General News

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23191, 30 November 1940, Page 12

General News

The Fishing Rivers According to advice received at noon yesterday; by the secretary of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, the Selwyn, Ashley, Waimakariri, Rakaia and Rangitata rivers were in good order for fishing. The Hurunuj ■was slightly discoloured but fishable. What Shags Eat The stomachs of 199 shags shot in a year in the South Island contained 644 trout, three eels, 18 lampreys, 16 perch, three flounders, and 21 bullies. Figures were prepared for the council of the South Island Acclimatisation Societies by Mr H. G. Williams, of Dunedin, and presented at yesterday’s meeting _ of the council. Most of the shags were shot in Otago and Southland, but there were a few_ in Nelson, South Canterbury, and the Lakes District. The length of trout varied from two inches to 162inches, This biggest trout was found inside the only shag shot at Lee stream, near Dunedin. Mostly the trout averaged between seven and 10 inches in length. The lampreys were all at least a foot long, and the longest was 16 inches. The longest perch was seven inches and the average size was four inches. Only three shags had eaten flounder, and these were at Pourakino, Southland. At Waiau. Southland, 33 shags contained 105 trout; at Lowburn 16 shags contained 94 trout; and at Mimihau and Dipton Creek 20 shags had eaten 100 trout. Examinations During Air Raids

In writing to friends in Christchurch a young New Zealand doctor on the resident staff of a London hospital says that during the first day’s papers when he was sitting for his M.R.C.S. and L.R.C.P. there were no fewer than six air raids. Students taking the examination had been told to take no notice of the sirens, as there were roof-watchers who would warn them of ans danger. The information had justbeen given when a heavy bomb exploded 200 yards away. Students continued their work and no further “incidents” occurred. In the hospitals this young New Zealander finds that patients are very good during air raids, and many, sleep through them. A few days before he wrote four 5001b bombs and a land mine exploded near his hospital. The mine exploded first and broke a quantity of glass, and each time tne bombs went off loose glass fell out of frames.

Bay of Islands Launches

Only nine launches in the Bay of Islands have been licensed this year, as compared with 29 in previous years. Many launchmen feel that business for the coming season, on account of the war, will not warrant the cost of licensing their craft, this applying particularly to launches engaged largely in deep-sea fishing. ■ Stimulants at Hospital Comment on the marked decline in the use of stimulants* at the Auckland Hospital was made by the chairman of the board, Mr Allan J. Moody, at the last meeting. The following figures show the quantity consumed in October, with figures for October, 1938, in parenthesis:—Brandy, 82oz (2590z);, whisky, nil (9oz); stout, 60 (315) bottles; ale, ml (36) lemonade, 93 (409) bottles; soda water, 594 (728) siphons. These figures are for the hospital alone, but those for the military annexe and other branches show similar movements. “This shows the watchful eye which has been exercised by the board,” said Mr Moody. “These things are coming down, and they may be reduced to nothing soon.’ Exhibition Buildings In reply to a question at the winding-up meeting of the Wellington Provincial Council of the New Zealand Centennial Celebrations Organisation the Mayor of Wellington, Mr T. C. A. Hislop, stated that no agreement had been arrived at between the Exhibition Company and the Government over the amount to be paid for the taking over by the Government of the buildings, now in use as an Air Force station. It was, he said, possible that the matter would have to go to arbitration to obtain a final settlement. Mr Hislop said also that there would be some small return to local authorities which had contributed towards the cost of the Dominion Court. , Stock for Patriotic Funds Resulting from stock drives throughout the district, 77 head of cattle, 22 pigs, several pens of sheep, and one horse were offered at this week’s Frankton stock sale on behalf of the country queen in the Waikato patriotic_ queen carnival, Miss Elva Boyd. Buyers bid enthusiastically, and it is expected that the final total will be more than £BOO. One pen of five bullocks and heifers sold at more than £55, the top-priced heifer realising £l3. Some cattle were also sold for the Raglan queen, Mrs F. C. Johnstone. Incidence of Disease “It is better to stop the precious wine of life from flowing out of the barrel,” said Dr. J. P. Hastings at a meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board, in commenting upon the high incidence of disease.- He suggested that the Government should issue free basic articles of diet, such as fruit, vegetables, and wholemeal bread, even if only it might be applicable to the children of New Zealand. He added that such a proposal was being considered in Great Britain, adding that if such a scheme were carried out there would be no need for a national health service, and in 10 years hospitals, at present overcrowded, would be depleted. Dr. Hastings said that Sir Truby King had said that hospitals were a monument to ignorance, and that was true. At present free milk was being given in the schools, but that was only one step towards the solution of a national problem. Too Much Rhythm The unexpected results which sometimes follow a change in fashions were exemplified at the Wellington Patriotic Council, when the council was asked to confirm the expenditure of £65 for the strengthening of a dance floor at a clubroom. The chairman, Mr T. C. A. Hislop, mentioned that when it became fashionable some time ago to perform dances like “The Lambeth Walk” and “The Palais Glide,’ requiring large crowds following the same steps in rhythm, many dance floors throughout New Zealand were ruined. “The effect of these dances,” Mr Hislop said, “is like a large body of troops, all in step, marching across a bridge—it is disastrous to the floor.” Neglected Church Music The insufficient use made of church music was referred to by the Rev. P. Gladstone Hughes, the new* minister of St. John’s Presbyterian Church; Wellington, at a reception given in his \ionour. “There are portions of the hymnary that are never touched by our Presbyterian Church,” said Mr Hughes, “and we lose a great deal by not making ourselves acquainted with its real contents.” Mr Hughes comes originally from Wales, and several speakers expressed the hope that the traditional Welsh love of music would reflect itself in increasing attention being given to the musical life of the church. Insurance for Teachers The uneasiness felt by masters of Wellington Boys’ College about their liability in the event ,of accident occurring to pupils or to themselves while they were supervising school activities, or when engaged in school duties, was expressed by the principal of the college, Mr W. A. Armour, in his report to the last meeting of the Wellington College Board of Governors. “The matter has become a little acute concerning supervision of the baths,” said Mr Armour, wha said that he had not succeeded in obtaining the services of a master for that duty, which he was at present carrying out himself, as far as time and opportunity would allow. The Home Guard “I want you returned soldiers to support the Home Guard to the utmost. I don’t want you to look down on its members because most of them were not at the front during the last war,” said Major-General Sir Andrew Russell, Inspector-General of Military Forces in New Zealand, when he addressed the 4th Battalion of the. National Military Reserve at the Kensington Drill Hall, Dunedin. “The more there are in the Home Guard,” he added, “the fewer there will be to get around and make nuisances of themselves. Even the women can help in this direction.”