NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 238, 5 July 1944, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF

Art Union Drawing

Tim drawing of “Sweet, as a Nut Art Union is to take place at the boardroom, 2nd floor. Wellington Commercial Travellers’ Association Building. Customhouse Quay, Illis morning, commencing at 9.30. Rotary Church Service. The annual Rotary Club church service in Wellington is to lake place at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul on Sunday. July 10. A .Rotarian. Canon D. J. Davies, will be the preacher.

Fine For Bookmaking. Found bv the police Inking a bet in a hotel bar, William James Hart, carpenter a"i'(l 25, appeared before Mr. Stout, SAL. In the Magistrates’ Court, Wellington, yesterday, and pleaded guilty to n charge of having carried on the business of a'’bookmaker. He was lined £3O with costs.

Back From Pacific. After service with the .1 Inrd New Zealand Division in the (Pacific, further contingents have arrived back in tiie Dominion for release to essential industry. The troops were welcomed by Government, civic and military leaders. The Minister of Transport. Mr. O’Brien, thanked the men for their war service and expressed the hope that they would enjoy their leave before settling down in civilian life. — P.A.

Rotarian Abroad. Letters have been received by the secretary of firn Wellington Rotary Club from the Philadelphia Club, stating that Overseas Vice-President J. M. A. Hott. of Wellington. had been a welcome visitor to Philadelphia for some days, and had brought greetings from the Wellington club. The “Bulletin” of the Philadelphia club printed n message from the New Zealand Rotary clubs, the sentiment of which was heartily reciprocated. Ruatnria Fire. A tire which broke out in tiie kitchen of a Ruatoria restaurant spread rapidly and destroyed the premises and an adjoining butchery. The spread of the (lames was checked by the energetic efforts of a large band of local residents, among whom Maoris were prominent. AH the contents of the butchery, including a Diesel engine and mincing machine, were salvaged undamaged. Two children, one the infant child of the restaurateur and the other a five-year-old belonging to a customer, narrowly eseaped.—P.A. Talking Budgerigars. There is a famous talking budgerigar which has earned hundreds of pounds for patriotic funds by going through its repertoire when called on to do so. This clever bird recites iu the clearest tones the nursery rhyme, “Mary had a Little Lamb.” and Ims a vocabulary of about 2GO words. A Wellington budgie-owner said that bis Tony’s speciality was “Little Jack Horner,” which it recited without mistake. Every morning it greeted its owner with “Fred, turn on the radio,” and followed that up with the admission, “Tony’s a tough guy.”

Population Question. Alarm at the serious State of New Zealand’s population is expressed iu a resolution adopted nt a public meeting held in Hamilton recently. The Government is urged to set up a committee immediately to carry out investigation and planning. It. is also urged that inquiries and plans for the absorption into New Zealand of orphan children from Great Britain and Europe should be made. The resolution adds, “Iu the opinion of this meeting, this matter, which involves the very life of the Dominion, should be given extreme. urgency by the Government.” A provisional committee was set up to consider the formation of a branch of the Dominion Settlement Association in Hamilton.

Balance and Sanity. \ In referring to the trage<ly of the Rangitane. and the subsequent, sufferings of the pwple taken prisoner by the German raider on that occasion. Miss .Violet Roche, in her address to the Wellington Rotary Club yesterday, said that it was the British sense of humour which gave them their balance and preserved their sanity in the most distressing circumstances. Father Clark, on the Rangitane, was assisting tiie women on deck when they were ordered off by the Germans. and encountered a nurse whose clothes had been blown off (by blast), and who was only clad in a blanket. “But I can’t go up. father. This is all I have on.” said the distressed nurse. “You’re telling me.” was all the comment the good father made, as he hustled her into line.

Fire Brigade Personnel. According to statistics placed before the executive of the United Fire Brigades' Association nt a meeting now being held in Wellington, 1091 firemen of a total pre-war strength of 2187 have been or are on active service with the armed forces of the Dominion, This accounts for 54 per cent, of the peace-time personnel. There are 100 fire brigades (including three whose activities have been suspended bv war conditions), with a total strength of 3012 brigadesmen, but. only one. Christchurch, has a full permanent: staff. Four brigades are manned by more than 50 per cent, of permanent personnel. There are 24 brigades employing permanent men totalling 303. and 11J brigades, with a roll number of 210t>, whose men are not permanent staff. Another 25 brigades hold 484 men on a small retaining fee.

National War Savings. Last week 252 towns attained their quotas of National War Savings. Not only is this 25 more, than for the previous week. hut. it. is the highest, number recorded in any week since the 3rd Liberty Loan hist. ’ year. AH the. principal centres were successful and in each of the JS postal districts the full district quota was reached. Au outstanding feature of the week was the success recorded in the Dunedin, Greymouth. Oamnru, Timaru and Westport districts, in which all places attained their local objectives. Additions to the list of places which have already attained their full year's quota are Dunedin city. Bannockburn. Mosgiel, Roxburgh and Wnikoiiaiti, in the Dunedin district, Dartield in-the Christchurch district. Kumara in the Greymouth dis; trict. nnd Mnngawcka in the 'Wanganui dis'rict. The Dunedin district which has now reach its full annual quota is the first district to achieve this distinction.