NEWS OF THE DAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 120, 23 May 1942, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Ski Carritd It 00

A novel method of carrying a lamp shade in a crowded tram was demonstrated last evening, when a woman passenger, seeking to shield the flimsy article from the crush of passengers, placed it on her head. Although comment followed amused glances at this brown-papered pyramidal head covering, the wearer of the shade carried off the situation with a sangfroid equal to that of the possessor of any ultra-modern hat WK»Mnit

Who outside the legal profession could be expected to make head or tail of this sort of Jargon?" asks a southern paper, referring to a subclause In the Finance Bill recently before Parliament. It read aa follows:—Where the taxable Income is all earned income, the tax payable thereon shall be the amount by which tax at the effective earned rate on a taxable Income equal in amount to the total of the taxpayer's taxable income and of that nonassessable income exceeds tax at the effective earned rate on a taxable income equal in amount to that nonassessable income. Distraction of Vermin Owing to the cancellation of the shooting season this year, the Vermin Control Board's revenue is automatically cut off, states the annual report of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society. During the year ended March 31 last. 20,935 hawks, 13,343 hedgehogs, and 3897 ferrets, polecats, •toats and weasels, upon which £1847 was paid in bonuses by the board, were destroyed in the North Island. The Wellington Society's contribution to the fund at March 31 was £271, while £523 was expended •XL,}* 8 district on the destruction of 4700 hawks, 827 ferrets, stoats and weasels, and 3529 hedgehogs. The society has been reimbursed by the board with the balance of £252.

Sarvivor of Haahau Massacre One of the few survivors of the Hauhau Massacre at Poverty Bay on November 10, 1868, Mr. James George Wilson died at the age of 81, •t Rangiora. During the massacre, which was made by a band of Maoris under Te Kootl, who had escaped from the Chatham Islands, Mr. Wil■on, who was at that time aged seven years, was hidden in the pigsty at nls home, and he remained hidden until after the raid. His father, Major Wilson, who was In command of the British forces in the district, was ki led and his mother was badly Injured. He came out of hiding, and for several days found food for his ■lck mother, until a friendly native came to the house and the seven-year-old boy sent him for help. Despite the youngster's eflfcrts, his mother died of her Injuries after she had been taken to Oisborne. Mr. Wilson was employed in the Lands and Survey Department until he retired and settled In Rangiora. Rect Hazards

"That waa in a two-year-old race, ar >d the horse was inexperienced," replied Andrew Bryce, a well-known trotting horse driver who appeared in a new role as a witness in the Supreme Court yesterday, and when being pressed by counsel on the winning hazards of trotting races was reminded that at Alexandra Park recently the flight of seagulls across the track at the start of a race so startled the favourite, a "dead cert," that it ran off the track and lost the race. The witness did not agree that seagulls flying across the track would similarly startle the nine-year-old Tumble, the horse in the case; he was too old. "Is he getting into his dotago?" inquired Mr. Justice Callan, with a smile. On this line of reasoning Mr. Br Ice said he knew of a trotter winning a big race at 17 years of age. When counsel mentioned such race-losing factors as collisions in the race, drivers dropping their whips, and the harness breaking, to show the chancy nature of counting on a win, the witness said such things had happened in trotting but., on the other hand, he could cite the case of a trotter that had won 15 races in a row.

Saving Jurors' Time

To save them having to report when they might not be required, the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, in the Supreme Court, Wellington, informed waiting jurors who had been excused duty till the following day that steps would be taken to notify them by telegram or through the Press, or by both methods, if their services were wanted. Chinese ai N.Z. Forces , TJ 1 ® c ' a * m made recently in Auckland that Private S. Lowe, 2nd N.Z.E.F., was the first Chinese to serve overseas with the New Zealand forces brings a reminder from 3 Manawatu journal that there was a prior claimant. It is interesting to note, states the Manawatu Standard, that Private J. Kume, of Palmerston North, a nephew of Mr. Joe Kwong Lee, saw active service with the New Zealanders in the last war. He has been a member of the R.S.A. since his return from overseas. England'* Grtatneu "It is really astounding when we consider that the Old Country has been up against it, lighting for her very life, for the last two years, and yet she manages to send us this firstclass fire hose," said Mr. T. M. Charters (chairman of the Christchurch Fire Board), at the board's meeting, when the receipt of 5750 feet of fire nose was announced. "I consider this a wonderful testimony of England's greatness, that she should still be able to produce enough hose to supply the colonies in spite of the huge quantities she has needed to produce for her own protection."

"Blacketeers!"

Prw ofes r„ ( Copland, Australian pvariara if r ' s described evaders of price control orders as htt teers ' He said small ouslnesses—many controlled by foreigners—were the worst offenders, but substantial fines and the power l' , A??? 1 s tra tes to order gaol were having the desired effect. It was easier to check and prevent profiteering by large concerns by an examination of their financial records. The aim was not to inquire into prices of individual products or articles sold by large firms, but to control their margins of profit and leave actual prices for their own determination.

No Choice of Bread Rather than turn away old regular customers who wanted a particular kind of bread, a suburban storekeeper in Christchurch cycled to a bakery and asked for enough loaves to meet requirements. The bakery Is little more than half a mile from his shop. The baker supplied the bread, but told the storekeeper that he did so with some misgiving. "We're not supposed to do this," he said. "If they find out I am letting you come here for bread they will cut down my flour allocation." The storekeeper said he was supplying close on 400 loaves a week, all supplied by one bakery. His customers objected strongly to the lack of choice. Archery Popular

With the shortage of ammunition more and more sportsmen are turning to the bow and arrow, reports a Christchurch daily. Besides the archery clubs, there are also a number of enthusiasts who go out nearly every week-end. Recently- a particularly good shot paid a visit to the Rakaia and there his bag for the day was 46 rabbits. Most of the bows used locally are made of American hickory and the arrows, for sporting purposes, are tipped with a .303 bullet. It requires a pull of about 60 pounds to release the arrow on these bows, while other types are brought down to about 40 pounds. In the North Island a number of sportsmen have met with considerable success deer stalking with bows and arrows, and several have expressed the opinion that they will not go back to the rifle. For deer stalking, the arrow is fitted with a special flange on the head. The arrow, In its flight, spins at a considerable pace and on impact with the deer this flange makes a sizeable wound in the animal.