General News

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22415, 31 May 1938, Page 8

General News

No Financial Rumours “I heard nothing in London of a whispering campaign against Mr Savage and his Government,” stated Professor W. A. Sewell, Professor of English at Auckland University College, when he returned by the Monterey from ®ydney after spending some months in Lngiana. “The only thing I heard was that Mr Savage was ill and might retire.” Facially, however, said Professor Sewell, he had not heard any statements that New Zealand was u - sound. The contrary was rather the case, although possibly the Labour Government was not always credited with the responsibility for whatever prosperity there was in New Zealand. —“The Press” Special Service. Poppy Day Proceeds Setting a record for the association, the Poppy Day appeal of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association this year raised £1992 14s sd, which is £320 more than the proceeds of last year’s appeal. ‘This satisfactory result is mainly due to the enthusiasm of suburban committees,” said the president (Mr A. W. Mewton) at last night’s meeting of the association’s, executive. Mr Mewton said sub-committees had done* excellent work and the broadcast appeal made by Dr. F. L. Scott and Mr D. W. Russell was also the means of adding to the success of the appeal. Damage to Sports Grounds Because of the abnormally heavy rain in Timaru during the autumn worms did considerable damage to lawns and sports grounds. In a report submitted to the Timaru Borough Council at its meeting last evening by the curator (Mr A. W. Anderson) it was said that the Maori Park tennis courts were treated for worms with great success. The kill for one square yard was 270 worms, and as the area was about 10,000 square yards the necessity for the treatment and its success could be seen. Boating on Stream Near Timaru Provided satisfactory reports are forthcoming on various phases of the scheme, it is probable that in future Timaru will possess facilities for boating oh the Otipua stream, which it is proposed to beautify from the main south railway line to the scenic reserve. In moving to this effect in accordance with notice previously given, Cr. P. B. Foote at a meeting of the Timaru Borough Council last evening said that an inspection had been made of the stream, which it was considered could be beautified and made suitable for boating. He did not want anyone to imagine that the stream would become another Avon or anything like it, but it would provide a valuable asset to Timaru. The motion was carried unanimously.—“ The Press” Special Service. Maori Curios for Museum Additions to the Maori collections of the Canterbury Museum were noted in reports presented at the meeting of the Canterbury University College Council yesterday. The council expressed its thanks to Mr J. Webber for his gift to the museum of a fine carved Taiaha found in the swamp near the old Kaiapohia pa. The council also approved the transfer to the museum for safe keeping of the Maori and other curios from the Macmillan Brown collection. • New Road at Taupo Formalities having almost been completed, a start will shortly be made by the Public Works Department with the construction of a new road from the Taupo township round the west side of the lake to Rangatira Point. The road, which, at the request of the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry), was surveyed some time ago, as well as opening up an attractive scenic drive and picnic grounds, will increase facilities for fishing in Western Bay, one of the many beauty spots at Taupo. “The road passes through native lands,” said Mr Parry at Wellington yesterday, “and it has taken time to adjust matters preparatory to the work beginning. As a result of conferences during the week-end with the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) and the actingNative Minister (the Hon. F. Langstone) very little now remains to be done before public works men will be on the job. Plans have already been drawn up and the equipment assembled.” With the yearly increase in the number of anglers and visitors to Taupo waters, the Minister said, .it was important that there should be an increase of facilities for their comfort and enjoyment.—Press Association. “Best Job in the Service” The fact that New Zealand is remembered affectionately by some of his predecessors was mentioned by the Commodore of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, Rear-Admiral the Hon. E. R. Drummond, in responding to the farewell extended to him by the Ex-Royal Naval Men’s Association in Auckland. RearAdmiral Drummond said he had recently received a letter from Vice-Admiral Sir Geoffrey Blake, who said: “I expect you will be sad at leaving what I consider to be the best job in the service.” A Salvaged Motor-truck

A motor-truck which was for in the hold of a steamer at the bottom of the Atlantic .is now running on the streets of Hastings. The truck was one of a shipment of 60 consigned by a London firm to its branch in South Africa. During the voyage the ship was torpedoed a rebel Spanish warship off the coast of Spain near Corunna. For weeks the truck, with other cargo, lay at the bottom of the Atlantic, until efforts at salvage, inaugurated by a British insurance company, were successful. The salvaged trucks were taken back to England, and there stored in a London garage. Meanwhile, from the other side of the world a New Zealander, Mr Ralph van Asch, of Havelock North, had gone on a visit to England. In London his car developed engine trouble outside the garar to which the salvaged trucks had been taken. Mr Van Asch purchased one of them, and on his return to New Zealand brought the truck back with him. He placed the truck in the hands of a Hastings firm and in a short time it was repaired, repainted, and put into first-class order.—Press Association. Returned Soldiers’ Association Membership A membership of 1544 up to date for the current year, which began on April 1, was reported to the executive of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association last evening. This total represents an increase of 162 on the membership at May 31 last year, and a substantial increase on the membership of the Dunedin Association on May 15. which stood at 1106. The president (Mr A. W. Mewton) said that he hoped the year would see a still greater membership than last year, reaching the point where every returned man was linked up with the association. Nine new members were .elected at the meeting. Aircraft Club Scholarships Three members of the Aircraft Club who are to undergo examination for the first scholarship provided by the club were selected by ballot at a meeting of the organisation in Wellington last night. Those whose numbers were drawn were; 300, A. E. Lipscombe, Brooklyn; 101. R. J. Thompson. Southbridge. Canterbury; 192, J. C. Kirk, Herne Bay, Auckland. The number of members who participated in the ballot was 241.—Press Associalion. Building in Napier The total value of buildings erected in Napier from February 3, 1931 (the date of the earthquake), to March 31 last was £1,286,561, according to the annual report presented to the Napier Borough Council last night The many new Government buildings are not included in this total. —Press Association, Admiral as Angler Official duties and an enthusiasm for fishing do not always mix, according to some remarks made by Rear-Admiral the Hon. E. R. Drummond, Commodore Commanding the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, at a farewell extended to him by the Ex-Royal Naval Men’s Association in Auckland. Rear-Admiral Drummond said he certainly intended to return to New Zealand in the future and added that he wanted to catch some more trout. “I have had some wonderful sport in New Zealand,” he said, “but I have the feeling that if I were not half my time on the end of a telephone I might do even better.”