NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 192, 12 May 1944, Page 4

NEWS IN BRIEF

Conscience Money Conscience money forwarded to the Government by persons unknown is acknowledged by the Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. B. C. Ashwin, in last night’s Gazette, as follows: —£6_ to the Cutoms Department; £l/10/-, 15/- and 6/8 to the Arnij- Department; 12/6 to the Navy Office.; £l/10/- to the Land and Income Tax Department ; £3 to the Printing and Stationery Department; and £1 to the Railways Department. Rest Rooms for Women. The women's rest rooms which are being provided in the basement of King’s Chambers, within -a few yards’ of the junction of 'Willis and Willeston Streets, Wellington, should be ready for use about the end of the month.

Electrical Engineers. The following have been admitted to membership of rhe Institute of Electrical Engineers:—Member: N. Jone's. Associate members: P. W. Blakeley, C. W. Heyward, W. Ramsey, S. B. Wallace. Students: M. 11. Allardice, A. E. Black. All are of Wellington. Rubber Hot-water Bottles Yesterday saw the release of Britishmade rubber hot-water bottles in Wellington. These were sold retailiat quit# a reasonable price, and were eagerly bought throughout the day by many who happened to become aware that such things were once more on the open market. Child Drowned.

Eileen Agnes Journee, aged 16 months, of Ferry Road, Heathcote, was drowned when she fell into a creek near her home on Wednesday evening. Artificial respiration was tried unsuccessfully, and the child was taken to the Christchurch Hospital, where it was found she was dead. —P.A.

Synagogue in Splints. Among the latest buildings in Wellington to be placed, in splints for earthquake repairs is the synagogue on Wellington Terrace. This is of comparatively recent construction, but. like most, other brick buildings in Wellington, it received a wrench which necessitates some strengthening work, as protection against further earth movement.

Layman’s Language. “What do you mean by ‘contusion of the chest.?’ ” counsel asked a doctor who was giving evidence in the Supreme Court, Auckland, concerning injuries suffered by a man. “I put it into layman’s language.” explained the witness. Counsel evidently thought the injuries could be reduced to still simpler terms. “Do you mean-bruis-ing?” he asked. “Yes,” replied the witness.

Industrial Absenteeism. “The way to arrest absenteeism •is not by official coercion or similar departmental action, but by action in the factories themselves.” said the manpower officer, Mr. C. G. S. Ellis, in an address in Auckland. “If more employers approached the workers and sought the reason for absence from work, it would probably do more than, could be done by official action.”

Damage by Cats and Dogs. Southland delegates informed the executive of the South Island Local Bodies Association that cats and dogs were destroying the native flora and fauna on Stewart Island. They emphasized the attractions of the island as a tourist resort, and at. their instance the Government was urged to take steps to preserve native bird and plant life.

Fertilizer Appeals. More than 1000 appeals have been lodged with the North Taranaki Council of Primary Production seeking revision of fertilizer allocations. South Taranaki applications number more than 700, and it is understood the Central Taranaki total is fairly substantial, which means that well over -.000 applications from Taranaki will have to be considered.

Collapse in Court. An elderly man collapsed when sentenced in the Supreme Court. Auckland, vesterday, and had to be assisted away, lie was Reuben Brafiwell Parker, aged 60 who was given four years’ reformative detention for three offences which he had admitted, of indecently assaulting a girl aged 11. Mr. Justice Callan described it as a “sad case.” Medical evidence had shown that Parkers sense of responsibility was impaired.—P.A.

Murder Trial Evidence. The impracticability of getting a large wooden sentry-bos into the Supreme Court. Auckland, caused the judge, jury and counsel to adjourn to the vestibule of the building to hear part of the evidence in the trial of a young New Zealand soldier on a charge of murder. A medical witness demonstrated what he considered would be the position of the deceased in the sentry-box in which it was alleged he was sitting when shot. Notes of the evidence were taken and incorporated in the records on returning to the Court. Closer Relations With Russia. The following resolution was adopted at a meeting in Wellington of the .National Executive of the New Zealand Society for Closer Relations With Russia : —'“This society wishes to express its satisfaction with the step the Government has taken to arrange for the exchange of diplomatic representatives with the U.S.S.R. We recognize in this a definite step forward toward the objects ot this society, namely, closer political, commercial and cultural relations with Russia.”

Elementary Geography. Though there have been many Americans in New Zealand in the last two years it should not be taken for granted that all have gained even an. elementary knowledge of our geography. A. Timaru pilot, recently returned from the Islands, had a conversation there with an American serviceman who said that during his furlough in New Zealand he had had a fine time in a little town south of Auckland. Further questioning revealed that the little town was the capital, Wellington.

Building of Schools. , A declaration of essentiality gazetted yesterday applies to the construction of school buildings, including additions and alterations. The Minister of Industrial Manpower, Mr. McLagan, said last evening that though this particular work did not come within ,the scope of the essential building works labour legislation modification order, the industry had agreed with the Commissioner of Works to follow the wages and hours of work stipulated in that order. The declaration had been issued in order that the contractors concerned would bo enabled to retain adequate labour for necessary additions and alterations to schools.

Schoolmaster Retires. Contributed by old boys throughout New Zealand and beyond as a token of appreciation for services rendered to Nelson College over 37J years, a cheque for £517 was handed to Mr. .1. G. McKay, 0.8. E., on his retirement from the position of first assistant, and housemaster of Rutherford House. The presentation was made at a function at the college by Mr. E. R. Neale, president of Hie Nelson College Old Boys’ Association. A handsome clock suitably inscribed was also given. Among the tributes paid to Mr. McKay’s work was one from Mr. C. H. Broad, former principal. P.A.

Canadian Gumboots. A quantitj- of gumhoots Ims been allocated by the Canadian authorities for export to' New Zealand in 1944. and the Customs Department has advised th» Canterbury Chamber of Commerce that licences to' import them will be granted for amounts equivalent to 33 Lo per cent, of the amounts of licences granted for similar imports from all sources in 1941. Hip boots, and womens, misses, and children's boots are not available under the allocation. The Customs Department has also advised of an increase of °5 per coni, in the allocation for imports of goloshes from Canada, which was to the extent of (he value of licences granted for imports from any source in 1941.

Mail for Servicemen Overseas. The need for clear and complete addressing of correspondence for servicemen ovel-seas Wils emphasized yesterday bv the Postmaster-General. Mr. Webb, lie said that because ot' insufficient an-1 inaccurate addressing, difficulty was still being experienced bj- the Post Othce in the correct sorting of this correspondence The addresses of many parcels bore no indication of the force with which the addressees were serving, and in sueh eases it was frequently not possible for the sorters to decide whether the parcels should be sent to the Middle East or the Pacific. Where an A.P.O. number forms part of the address of a serviceman overseas, the Minister urged senders always to show that number when addressing correspondence.