills 2. Miniature semi-cactus: R. R. Wills 1 and 2. Pom-poms: R. W. O’Connor 1, R. R. Wills 2. Public Safely The definition of the term “public safety,” as defined tn the Censorship and Publicity Emergency Regulations, Is extended by an amendment gazetted last night, the term is stated in the principal regulations to “include the effective conduct of the military, naval or air operations of his Majesty, the maintenance of industries essential to the public welfare and the prevention of seditious utterances.” The amendment extends this definition to include the prevention of subversive statements within the meaning of the Public Safety Emergency Regulations or its amendments. Callous Act An extraordinary action which might rank as common theft, but which in time of emergency would be described as sabotage or “fifth column” work, was discovered by the Lines of Communication Section during training near Invercargill. At one of these posts, which had been wired for communication, it was found that about 30 yards of underground cable and all its connections had been torn out and removed. The theft shows a callous disregard by individuals for the security of the country. The class of cable required for the purpose is difficult to obtain at present and its replacement will not be a simple matter. Men Released For Service The extent to which the Railways Department was endeavouring to make men available for military duty was demonstrated before the Auckland District Manpower Committee, when 22 appeals for railway employees were withdrawn. In most cases the appeals had been lodged owing to the men being engaged on special work, but the difficulties had since disappeared. “These withdrawals give a good idea of the way in which the department is measuring up to its obligations,” said th: chairman of the committee, Mr H. A. Anderson. “It has done all in its power to release as many men as possible without impairing the operations of the railways.” Desert the Best Battlefield Many interesting reminiscences were told by recently returned New Zealand sick and wounded personnel when talking to N.Z.R.S.A. members. One seriously injured New Zealander remarked In referring to the fighting in Libya “You have no idea how pleased the division was to realise that it was fighting a clear-cut issue between troops, with no elderly people, women, or children to suffer the bombing and strafe. You can’t beat the desert for a battle.” Cheeriness, despite their disabilities, was the order of the day, when the N.Z.R.S.A.. representative chatted to each member of the returned draft. Those with amputations were informed of men with similar disablements from World War I and how they had made good. Comfort for Mothers The following letter was written by a commanding officer to the Sydney mother of a soldier who was killed in action in Malaya, but it can really be taken as an open letter of comfort to all who have lost relatives in the war: “Proud mother, your boy has ennobled you. He has covered you with glory. He has given his life for his country, his conviction, and above ail for you. Do not fret. Would your gallant son like that? He would be ashamed that you could not take it. He will always be young. Age, sickness and other evils can never touch him. He died to save you from the horrible Yellow peril, a thing worse than death. Could you hold your head up if your son had not done his duty? Think, mother, how proud your heart swells for the honour that surrounds your boy. Your own laddie, who gave his life for Australia, for you. Your head is bowed in sorrow. Lift up your- head, mother of a hero Be worthy of such a lad. Australia thanks you.” Return to Civil Life

A decision that Captain G. Mitchell, commander of the Blenheim company of the National Military Reserve, must relinquish his military duties and return to his civilian occupation as secretary of the Marlborough Hospital Board, was given by the No. 9 Manpower Committee, which had reserved its decision when the Board’s appeal was heard. In giving the decision the chairman of the committee (Mr G. L. Page) again emphasised the fact that th.' case had been a most difficult one to decide, but after a great deal of deliberation it had been felt that under the conditions with which their organisation was now faced the needs of the hospital authorities for the services of their administrative officer must receive first consideration. This conclusion, said Mr Page, had been arrived at separately by eacn member of the committee. On Mr Page’s suggestion it was agreed that representatives of the Hospital Board and the Army should confer as to the date on which Captain Mitchell should be released from his military duties.