Local and General

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 241, 22 November 1940, Page 4

Local and General

Aiding Patriotic Funds. The pupils of the Tanealuti School will stage a concert.in the Taneatua Hall on Friday, November 29,, the proceeds to go to patriotic funds. It is understood that an excellent programme has been arranged and the children are keen. Prizes Returned. Some of the winners of the major cash prizes at- the Whakatane Horticultural Society's Show have returned the money to the honorary secretary with the request that it be handed in to the patriotic funds. This is a splendid gesture. Royal Air Farce. Vacancies exist in the Aircrew , Section of the_Royal Air Force for! Airman Pilots. Air Observers, and Air Gunners. Full, particulars and conditions of service may be obtained at the Borough Council Chambers., Whakatane, on. Tuesday, _26tli November, 1910, between 10 a.m and 12 noon; 1

Hard Competition. "Its hard to compete with the Native Land Scheme at Te Teko," said one farmer witness at the sitting of the Manpower Committee last Wednesday. "They, are offering the men £1 per day and they won't go to the ordinary cockie." The chairman, Mr R. Coulter, replied that farmers could rest assured that the Government would never allow i a situation like that to obtain in this district. "There would be a quick investigation if that were so," he said. Ruatoki Rating. The Clerk reported at the monthly meeting of the County Council that valuations had been received from the Valuation Department in regard to the rating of Ruatoki.. The receipt of such valuations had not altered the complications which appeared to exist in regard to whether the council would be able to collect a ratei„ if struck. The valuation notices did, however, place natives on the Valuation Roll and such natives' names would be included in the next Opouriao Electoral Roll.

Murupara Fishing

According to reports from Murupara, the Rangitaiki River in that area and the Whirinaki both fished avcll during the first fortnight of the angling season. The Whirinaki has been affected during the past week by heavy rains, but the Rangitaiki is still fishable and producing very good fish. The condition of the [ trout caught has been excellent, and fish up to 61b in weight have been taken from both streams. The evening rise is reported to have been most prolific, and dry-fly fishermen. •Particularly, have enjoyed splendid sport. Several limit bags have been taken during the past fortnight, and both streams in this vicinity appea'r to be well stocked with fish.

Untraced Balloted Men. It is estimated that about 200 of the Northern Military District men drawn in the first ballot for service with the Territorial Forces have not responded to notices calling them to medical examinations, In some cases this may be because the reservists have changed their addresses without notifying the Army or National Service authorities, but it is suspected that some have deliberately overlooked the notices. It is stated that failure to present himself for examination makes a reservist liable to trial and punishment for the offence of desertion or of absenting himself without leave. Iji the last war such men were gazetted as defaulters.

As Monday, November 25th, is a statutory holiday there will be no publication of the BEACON on that day.

Provision of Spectacles. Men failing to pass the eyesight test at the medical examination for the New Zealand Kxpeditiojiary Force are to be provided with spectacles at the expense of the Government, provided they are able to pass all other aspects of the examination. An instruction to this- " effect has been sent to regional deputies. The men in this category are to be graded Class 1, but the issue of spectacles will not be made until they reach. camp. Mediical Examinations. At a sitting of the medical board on Wednesday evening 18 of the 29 men examined were passed as fit for service. The local board is kept fully occupied with examinations, last Saturday seeing 40 men put through and a similar number will go up for examination to-morrow. The percentage of fit men is one of the highest recorded in New Zealand. j