In the News

Southland Times, Issue 24839, 3 September 1942, Page 4

In the News

56 Per Cent of Rates The amount collected in city rates for the year 1942-43 during the statutory discount period which ended on Monday was £60,090, or nearly 56 per cent, of the total levy. This is a considerably better percentage than was achieved last year, when the amount collected during the discount period represented 47 per cent, of the total levy. The biggest day this year was the final day of the discount period, when £11,183 was received. On the final day last year the amount received was £4629, but it was a Saturday. The largest daily total last year was £7612. Shop Assistants’ Wages Increases in wages of 7/6 for men and 10/- for women, making the minimum rates £5/10/- and £3/7/6 respectively, are provided in the New Zealand Retail Shop Assistants’ Award, which has been issued by the Court of Arbitration. The wages of juniors have been increased by amounts varying from 1/to 7/6. This award does not apply to the northern industrial district. In a memorandum to the award, Mr Justice Tyndall states that the nominal rates of wages had in most cases been increased in further recognition of the fact that these workers were called upon to work 44 hours a week, spread over five and a-half days. Youthful Boxers As a result of the commendable patriotic spirit shown by a number of Georgetown schoolboys in forming a juvenile boxing club, the Red Cross Voluntary Aid funds will benefit to the extent of £l. A committee was formed and a decision to erect a ring on the back lawn of the president’s home was made. An objective of 10/- was set, but because of active advertising by members of the committee, this sum was doubled. Parents were prevailed upon to open up their pockets, and when the youthful pugilists climbed from the ring they drowned any differences of opinion which might have arisen iff the course of the battles in bottles of “fizz.” The proceeds have been handed to the editor of The Southland Times and will be paid in to the V.A. funds. Lime Production No reduction in lime production in the South Island is contemplated at present, Mr R. P. Connell, fields superintendent of the Department of Agriculture, told the North Canterbury District Council of Primary Production when Mr A. H. Spratt mentioned a recent conference between the Government and the lime producers to discuss cutting production by 30 per cent. Mr Connell said Mr Spratt was referring to a conference of North Island lime interests with certain Government officials. A similar conference had been held with South Island lime representatives, but no such suggestion had been put up as far as the South Island was concerned. The North Island was ip* a different position.—P.A. Army Education The announcement that arrangements were being made for a scheme of educational training in the Army and that the War Cabinet had approved the appointment of Mr D. G. Ball, senior inspector of schools, to the position of Director of Army Welfare and Education, was made last night by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones. Mr Ball will be given the honorary rank.of lieutenant-colonel. He served overseas in the first New Zealand Expeditionary Force from January 1916 to April 1919 and was promoted to commissioned rank on May 30, 1918. He was mentioned in Earl Haig’s dispatches published in the London Gazette on May 15, 1917. At present Mr Ball is commanding officer of the Makara battalion of the Home Guard.—P.A. Radio Technical Services With the object of releasing the maximum number of radio technicians for more important war work, the War Cabinet, on the recommendation of the Minister in charge of broadcasting, the Hon. D. Wilson, has decided to amalgamate the technical branches of the National and Commercial Broadcasting Services. Both men and equipment are affected. The decision made is expected to result in the release of a considerable number of men within the next five or six weeks. Mr J. R. Smith, at present chief engineer of the National Service, will in future be chief engineer of the combined technical services. The technical staff of the Commercial Service will be ..taken over. Consideration is being given to the elimination for the duration of the war of any and every superfluous function of broadcasting which will result in the further release of man power. Jockeys Arrested

Patrick Joseph Salmon and Clifford Noel Fox, apprentice jockeys, were arrested by the Reefton police on Sunday night on a warrant issued at Christchurch, charging them with stealing the sum of £650 from the home of Frances Clara Tisdall, at Dunedin, on August 26. Philip Joseph Hassell, a companion of the accused, was arrested on Monday morning and was charged with receiving from Fox the sum of £25, knowing the money to have been dishonestly obtained. The three accused were brought before the Magistrate’s Court at Reefton, and remanded to appear in Christchurch.