Fine Begonia Blooms.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 January 1942, Page 2

Fine Begonia Blooms.

At present there is a particularly fine showing of blooms in the begonia house at the Masterton Park. Blind Persons. More than 1200 blind persons are known to the New Zealand Institute for the Blind. St. Patrick’s Church, Parishioners of St. Patrick's Church. Masterton, are notified by advertisement on page one that Mass will be celebrated at 6.30 a.m., 9 a.m. and 10.45 a.m. on Sunday, January 18.

Special Church Service. All ex-members of the 17th Ruahine Regiment of the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force are specially invited to attend a church service at St. Matthew’s on Sunday at 9.30 a.m.

Fishing Prospects. A statement on the weekend fishingprospects, issued yesterday, says . that the Manawatu and Rangitikkei rivers are in flood, and the prospects in those districts are not bright. In all other parts of the Wellington district, rivers are clear, and prospects are good.

Holiday Rail Traffic. Despite travelling restrictions. 3000 more pasengers left Palmerston North by rail during the holidays than in the corresponding period last year. The increased number is the result of shorter journeys being made, reserves having fallen by 1000. Need for Cutting Grass.

The Superintendent of the Masterton Fire Brigade, Mr T. B. Clark, stated this morning that judging by the present hot weather a dry spell was likely. He urged the co-operation of all concerned to see that grass was kept cut to eliminate fire hazards. Successful Blackout,

According to Commander C. V. Day, the trial blackout at Palmerston North last night was 100 per cent successful. Shortly after nine o’clock warning signals were sounded, and almost immediately an observation car began traversing the streets, commenting on the observance of the blackout, and warning a few offenders. After the all-clear, Commander Day commended the city on the splendid co-operation given in the trial.

Slaughtering Season. The slaughtering season is now at its peak and thousands of fat lambs are being handled daily at freezing works in the Auckland Province. One works alone is dealing with about 9000 lambs every full working day. Managements have had great difficulty in securing and retaining competent labour as many experienced slaughtermen are serving overseas. The peak season will taper off toward the end of this month, but substantial killings will continue for some time.

Cricketers to Dig Trenches. Christchurch cricketing families from which the men have been taken for military service will be able in future to call on the services of the Canterbury Cricket Association for the digging of shelter trenches. The association’s management committee passed a resolution on Tuesday evening undertaking that members would perform such services, and advising those who, required the help to notify any of the association’s officers. The chairman (Mr R. H. North) commended the move, and expressed confidence that it would give other sports bodies a lead.

Lake Formed by Slip. Men with 60 years' experience of hill country say they have never seen anything like the vast landslide which occurred four miles up the Makirikiri Valley, near Wanganui, as the result of the recent heavy rains in the back country. A lake, 10 acres in extent, has been formed, and traffic is effectively barred. At a point 400 feet above the valley floor,-the crown of a spur has been cleft lengthwise for a quarter of a mile, and what was formerly a rounded hilltop appears from the road as a stark cliff 80 feet high. At least 30 acres of land is covered by the slip. Women Supply Rifles.

Many women were among those handing in rifles of .22 calibre for sale to the Army at the King Edward Barracks, Christchurch. An officer stated that a large number of women were members of miniature rifle clubs in the city and were bringing m their rifles. The rifles, which were slightly shoitei in the barrel than men’s rifles, were in good condition and beautifully balanced, he said. It was stated that the response for arms of this calibre was fair. The popularity of the scheme is testified by the number of people seen in the streets going in the direction of the barracks with lifles slung over their shoulders.

One-Man Torpedo-

A private in a Hawke’s Bay battalion of the Territorial Force has _ offered himself to the Army authorities as a human torpedo. This offer takes its place as the most unusual yet received among hundreds of offers of different types of service that are continually being made. The soldier concerned is in camp in the southern Hawke s Bay district. As far as can be learned, this is the first time such an offer has been made in New Zealand. This offer follows one announced recently from Australia. The upshot of this offer by the Hawke’s Bay Territorial will probably be an acknowledgment of thanks, and he will continue with the comparatively unexciting life of'a solider on home de-j fence duties.