GENERAL NEWS ITEMS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 3, 14 January 1942, Page 2

GENERAL NEWS ITEMS

"Lucky to Lose the Toss"

Two brothers Avhose appeals Avere heard by the No. 3 Armed Force* Appeal Board in Ncav Plymouth, when asked Avhether either bad a preference to go to camp, said that while both Avere keen, they had not discussed the question. '1 he board suggested that a short adjournment would give them an opportunity to talk it over. On returning to court the younger brother said that he was "lucky enough to lose the toss" which meant that his appeal would be Avithdrawn, and he avouM go to camp. Even the Typewriter The indomitable spirit of the Ncav Zealand soldier, the sense of humour and the Avill to Avin are epitomised in a letter to his mother, Mrs M. | S. Ed ling ton, Wairoa, from her sen Jack, Avho is Avith an anti-tank regiment in the Middle Fast. After describing his first thrilling encounter with "Jerry," Gunner Edlington says-: "Jerry threAV everything he had at us, including the office typewriter." After describing various actions, he added: "Well I think this \a bit of a record for me (lon£ letter-Avriting), but I had something to write about this time." Story of Union Jack "There is nothing romantic about it except that I could not leave it to fall into enemy hands," Sergeant V. Parkinson, N.Z.E.F. replied when the NeAv Plymouth Borough Council Avrote asking him if a Union Jack he had giA'en the council had nny story attached to it. Opinions may differ, hoAVCA'cr, for here is his story of the flag. "I found it in an abandoned cam]) on Mount and rather than- it took it along, luckily for me, as it covered me at nights during the Avithdrawal. For more than a fortnight it kept the deAV off me and a little of the cold on our run doAvn Mount Olymnus, through Corinth, to the southern beach, where Ave Avere taken off. One Horse Power With the drastic cut in petrol alloAvances, the motor car lias commenced tc: assume the role of a shaftless buggy. Last Aveek, a Ivaraka farmer's motor ear Avas seen making steady progress along the highway to Pukekoiie, but not by engine, power. Taking the place of the motor car the farm hoirse, a staunch nuiet, medium draught hitched on to the front of the car AA'itli trace chains. The farmer Avas driving the horse steering the car and working the brakes, on the down grades, from the front seat of the car. Another outcome of the petrol restriction has been the springing up of a lively demand for horse-drawn vehicles and harness. Fine Young Fellows The high regard in Avhich the peoof Canada hold NeAV Zealand airmen AA r ho are training under the Empire scheme is indicated in a letter received in Dunedin by Mr Leonard Hill from the- chief constable of a Canadian city. The latter Avrites that many Ncav Zealanders Avere attending an air training school in his city, and the chief constable adds that they are fine young felloAVS. He has met some 1 of them, and they are making a goiod name for their country in Canada. The Canadians are entertaining them and doing Avell by them. "In some Avays this war Avill help the British Empire by bringing the population | of the different Dominions together" he concludes. Dangerous Sneezes "Coughs and sneezes spread diseases" has been chosen by the British Ministry of Health as the principal mottoi in a campaign to impress on the public the dangers of droplet infection, states The Times, London. Sir Wilson Jameson, Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry, has stated that in an ordinary sneeze thousands of infectious droplets were sent out into the air uinless a handkerchief were, held in front of the face. Sir Wilson Jameson, discussing the incident of respiratory diseases, said that they caused at least 30 per cent of the total; time lost to industry. At least tAVO days' work a head were lost every year. Assuming that there Avere 20.000,000 Avorkers and that 10,000,000' of them AA'crc engaged on vital AA r ar production, this meant that 20,000,000 days' work was lost every year, or the work of 50,000 men and women for one year. In terms of munitions and Avar material it meant that if these people had not been absent they would have made 35,000 tanks, 1000 bombers, and 1,000,000 rifles.