Bay of Islands Oysters

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20822, 5 June 1939, Page 6

Bay of Islands Oysters

The Bay of Islands oyster picking season began on June 1, and the first consignment should be available in Hamilton by next week-end. The inspector of fisheries at Russell, Mr G. Gibbs, reports that the oysters are well grown and are in perfect condition. This year he hopes to pick up to 2000 sacks, as against last season’s total of 1824.. Deaths in the South Fairly large increases In the number of deaths during May in Christchurch and Dunedin are noted in Press Association messages from those cities. The figures in Christchurch have assumed record proportions, 172 deaths having been recorded for May up till noon last Wednesday, compared with 128 in May last year. In Dunedin there were 122 deaths in May, compared with 82 in the same month of 1938. Auckland Centennial The fact that more than £13.000 had been raised as a result of a preliminary canvass was announced by the Mayor of Auckland, Sir Ernest Davis, when he inaugurated last night the public appeal for funds to finance the Auckland Centennial celebrations, in his capacity as president of ttie Auckland Provincial Centennial Council. The object is £24.000, inclusive of Government subsidy. Child Labour At Wellington Miss M. H. R. McWhirter, girls' vocational guidance officer, referred to the serious problem of child labour. Among other facts she said that from April J, 1938, to March 31, 1939, 104 permits for working in industries were granted to girls 1 i years and under, and as there are other avenues of employment where permits are not necessary, this figure represents only a proportion of the child labour being absorbed in the Wellington district alone. Miss McWhirter suggests that a family bonus for educational purposes be included in the New Zealand Social Security scheme, and that before the permits are granted for employment the applicant be interviewed by the vocational guidance officer and, in event of financial assistance being required, that the co-operation of the child welfare officers be sought. The raising of the school age to 15 would assist in the solution of the problem.