In the News

Southland Times, Issue 24234, 18 September 1940, Page 6

In the News

Summer Time

Official summer time will begin in New Zealand at 2 a.m. on Sunday, September 29, when clocks will be advanced half-an-hour. The period of summer time will continue until the last Sunday in April 1941.

Pay for Army, Recruits Less than 5 per cent, of the Southland recruits whose, mobilization orders were cancelled have applied to the Army Office fox- pay because of loss of employment. Warrants were issued to a limited number of recruits entitling them to draw their first week’s pay yesterday. Fortnightly payments will be made in future if mobilization is delayed. Fire At Eye Street

Slight damage was done by fire to a single-storied house at 65 Eye street, Invercargill, yesterday morning. The house is occupied by Mr J. Pianta. It was stated that painters were burning off paint with a blow-lamp when sparks got between some of the boards. The Invercargill Fire Brigade was called, and the fire was quickly extinguished. The brigade' received another call shortly after 11 o’clock last night to a fire in a hedge on a vacant section in Tweed street opposite Metzger street. It was quickly extinguished and little damage was done. Reading In War Time

The opinion that there had been a big increase in the number of books being read in Invercargill was expressed by the city librarian, Mr H. B. Farnall, yesterday. Practically all classes of literature were being widely read, especially books about espionage and the Gestapo; there had been a large increase in all classes of books taken out by subscribers. According to a leading firm of booksellers the greatest demand at the present time seemed to be for fiction, the sale of which was being maintained at a remarkably high figure. Some authoritative books on foreign affairs continued to sell well, but the public generally seemed to have turned to fiction as an antidote to the troubles of the time. Battle Of The Somme

An anniversary of high importance to all men of the Ist New Zealand Expeditionary Force fell on Sunday. Twenty-four years ago their division entered the Battle of the Somme and in 23 desperate days fought the best and most seasoned German troops to a standstill. It was in this battle, too, that the division won its first Victoria Cross in France, the award going to Sergeant D. F. Brown, of the 2nd Battalion, Otago Regiment, who was later killed while sniping the retreating enemy. The Somme operations had an incalculable effect upon the morale of the division and engendered among all units and arms a mutual confidence which was never lost. Maori In Cablegram

Representatives of the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Brigade were surprised to find that the words “Kia ora” would not be accepted as the conclusion of a fraternal message to the London Fire Brigade. In reply to an inquiry at the Auckland Chief Post Office it was stated that the Imperial censorship recognized only five languages fox- use in cablegrams, namely, English, French, Spanish, Afrikaans and Portuguese. However, an arrangement had been made some months ago for the acceptance of messages in Maori to or from members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force abroad. This exception did not apply to other messages. Petrol Allowances

“By comparison with England and Australia, the motorists of oxlr Dominion appear to have been dealt with in a particularly harsh manner in the matter of petrol supplies,” states the annual report of the Automobile Association (Canterbury). After referring to the progressive reduction in petrol allowances, the report states: “There is ample evidence that this further cut is not being accepted by either private motorists or the trade with a good grace. Recently a strong case has been advanced for a further revision, which we trust will achieve the desired effect of inducing the authorities to agree to an increase in the monthly ration.” Message To London Firemen

A fraternal message expressing admiration for the work of the London firemen under German bomb-fire has been cabled to the London Fire Brigade by the officers and men of the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Brigade. The message was as follows: —“A magnificent effort. The eyes of the world are upon you. We are all with you in spirit, and would like to stand side by side. Keep up the good work.”

New Generating Unit Completion of the No. 3 generating unit at the Waitaki hydro-electric power station and its readiness for testing within the next few weeks were announced on Monday by the district electrical engineer to the Public Works Department at Christchurch, Mr R. G. Mac Gibbon. The assembly of a fourth generating unit is proceeding and should be completed early next year. The present maximum capacity of the station, 30,000 kilowatts, will therefore be doubled before next winter, and this is expected to help substantially in meeting the increasing demands for power on the South Island supply system. The “drying-out” of the new generator was begun last week and should be completed within about three weeks. The machine will then be put on test and after its performance has proved satisfactory it will take its part in meeting the ordinary commercial load. Following the usual practice, the engineers are drying the generator by running it, short-circuited, at nearly full speed. This generates sufficient internal heat to dry the mechanism thoroughly, and is much cheaper and just as. efficient as the use of blasts of hot air. The generator is the third of the five for which the station was designed. Community Sing At Civic

In response to the appeal which is being launched for funds to help air raid victims in London, arrangements are being made by the Invercargill Community Sing Committee to hold a community sing and variety concert in tbe Civic Theatre on Thursday, October 17. The sing will be conducted by Mr R. (“Whang”) McKenzie and Mr Murpby, of Dunedin. The entertainment will be broadcast from station 4YZ and cbeerios in the form of “whangs” will be accepted for transmission. Extra telephones will be provided at the theatre for this purpose. Donations from the public will be thankfully received and may be forwarded to Mr D. K. Torrance, Box 70, Invercargill. Concert At Orepuki

A grand concert and community sing will be presented by the Invercargill R.S.A. Concert Party at the Regent Theatre, Orepuki, tonight. Included in the programme will be an item by Mr J. Gilchrist and his talking doll; there will be an auction sale and Messrs Charles Trim and B. Hammonds will lead a short community sing. The proceeds are to be devoted to the Patriotic Fund.