In the News

Southland Times, Issue 24888, 30 October 1942, Page 4

In the News

More New Potatoes

At a time when many amateur gardeners are regarding their own anaemic potatoes, still more or less in their embryo stage, with some misgivings, comes the news of more early potatoes. Mr W. F. Horrell, of Te Tua, has beaten the record put up by Mr W. J. Harris, of Waikiwi, which was reported in The Southland Times on Tuesday. The aggregate weight of eight of Mr Horrell s potatoes is as compared with lib for Mr Harris’s eight potatoes. Mr Korrell's eight potatoes have been received and admired in the office of The Southland .Times. Their edible quality will now be tested in the usual manner.

Gale Continues Although less rain fell in Invercargill yesterday, the wind at times reached gale force. Last night the barometer had risen perceptibly and the wind had slackened in force. The forecast is for an improvement in the weather. In Otago during the last seven days the province has been drenched in rain, covered in snow and torn by heavy gales. Conditions yesterday showed little sign of improvement.

Damage by Children Wilful damage done by children in the plantation area on Bluff hill was reported to the Bluff Harbour Board last night by the engineer (Mr D. E. S. Mason). He said a concrete water pipe had been broken and sticks had been poked into the pipe. A grating was being made to overcome this nuisance. Children armed with axes had ringbarked trees, cut down manuka and built scrub huts. He was concerned about the danger of fire. He suggested that the board write to the school committee and inform it that the police were being asked to take action against offenders. The recommendation was adopted.

Five Births of Twins The Auckland St. Helens Hospital has broken all records with five lots of twins in a fortnight. It is very unusual for the hospital to have even two births of twins at a time. The recent five cases are made up of three sets of boys and two of girls. One of the mothers is in the early twenties, one in the late twenties, and two in the thirties. One is an airman’s wife. The average number of mothers in St. Helens is 36 to 38, so that five with twins is a very high proportion. Soldiers’ Comforts Reporting to a meeting of the Invercargill Metropolitan Patriotic Committee last night, Mrs J. R. Hanan reported that 800 soldiers’ parcels had been made up by the women’s committee. Soldiers from the camps had called at the depot and had been supplied with .100 sets of balaclavas, scarves and mittens, and sets of woollen comforts had been sent to Bluff. The women’s committee had also been knitting for the Merchant Navy. Unclaimed Property

The Auckland Hospital Board has decided to request the permission of the Minister of Health to sell by auction a large accumulation of property of deceased patients which has remained unclaimed for more than two years. The board, at a meeting on Monday night, received a report from the treasurer stating that among unclaimed property were 79 rings, 139 watches, 24 chains, 100 pairs of spectacles, and numerous brooches, pendants, and studs. Every effort, the treasurer stated, had been made to locate and interest the next of kin. The goods had considerable intrinsic value. The last auction, held in 1930, realized nearly £76.

Women in Air Force The liability to serve outside New Zealand of women enlisted or enlisting in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force is dealt with in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force Emergency Regulations, under which the auxiliary is incorporated in the armed forces of New Zealand and made subject, to whatever extent may be specified in Air Force Orders, to the New Zealand Air Force Act and the Imperial Act and Regulations governing the Royal Air Force. Every member of the auxiliary is declared to be liable for service within New Zealand for the duration of the war and 12 months thereafter. Only those members who have stated or may state in writing that they are willing to serve beyond New Zealand can be required to undertake duty overseas. Alleged Desertion An aircraftman, Francis Stanley Ayres, aged 35, was tried by courtmartial in Hamilton for alleged desertion. Evidence was given that he was ordered to report for overseas service and absented himself, and that he reported to his original station after the draft had left. The accused was described as a man of good character and efficient at his work. He objected to the type of service to which he was allotted. The Court’s decision will be promulgated later.