Local and General

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 19, 29 October 1943, Page 4

Local and General

Awakeri Red Cross Dance Those who enijoy a thoroughly good, night's dancing are urged to pencil in the evening of Tuesday, November !)th, when the Awnkcri Red Cross dance takes, place in the Awaker.i Hall. Here is a cause which must address itself to everyone and we have no doubt but that the publie will respond in force, particularly in view of the sumptuous home made supper which will be one of the attractions of the evening. Control of Ragwort At the last meeting of the Whakalane County Council the County Clerk reported that on the authority of the chairman the Government had been requested to import 8 tons of sodium for the 1944. season. The Commissioner of Supply had advised that the price of sodium would be stabilised approximately at the figure ruling in lfliO. Eight, tons of sodium had been ordered out of the 1944/45 quota. Of the 500 tons of sodium scheduled to arrive from overseas November 1943 the council had placed an order for 10 tons at price of £.15 (approx.) per ton. The chairman's action was conlirmed. Harvest Labour Plan "So far as we can estimate at present the farmers in the Waikato district arc confident that the scheme Avill work out .satisfactorily,", said Mr L. W. Jane, secretary of the Waikato Primary Production Council, when referring to the availability of men from the military, camps to help harvesting on farms. Hesaid this contention was supported by the number of applications for the establishment of labour camps during the months of November. December, January, February and March. Approximately 800 men had been applied for,, and it was probable they would be accommodated in seven camps. Oddfellows Dance One of those happy gatherings which are aIL too rare these days took place in the Caledonian Hall lost Monday evening, when the local M.U.U.0.0.F. Lodge staged a dance for the benefit of its members and the general public. Music was supplied by Mrs King of Waimana who fcund immediate popularity Avith the large crowd of merrymakers present. There were many novelties and the Monte Carlo dance went, to Mr N. Worrall and partner, while a raffle was won by Mr Cliff Harris. The M.C. was Mr N. S. Major who saw to it that no dull moments occurred. Supper was served by the ladies of the lodge.. It is the intention of the promoters to run another .similar dance in the near future. Cheerful Rationing "A thing that has amazed us over here is the cheerfulness of the people despite all they have to put up with,", writes Pilot Officer J. Robb to his parents, Mr and Mrs H. F. Ilobb, Manutuke, Gisborne. "Except on rare occasions no one will tell you anything about what happened, tj them in the air raids, except the humorous incidents. Women go out shopping, standing in one long queue after another and then come back not complaining but jubilant because they got all they set out for, or at any rate more than they got last Tuesday,, or if it has been a bad morning more than the people in France arc getting. Always the bright side of the picture. The only complaint I: have heard about rations since I have been here is that it makes them feel mean when entertaining overseas servicemen."