NEW ZEALAND NEWS ITEMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 46, 24 February 1939, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS ITEMS

Striped Marlin Caught. A striped marlin weighing 2521 b was caught by Mr. Percy Mitchalfe, when fishing in waters off Whangaroa on Sunday. Care of War Graves. The appearance of war cemeteries in France and Germany was contrasted on Monday by Mr. S. Barry, an Aucklander who returned by the Aorangi after spending two years abroad. While touring the Flanders battlefield area, he said, he was impressed by the beautiful appearance of British cemeteries under the care of ex-servicemen, the flower gardens, lawns and graves being kept in perfect order. In Germany, however, the cemeteries were drab and gave the impression of being ill-kept. The graves were marked only by small black wooden crosses and the plots were covered with ivy. Shortage of Bananas. One of the most severe shortages of bananas for some years is being experienced in Auckland. It will not be relieved immediately by the shipment brought by the Matua, as that fruit will require a few days to ripen. The scarcity has resulted from damage by storms to the Fijian plantations, and is reflected in the prices being asked in city shops. They are ranging up to 6d a lb, and some shops reported on Monday afternoon that even at that price they did not have sufficient supplies. On the wholesale market also the scarcity has been very evident, for, although a maximum price of 27s a case has been fixed by the Government, on some recent market days fruit of both good and indifferent quality has been bringing the full price. X-Ray Film Danger. Doubt whether hospital authorities in the Dominion realised the danger from X-ray negatives stored in their institutions was expressed at a meeting of the Hawera Hospital Board on Monday, when fire prevention and extinction were being discussed. It was stated that in the event of fire, fumes issuing from burning negatives could take heavy toll of patients confined to thein-beds.

Benefits From Health Camp. With an average gain of 31b in weight and of "in. in height, 35 children. who had been for two weeks at the health camp at Campbell’s Bay. returned to their homes in Auckland on Monday. They had a very fine holiday, in which much sea bathing and long rambles were features, and they had a number of camp concerts.

Blotting Paper For Public. With a view to tidying the public writing desks in the post offices, the department has decided to replace the present sheets of blotting paper by neat blotting pads with leatherette corners. To meet the requirements of post offices throughout the Dominion about 600 such pads will be required, and it is estimated that about 1,000,000 sheets of blotting paper will be used each year. Th' old system of attached pencils for the use of the public has now been almost completely discarded, and the annual turnover of pen-nibs for public use is 120,000. About 30,000 pen-holders are required. Centennial Memorial.

The centre of the Square at Palmerston North has been approved by the Palmerston North City Council as the location of an electric fountain as a Centennial memorial, states The Post’s representatve. The site is at present occupiedf by the Soldier’s War Memorial, and the R.S.A. is to be asked to approve the shifting of the statue to another site nearby.

Tourist Traffic. The extent of the Dominion's touris traffic is revealed in the annual statistical report on population and buildings prepared by the Census and Statistics Department for the year ended March 31, 1938. It is stated that 12.880 tourists, excluding those on cruising liners, arrived in New Zealand, 7851 coming from Australia and 2174 from Great Britain. New Zealand residents departing temporarily numbered 16.383, and of those 10,532 recorded Australia as their country of destination, while 3094 were stated to be proceeding to Great Britain. Danger from X-ray Negatives. Doubt whether hospital authorities in the Dominion realised the danger from X-ray negatives, stored in their institutions was expressed at a meeting of the Hawera Hospital Board, when fire prevention and extinction were being discussed. It was stated that, in the event of fire, fumes issuing from burning negatives could take heavy toll of patients confined to their beds. The matter arose from a report by the superintendent of the Hawera Fire Brigade, Mr. L. V. Gibson. in which he drew attention to the need for a fire-proof container for negatives stored in the hospital’s Xray department. Dr. W. S. Fogg, medical superintendent of the hospital, said that, although the new type of safety film did not burn ranidly, it gave off a considerable volume of fumes. The board appointed a sub-committee to consider the matter. France As An Ally. An appreciation of the value of France as an ally of the British Empire was voiced by Mr. R. A. Cuthbert in an address to sports bodies and members of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ and Territorial Associations. It was very fitting, he said, that this great democratic State, which was the closest to us in our institutions, should be our ally. Bonds of interest and sympathy bound the French to us, while their geographical situation made their friendship essential.

Drowned in Bucket of Milk. Found by his mother with his head and hands immersed in a bucket of milk. Peter Cunningham, aged 11 months, of Pikiwahine, Dargaville, failed to respond to artificial respiration. Giving evidence at an inquest into the death of the child before the district coroner (Mr. J. A. McLean), the mother, Mrs. Ellen Evelyn Cunningham, said she had left the baby playing in the kitchen and when she returned about 10 minutes later she found him 4vith his head and hands in a bucket of milk, and his feet just touching the floor. The inquest was adjourned sine die.