NEWS OF THE DAY

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1940, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Higher Cost of Travelling. In view of increased in cost of petrol, oil and tyres, the travelling expenses of members of the Taranaki Hospital Board using their own cars was yesterday increased by- the board from 6d to 8d a mile. Hospital Appointments, The following appointments for the ensuing twelve months were made at yesterday's meeting of the Taranaki Hospital Board: Senior resident medical officer, Dr. D. N. Allen; juniors, Messrs. John Rich, J. A. K. Cunningham and R. N. Akel. "Oil as Good as Blood?" "Well if the oil is as good as the blood of a lot of people I know in Taranaki it will indeed be good oil," said the Hon. P. C. Webb, Minister of Mines, at New Plymouth last night when a member of a deputation said that it has been said that oil flowed in the veins of the people of Taranaki. New Post Office at Okato. The fostmaster-General, the Hon. P. C. Webb, stated yesterday that plans were being prepared for a line store and garage building for the Post and Telegraph Department at Stratford. The estimated cost was £4100. In addition, plans were be.ing prepared for a new post office building at Okato and the : conversion of the existing building to a residence for the postmaster. The estimated cost was £3000. The Best Advertisement. "I do not think, Mr. Mayor/ that you need worry about the lack of publicity in that recent booklet. If we can only strike an oil gusher here Taranaki will soon become the best known or more probably the only known portion of New Zealand to the outside world," stated the Hon. P. C. Webb. Minister of Mines, to Mr. E. R. C. Gilmour, Mayor of of New Plymouth, at New Plymouth last night. Sickness at Wellington. Wellington has lately suffered an outbreak of winter sickness— measles, whooping cough, diphtheria, scarlet fever and influenza — which have ' affected school attendances and caused further difficulty in staffs of Government offices and business houses already in many cases short staffed because of enlistments in the armed forces. Influenza, mostly of the gastric type, is still fairy prevalent. Tangi Removed. More than 20 Maoris from the Hastings Road Pa, Okaiawa, and Ketemarae Pa, Normanby, comprised a party which travelled to Waitara by train yesterday. The occasion of the journey was the ' carrying of the tangi of the late elder Pouwhareumu Toi to. Manukorihi Pa at Waitara, where North Taranaki Maoris are assembling for a hui which will take place to-day. The South Taranaki party comprised mostly elderly Maoris and close relatives of the deceased. No Concesslons for Soldiers. The Auckland Transport Board has confirmed its previous decision not to grant on the tramways any concessions similar to those enjoyed by soldiers in uniform at Wellington and Christchurch. The finance! committee of the board reported its consideration of a request from the army secretary to the New Zea-t land military forces and recommended no departure from the board's original decision. Military Hospital Plans. The drawing of plans for a military hospital near the Auckland hospital is I proceeding steadily at Wellington. It is believed that in the early stages the proposal to build a hospital of three wings was changed to one of two wings of larger ' size, this being dictated by the nature of the ground. The hospital will not be constructed of permanent materials, possibly because the site is part of the domain. India's Mlllions. Writing from the Punjab, where he is on the staff of the Presbyterian mission, Dr. A. J. Henderson, Auckland, states that from 1921 to 1931 there was an increase of 33.000.000 in the population of India. It is estimated that in 1941 the total will exceed 400,000,000, the increase being largely due to the prevention of the former great outbreaks of disease. Whereas 70 years ago the average annual income was about 30s, ten years ago it was about £8. In the modern city of Bombay one-third of the population of 1.100,000 live in rooms occupied by more than five persons at a time, and a large number of rooms have over 20 persons. Out-patlent Fees. The Taranaki Hospital Board yesterday decided that certain proposals submitted by the Taranaki Hospital District Friendly Societies' Association in respect of the out-patient agreement covering members of the association was not acceptable. Following thc recommendation of the Department of Health, the board affirmed its previous offer to accept a reduction of 25 per cent. in the levies payable to the board. As an alternative, the board expressed its willingness to enter into an agreement whereby 75 per cent. of the normal outpatient fees be guaranteed by the association and be accepted in full settlement of the account.