General News

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22491, 27 August 1938, Page 16

General News

Petrol Resellers' Hours The provision of facilities for the purchase of petrol after ordinary hours received the attention of the North Island Motor Union conference at Hawera yesterday. It was decided to seek an assurance from reselling bodies that motorists' interests will be safeguarded. The Petrol Resellers' Association advised that the hours of work of service station employees had not yet been fixed. It was stated by a delegate that the opening of emergency stations after the closing of petrol stations at 8 p.m. was pending. The union should watch this development to ensure Dominion-wide application. — Press Association. Railway Accidents There is only a brief mention of railway accidents by the Minister for Railways (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) in his comment attached to the 1938 Railways Statement, which was tabled in the House of Representatives yesterday. This reference is to the derailment at Ratana : and the accident at Aylesbury, each in the last month of the financial year. "This indicates that the accident was due to an honest error of judgment on the part of the engine-driver (the report states, when dealing with the result of the inquiry into the Ratana accident) to which the presence of haze and fog contributed. The. board wns satisfied that the engine, cars, and guard's van were in first-class order and condition, and that the permanent way was well laid and maintained and perfectly safe to travel over at the authorised speeds" The coronial inquiry into the Aylesbury accident was not completed when the report was prepared. Illegal Conversion of Cars Representations will be made to the Government for stricter measures for the apprehension and punishment of persons illegally converting motor vehicles to their own use, according to a decision reached at the North Island Motor Union conference at Hawera yesterday. It was reported that 786 cases of conversion of cars occurred in 1937. Members considered that increased penalties were necessary to meet the situation.—Press Association. Akaroa Crayfish Canning Factory As the supply of crayfish to the Akaroa crayfish canning factory has not been sufficient, the factory will close this week. In the past the factory has put through 1000 cases of fish in a good season, and at least four boats are required to keep it working. This year only one launch was engaged in fishing, although it is stated that the fish have been plentiful and the price good. During a full season the factory has paid out about £ 2000 for fish and in wages to emplovees, so that the loss to the town is a considerable one. There are usually half a dozen boats available for the crayfish season, but this year the men engaged in fishing have found employment with the Public Works Department. New Aeroplane Tested Union Airways new Lockheed Electra monoplane, which was landed from the Hauraki on Monday and assembled at Rongotai aerodrome, made a short test flight at the aerodrome yesterday morning and then headed direct for Palmerston North. It will be christened there either Kahu or Kopara. The machine was fully tested in America before being packed for shipment.—Press Association. Recruiting in July Advice received from the Southern Military Command states that recruits for the army for the month of July totalled 477 and discharges 250. Of these, 147 were recruited and 73 discharged in the southern command, which embraces the South Island. The central military district headed the list with 217 men joining up and 86 resigning from service. The figures are regarded as revealing a very healthy trend. More men are joining up every week, it is stated, more especially with units where their trade, skill, or hobby can be used to best advantage. Maunganui's Rough Passage The Maunganui, bound for Auckland from Sydney, has been delayed by a heavy gale in the Tasman Sea, according to a message received yesterday from Commander G. B. Morgan. The message stated:— "Clearing Sydney Heads met strong easterly winds and head seas, which on Wednesday increased to gale force, still from the eastward, with a heavy head sea. As the sea was dangerous, speed was reduced accordingly, and as yet slow progress is being made." —Press Association. Motor Taxation No steps will be taken by the Government' until after the coming General Elections in reply to representations made by different local bodies concerning the appropriation of petrol revenue. In reply to a letter from the Waitaki County Council asking that the whole proceeds of motor taxation be devoted to roading purposes, the member for Oamaru (Mr A. H. Nordmeyer). in a letter to the council, stated that the alterations requested would not be possible before the elections. A letter from the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) stated the question would be placed before the Government at the first opportunity. Beach as Holiday Resort 'An indication that a scheme to utilise White's Bay beach, about 10 miles from Blenheim, as a holiday resort had the whole-hearted support of the Government was given to the Blenheim Borough Council by Mr C. A. Garside when he presented a report on the result of an interview with the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon W E Parry) and the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple). "I saw Mr Parry first," said Mr Garside, "and he promised his full support for the project. I also saw Mr Semple, and he has made up his mind that the road to White's Bay should be built. He gave orders for a survey to be carried out immediately and said that the road was to go through. I understand that the Minister for Lands (the Hon. F. Langstone) has told Mr E. P. Meachen, M.P., that he will do his best to see that the native land there should be acquired. It has been offered to the Government at £2 7s 6d an acre so we are pretty well assured that the scheme will come'to finality. In any case, we have definite assurance that the road will be completed."—"The Press" Special Service. The Placement Service The placement officer reports that during the week 58 positions have been found for men with private employers. The number included 30 permanent positions and 28 temporary. The chief placements consisted of farm hands, tradesmen, clerical workers, salesmen, and apprentice carpenters. The inquiry for tradesmen in the building industry is particularly active and there are no qualified workers unemployed at the present time. The inquiry for the week for farm labour has been filled, 10 men being placed as tractor-drivers, teamsters, and rouseabouts, and two married couples were placed. With the improved weather it is anticipated that the demand will continue, and the placement service is doing everything possible to supply the necessary labour with the least possible delay. Oamaru Centennial Celebrations ''Time is getting on and we have done nothing yet" said Mr R. K. Gardiner, County Clerk to the Waitaki County Council, in reply to a query from the Otago Provincial Centennial Committee about the steps which had been taken in the district to celebrate the Centennial. The letter received at the monthly meeting yesterday asked for the tentative dates of the celebrations. "We have been waiting for the amount of Government subsidy and have done nothing so far," Mr Gardiner added. The council decided to call a meeting of its Centennial committee to discuss arrangements for the celebrations. Library for Ship Officers and crew of the Federal Line's steamer Cambridge, which arrived at Auckland from Liverpool, have been given pleasure during the voyage by a gift by the company s managing director (Mr-A. Cowan) of more than 100 books, which were presented before the vessel left for New Zealand. The selection comprises good fiction, some of the best detective stories of recent years, and a number, of educational books. Similar gifts have been made by Mr Cowan to all ships in the Federal fleet.