NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24418, 2 October 1940, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

TN addition to the outright gift of 1 £IO,OOO made to the Government recently for war purposes, the Dunedin Savings Bank will subscribe the sum of £25,000 to the New Zealand Government War Loan. This decision was arrived at by the board of trustees at a meeting yesterday morning. It is possible that this action might give a lead to other organisations to contribute to the loan. Lawn Tennis Balls

“ The supply of lawn tennis balls has been causing us much concern,” said Mr W. A. Clothier, chairman of the Competitions Committee, at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association. He said that 160 dozen pairs were used in the association’s competitions last year, and both the Management Committee and the Competitions Committee had had to give a good deal of attention to the securing of the supplies estimated to be required this year. “It has been quite a job to lay hands on the number of balls necessary,” he concluded.

Long-lived Maori The estimate that Mr Jonathan Had' field, a Maori,, who died at Takahue, Kaitaia, last week, was about 112 years old, was supported by an Auckland resident who lived at Kaitaia some years ago. The informant said that he and a friend, out of curiosity, made various inquiries for the purpose of checking up Mr Hadfleld's age. From early incidents which he had recounted and the statements of other Natives who were 80 or 90 years old, they inferred some years ago that he must be well over 110. At that time Mr Hadfield was still a remarkably active man and could easily walk 15 miles a day. His sight and hearing were keen, and he greatly enjoyed meeting Maori and pakeha friends, of whom he had many all over the district.

Stipends ol Ministers The Presbytery of Christchurch is concerned with the financial position of ministers and home missionaries of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand and it' has sent down a suggestion for an overture to the General Assembly which will meet in Palmerston North next month. It was pointed out in the course of a short discussion that the economic status of the ministry had declined to a considerable extent while the cost of living had risen very much. The stipends of ministers were really less to-day than they were 20 years ago, and the lowered economic status of the ministry was having a serious effect upon the work of the church. It had been growingly apparent that ministers were breaking down before the normal age of retirement and this was due, it was considered, to the economic conditions of the present time. It was further pointed out that, while the methods for raising the assembly funds were well organised, the minister was at the mercy of his deacons' court. There seemed to be a good case, one speaker remarked, for the setting up of a central fund from which all stipends should be paid.

Soldiers Overseas

The printing of the nominal roll of the first echelon of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force has now been put in hand, according to advice received by the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council. It was also stated that the preparation of the roll for the second echelon was receiving attention and that the defence authorities hoped to have it ready for printing in the near future. These rolls, it was added, would be of great use to patriotic councils throughout New Zealand, as they would provide much information useful in carrying out various classes of patriotic work. In these rolls the names of the members of the forces are set out regiment by regiment in alphabetical order, and in each case (he rank, registration number, next of kin and the place of enlistment of the soldier is given. Holidays for Soldiers’ Children An offer from the North Canterbury Federation of Women’s Institutes to provide country holidays for the children of New Zealand soldiers serving overseas was enthusiastically received by the executive of the Christchurch branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association at a recent meeting. ’ The institute in a letter said that many of its members were anxious to entertain children of soldiers who would otherwise not be able to have a country holiday, and asked for the assistance of the association in making its arrangements. The president, Mr D. W. Russell, will attend a conference of the federation on October 19, when arrangements will be discussed. Members of the executive agreed heartily with Mr J. D. Godfrey, who said; “ This is a good way of doing something for the men overseas. It is a very fine idea.”

Assistance for War Funds “ It does not matter whether we contribute £IOO or £IOOO, the Royal Air Force will still get all the aeroplanes that can be turned out,” said Mr J. S. Roberts at the annual meeting of delegates to the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association. “I think it is better for the money to go to the relief of distress in-London and other parts which have been bombed —provided the money can be got out of the country." The association had before it a suggestion by the New Zealand Association that the 33,000 lawn tennis players of the Dominion should contribute to the fighter fund. Delegates pointed out that the response of the people of New Zealand had been so uniformly good that there would be overlapping in the appeals because many tennis players must already have contributed. It was decided to make an appeal to clubs to assist in the London relief funds National Military Service

The Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) has advised the churches of the Dominion that where clergymen, men in holy orders, or regular ministers of any denomination, including Marist or Christian Brothers, home missionaries or religious teachers, are called in a ballot, the heads of their respective churches may lodge appeals certifying -that the calling up of such men is contrary to public interest. Where theological students and students of the Marist Brothers’ training schools have been accepted by their churches for religious training prior to the outbreak of war and are still continuing their religious studies the heads of their respective churches may also lodge appeals certifying that the calling up of these students for service is contrary to the public interest. Appeals’on conscientious grounds will be , dealt with on the merits of each individual case.

Second-hand Goods in Demand Because of scarcities of new materials and goods through restrictions oh imports and other causes (states the New Zealand Herald), high prices for those that are second-hand are being obtained on the Auckland auction marts and by dealers. Goods affected show a surprising range. For example, old roofing iron often sells at higher prices than the new, and housewives compete eagerly for crockery and other kitchenware offered at auction. High prices, however, have not caused larger quantities of second-hand goods to be offered for sale. Many classes for which there is a keen demand are difficult to obtain. Not only is new corrugated iron very scarce, but the purposes for which it may be sold are restricted by the Government. So persons who need roofing iron for sheds, garages or fowlhouses are compelled to use second-hand. A sale at an auction mart of three aluminium saucepans for 13s 6d was significant. “A year ago they would have sold at Is each,” commented the auctioneer. At the same sale it was noticed that ordinary glass cake dishes brought 4s and 5s each, whereas it was remarked that 12 months ago they probably would not have brought Is each.

The Railways Department advertises in this issue particulars of the altered running of the goods' train service on the Roxburgh branch on and after Monday next. Coffee for breakfast. Order from your grocer a tin of “ Bourbon," the coffee of quality Instructions in every tin. Prepared by Durie’s. Coffee Specialists. 32 Octagon. Dunedin.— Advt.

For rings, watches and jewellery, try Peter Dick, jewellers. 59 Princes street. Dunedin.—Advt.