General News

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23177, 14 November 1940, Page 6

General News

Watersidcrs to Work To-morrow A meeting of members of the Lyttelton branch of the Waterside Workers’ Union yesterday decided to work overseas ships in port to-morrow. Previously, Show Day has always been observed as a holiday on the waterfront at Lyttelton. Radio Receiving Licences “At the end of September last,” states the Postmaster-General (the Hon. P. C. Webb), “a new peak was reached in paid radio receiving licences, the number being 350.285, which represents an increase of 17,959 licences, or 5.4 per cent, over September of the previous year. It is interesting to note that in five years the number of licences has almost doubled, the increase being 174,992, or 99.8 per cent. The percentage of paid licences to the number of households is now 90.4 per cent.; and the number of such licences a hundred of population is 21.5.” Quality of Petrol Expressions of dissatisfaction with the quality of petrol now being released led to a discussion which ranged in and out of committee at the monthly meeting of the executive of the Automobile Association (Otago) this week. Mr W. J. Mclnnes introduced the subject, and several members reported cases of mileages reduced by about 10 per cent, and of engine -troubles. “It is as much like kerosene as petrol.” one critic said. The meeting decided to recommend to the South Island Motor Union that it should ask the Government to conduct an investigation with the view of remedying the position. Learners’ Swimming Pool A learners’ swimming pool of the latest type will be made this year at the Waimairi School, according to an announcement by the chairman of the school committee (Mr F. L. Drury) at a special meeting of the Waimairi School Parents’ Association, This new type of pool is specially designed for the teaching of learners. It will be 30ft long by 15ft wide, with a depth of three feet. The surroundings will be of concrete, and the scheme includes dressing sheds for boys and girls. Beach Patrols Arrangements for patrolling the city beaches during the summer were discussed at a meeting of the Canterbury Surf Life-Saving Association last evening. It was decided that the Sumner, New Brighton, and North Beach beaches be patrolled as last season. The possibility of patrolling the Waimairi and South Brighton beaches was discussed, and the matter was left in the hands of a special committee. The time fixed for pAtrol duty is during the secondary school holidays, between Mondays and Saturdays inclusive. Honorary Inspectors The Automobile Association (Wellington) has made arrangements with the Lands Department for the official appointment of members of the association as honorary inspectors under the Scenery Preservation Act, and invites applications for appointment from those who are interested and have a practical knowledge of New Zealand flora. Appointments will be made with the approval of the Minister for Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone. Appointees will be issued with certificates of appointment. The object in making these appointments is to assist in the conservation of native bush and scenery to the greater enjoyment of motorists and the public generally. Knowledge from Abroad Claiming that the New Zealand authorities in the past had taken too little notice of the reports and recommendations of persons returning after study of particular subjects abroad, Mr T. H. Langford said at a meeting of the Canterbury School Committees’ Association last evening that valuable knowledge had been lost to the country and full advantage of the experience of Carnegie scholars had not been taken. The meeting had been addressed by Mr G. M. Keys, of the Christchurch Technical College, who recently returned from a study of vocational guidance methods in England and on the Continent, made possible by the award of a Carnegie scholarship. Mr Langford asked whether Mr Keys had been asked ti. make a report to the Government or intended to do so. Mr Keys said that persons taking Carnegie scholarships were not generally asked to report, but felt morally bound to do so. He was at this moment preparing one. The meeting later decided, on the suggestion of Mr Langford and Mr C. R. N. Mackie, to obtain a copy of the report of Mr Keys for discussion and possible recommendation to the Education Department. Clergymen’s Cars The steadily rising cost of motor-car allowances to ministers of the Presbyterian Church is causing concern to the church treasurer, Mr V. G. Chapman, of Wellington. “There are only 10 more charges than there were 20 years ago,” he reports, “and yet cars are costing £13,800 more. There has been a 33 per cent, increase in members and over 500 per cent, increase in car costs. Very nearly 10 per cent, of ordinary revenue is going out in meeting transport charges. One wonders if the work is being done any more efficiently. It seems that some examination should be made as to the need for all these cars. What capital is involved in the cars and garages I dread to think about,” Legal Advice for Motorists A decision to inaugurate a free legal advice and defence service for members of the Automobile Association (Otago) was made by a meeting of the executive of the asociation this week. The subject had been fully investigated by a special sub-committeo. and the meeting instructed the sub-committee to complete details of the scheme and to report back to the executive. After a full discussion in committee it was pointed out that the proposed free service extended only to prosecutions or proposed prosecutions by the police or by local authorities in summary cases relating to motorvehicles under the regulations or by-laws, that it did not extend to inquests, the preliminary hearing or trial of indictable offences, to charges of intoxication, or to prosecutions under the heavy traffic regulations. It was made clear, particularly, that the service did not extend to civil litigation in any shape *or form, and that it did not cover witnesses’ expenses. “This is the first association in the South Island to adopt this scheme,” said the president (Mr P. W. Breen), “but it has been most successful in the North Island. It should be appreciated by members.”