In the News

Southland Times, Issue 24244, 30 September 1940, Page 6

In the News

Territorials For Camp About 450 men of the territorial unit of the Ist Southland Regiment will leave today for camp at Forbury Park, Dunedin. A special train will leave Invercargill at 7 o’clock this morning, taking most of the men. The remainder will travel to Dunedin by the afternoon express. Captain A. C. Smart will travel with the morning train as conducting officer and Captain T. H. Ham, E.D., will accompany the afternoon contingent. Major C. E. Lees is the officer commanding the regiment. A Radio Slogan

“Rationing in any case should stand on its own merits and use of the Gov-ernment-controlled radio is a piece of colossal impertinence,” said Mr L. H. Mirams (Otago) when discussing petrol restrictions at the annual meeting of the South Island Motor Union, at Christchurch. “ ‘Save a coupon, save a life’ is not justified in any circumstances. It is absolute hypocrisy and deliberate misuse of the public’s patriotic feeling.”

Election To River Board Nominations for the seat on the Waikiwi River Board made vacant by the retirement of Mr F. T. Blick closed at noon on Saturday. The only nomination received was that of Martin Joseph Ford, of West Plains, and he was declared elected. Anti-grousing

There was still too much “grousing” in New Zealand, the Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C., commented when emphasizing the need for an optimistic outlook at a Returned Soldiers’ Association function in Wellington. “One of the worst forms of grouser at the present time,’ he said, “is the man who is looking forward to the compulsory loan that is coming with much more trepidation than the average Londoner looks forward to an air raid.” Bookmaker Fined

In the Dunedin Magistrate’s Court on Saturday, Isaac Henry Curtis, described as a bookmaker in a comparatively small way of business, was fined £5O on a charge of using his shop as a common gaining house. He had two previous convictions. —Press Association.

Impressive Parade In Auckland Proudly exercising the right to carry fixed bayonets the Ist Battalion, Auckland Regiment (Countess of Ranfurly’s Own) impressively marched through the city on Saturday giving evidence to the crowds which lined the streets of the fine results achieved in three months’ intensive training at the Epsom show grounds. The Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, took the salute and congratulated the officers and men on their soldierly bearing. Maori Measurements “The Maori never had any idea of distances from the pakeha viewpoint,” said Mr C. T. Newton, native interpreter, giving evidence in the Supreme Court at Auckland. “He never had a set idea of miles or chains or anything like that. He remembered his distances solely by the natural features.” In answer to Mr Justice Fair, witness said the Maori did not use any measure of distance like a stone’s throw or a spear’s throw, but they would sometimes speak of the two arms outstretched to represent about 6ft. The Maori never had any idea of an acre, he added. Ration Card For Great Dane “We were pressed to buy cats, dogs, monkeys, fowls, ducks, rabbits, gramophone records, ties, hats and suits, cabbages, crockery, watches, fruit and thousands of other articles. One very enthusiastic vendor tried to sell me a Great Dane; it was a beautiful dog. When I told him 1 got just enough food for myself he said quite earnestly that I would be able to get a ration card for it. Needless to say, I did not buy it.” That was an experience related by Corporal Howard Frost, formerly of Eltham, and now with the 2nd Echelon in England, of a visit to the famous Petticoat Lane at London while on leave recently. He describes the incident in a letter just received by his parents in Eltham. More Radio Licences An increase of 23,996 in the number of radio licences in the Dominion for the year ended August 31 is shown in a Post and Telegraph Department statement. This increase was made in spite of the fact that more than a thousand experimental amateur permits were .withdrawn owing to the war. The total for the Dominion is now 351,124. For receiving sets, Wellington still leads, with 123,683, Auckland having 113,601, Canterbury 64,594, and Otago 46,842. There are 1304 free licences, an increase of 282 for the year. Operation At Sea A successful operation was carried out at sea on a member of the crew of a liner which has arrived at Auckland from England. Three days out from Auckland the operation became necessary and the patient was made comfortable on top of the No. 6 hatch while the ship was slowed down. Assisted by a doctor among the passengers who acted as anaesthetist, and by two nurses who were also passengers, the ship’s surgeon performed the operation. When the ship arrived at Auckland the patient was quickly recuperating.

Calm Courage In London Further evidence of the calm courage of civilians in London in the face of continued German air raids is contained in a cablegram received by Mrs A. Lunt, of Howick, from a nephew who is employed in the medical department at Somerset House, which was recently bombed. The wording of the cablegram, “All well so far, not worried, keep cheerful,” conveys the undertone of the staunch spirit with which the present ordeal is being met. Mrs Lunt also has two nephews working as air raid wardens in London.

Thousands Of Meals The valuable work being performed by the Christchurch Welcome Club on behalf of soldiers, sailors, and airmen was strikingly illustrated in a review of its activities since its inception a year ago presented by Mrs W. Kent-Johnson at the official opening ceremony in the new premises. Apart from recreation and entertainment provided for the men, it was reported that over 32,000 high-teas Itad been served to date. With the rapid expansion of the air station at Wigram, the opening of Harewood, and the mobilization of the territorials, it had become evident that the Christchurch Art Gallery, with its lack of facilities for the workers, could not cope with the increasing number that thronged the premises every week-end. During the year 82 organizations had affiliated with the club, and these, together with 12 groups of individuals, had acted as hosts and hostesses to the troops on one or more occasions. Organizations from Invercargill, Darfield, Hawarden, Kaiapoi and other groups from various Canterbury districts had taken a turn in the proceedings, and Kaikoura was booked for an evening in the near future.