Local and General

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 38, 10 April 1942, Page 4

Local and General

Children Assist Red' Cross Wc received yesterday a sealed envelope enclosing half a crown with a covering note that the money resulted l'rom an informal childs concert arranged by Patty Simms and Bryan Bennett of Soutars Avenue. We thank the young helpers for their spontaneous gesture and will be g!ad to hand the money over to the right quarter.

Tennis in Fiji .Mentioned in the Army tennis team now carrying out competitional work in Fiji is the name of Ron Lees of Matata who is described as taking a prominent part in the competitions. Thornton Home Guard General satisfaction was expressed by members of the Thornton Home Guard at the first night manoeuvres carried out under emergency conditions. All members were at their posts to time and the local commanders were gratified at the interest and enthusiasm shown.

Increased Milk Yields Although not genera] several farmers have assured us that as a result of the recent Hush of grass on the Rangitaiki, their butterfat returns have taken a noticeable rise. One man says by lOOlbs per day. Back From Middle East Home on leave from the fighting in Libya are several Whakatane men who arrived home last week-end. They include Lieut. D. O. Stewart (Whakatane), Lieut. Acting Caplain) G. Fowler (Taneatua) and Segt. F. Burt (Matata). Take Notice Scotties There's a 'nip' in the air, going free for all who desire to take advantage of it. These nips are no bar to those Avho enjoy the cool bracing days of autumn, but they do explain the reason for the number of Scots who arc now to be seen walking about with their mouths open. Lack of Newsprint Further reduction in the available supply of newsprint owing to war conditions has resulted in an announcement by the newspaper proprietors of New Zealand that another decrease-in the average size of newspapers as from April 1 is- inevitable. More Females than Males An unusual feature of the births recorded in Dunedin during March was commented upon by the registrar of births, deaths and marriages, Mr A. A. Bewlcy. It was a common belief that more males were born during war than were females, he said, but the reverse had been particularly noticeable in Dunedin during the last month. About 20 more female births had been registered than had those of males. Recruits for E.P.S. The further posting of men to the various units of the Emergency Precautions Service, following the recent compulsory enrolment in the Emergency Reserve Corps, has been deferred, so far as Gisborne is concerned, and in the meantime no further action Avill be taken. This step has been taken following the announcement that regulations were being issued providing for compulsory enrolment in the Home Guard. Unusruiail Fruit Tree Growing in the garden of Mr A. H. Galien, Hastings, is a fruit tree to which has been grafted se\ r en varieties of apples and one of pear. This horticultural novelty has attracted considerable interest recently among Mr Galien's friends. The grafts are from eight to 10 years old and good sound fruit has been produced. The apple varieties picked from the tree are Irish Peach, harvested just after Christmas. Orange Red, Delicious, "Jonathan, Grannie Smith, Ballarat and Dougherty—a most useful collection for a single tree in a backyard orchard.

Trenches at Schools The digging of slit trenches at the Opotiki. Primary School has now been completed and most of the trenches have received a coating of sand, says the News. Nearly all the trenches are Avell hidden from air observation and when the others have been treated with some form of camouflage they will provide a safe place for the children. At the Convent School a deep drain has been made serviceable and an overhanging hedge affords good camouflage. About 30 chains of trenches have been dug, affording protection for 475 children. No doubt bags of sand will be used as blocks in some of the long trenches and it is understood that oats will be planted, on the sides of the trenches to cover the bare earth.