NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 289, 4 September 1942, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF

Call-Ups Cancelled

A list of reservists who have tor various reasons been incorrectly called up for service in the armed forces will be issued on September 9, in a supplement to the Gazette. Approximately 190 names will be gazetted.

Salvationist Sees Roosevelt. In a message received from Washington, at Salvation Army Headquarters, Wellington, it was stated that President Roosevelt had granted an interview to General George Carpenter, head of the Salvation Army on September 1. In warmest terms, the President expressed his full approval and appreciation of the world-wide work of the Salvation Army.

Dairy Factory Managers. The following have been appointed members of the Dairy Factory Manager’s Registration Board: —Mr. W. E. Scott (New Zealand Dairy Board), Mr. J. McK. McDonald (Dairy Factory Managers’ Association), Professor W. Riddet (Massey Agricultural College), Mr. G. M. Valentine (Department of Agriculture).

£5O Fine for Bookmaking. George Timothy Cronin, aged 34, was charged in the Magistrates’ Court, Wellington, yesterday, with carrying on business as a bookmaker. The police stated that he had been before the Court on July 10, but had again fallen fl. victim to the lure of easy money, and had been apprehended operating in a hotel bar. A fine of £5O was imposed by Mr. Stout, S.M.

Wings for the Arniy. Officers and soldiers in the British Army who have qualified as glider pilots or air observation post pilots are now to be issued with wings. They will be worn on the left breast and will consist of pale blue wings with Royal crest' in the centre on a black background. The wings, known as the “Army Flying Badge,” can still be worn after the soldiers have ceased to be pilots. The badge does not entitle the wearer to any extra pay.-

War Amputee Officials. At the annual meeting of the New Zealand War Amputees’ Association the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr. F. C. Allerby; vice-presidents, Messrs. T. C. Browne, L. L. Norriss, C. Derenzy, C. E. H. Wilson; executive, A. T. Jackman, W. V. Land, A. E. Ogilvie, J. G. Tandy; secretarytreasurer, Mr. K S. Henry; hon. auditor, Mr. C. A. Sadler; hon. solicitor, Mr. A. T. Duncan.

News for Airmen. The following announcement appeared in a recent copy of “New Zealand News” (London) : “Will the five New Zealand airmen who recently rolled out the barrel, and, after enjoying a beer picnic in Hyde Park, endeavoured to indulge in equestrian exercise, please note that, (a) the barrel has been returned; (b) the taxi-driver told no tales; (c) the manager of the N.Z.F. Club bears them no ill-will; and (d) that the horse is expected to recover.”

Army Trucks to Collect Rubber. Army trucks are to be authorized to make periodical collections of scrap rubber in different areas throughout the Dominion. An announcement to this effect was made by the Minister of Transport, Mr. Semple, when speaking at Nelson on the urgent need for the conservation of rubber. He-said the collection of oid rubber promised to yield good results if the public co-operated. Tests were being made with a recapping process which might bring old tyres back into service again.

Potato-growing by Maoris. Potatoes are to be grown at Waitara. by members of the Ati-awa tribe and subtribes centred on Waitara. Maoris, assembled to consider the project at the Manukorihi pa, adopted the suggestion as a war effort with enthusiasm. Mr. Makawe offered to permit the use of five acres of river-flat -land for potatoes. This is in addition to from 10 to 15 acres of similar country offered by him, free for two years, to the primary production councils for potato growing. Meetings of Maoris similar to that at Waitara are being held throughout Taranaki, it is understood. What is a Wog. Letters from New Zealand soldiers serving in the. Middle East contain frequent references to a class of Egyptian ’natives commonly known as the “Wogs." In the minds of many people the word “Wog” immediately conjures up a mental image of a certain species of insect immortalized by Walt Disney, and in view of this fact, it is not surprising that many New Zealanders have been puzzled as to the meaning of the curious term. The three letters, it is affirmed, are really a convenient abbreviation of the impressive title adopted by a native trade union of “Working-class Oriental Gentlemen.” Charge Denied. A charge that between May 20 and August 15 he knowingly permitted premises occupied by him at 5-7 Pitt Street, Auckland, and known as the Hotel St. Clair, to be used as a brothel, or for the purpose of habitual prostitution, was denied by Percy Norman Wright before Mr. Levien. S.M., in the Magistrates’ Court,'Auckland, on Tuesday. The evidence of seven girls, whose, ages ranged from 14 to 21 years, and of four police who executed a search warrant on the premises on August 15, was taken, and the case was adjourned till next Tuesday.

Breaking and Entering Charge. - While temporary Constable Eric Burns was on patrol in George Street. Dunedin, on Wednuesday night, he heard a scraping sound from an alley adjoining Wardell's grocery premises. Investigating, he found two men, who decamped in different directions. The constable pursued one, and with the aid of two Air Force men, ran him down. Subsequently a safe mounted on a small truck was found in the alley unopened. In the Magistrates’ Court, Dunedin, yesterday morning, Victor Hoyden Curline, aged 38, tinsmith, was remanded on a charge of breaking and entering Wardells. — F.A.

Empire Society Essays. The success of students from New Zealand secon’dary schools in the 1941 essav competition of the Royal Empire Society is shown by the fact that of the eight prizes awarded four were won by pupils of the Dominion. In class A. for entrants between the ages of 16 and 19. the second prize was awarded (o Cohn R. Clirnie, of Wellington College, while a special prize was given to Frank M. Ramsay, 'of Waitaki Boys’ High School. The first prize winner in class B, for candidates between the ages of 14 and 16. was John Walker, of the Gisborne High School, and Josephine Buckley, of the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Remuera, was awarded first prize in class C for entrants under the age of 14.

Mt. Victoria Signal Station. The Wellington Harbour • Board has lowered the mast at the ML Victoria signal station, -and so one of the most conspicuous landmarks of Wellington has disappeared. After being used for many years for signalling the arrival of ships, the station eeased to be used for that purpose last year. The visual signalling of ships had ceased to have practical value to the working of the port when telephones were introduced, but the signalling had been continued partly as a service to the publie and partly for sentiment. When it became necessary.to cease signalling to preserve the secrecy of ship movements an employee of the board continned to live at the station, and he acted as its caretaker. Now the employee lives there no longer, and the hoard has lowered the mast, which it could not easily maintain.