NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 195, 16 May 1944, Page 4

NEWS IN BRIEF

No Coupons For Pies

A statement that meat pies would not require the surrender of coupons was mac|e yesterday hy the Rationing Control Office. The fact that other ingredients are used in pies and that the quantity of meat is usually very small has been taken into account by the rationing authorities in placing meat pies on the coupon-free list. The question of cat and dog meat is still under consideration, but an announcement will probably be made within the next dqy or two.

Life of a House. The length of life for a house was a question raised during the sitting of the Land Sales Committee in Te Awamutu recently. One witness contended that it was 40 to 45 years. The house under discussion had been erected 30 years ago, having been added to on occasions.

Dehydration of Apples. The new dehydration plant at Motueka is practically completed, and it is hoped to begin operations early next month, rhe official organ of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation says that from June till early in August it is estimated that the plant will handle 50,000 bushels of apples, including the Statesman. Granny Smith, Sturmer, Ballarat, and n ashington varieties. ,

Gumboots for Orchardiste. The rejease of limited supplies of gumhoots to orchardists and market gardeners is announced in a letter sent to the general manager of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation by the Minister of Supply. The Minister says that the number of gumboots at present available will fall very far short of meeting essential farming demands and that it w ill be impossible- to satisfy total requirements.

Atrocity Stories. "I have often been asked whether atrocity stories were true,” Said the Rev. Hayden Mellsop, a repatriated, missionary who was in the hands of the Japanese for three years after they had taken the city of Nanchang, in China, in the course of of an address at Waimate. "My answer has been that they gave a very incomplete picture of the hideous things that were done, when thousands of people were cruelly put to death.’’

Estimates of Spqrt Requirements. The wholesale and retail firms dealing in sports material could more accurately estimate requirements for ensuing seasons than sports clubs, in the opinion ot the New Zealand Cricket Council. It was stated at a meeting in Christchurch that changing conditions, fears of being short, 'and erratic membership, made it impossible for clubs to gauge their needs accurately, whereas the experienced buyers of firms, dealing more broadly, could better recommend to the authorities the probable requirements of material.

Two Maori Tangis. . Tangis over two notable Maoris were held last week and in each case were attended by Maoris from all parts of the North Island. Those mourned were Hen Hen. the chief whose family «onated the National Park (which in^e 5 founts Ruapehu, Tongariro and Rgauruhoe. an surrounding areas), whose tangi was . held at Tokaanu. and Mr. Taiporutu MitcW|, the noted member of the Arawa ti bi> of Ohinemutu. Rotorua. Both tangis were attended by the Minister of r Na * lv | h f*. fairs, Mr. Mason, and Mr. G. L. L. bnep pard. chief judge of the Native Land Court.

'TnTmber r being released from the Army for work m New Zealand sawmil I Though the majority will be emphasis jvas on the North Island, p. r because” of "difficulties in shipptoVtober from tfie South had caused the Minister of Supply much concern. •

a parcel with an interesting history. Before he was killed in action m Crete a New Zealand officer had made a number nnwhases in Crete, and these he had parcelled up t<> be posted at the first opnortunitv. When he died, a brother qffiLr took charge of the parcel, but he himself was taken prisoner. A German ofji-. ee - granted his appeal to-be allowed to earrv the parcel into Germany, though hf/’wns against regulations. It was nosted from a prisoner-of-war cainp m November. 1941. through the Red Cross Geneva to the military authorities and thence to the New Zealand Office in London, and the contents arrived intact.