Local and General

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 96, 8 July 1946, Page 4

Local and General

Dunedin Savings Bank A donation of £2OO has been received by the Forest and Bird Protection Society from the Dunedin Savings Bank. This sum is to be used in furthering the aims of the Society, namely the preservation of the native flora and fauna of New Zealand. Kiwis Increasing Kiwis in parts of North Auckland are to be found wherever there is any bush left for shelter, states For- ■ est and Bird. One settler who some time ago fenced in an area of unburnt bush as a sanctuary for Kiwis states that this area is now a real breeding ground for these unique and interesting birds. Their worst enemy in the open country is the dog, the Kiwi -with its strong kick .being more than a match for the weasel. Covered Fire Engines Closed-in fire engines had been used in Wellington, but had not proved popular with firemen, said Mr A. P. Hartnoll, reporting to the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board. He added that the covered engine gave poof visibility to the driver and there was a possibility that'firemen might not be able to get out in an emergency. A ballot had been held among * firemen arid this had shown conclusively that they preferred the open type. Tame Gull An inured red billed gull picked up in a backyard soon became very tame, and for three months never left the yard and garden, says a correspondent of the Forest and Bird Society. It developed the habit of frequently sitting contentedly on the hands or shoulder of its benefactress, but whenever it happened wild gulls would appear and circle noisely overhead until the tame bird was replaced on the ground. It appeared that the injured bird was being constantly watched by its wild companions.

Ex-Servicemen's Licenses The fact that 450 licenses' had been granted to ex-servicemen was commented upon by the No.. 1 Licensing Authority, Mr E. J. Phelan, recently. These, he said, included licenses for general goods carrying, passenger vehicles, taxis and even rental cars. To a criticism made by Mr E. J. Price (Auckland OwnerDrivers Carriers’ Association) that the Rehabilitation Department was inclined to recommend applications by ex-servicemen irrespective of whether there was business offering or not, Mr Phelan replied that he was satisfied the Department was doing good work. Young Caledonians

Under the influence of the new ‘clan’ system, the Whakatane Young Caledonians’ Club will be staging a combined evening on Saturday next. The Campbells, Murrays and McLeods will be pooling their various assets and ideas in order to place before the public an open night’s programme indicating the type of entertainment which has been usual this year inside the club itself. Saturday’s programme promises to be somewhat unique in that it will include several dramatic interludes by way of historic plays, plenty of humour, piping and dancing, and a general full night’s fun for young and, old. The club will on Saturday, be giving its first public account of its own activities, and we have every reason to feel that no person who attends will be disappointed. Recent Church Parades Two Church parades of considerable, local interest occurred recently, when the St. John Ambulance, and the Citizens’ and Sea Scout Troop attended the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches respectively. The St. John Association made a particularly striking picture, as with its lady members, Juniors, Cadets, and ambulance men, it moved in solid procession behind the Whakatane Citizens’ Band. The service, taken-by the Rev. H. M. Bell was applicable to the occasion. At the Methodist Church, some 40 Scouts attended under the joint control of the two local Commissioners, and the Sea Scout Lieutenant. The Sea Scouts carried for the first time the Achilles ensign, recently presented .the troop- by' the personnel of the famous battle cruiser itself. The Rev.

A. F. Attwood conducted the service.