NEWS OF THE DAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 169, 20 July 1942, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY

First Tui The first till of spring was heard during the week-end on the North Shore, believed to be on its way from the Little Barrier Island. Residents on North Head were awakened early on Sunday morning by the bird's sweet song echoing on the crisp cool air. Coat with a History The overcoat is not New Zealand Army issue, but it Is the envy of the companions of a certain Hamilton private serving with a unit somewhere In New Zealand. Of light but serviceable design it was not so long ago the property of an Italian general, who was among a number of prisoners captured by the New Zealand Division in the Libyan campaign. Incidentally the New Zealand Intelligence officer detailed to interview the general recognised in him a fellow student of university days in Italy. Hones in Emergency "What happens to your horses in an emergency?" asked an Englishman who waa in Tlmaru a few days ago. He was Informed that no provision had been made for them, and he then pointed out that in an emergency tne animals might become frightened, and if they careered about the streets might cause injuries or death. He remarked that in England drivers of horse vehicles were obliged to keep a rope handy, and when an emergency occurred they had to unharness the horses and. tether them so as to prevent them from careering about the streets. He thought similar action should be taken In this country. In Demand "From what I can see the man is only a mess orderly and Irons a few billiards tables besides doing odd jobs," said an appellant at the Christchurch Armed Services Appeal Court, when applying for release of a soldier who nad previously been a steward at a well-known Christchurch club. "He is a mess steward," replied Captain S. Bowron. representing the military authorities, "and my advice is that he is doing a good job." "With all due respect," replied the appellant, "I still do not think him a fit man, and he would be Invaluable in the club." "He is probably just as useful doing for the Army practically the same work as he would be doing for the club," was the final retort from Captain Bowron. The appeal was dismissed without comment by the Court. Schools Make Machines Faced with the difficulty of obtaining supplies of machines and tools from overseas, technical schools In the Dominion are undertaking the construction of this equipment, according to the latest issue of the Education Gazette. A splendid response is being obtained to the drive organised by the Department, and construction of machines and tools is being carried out in much the same manner as under the actual conditions obtaining in a modern machine-shop. At present one school has under construction six benchtype drill presses, and another has constructed three woodworkers' lathes and is proceeding to the construction of six more. Another school has made a bending machine and a shearing machine. Shaping machines, air compressors, bandsaws, engineer's vices and other machine tools, as well as mechanical apparatus for laboratories, are in the Initial stages of construction.

"Ain't Got No Sideways!" There ha'd been a break-down and the motor bus was running behind schedule. An elderly and extremely stout old woman came puffing up and vainly tried to force her way through the narrow door of the bus. The driver waited good-humouredly for a while, and then, getting impatient, said, "Hurry up, madam. Try sideways." Whereupon the elderly lady looked up haughtily, and retorted, "Indeed! I ain't got no sideways!" Turf Charcoal Turf charcoal suitable for produ-cer-gas plants has, it is reported, been developed by the Emergency Research Bureau of Eire after long experiments. The charcoal is said to burn clearly and to t»e free- of sulphur and tar. Work is now proceeding on the development of a suitable filter for use with this fuel. The cost of the charcoal is about £24 a ton, but, although this is high, the report states that the Eirean fuel position makes further development worth while. Road to Oil Boring Area In spite of adverse weather conditions, good progress is being made With the construction of the road into Cape Terrace from Kumara (Westland) in furtherance of the oil boring project of the Superior Oil Company. Several piles have already been driven for the bridge which is to span Greenstone Creek. In view of the heavy loads of material being carted across the upper Taramakau River bridge, the Kumara Borough Council has asked the Public Works Department to take over its maintenance. Cat from Singapore A cat which was among the evacuees from Singapore has found a comfortable home in New Plymouth. A seasoned campaigner, she is utterly fearless of dogs or human beings. She Is quick to adopt an offensive role if necessary, and has monkeylike agility. "Snonan," as she is called — the Japanese name for Singapore—has been in New Plymouth for about three months, brought by sailors. For several weeks after her arrival she displayed a never-ending hunger and though not emaciated was thin. Now, with a sleek, silver-grey coat, beautifully groomed, she has settled down well in her New Zealand home. New Practice Cartridge The authorities have at present under consideration an invention by Warrant Officer H. Sutton, of the Invercargill Army staff, consisting of a device called the "sub-practice cartridge," which Is in itself a cartridge containing mechanical parts. It can be fired all day when once it has been placed into the breach of a service rifle. Each time the trigger is pressed it makes a record of the firer's personal efforts on a target at short ranges. It can be used indoors as well as outside. It is claimed to be an ideal piece of equipment, which will promote keen interest among recruits and create competition. It should prove of great value to instructors in training camps during wet weather. If necessary a comC^ rse , of mu sketry and field sea could be fired in miniature. _ Some officers of the Irwercargin Home Guard who have Ke wi i h the cartriage are looking forward to usine it in training at country centres The inventor states that iu cost in material Is about 4/. cost in