Hats Banned.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 July 1939, Page 4

Hats Banned.

Another outcome of the import restrictions would appear to be that men will eventually have to rely upon New Zealand-made felt hats, as there is a total ban upon imported ones. Retailers appear to be carrying fair stocks at present, but these must eventually be reduced. Several factories in New Zealand make hats, which are completed from imported raw material. Extensions at Ruakura. The building of laboratories with their appropriate offices, principally for the study of eczema among stock, has now been practically completed at Ruakura, and full occupation should be made in a day or two. There is now a proposal, however, to provide consider - ably more accommodation at the research station in order to enlarge investigation into animal diseases. Plans for this extra occommodation have not been finally considered. A War Souvenir. To have a good-sized piece of shrapnel taken from his leg over 20 years after he had been wounded by it, was the recent experience of a Hastings resident. The man was wounded by shrapnel during the last year of the war, and spent some time in hospital recovering from his injuries. While Walking in the street several weeks ago he was seized by a sudden violent pain in the leg in which he had been injured, and was unable to straighten the limb. He was removed to hospital, the leg was X-rayed, and the cause of the disability was discovered—a piece of steel. In ail operation this was removed, the man has recovered, and he has in his possession an unusual war souvenir in the shape of a blackened piece of irregularly-shaped steel. Clean Swimming Water. The installation of the new water treatment plant at the Parnell saltwater swimming bath is practically completed, and will shortly be ready for a trial run. The new system will be ready for operation when the baths open for the coming season early in October, and it is expected that, with the water constantly kept sterile and perfectly safe for swimming, the baths will be more popular than ever. Formerly the water was chlorinated as the bath was being filled, but as this could be done only at intervals oi about a week, there were times when the water was suspect. Now the water from the pool will be pumped through filters, aerated and treated to deal with bacteria before being returned to the bath. The water will be turned over every 11 hours, the plant having a capacity of 80,000 gallons an hour. A similar plant is to be installed at the Shelly Beach baths. Absence of Hoardings. “One of the most attractive features of motoring in certain parts of Europe is the absence of those glaring roadside hoardings which so frequently distract the attention of the driver and all 100 often detract from the beauty of New Zealand's countryside, writes Mr R. E. Champtaloup, touring manager of the Auckland Automobile Association,, who is visiting Europe. The small Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. lying between France. Belgium, and Germany, is descrioed by Mr Champtaloup as a tourists' paradise. Although he motored extensively through the grand duchy, he did not see a single roadside advertisement, and on questioning the official who was accompanying him he was advised that the authorities realised the value of prohibiting the erection of advertising signs. Germany had made a move in the same direction, and on the principal motor highways along which Mr Champtaloup travelled there was an entire absence of advertising hoardings.

The St. Matthew's Collegiate School Parents' Association will hold a children's fancy dress party on Saturday. July 22, in the School. Assembly Hall