NEWS OF THE DAY

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 60, 14 March 1944, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

New Fire-fighting Appliance A truck supplied to the Palmerston North Fire Brigade under tho emergency regulations has arrived. It is fitted with a pump with a capacity of 400 gallons a minute, and provision has been made for carrying what is called an overland hose. By this means, instead of having to join together separate sections when a very long liose is necessary, the hose can be run out in a continuous length, thus saving much valuable time. Fall in Births After a period of six years in which the number of birthß in New Zealand registered a continuous rise each year, there lias been a fall of 4789 births in tho past two years. In 1942, the number of babies born was 1526 less than in 1941, while there was a further marked drop of 3203 births in 1943. The birth rate lias now declined to 19.7 per 1090 of population, against 22.81 in 1941 and 18.73 in 1939. Last year 30,311 babies were born iu New Zealand. According to official figures of vital statistics published in the latest Abstract of Statistics, the death rate for 1943 recorded a slight drop. Whale Skeleton The Auckland Museum authorities have taken tho skeleton of a whale washed up dead south of Tapu, on the Thames coast, a* few weeks ago. They believe the whale is a rare species, probably the hyperoodon rostratus, or southern bottle-nosed whale, of which there is no record of previous presence in New Zealand waters. Tho whale is 30ft.. long and 17ft. in girth. The head has a birdlike appearance, with a beak some three feet. long. The museum was notified of the find by Mr. T. W. Hammond, of Thornton’s Bay, who also guarded it until the flesh decayed and bones could be secured, thus permitting the complete skeleton to be obtained. River Menaces Burial Ground Destruction by erosion threatens a historic military cemetery at Manutalii, where soldiers who fought in. the Maori wars lie buried in a plot on the banks of the Manawapou ltiver. When the matter came before tho Hawera County Council it was agreed that if no protection were provided tho whole graveyard would be washed away in a few years’ time. After discussion and the reading of a comprehensive report, prepared by Mr. J. Houston, Hawera, on the number and names of men known to be buried there the council decided to write to the Department of Internal Affairs urging that the graves be either protected or moved to another Blood Transfusion Substitute Thousands of men aud women have been glad to give tlicir blood to save the Jives of fighting men. It is nowstated that Dr. N. B. Taylor, of Toronto. University, is working to develop a solution of isinglass which may be used as a substitute for blood transfusion. It has been known for some years that when blood is lost it need not be replaced immediately by a blood transfusion. If the substitute maintains the blood pressure and volume and remains in the system only till Nature lias restored tho volume and pressure to normal, results are satisfactory. It now appears that isinglass fulfils these requirements, and experiments in its use have been invariably successful. Accountancy Degree Wanted With a membership of more than 3200 the New Zealand Society of Accountants believe that it is the largest professional body in the Dominion Out the least recognised in the matter of professional status by the university authorities. Other professions have the dignity of a degree of their own, says a report issued by the society, but accountants lack that distinction. The nearest approach is the degree of commerce, which, it is stated, has a bias toward economics rather than accountancy. Therefore this council of the society is continuing its consultations with the university authorities in tho hope that they will agree to the institution of a degree of bachelor of accountancy. It is reported that 1610 candidates sat in examinations conducted by tho university last November in professional subjects for membership of the society. Fate of Tobacco The fate of some consignments of New Zealand tobacco and cigarettes sent to forces in .the Pacific is described in a letter written by a soldier in New Caledonia to his toother at Stratford. “We have had another free issue of New Zealand tobacco and cigarettes lately,” he writes. “It is a pity to see it come over here, when people in New Zealand are short of it. We get as much tobacco and cigarettes as we can smoke, and not one man in 100 will smoke New Zealand manufactured supplies once he gets used to what is sold in our canteen. When possible some of the New Zealand tobacco is given to the natives, but most of it ends up in the rubbish tin. Troops in the Middle East may be glad of it, but I know that few' Boldiers in the Pacific will smoke it. I think it is a question that should be inquired into, because t am sure that those responsible for sending the tobacco have not the faintest idea of what really becomes of it.” Swimming Championships Mr. N. D. Tilley (Levin) presided at a meeting of the Manawatu Centre at which a letter was received from the Levin Club asking that the centre take the necessary action to have Mr. Tilley's name added to the national panel of swimming instructors. This was agreed to. It was decided that the centre championships be held in Palmerston North toward the, end of the present month, a committco consisting of Messrs. J. B. Nichols, C. Barkwith, W. Pringle and the secretary was set up to make the arrangements. Other officials appointed were: Controller of tho carnival, Mr. Tilley; referee, Mr. W, C. Nichoils; starter, Mr. R. Denton. The resignation of the secretary (Mr. W. C. Nichoils) owing to pressure of other duties was received with regret, members hoping that, although he found it necessary to relinquish this position, he would continue to take au active part in centre affairs. Mr. E. Frost was appointed to the vacancy. National War Savings Fourteen towns succeeded in obtaining their weekly quota last week. They were Apiti, Ashhurst, Bulls, Dannevirke, Ivimbolton, Levin, Pahiatua, Pougaroa, Kangiwahia, Kougotea, ►Shannon, Tokomaru, Weber and Woodville. Of these, Ashhurst and Rungiwahia again joined the list, the former sending along £405 7s, a splendid effort. Levin, a consistent depositor, totalled £346. This is the second occasion for this town to send a four-figure total during the quota year just about to close, and they are to be congratulated upon this notablo achievement. Other leading totals were; Dannevirke £2lB, Woodville £147, and Feilding £132. It is to be regretted that the city dropped out of the weekly list —tho first time for 49 -weeks! It is to be hoped that individual depositors will come to the rescue this week, because the business and factory group depositors have been wonderfully loyal to the scheme from the commencement. The figures for National War Savings for tho city