ITEMS OF INTEREST

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 11, 2 February 1942, Page 5

ITEMS OF INTEREST

Recent Dance The King Street Hall attracted a large number of couples on Thursday last when with Mr Phil Swift at tlie piano and Mr W. Lysaght at the drums a dance was held to mark Anniversary Day. Dancing continued until a late hour the programme pioving very enjoyable. Close Call in Desert The story of many fortunate escapes in the Libyan campaign is told by a New Plymouth driver in n letter to relatives in. which he tells somethiing of the difficulties which transport unit have had to contend with. "I must say that I : am very , lucky to be out of it as things were very tough at times," he writes. "My truck got hit plenty of times, tyres were blown off, and there are plenty of bullet holes on it. T drove it out, and it is still going well, but I have a lot of work to do on it."

May be Penalised Recently a- labourer in the employ of the County Council left without giving notice and thereby caused some inconvenience to the local body. This was not the first occasion such an inconsiderate action has been taken and as a deterrent toi it becoming a practice the council will probably penalise the man a week's w r ages. "If we 'sacked' a man without notice we wpuld soon hear from the Labour Department," said the chairman. "It does not mean ? a great deal to us but if we are not firm the men will all do as they like." '

Light Rainfall Farmers and gardeners were disappointed 011 Saturday morning when what promised toi be a fall of rain so desperately needed, ceased early and did no more than sprinkle the thirsty soil. The dry spell has slowed production to a great extent and is causing concern to> producers, while kitchen gardens have suffered greatly and lawns are burnt brown and without growth. Scattered rain fell in the O'potdki and Waimana districts on Thursday afternoon. The fall in the Qpotiki borough was only sufficient to lay the dust, but in other parts very heavy rain fell for some time. I A- "Desert" Wash A description of a "desert" wash during the Libyan campaign was given by Private Colin McPherson. in a letter to his parents at Palmerstooi North. He wrote: "About every three days Ave would get half a mug of water, clean our teeth and have a shave, and then have a 'desert* wash with the remainder. In case you don't know, a desert wash consists of rubbing the face with a damp shaving brush and it is amazig how much dirt comes; off on the towel. However, the first thing I did when I got back Avas to give myself a good scrub, and that AA r ash in a kerosene tin did me more good than all the baths I have ever had."

Rabbit Skin Industry. Far the 11 months ended Novemner 30, the total number of rabbit skins, exported from the Dominion was no- less than 13,377,825, and tho total value the sum of £1,004,325. For the corresponding II months of 1940 the number was &,752,084 and the value £380,823. Although the number of skins exported in severalother years has very much exqeeded that of the first 11 months of 1941—in one or two years by 40 to 45 per cent —the monetary return has never previously been SO' high. In 1926-27, when the number exported was 15,752,173, the value was £815,428. This is the nearest ajvproach in value to the 1941 total. Difficulty in StaffingWith the depletion of the County Council Engineering Department's staff caused by the donning of uniform by Captain G. H. Brebner it: became necessary fo>r the council, toseek another male assistant. This was particularly necessary as tha acting-engineer's assistant Mr Basil Dodds, may shortty enter the R.N.Z.A.F., but, however, it appears that staff is difficult to secure. Three applicants were interviewed In turn, but also in turn found it impossible to accept the position. It was therefore decided that either a junior male or another female clerk be engaged and that •when Mr Dodds enters camp all engineering department clerical work be uhdertaken by the clerical department-