General News

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21986, 9 January 1937, Page 12

General News

Order of Pages Shipping news appears this morning on page 11. Demand for Farm Labourers Sixty men were placed in employment by the Employment Officer under the State Placement Scheme in Christchurch last week. Of these, 29 were permanent and 31 temporary. Since the inception of the scheme 1387 men have now been placed by the Christchurch office. The- officer in charge said yesterday that there had been a keen demand for grassseeders for the cocksfoot harvest on Banks Peninsula, and this had been met without difficulty. The bad weather had limited enquiries for general harvesting hands, but there was still a good demand for farm labourers, and good wages were being offered. Complaints of Low Flying A suggestion that complaints of low flying by Union Airways machines in Dunedin, which were published in “The Press” yesterday, might have arisen because the aeroplanes, being of a large size and having four engines, seemed to be closer than they actually were was made by Mr A. R. Thompson, Christchurch manager of the Union Steam Ship Company. He said yesterday that the company’s motto was “ultra-safety,” and the pilots flew in strict accordance with the regulations. He also suggested that the statement that the machines flew lower on clear days rather than on misty days, when they might be expected to do so, might be explained by the better visibility in fine weather, which made them seem closer. Health Act Regulations Regulations issued, under the Health Act bring within the scope of the term “sanitary works” (1) swimming baths; - (2' dressing sheds at or adjacent to sea beaches, river banks, and other natural bathing places; artificial swimming baths and lands and premises used or intended for use as recreation grounds or for athletic exercises.—Press Association. Use of Birdlime Forbidden Regulations issued in the Gazette last night prohibit the use of birdlime . for capturing birds, and prohibit any person possessing or selling birdlime. The penalty for breach of the regulations is fixed at £5 for the first offence, £lO for the second offence, and £2O for any subsequent offence.—Press Association. Dominion’s Postal Facilities Few countries in the world had a sixpenny telegram service, the leader of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) said in an address at the opening of a new Post Office at Thornbury. Southland. New Zealand had such a service and the people of the Dominion should appreciate their good fortune. Much useful information could be conveyed in six words and the message could be sent to any part of New Zealand. “I sometimes think that if people would pause to consider the many benefits they were receiving in this modern world there would be less grumbling,” he added. Mr Hamilton also referred to the advantages of the penny postage. Big Gooseberries Giant gooseberries are daily being reported by growers in South Canterbury districts, and a recent newspaper statement shows that at least one Taranaki resident has grown some, too. Of gooseberries picked by him 14 had weighed Boz combined weight. This figure was capped by specimens displayed to a reporter yesterday by a Temuka grower, Mr B. J. Maclachlan. In one bag he had 19 gooseberries which turned the scale at 17oz, the biggest berry measuring four inches in circumference and two inches in length. South Island Guide-Book It .is expected that the guide-book compiled by the South Islands Travel Association will be published about January 21, according to the director of the association, Mr J. J. W. Pollard. The booklet is designed to cover the attractions of the South Island in a comprehensive manner, and it is intended to bring it up to date from time to time. Part of the first issue will be distributed free, and afterwards a nominal charge will be made. The association has already had a request for 100 copies for members of a conference to be held in Christchurch. Prospects for Fishing It is fortunate for week-end anglers that the salmon .run is not due for some time yet as the _ main salmon rivers near Christchurch—the Waimakariri and the Rakaia—were running discoloured at noon yesterday, and it is improbable that they will be suitable for fishing over the week-end. The Ashley and Selwyn have been dirty, but were clearing yesterday, and will probably be fishable to-day. The Hurunui is clear. 1 Work on_ the War Memorial The concrete work on the foundations of the new war memorial in the Cathedral grounds has been completed and the stone-work will begin next week. Some of the stone has already been taken to the site. Mr W. Trethewey, the sculptor, said yesterday that the bronze work would leave England in a few days, but he could give no definite date. No Musicians for Country Dances It was stated by several speakers yesterday at a meeting of the • Waikato sub-provincial executive, of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union that higher rates of ,pay for musicians playing at dances, as laid down by the Arbitration Court, had so interfered with the social life of the more remote country districts that in some halls no functions had been held for six months, and that in many cases the halls were becoming liabilities. “The cost of hiring musicians for country halls has become practically prohibitive,” it was stated.—Press Association. Radio Telephone Popular A high percentage of telephone subscribers in relation to population and a thriving business on the telephone toll circuits prove that New Zealanders have the telephone habit. It is not restricted to their own country for greater use is now being made of the overseas radio telephone service. Stimulated by the usual Christmas and New Year concession in rates, the radio telephone business increased by nearly 60 per cent, during the recent holiday period, when the overseas radio calls from December 23 till January 3 were as.follows: — To London, 24; from London, 7; to Australia,• 27; from Australia, 28; total, 86, compared with 54 during the same period last year. The largest increase in business was between New Zealand and Australia, while, in addition, the radio circuit carried five broadcasts in connexion with the Australia-England test cricket match and the radio channel to and from the Awatea •ir the Tasman was also busy. Trolley-Buses and Trams That the, electric tramcar must make way Tor the electric trackless trolley-bus is the firm conviction of Mr F. S. Morton, a former member of the Auckland Transport Board, who arrived in Wellington this week from Southamp-' ton. Mr Morton has been in England for about seven years, and during that time he has been able to witness the great change that has been taking place in the municipal transport systems of London and other leading cities of the United Kingdom. “The trackless trolley-bus is replacing the tram throughout England,” said Mr Morton, “the only place that has continued with the trams being Liverpool. The Royal Commission, which brought down its finding about six years and a half ago, in its report on the transport problem suggested the scrapping of the trams as early as possible, and replacing them with the trackless trolleybuses. They expect to replace all the trams in the metropolitan area in London within the next three years. They have between three and five hundred trolley-buses on the road now, and they are taking off the. trams wherever they can. There is every possibility that the trolley-buses will eventually work the whole of the London thoroughfares.”Wind Plays a Joke A Taranaki bowler * visiting Wellington for the New Zealand bowling tournament lost his hat in unusual circumstances. While fie was in Courtenay place on his way to the Victoria green at the height of the gale, the wind lifted his hat from his head and blew it on to the front part of a passing motor-car/ The driver of the car continued on his way without knowing that anything unusual had happened, and the owner of the hat . has not seen it since.