NEWS OF THE DAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 177, 29 July 1942, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Vandalism at Tauranga Severe damage was suffered to the Tauranga Harbour Board's alarm launch, which is held ready for emergency purposes. Through the sterri lines being released and the bow lines cut, the launch drifted under the wharf and on the rocks. Fortunately, it was calm, otherwise the launch could easily have been a total loss. Model of Brevity The art of tabloid communication has developed greatly In the community under the stress of war conditions, and many devices have been adopted for the purpose of saying much within a short compass without ambiguity or the risk or revealing State secrets. At least one New Zealander overseas has discovered that the English language is capable of providing a few key words that can convey to the mind of the receiver a picture which would ordinarily be expanded into several interesting epistles. He is an airman, and his parents have received from him a five-word cable which reads: "Promoted, decorated, married, very happy." War Risk Fund for Soldiers A fund for blinded or maimed soldiers, to be built up from the Government's compulsory charge on property owners for war damage risk was a proposal unanimously approved by a meeting of the Christchurch Consumers' League. "If you pay money for a thing you should be able to expect service, and this war risk insurance should not be levied until.damage occurs," said Mr. L. Hollings (chairman). "But it has been levied and unless damage occurs it should certainly go to a good cause such as the fund sug#ested, a fund for blinded or maimed aoldlers." It was unanimously decided that the proposal should be made to the Government as a suggestion from the league. LHile Pig's "Followers" The activities of "This little pig" are no longer confined to the pages of nursery rhyme books; at New Plymouth on Friday afternoon a very small but extremely active member of the pig family literally went to market' followed at various stages of his journey by boys on bicycles, soldiers, a butcher, several dogs and a tram. The word followed" Is applied because not until the chase had led would-be catchers from the East End along Devon Street and up Gover Street was the elusive animal cornered. Being then thoroughly exhausted and bewildered by the commotion, he wriggled wearily in his captor's arms, emitting plaintive squeals. He was finally caught in a corner store by a high school boy, who handed over his squealing charge to the storekeeper in exchange for naif a crown. "Smart" Cyclists , ar j 1? constant terror t L n P knocked down in the city y Irresponsible lads on cycles who seem to take a pleasure in ■trpftt J u 1 u el fv way throu « h crowded » i JL , e y were circus trick riders. In Shortland Street yesterday £ith A ( ?fi y «? r ?K nan esc , a P ed a collision with one of these reckless youths bv the merest fraction, but bad luck overtook the rider, who came to grief a little lower down the road. The greater use of cycles since petrol restrictions were enforced has made many riders more expert than formerly. Girls as well as boys are frequently seen cycling without their hands on the handle bars, riding solely by balance. "They are most unwise in continuing this practice In traffic arteries because they have no chance of saving themselves in the event of an emergencv." said a citizen to-day. "Parents should warn ♦V,.... . M.-.I luit M la* w . 'wun.t'*

Annual Visit Eight black swans spent the whole of Sunday sheltering in the sea near the footbridge at the New Plymouth railway station. They were first noticed about 9 o'clock in the morning and left again towards evening. This was an annual occurrence, stated one observer. The birds always rested here on their way to their mating ground. Good Angling Season Expected This season angling in Canterbury is expected to be very good. For the past month, trout up to 31b in weight have been spawning in the Heathcote River. Mr. R. W. Robson, prominent in the angling world for over fifty years, said that he has watched them and on occasions has seen as many as five or six together on the different shingle beds. This looks very promising for the future. Oil Bore at Morton Speaking at a farewell function at Marton last Friday, Mr. F. Purnell, Mayor of Marton, stated that representatives of the Superior Oil Company, Ltd., United States, had spent several months on a geo-physical survey in Marton and surrounding districts for the purpose of locating oil. Prospects, it was stated, appeared t? be very promising. "It is possible, said Mr. Purnell, "that within the next fortnight arrangements will be completed for sinking a trial bore a depth of 8000 ft to 10,000 ft. This will be at Neumann's Line, about two miles from Marton, and it is expected that the company will be able to prove the success or failure of the venture before Christmas." Inspection of Houses ♦u A gg ? s i ion , from a member that the Christchurch Consumers' League should undertake the inspection of nouses as a health measure to march with its interest in foodstuffs was received at a meeting of the league last week. A complaint about a boarding-house made by the member was answered by Mrs. M. E. Furey (secretary). "There are two women's organisations that have a.'ready taken up this work, the National Council of Women and the Housewives' Union," she said. "They are supporting each other in a campaign against the dreadful living quarters offered for renting, and the appalling conditions under which many single men and women in the city are living. They have already «been to the City Council about it and have made the council investigate and submit a report. But you all know what council reports are, everyone dodging the issue. Yet sure enough something is being done. Take your complaint along and there will be results." Jurymen's Holiday Forty good men and true attended at the Supreme Court on Monday and were sworn In as jurymen to try the several cases which had been set down for the week. Meantime parties In some of the cases had arrived at settlements and it was found that the jury cases for the week had been reduced at the last minute to one on Monday and one on Thursday. Accordingly, 12 jurymen were at once empanelled, and nearly 30 were dismissed with instructions to attend again on Thursday, and dispersed smartly to take up their several shop, office and factory duties, albeit an hour or two late. Later in the day the case which had proceeded concluded in a private settlement after the action nad been part heard, and 12 more jurynmn were released for their regular work. The summons requires the atI tendance of all the - panel at the court to-morrow morning for a case I which rjso nay be settled in the