Local and General

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 10, 30 September 1942, Page 4

Local and General

Animals Electrocuted Two cows and a.drover's dog were electrocuted at Karapiro, due to a broken line, about four miles away. A mob of cows were being driven towards Mataanata by Mr R. A. Shannon, of Cambridge, and when about 100 yards on the Cambridge side.of the Karapiro factory corner two cows and a dog strayed to the side of the road near a transformer. The electrocution then occurred, being caused, by the livening of the ground under the platform. Mr Shannon was fortunate in being with the mob and, therefore, narrowly escaped. Japanese Jungle Boot The surprising ease Avith whk'b the Japanese have forced their way through jungle considered impenetrable has been a feature of the campaigns in Malaya and New Guinea, and adaptation of equipment to suit special conditions is believed, to have been one of the secrets of their success. Displayed in a Wellington shop window is a boot such as is worn by Japanese soldiers in jungle warfare. It is made of soft pliable rubber, dark green in colour, with a thick sole deeply indented to give a good grip. The chief • feature* of the boot is a special division lilte a finger of a glove designed for the big toe. This would facilitate tree-climbing or walking on slippery ground.

Not Coal Miners The Medical Section of the Whakatane Home Guard staged some realistic practice work at Ohiwa last Sunday when, it transported equipment. and men (including the famous pie-cart) to the wilds of the inland sea and combined with the ■Rangitaiki Battalion's medicos to do a little 'active service' rescues. To this* end they had imported a half dozen-'boys to act as 'patients.' These lads proved willing workers and cooperated well, even to the building of sod incinerators and field fire places'. One youth however collapsed all hearers when on loo'king up from his preoccupation with a spade, and seeing his; 'colleagues idly standing by he ejaculated with Intense feeling: "Get on to work you chaps.

any one woukl think you were —coalminers! " Lack of Appreciation I Ever since the examination of recruits for military training have been .held, Dr. F. J. Appleby has placed his clinic waiting rooms at their disposal. On the whole this gesture has been respected by the men who haA-e seen to it that the long wait, some times necessary before their examination takes place has not resulted in a litter of cigarette butts, matches and ash upon the carpeted iloor. Last Saturdaj 7 however was the exception, the men .who appeared for examination having shown apparently no regard for

the comfortably furnished rooms whatsoever. A notice requesting users not to smoke was studiously left facing the Avail and according to our informant the place, next morning was li'ke a 'pig stye''and took a considerable effort to clean up. The net result of such complete thoughtlessness has been that men to be examined will not in future be allowed the use and comfort of the waiting room, and although innocent of the cause must suffer for the lack of appreciation shown by their colleagues of Saturday of 26th September. Reservists should realise that they have been permitted the use of these rooms merely j through the courtesy of Dr. Appleby who would be the last to object were ordinary decency shown by the users.