Progress of Deviation.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 113, 11 April 1940, Page 6

Progress of Deviation.

The top drive of the third and last tunnel on the Okoia-Turakina railway deviation was pierced yesterday. Freak Damage. The fact that wind blowing through cracks in the outside weather-boarding had blown the wallpaper off the walls of one of the county’s cottages was reported to a meeting of the Akit-io County Council. War’s Lighter Side. “Shine,' please, boy,” said the six-foot-five soldier to the shoeblack. The boy looked down at the vast expanse of boot before him. “Bert,” he called out to another boy. “Gimme an ’and— I’ve got an army contract!” Children’s Celebration.

At the Timaru Centennial celebrations yesterday more than 4000 children of primary and secondary schools were entertained at the showgrounds. The primary children gave a spectacular display, forming a relief map ol tbe Dominion. Luncheon in made-up parcels was distributed in 13 minutes. Appeal fcr Support. An appeal for the loyalty and support of all members in difficult times was made by the president (Mr C. E. Vile) at the annual meeting of the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association yesterday. Air V ile said that in view of the war news that day the times might become worse before they became better, but members were not going to be downhearted. He asked members to support any organisation which was helping to bring the war to a successful conclusion, and appealed to them to assist in auv capacity in which they were able to do so. Italy and the Allies. The trend of public opinion in Italy in regard to Britain and the Allies is indicated by two letters received this week in Auckland from different parts of Italy. It is significant that both correspondents are in the employ of tbe Italian Government. One letter concludes with tbe words “1 send you my best wishes for a British final victory, for the world’s safety, prosperity and liberty.” Hopes for a British success are expressed in the other letter, passages in which leave no doubt ns to the feeling of the writer. These statements are in accord with impressions gained by New Zealanders who toured Italy last year. Radio With Troops. The Defence Alinister (Hon. F. Jones) lias announced that the follow-ing-members of the National Broadcasting Service have been chosen to go overseas with tbe broadcasting unit which will l>c attached to the Second New Zealand Division : Air A. B. Young, aged 51, now programme organiser at Christchurch, who will be in charge of the unit as observer and commentator; Air Noel Palmer, aged 29, assistant engineer, AVellington headquarters, who will be engineer: and Air Norman Johnson, aged 22, of Wellington headquarters, to be technician. The unit will not leave New Zealand before the Third Echelon sails.

Former New Zealand Trader. The British steamer Barn Hill, which was bombed and set- on fire by Nazi bombers recently, was formerly well known in New Zealand as the Canadian Challenger. Enlistment Encouraged. The alteration in the age limits for recruiting in the Territorial Forces to include men aged 18 to 21 is proving popular in Hawke’s Bay, where a number of these younger men have been endeavouring to enlist. Army Football Match. A Rugby football match will be held in Auckland on . April 27 between teams representing men of the Second Echelon in camp in the northern military district and members of the Maori Battalion. Wrestler’s New Role.

Captain T. P. Laffey, and five sergeants from Papakura arrived at Trentbam yesterday to undergo a special refresher course in recreational physical training. One of the sergeants was the former professional wrestler, “Lofty” Blomfield.

Names Commemorated. A decision to name two streets in State housing sub-divisions in the borough after Captain W. E. Parry, pl 11.M.5. Achilles, and Rear-Admiral Sir Henry Harwood, of H.M.S. Ajax, has been made by the Mount Albert Borough Council. It is proposed to name a street after Major-General Freyberg, V.C. Chinese Play Produced. To an audience composed almost entirely of Chinese, the Chinese members of the crew of an oversea ship at present in port at Wellington presented a 1500-year-old Chinese play in a Wellington theatre. The proceeds of the entertainment went to the China war fund, and it is understood that £BOO was raised. Tickets were priced at from 30s to £5. The Paramount Task. “Young New Zealanders must realise that the war must be won. and it can only be won by every part of the Commonwealth pulling its weight,” said Major-General J. E. Duigan, D. 5.0., Chief of the General Staff in New Zealand, during a visit to Hastings. “Some might be secure in good appointments at present,” he said, “but they will have no appointments if the war is not won. Works to Be Slowed Down.

The possibility of slowing certain Public Works reading activities in Otago was mentioned by the Minister of Public Works (Hon R. Semple) in an interview. The Minister stated that a Dominion-wide review of public works was being undertaken with a view to seeing what undertakings could profitably he curtailed at present, and it was likely that one or two reading jobs in Otago district would have to lie slowed down till more favourable conditions prevailed.