General News

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23300, 9 April 1941, Page 6

General News

Extension of Summer Time Replying to a question yesterday the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) said that a regulation providing for the extension of the half hour of Summer Time throughout the year would be brought down shortly.—P.A. Daily Prayers Suggested. “Especially now that New Zealand troops are in the front line, it seems . that this is the psychological moment to introduce this idea in New Zealand," said the Bishop of Wellington, the Rt. Rev. H. St. Barbe Holland, commenting on the practice of a minute’s silent prayer adopted in the United Kingdom. Bishop Holland said he thought it would be particularly appropriate if there were some such observance just before the radio news reel was broadcast at 9 p.m. There had not been any real national acceptance in New Zealand of one particular time of the day when the people could think of the issues- at stake in this war It is understood that there is a possibility of some official consideration being given to tho adoption of the English practice in New Zealand, and the suggestion has been made that a recording of Big Ben striking 9 o’clock could be obtained, and broadcast for the benefit of New Zealand listeners. —P.A. Fogs and the Bush The theory that bush brought fogs w-s advanced by Dr. F. W. Hilgendorf in an address on the changing landscape of the Waihola district, where he was born in 1864, to the Canterbury Geographical Association last night. Dr. Hilgendorf disputed the theory that trees brought rain, but he said it was conceivable that bush brought fog, through condensation of the atmosphere caused by the cooling of broadleafed trees. He recalled that the lighthouse at Cape Saunders, on Otago Peninsula, was originally built 500 ft above sea level. It was always in fog, and was shifted to a point just above the sea. The land was sold and when the bush was cleared the fog disappeared from the hill on which the old lighthouse stood. Women’s Agricultural Course Only 12 students are taking the short course in agricultural training for women at Canterbury Agricultural College, according to the report of the director (Professor E. R, Hudson) to the meeting of the Board of Governors yesterday. Professor Hudson stated in his report that a week before the date fixed for starting the course 17 applications had been received. As it was anticipated that an additional three enrolments would be made during that week, a decision was made to commence the course. No other applications were received, but five of those who had enrolled withdrew. The course was therefore being conducted with only 12 students. In answer to a question, Professor Hudson said that his chief interest would be in knowing what the girls would be doing three months hence. That would be the test of the course. Emergency Fire Service Arrangements are almost completed for the enrolment of 275 officers and men for the city’s Emergency Fire Service. This was reported to the Christchurch Fire Board at its meeting last evening by Mr A, Morrison, the superintendent. To enable this new branch of the service to work closely in conjunction with the existing service, the board jias granted the- organisation the use of rooms in the headquarters station, an office there, and an equipment store. Equipment of the board, other than fire engines, will be made available for drill purposes. Bargain Hunters’ Struggle Struggling women, bent on bargains, fainted by the score _at a charity sale of second-hand model gowns In the basement of G. J. Coles and Company, Ltd., Pitt street, Sydney, last week. The bargain hunters caused a traffic jam in Pitt street. A queue formed outside the store at 8 a.m. At 5 p.m. it was still there. Policemen and ambulance men worked hard all day keeping the crowds in order, and reviving those who were overcome by their exertions. More than 50 women fainted. One elderly woman with a weak heart refused to go with the ambulance man until she had claimed one of the bargains. The sale, in the “Opportunity Shop,” was held, in aid of the Peter Pan Free Kindergarten. Model gowns which originally cost £SO were being sold for £4 4s, and imported shoes and hats went for several shillings. The “shop” made £6OO and was sold out. It was intended to hold another sale, but as no shocks were left this had to be cancelled. Costly Early Road “Probably the most expensive road built in New Zealand until a few years ago when modern reading was put down," was the description given by Dr. F. W, Hilgendorf, in an address to the Canterbury Geographical Association last'night, of the road from Dunedin to Waihola. His father was brought to New Zealand to build the road to 25 miles south of Dunedin and it cost £4500 a mile. Built on a clay foundation, the road was of three layers of rock, stones and small stones, being constructed on the macadam principle with Scottish thoroughness. Invasion of Britain Mr C. G. Grey, joint editor of Janes’s “AU-the-World’s Aircraft,” declares that Royal Air Force scouts discovered on September 16, Germans holding full-dress invasion rehearsals, writes the London correspondent of the “Sydney Morning Herald” on the rumoured German attempts at invading Britain last • year, “Bombers, fighters, and naval units,” Mr Grey states, “were caught rehearsing five miles from the French; coast. Practically the entire fleet, comprising mostly automatically-towed barges, was destroyed, and many Germans were killed or drowned. This affair probably accounts for the rumours of an attempted unsuccessful German -landing.” Mr Grey recalls, the correspondent writes, that, on the preceding day, the Royal Air Force shot down 185 German aeroplanes, , New Brighton Fires Difficulties involved in arranging for adequate fire-fighting services for New Brighton, following the amalgamation of the suburb the city, were discussed at the meeting of the Christchurch Fire Board last evening. Reports were given to the board of steps already taken to ensure a safe and improved service. The fire fighting in the former borough will not be interrupted, but some points have still to be discussed, and the board will consult with the Christchurch City Council, particularly about the council’s plans for the reticulation of the area, The Easter Holidays A statement on hours which will be observed by various classes of shops and by petrol resellers ' during Easter was supplied to “The Press” yesterday by the Canterbury Employers’ Association. General retail shops (such as drapers and booksellers, but excluding types such as fruiterers and confectioners) will close on Friday, Saturday, and Monday, and will observe a late night, fo 9 p.m., to-morrow (Thursday). Grocers will observe similar hours, but butchers will not observe a late night, and will close at 5 p.m. to-morrow. Petrol resellers will close-on Good Friday as well as on Sunday, but will remain open on Saturday and Monday. The emergency station will remain open throughout as usual. Food from United States Although the British Government has created a special Food Mission, as part of the newly-organised British Supply Commission, Australian sources express the conviction that food shipments under the Lease-Lend Act will not have any important effect on Australia’s supply of food products to Britain. It is -understood, the Washington correspondent of the “Sydney Morning Herald” states, that the Australian Trade Commissioner has been appointed to co-operate with the Food Mission. It is reported that Britain’s more urgent food needs, which the United States is in the best position to fill, are fats, particularly lard, cheese, and certain meat products, all of which are not expected to affect Australia directly. Great staple foods, like wheat, in which Australia has a vital interest, will not be sent from the United States unless the present situation changes radically.