General News

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 203, 29 August 1942, Page 4

General News

Brownout Time. The time for the drawing of blinds in Wanganui to-day is 6.15 p.m. Kotary Club Speaker. The speaker at the Wanganui PvOtary Club luncheon on Monday will be Mr. Duncan Cook, medical officer of health, Palmerston North. The subject of his talk will be “Population.” Army Vehicles and E.P.S. Instructions have been issued to all E.P.S. organisations to the effect that service vehicles and uniformed personnel (including those of the Allied Forces) must not be held up during trials, states the latest E.P.S. bulletin issued by the National Service Department (Wellington). Visiting Rugby Team The Tank Brigade Rugby team which will play the Wanganui representative side this afternoon on Spriggens Park will arrive this morning and will stay at the Metropolitan Hotel. The Tank Brigade selectors, Major S. J. Wright and 2nd.-Lieuten-ants C. H. Stevenson and A. Binnie, are accompanying the team. Port Bowen Accident. While engaged in operations connected with the dismantling of the Port Bowen wreck at Castlecliff yesterday, Mr. L. A. Ross, Mosston Road, Castlecliff, was struck by a heavy steel plate and received a compound fracture of his right leg. He was taken by the Free Ambulance to the Wanganui Public Hospital. VV.VV.S.A. Route March. As part of its training, the Women’s War Service Auxiliary in Wanganui undertakes a route march once a month. A further march will be held this afternoon, and it was stated yesterday that the parade is not confined to uniformed members. W.W.S.A. personnel who have not been issued with uniforms are requested to take part. Further Petrol Cut? A further cut in petrol with the object of saving tyre mileage was predicted by the South Island Zoning Officer (Mr. T. H. Langford) when discussing the zoning of deliveries with business men at Geraldine. Stressing the seriousness of the tyre position, he said that there would be Hide chance of replacing tyres on vehicles in use. Marriages of Minors. According to a report on vital statistics, the number of minors contracting marriages in New Zealand in 1940 totalled 1730, of whom 1379 were girls. One youth aged 16, and 94 girls of the same age, married during the year. Four girls had been divorced and re-married by the time they reached 20 years of age. The number of divorced persons who re-married in 1940 totalled 1279. Making Recruits Fit. “You do not have to undergo treatment,” said Mr. T. P. McCready, a member of the No. 2 (Auckland) Armed Forces Appeal Board, to an appellant. The man spid his medical grading had been deferred, as he had to have treatment for varicose veins. Mr. McCready stated that under an order issued 10 days ago, a reservist could decline to undergo remedial treatment. He would not be punished for doing so. Red Cross Parcels. “With the news of steamers being sunk and the consequent non-arrival of mails, it will be very gratifying to all Red Cross voluntary helpers in New Zealand to learn that a further 42 cases of relief goods has reached London.” states the War Purposes Committee of the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society. Advice had been received that, the people in Great. Britain were very g.ateful for the continued help being sent by New Zealand. Schoolboy’s Puzzles. A set of jig-saw puzzles for the entertainment of soldiers has been designed and completed by a 10-year-old schoolboy, Frank Wilkie, of 8 Harrison Street, Wanganui. He has presented the puzzles to the Rev. J. H. Datson, C.F., who is organising a camp library service. Paying a tribute to the boy’s work, Mr. Datson said last night that the puzzles would be most appreciated by soldiers in military hospitals. They were of ingenious design and would certainly provide hours of entertainment for those fortunate enough to possess them. Rotary Club Officers. The annual dinner and installation of officers of the Wanganui Rotary Club will take place in the Savage' Club Hall on Thursday, September 10. The officers for the ensuing year are: President, Mr. B. R. Dobbs; vice-pre-sident, Mr. W. J. Gilbert; immediate past president, Mr. G. N. Boulton; directors, Messrs. G. P. Hawkins, D. A. Morrison, B. M. Pitkethley, and Dr. G. H. Robertson; sergeant-at-arms, Mr. W. J. Gil herd; programme organiser, Mr. A. McSkimming; pianist and auditor, Mr. J. C. Small; song leader, Mr. C. S. Brown; treasurer, Mr. S. R. McCallum; secretary, Mr. E. H. Poynter. Christmas Postings. Parcels for the Middle East, and Great Britain, which the senders desire to be delivered in time for Christmas, should be posted not later than the end of September. Under existing conditions, the Post Office can give no guarantee that parcels will be delivered on any particular date, and it is necessary, particularly in view of the shipping position, that parcels intended for delivery before Christmas should be posted in ample time. The Post Office recommends that parcels should be packed in a strong and compact manner. It is also desirable that they be sewn up in canvas, sacking, or other suitable material.

Extra Work for Police Force. “A lot of wild rumours and stupid reports are circulated about aliens from time to time,” states the annual report of the Commisioner of Police (Mr. D. J. Cummings). “All these have to be investigated and probed. Nothing is left to chance.” This is one of the many branches of new work the war has brought for the Police Force. In addition to the help given in supervising the guarding of vital points and important industrial plants, assistance Is glyen by members of the force to the armed services and to the National Service Department; enquiries about military and national service defaulters and into breaches of the censorship, lighting restrictions, and oil fuel regulations also take up much time. More Women Police.

“I have to inform you that it is proposed to increase the number ot women police,” stated the Minister in charge of police, the Hon. P. C. Webb, in a letter received by the Mayor ol Auckland, Mr. J. A. C. Allum. “Candidates are now being selected for a course of training, upon the conclusion of which the strength at Auckland will be increased. The question of placing women police in uniform is under consideration.” The Minister’s letter is in reply to one which the Mayor wrote to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, in June, urging that uniformed women police should be appointed to Auckland to deal with certain conditions regarding which, complaints have been made to