NEWS OF THE DAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20085, 3 November 1939, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Coast Road Improvements

The improvements to the main highway in Ruatoria and Tikitiki are noticeable. Bad corners have been eliminated, grades remade and'other work carried out, making for the safety of road users. The new bridge at the factory crossing, near Ruatoria. is a boon to motorists.—Special. Grapes At Hi. Each

Some varieties of fruit and vegetables are dear on the Coast, and in Ruatoria grapes are selling at the equivalent of Id. each. Potatoes are retailing at 3Jd. per lb. for last season's crops, and in some cases the quality is not the best, as is usual with the last of the old tubers.— Special.

Petrol Rations Additional supplies of petrol will be available to motorists this month, and all restrictions will be lifted at the beginning of December. The petrol ration for November is 18 gallons for cars of over 14 horse-power R.A.C. rating and 12 gallons for cars under that rating. The chief postmaster at Gisborne, Mr. A. M. Robertson, said to-day that there was a steady inquiry for the special allowance of 30 gallons for motorists making holiday tours.

No Curtailment So that the close of a century of progress for the Dominion shall bo fittingly commemorated despite the outbreak of war, the centennial committees of both Napier and Hastings have decided not to curtail the programmes of celebrations mapped out, as has been done in other centres. Meetings were held in Napier and in Hastings this week to reaffirm decisions made previously in connection with the celebrations and memorials decided on. New Bus for School Children Mounted on a Dodge chassis supplied by the Poverty Bay Garage, a fine new bus to be used for the transportation of 40 school children in the Te Karaka district has just been completed by Messrs. J. Burnett and Sons ip their workshop at the corner of Aberdeen road and Herbert road The panelling and upholstering are of the highest standard, and the deep green finish of the bodywork gives the vehicle a smart appearance. Canvas blinds, which can be rolled up in fine weather, provide for ample fresh air for the young passengers. The vehicle, which complies with the transport regulations ;n every respect, will provide comfortable travelling for the children.

Pheasant Through Wind-Screen. The driver of the Okitu Co-opera-tive Dairy Company’s cream lorry suffered minor but painful facial injuries this morning, as a result of an unusual type of accident. While driving through the Ormond dip, the truck started up a pheasant, which flew blindly into the windscreen, shattering the glass into small fragments and showering the driver, Mr. E. Williamson, with tiny pieces. He received innumerable cuts, most of them little more than skin-deep but some much more. The effect of the accident was to bathe his face in blood, and Mr. Williamson had to receive attention at a house before continuing with his duties.

Waikanac Beach Patronage The decline in the bathing shed receipts at the Waikanac Beach during the past season was commented upon by Mr. G. H. Sceats last evening, at the anual meeting of the Waikanac Beach Improvement Society and he declared that the actual takings showed that a small percentage of the people of Gisborne patronised the beach. In a discussion on the matter several members deprecated the practice of some residents in parking their motor cars on the foreshore and using the vehicles as dressing sheds. A suggestion that thefts of articles from the sheds had affected the number of patrons was discounted by Mr. A. J. Nicol, who said there had been a few minor thefts, tut the bathers had only themselves to blame for the caretaker undertook to care for any valuables left at the ticket office. That service was rendered free of charge.