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Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 148, 29 August 1941, Page 2

Swimming Certificates. Swimming instruction to school children by the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association on ftnan•cial aid from the Government achieved a new record in the number obtaining certificates for 1940-41. An advance summary of the annual report received by the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W< E. Parry, shows that 22,125 were certified during the year as proficient, giving a total of 118,865 certificates since the campaign was started four years ago. Mr Parry said such figures, •nust ere long make their influence felt in the reduced drowning rate in the Dominion. The King's Car. In recent weeks an old model Grossley car lias been seen in Whakatane, being owned by a residient of the district. This old-timer is the car used by the present King when, as the Duke of York, he and the Duchess toured New Zealand in 1926, and still bears on each of the rear doorsi the crest of the Duke. On Wednesday, when it was receiving attention at Mr Abbot's workshop it was inspected by a number of interested people, who were amazed at the workmanship which had been put in by the makers. No tnodern vehicle is built on such solid lines, there being a great amount of the body constructed from aluminium, while the upholstery and general fittings were evidently buiKj with the idea of lasting.

Shrapnel Fragment in Cake. A souvenir in the shape of a fragment of shrapnel is the prized possession of Pte Harry Addison, of Waimana, who is now serving with the New Zealand forces in the Middle East. Writing home recently, he stated that he had received the cake through the post i,n the usual way but thinking that it looked rather battered decided to explore the ingredients. He then discovered that the hole in the side of the tin had been caused by a piece of shrapnel which was safely lodged in the middle. Just how or when the mails were under fire remains however a mystery. Restricted Diet. Some idea of the restrictions war has placed on diet is given in a letter received from friends in Scotland by a Christchurch family. "At the present time, you pay 8d for a few green leaves which are supposed to be cabbage," states the writer. "The price of tomatoes was 5s 6d a pound, but I see they are now down to 4s 6d. There is a slight ramp in vegetables here, and some shops have the cheek to ask lOd for one leek. O'f course, onions have not been seen for more than a year. Eggs will be rationed on August 30, one for each person a week, when, and if, we can get them. In spite of all this, workers are carrying on at full pressure. No such thing as annual holidays are spoken about, for we know that we are now fighting for our very existence."