In the News

Southland Times, Issue 24229, 12 September 1940, Page 8

In the News

Badges For Volunteers

The Army Department at Invercargill has received a second supply of badges for volunteers with the military forces who have been classed as unfit for service. Within the next few days men who have already made applications will receive badges and others may make application. Two Positions Created

Because of the increased duties attached to the work, the positions of placement officer in Invercargill and secretary of the Man-Power Committee, held by Mr S. C. Bingham, will in future be separated. Mr Bingham will retain the position of placement officer and will act as assistant secretary of the Committee, and Mr. J. W. Hinchey, of the Public Trust Office staff, will be secretary of the committee. Several qualified officers of the Public Trust office will take over the duties of secretaries of the various man-power sub-committees. Cakes For Soldiers There is a big demand at present for cakes for soldiers and one retail firm in Invercargill sells, on an average, about 60 or 70 a week for this purpose. Advice has been received that a consignment of cakes, which are placed in specially sealed tins, has reached its destination safely and in excellent condition. Air Raid Victims

The wife and two children, one aged five years and the other 11 months, of a former Auckland resident, Mr W. A. Thompson, have been killed in an air raid in Bedfordshire, England, according to cabled advice received by relations in Auckland. Mr Thompson, who is the only survivor of the family, is a son of Mr W. A. Thompson, of Herne Bay. He was born in Auckland and was in business in the city before leaving for England nine years ago. He married an English girl, Miss May Lloyd, about six years ago and the family lived at Luton, where Mr Thompson was engaged in the motoring industry.

No Sunday Play “We don’t endorse Sunday play on this side of the mountains. Whatever is done on the other side is no concern of ours,” said Mr J. K. Moloney, president, at a meeting of the Management Committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union, when an application was received from a club team for permission to visit the West Coast to.play a Sunday match against a West Coast club. The committee merely granted the club permission to travel.

Holidays In War Time “It does seem that a lot of these people have their heads in the sand and do not know that there is a real state of emergency existing,” said Mr W. E. Anderson, representing the employers before the Arbitration Court at Auckland. Mr Anderson was contesting a recisior. to grant drivers a picnic day on the same day as the waterside workers’ picnic. “This is no time - for talk of extending holidays,” M Anderson continued. ‘We have got to get our backs into the job. To come along and suggest another holiday on top of what they have had through all the years is just a little bit too thick.” Mr L. G. Matthews, for the union, said the men did not intend to apply for another holiday, but only to claim a right granted.

Attacked By Wild Pig A farm worker, Mr Thomas Theed, employed by Mr W. Brough, at Taoroa. near Taihape, was admitted to hospital suffering from injuries received through being attacked by a wild pig which he and Mr W. Findlay were hunting on Mr Brough’s property. The party came up with the pig in the bush and fired a shot, which dropped the animal. Mr Theed approached the boar, which suddenly regained its feet and rushed him, and severely gashed his leg and also inflicted other .injuries. The pig was killed by a second shot. Mr Theed’s condition is not serious.

Coloured Pedestrian Crossings Coloured pedestrian crossings are to be tried by the traffic department of the Christchurch City Council, and the first of two such experimental crossings was laid across Armagh street at the intersection of Colombo street. This one consists of reinforced concrete slabs of a bright salmon colour which contrasts very satisfactorily with the dark grey of the road paving. The other crossing will be at the intersection of Gloucester and Colombo streets and will be constructed of coloured concrete mixed and poured on the spot. Spitfire From Bowlers Suggested That a Spitfire fighter aeroplane be given by the bowlers of New Zealand to the Royal Air Force was suggested by Mr R. E. McNish in a proposal put before the Christchurch Bowling Centre. Mr McNish said many appeals were being made, but he felt that this was a cause which was admirably suited to be sponsored by the New Zealand Bowling Association, the members of which were mostly above military age, and who were eager to make some tangible contribution to tile national war effort. Another proposal was that a levy of 2/- a member be made, the proceeds to be given to the Patriotic Fund. One delegate suggested a contribution of 6d a head 1 each week. All these proposals were rejected because it was considered that as many bowlers were retired men, or farmers on whom many other demands were made, they could not afford any further definite gift in the meantime. The matter was left to the clubs, many of whom, it was stated, had already made donations, including £5O from the Riccarton Racecourse Club. It was agreed that a gift of £25 be made to the Government from the centre.

Control Of Fire Engines To solve the problems of fleet control and the calling out of brigadesmen on leave, the question of installing twoway radio communication on the machines of the Christchurch Fire Board is to be considered. The board has decided that the offer if a former employee, who is now serving with the signals branch of the Air Force, to supply a report on the installation should be accepted. Superintendent A. Morrison explained the difficulties arising through inability to keep the fleet in contact with the station on a recent night. A general alarm was sounded and three engines were sent out. A call was then received from Bedford row and a machine was despatched from the station, a suburban machine being called in. Then a third call was received from Lichfield street. Too many men were sent out to the first call, but they could not be recalled. With two-way radio communication, the whole fleet could have been controlled from the station.