NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 21, 20 October 1943, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF

First Woman Juror

The first woman juror was sworn in for service in the session of the Supreme Court which opened in Auckland yesterday She was Miss Elaiue Rebecca Kingsford, of Takapuna. She was called in the first jury ease to be heard, m which a man was charged with false pretences, but she was challenged by counsel for accused. —P.A.

National War Savings. . A total of ITT towns reached their National War Savings quotas last week, aud in 13 of the 18 postal districts the full district quota was attained. Hokitika recorded its 100th success, thus making a total of 20 centres which have achieved this distinction. Injuries to Hand. When his right hand became eaught in a press at Hercules Steel Products Kaiwarra, nt 1 p.m. yesterday, Mr. T. James, 209 V Ohiro Road. Brooklyn, had his first and second fingers severed. He also sutfcred from shock. Ho was taken to hospital by the Free Ambulance.

Length of Ties. . A recent paragraph stating that men s neckties were being made shorter was referred to yesterday by u Wellington tic manufacturer, who said that this was not the case. "We aud, we understand, -lie Auckland tie-makers, have never aeviated from our accepted standardized length ot tie,” be said. Holiday Bookings. Advance bookings for holiday accommodation al Cbristmas and Xear have been heavy in Auckland, bem„ hiavi est within a radius of -0 miles of the city owing to the petrol restrictions. Camning sites are in greater demand owhig to the difficulty of obtaining seaside cottages. Caravans arc also much sought after. —P.A.

Vegetable Contracts. Because of the many ’’guests rcc. ed from commercial . market ? aidenc .., the Internal Marketing Division . agreed to accept contracts under spcci tied conditions for the supply of carrots, parsnips, cabbage and swedes at prices previously advised to growers associations. The conditions under which application for contracts can be made are notified by advertisement.

B.y b« f =b of the fouling of the beach, from one end to the other, this week by oil refuse from ships. One resident stud the Wellington Harbour Board had done good work m checkin-’ this nuisance within the confines of the port, but now it seemed as though ships only waited to clear the heads befoi’e refuse oil was pumped Of erboard.

Kowhai in City. , . Almost surrounded by earthquake-shat-tered buildings, the line old golden kowhai tree in the grounds of the old Wellington Public Library is now in full bloom. This tree, some 20 feet in heigut, is now over 25 years old. This year every limb is fully ’laden with blossoms, in strong contrast to its depressing surroundings. Seamen in Hospital. Alleged to be the result of a stabbing affray, two seamen from an overseas ship were admitted to the Wellington Hospital last night with knife wounds. They were J. Connely, who received lacerated wounds in the left leg, aud_W. I’letcher, with chest wounds. A third man was stated to have'been taken into custouy by the police. Fletcher’s condition was reported late last night to be serious. Section Donated to Ex-Servicemen. A practical form of rehabilitation is the gift of a freehold building section at Papatoetoe, Auckland, which has been made bv Mrs. Finlayson, of .Papatoetoe, to the Second N.Z.E.F. Association. The only stipulation is that applicants must be returned men from the present war in any of the three services or tire Merchant Navy. About 20 applications already have been received by the secretary and it is proposed to conduct & ballot for the section.

Power Pole Knocked Down. Electric lights in Wellington flickered and in Petone went right out at 6.40 last evening, the cause being a motor-car colliding with an electric power pole about a mile north of Ngahauranga on the Hutt Road. The pole and wires were brought down and the car was badly damaged. The Free Ambulance was called, but when the ambulance car arrived the occupants of the car had gone. Supp.y o Dower to Petone was restored in about five minutes. The line that was broken connects the Khandallah sub-station witn the Hutt Valley.

From Small Beginnings A donation of has been received toward its hostel building fund by the British Sailors’ Society, Wellington, from Miss N. Peach, Shannon. In a letter Miss Peach says the money was contributed bv her mother, sister, two brothers and herself. “We all hope you can raise sufficient money to build the hostel tor those wonderful men of the Merchant Navy, and if everyone donates all of their pocket money for one week, as my young brother (aged 10) has done, I am sure that you will get the necessary money. The society has acknowledged the donation with appreciation.

Charge of Receiving Fails. A jury in the Supreme Court, Wellington, yesterday returned a verdict of not guilty in the case in which Norris Charles Avery, tailor, aged 51, was charged with receiving a cloth-cutting machine from William Gilbertson. McQuarrie, knowing it to have been dishonestly obtained. The jury added a rider that business men should not purchase commodities under market value, issue open cheques, and defer acceptance of receipts. The case was heard before Mr. Justice Smith. Mr. W. 11. Cunningham appeared for the Crowu, and Mr. D. Perry for Avery.

Civic Centre. The following motion dealing with the civic centre will be submitted at the next meeting of the ellington City Council by Cr. J. D. Sievwrigbt: “That having heard the various speakers from the combined citizens' committee dealing with the prepared plans for the civic centre, this council resolves that a composite body be appointed by the council, consisting of Messrs. H. S. B. Fletcher, A. Richardson. E. Anscombe, of the citizens' committee, Mr. J. W. Mawson (Government Town Planner), together with four councillors, including the mover and seconder and tlie city engineer, to meet with aud discuss in all its aspects the proposed plans and the execution of a civic centre, and that such committee shall consider such plans and report to this council at a date convenient to them the result of their finding for the help and guidance of the council.”