General News

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23088, 2 August 1940, Page 8

General News

♦ Horse-vans Survive That the horse is still a factor in transport has been found recently by the Transport Department. The transport legislation does not take horse-drawn vehicles into consideration for licensing, and in some centres horse vehicles are still very largely used for town carrying. It has been found impossible therefore, in some instances, to arrange tariff schedules for motor carriers where they are competing with horse-draWn vehicles. The situation is particularly difficult in Greymouth. Overalls at Tea Blue overalls are the familiar badge of the engineering student at Canterbury University College, but the propriety of wearing them in the students’ tearooms has now been questioned. According to a college notice, the Students’ Association executive will discuss this evening the following motion:—• That it be a recommendation to the Student Union Council that engineers be prohibited from entering the tearooms in, overalls.” The engineers, apparently, do not propose to lie down under such treatment, and have set Up a notice reading; “Engineers! Defend your rights. Roll up to exec, meeting. Oppose tearooms motion!” Tin and Steel Scrap Following the receipt of a letter from the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association, the Manufacturers’ Federation discussed the possibility of exporting tin clippings and Steel scrap with the Minister for Supply (the Hon, D. G_. Sullivan). The federation has now informed the Canterbury association that the matter is being considered by Mr Sullivan and the Minister for Customs (the Hon. W. Nash). Commemorative Planting A policy to encourage tree planting as a district enterprise and as an act of- commemoration was continued by the Paparua County Council yesterday morning, when advice was received that the council had obtained 2000 pinus insignis trees from the Selwyn Plantation Board. The council agreed to give trees to schools and other organisations which might desire them to beautify their properties and for special commemorative ceremonies. The rest of the trees will be planted in council reserves. It was stated that the trees were particularly fine specimens raised in the nursery at Darfield. Apprentices in War Time “Because of the calling up of adult workers for the war, industry will require more juveniles,” said Mr S. O. Dillon, repotting to the council of the Chamber of Commerce last evening on behalf of the apprenticeship committee. The council agreed to ask the Associated Chambers of Commerce to support the Employers’ Federation in seeking some dispensation from the Labour Department to permit the employment of additional apprentices where necessary. Mr Dillon said that- this proposal would require, a lot of investigation and representation to the Government, but if dispensation could be obtained it would be of great assistance to many people. Sale of Aerated Waters The sale of aerated waters in stone bottles is to be prohibited, and they must be contained in glass bottles. Notification of this is contained in amended Saie of Foods and Drugs Regulations gazetted last night. The object of the prohibition on the use of stohe bottles is to. ensure the highest possible hygienic standard. The amended regulations also modify the Health Department’s existing test for freshness of milk, and slightly .increase the Standard of this test. —Press Association. Excess Profits Tax Mr T. N. Gibbs warned the council of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce last evening that it should be prepared in advance to make representations on the excess profits tax and not wait until the tax was introduced. This tax was going to be a very serious matter for the business community and the Associated Chambers of Commerce Should look to its interests before and not after the tax became fact. On his motion, i.t was decided to ask the Associated Chambers to do as he proposed and be ready with its case. ‘ Linen Flax Land More land is required in, the Winton and Otautau districts for the growing of linen flax, it is 'announced in Invercargill. The land offered embraced many areas well outside the 15-mile radius from the proposed factories, and, in addition, many areas have been withdrawn, and others have been, rejected because of weeds, mainly Californian thistle, wild turnip and docks. As a consequence, 150 more acres are still required in the Winton area and 100 acres in the Otautau district. Farmers who have areas available should get into touch With the Department of Agriculture, which will lose no time in inspecting the land offered. Good Fishing at Bluff July was the best month the fishing industry at Bluff has experienced for many years. The catch by Bluff fishermen exceeded 300 cases, and more than 3000 cases (about 100 tons) have been caught by Stewart Island fishermen. This was not the best month of the year for the island, as in April the catch was slightly greater. At the present time the mert have to go further afield, and this would explain the difference in the catch, as the weather in July was even better than in April. The fish freezing chambers at the cool stores are now practically filled to capacity, but the position will be eased within the next few days by the amount carried by inter-colonial steamers. With the exception of one day, the weather was suitable for oystering every day last month. The Stewart island Canneries’ trawler was out on 30 days of the month, obtailing a return which is claimed to be a record, The remainder of the fleet Were able to go out whenever necessary to fulfil orders and good returns were obtained by all the boats. These will help to compensate for the poorer returns earlier in the season.