In the News

Southland Times, Issue 24233, 17 September 1940, Page 6

In the News

The Fruit Market A statement that the banana market in Invercargill would be bare before the next shipment arrived was made by a city merchant yesterday. The opinion was expressed that much more of the fruit could have been sold had it been available, but the slight decrease of bananas in the last shipment had been offset by a shipment of excellent quality South Australian oranges which arrived during the week-end. There are ample supplies of apples and pears. Technical Block At Gore

The new technical block of the Gore High School in the Hostel ground will be officially opened by the Minister of Education, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, on Friday at 2.30 p.m. Advice to this effect was received yesterday by 2nd Lieutenant T. L. Macdonald, M.P., from the Minister, who stated that he would arrive at Gore from Invercargill in time for the ceremony and would leave for the north at 4 p.m. Battery Wireless Set Wanted

An appeal has been made for a battei-y wireless set for the use of men on patrol duty in an isolated part of Southland. The secretary of the Invercargill Returned Soldiers’ Association, Mr J. S. Filippini, would be glad to hear of any person willing to lend such a set to the men. Binoculars And Compass

The latest gifts of compasses and binoculars to the military authorities include the following gifts collected by the Riverton Patriotic Committee:—A compass given by Mr R. J. Walker (Riverton) and a pair of binoculars given by Mr Peter Blaikie (Hekeia), Praise For Lord Bledisloe

Reference to Lord Bledisloe as “New Zealand’s greatest commercial traveller” was made by Mr W. Hustler Smith, speaking at the Association Day smoke concert of the Wellington Commercial Travellers’ Association. Mr Smith mentioned Lord Bledisloe’s continued interest in New Zealand as shown by his having placed at the disposal of the New Zealand troops his house in London.

Not Chief Magistrate “I am not the Chief Magistrate of the city, though in the last 10 years so many people have called me that that I feel moved to rebel,” said the Mayor of Wellington, Mr T. C. A. Hislop, speaking at the Association Day smoke concert of the Wellington Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen’s Association. Mr Hislop had been given that title when being introduced by the president, Mr E. E. Brooking. “In England,” said Mr Hislop, “mayors are called chief magistrates because they happen to be magistrates. I have no such powers here at all. lam just the Mayor.” Shortage of Shearers

The difficulties facing sheep farmers in South Canterbury because of the shortage of shearers in consequence of enlistments and other causes were discussed at a meeting of the committee of the Timaru Agricultural Association on Friday, when it was decided to communicate with the Minister of National Service (the Hon. R. Semple), and other primary industrial organizations. Mr A. S. Elworthy said that from information he had received it appeared that there would be a shortage of about 56 shearers in South Canterbury because of men having enlisted for overseas or home service. These men would in ordinary circumstances have been able to handle about 200,000 sheep, so that it appeared there would be a serious shortage unless steps were taken at once to meet the position.

Porpoises In Harbour The Otago Harbour has, during the past few years, seen a number of unusual visitors, including sea-hons, giant sunfish, and an occasional shark, but mammals of the whale family have rarely been seen inside Taiaro Head. Late on Sunday afternoon, however, a large school of porpoises, numbering approximately a score, made its way into the harbour and swam up the channel as far as Burkes, the gambolling of the mammals attracting the attention of many harbour-side residents. Even after dark the porpoises could be heard blowing and splashing in the vicinity of Burkes, and later reports indicated that they had apparently completed their inspection of the Upper Harbour and again headed for the open sea.

Mobilization Of Tractors The mobilization of tractor power for use on forms in the event of a shortage, the extension of operations under die Rural Housing Act by county councils and the promotion of economy in the use of seaming twine, of which there is a> acute shortage, are lines of action recommended to the South Canterbury District Council of Primary Production by the director of primary production (Mr R. B. Tennant) in a letter to the secretary. “There have been many requests for public works tractors to be made available to farmers,” Mr Tennant said. “This is not possible, and the council is definitely requested to undertake steps to mobilize tractor power in the event of a shortage.” Quarters For Farm Workers

Farmers are planning a community scheme to provide accommodation for farm labourers. A plan at present being explored in Central Taranaki to ensure casual farm labour being available in the district has been approved by the North Taranaki Council of Primary Production, and recommended for more general adoption by rural communities. It was reported that farmers in one district were proposing to form themselves into a special rating area, with a view to securing money borrowed from the county council to erect - better type of house in a central spot to accommodate workers selected by the committee, who would become available for casual work. ;