General News

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23494, 24 November 1941, Page 4

General News

An English Summer Day “It is a wonderful experience to travel half way# round the world and find yourself back again in what might be England,” said the Rt. Hon. A. Duff Cooper when replying to a civic welcome in Christchurch on Saturday night. Light rain had fallen since he arrived. This afternoon I found a typical English summer day (laughter), roses blooming in the garden, strawberries on the table—and ram falling. It is really remarkable that in this island, an island like England set in the silver sea, English people should have found another home a ,d made another and independent nation; but so English that you can hardly tell the difference.” Consul’s Second “Real Thrill” Snatching a few free moments from his official duties while making a tour of inspection of a Dunedin fortress area, the Polish ConsulGeneral in New Zealand, Count K. A. Wodzicki, a Nature lover, paid a visit to the home of Otago's now renowned albatross family. He saw the five great birds in their natural habitat, and expressed his delight at being able to approach so closely in order to study them carefully. "I have had two real thrills in my life,” Count Wodzicki jokingly remarked. “The first was when I came to close quarters with Hitler in 1935. It was a thrill at the time, but Hitler represents everything that is the antithesis of freedom. To-day I have experienced an even greater thrill, for I have been brought to close quarters—much closer than I expected—with the albatross, which represents the'very epitome of freedom. Search For Two-headed Lizard Three bird-lovers, Mr Edgar Stead (Christchurch), Major R. A. Wilson, of Bulls, and Mr Elworthy, of Timaru, left Bluff during the week-end in the launch Lena for Green Island, states the “Southland Times.” The party intends spending some time studying natural life on several of the islands out of Bluff. There has been some talk at Bluff of a strange bird having been seen recently on Ruapuke Island, but residents with years of knowledge of the fauna on outlying islands consider it will be one of the birds commonly known as Mother Carey’s chickens. It is Mr Stead’s intention to study the habits of the native robin and to continue his study of the mutton-bird. It is also understood that he will try to discover one of the two-headed lizards which are supposed to have been on the Hazelbergs, a group of islands off Ruapuke. Welfare of N.Z. Forces The introduction of the canteen coupon system for the benefit of the New Zealand Forces overseas, an increase from £3O to £SO in the maximum annual remittance that may be sent from New Zealand, and an increase in the mufti allowance from £7 10s to £ls for all returned men from overseas and also members of the home defence forces who have served at least 12 months, were among the subjects covered by remits submitted by various patriotic councils to the national conference of patriotic bodies in Wellington last week. After these matters had been discussed, they were referred to the standing committee of the National Patriotic Council, with power to act. Expensive Cauliflowers Eleven cauliflowers were sold at a wholesale market at Oamaru on Friday for 22s 6d, which is more than 2s each. Wood Products For War Use Research on wood products is playing an important part in Canada’s war effort. Ordinarily the manufacture and use of wood are associated with peace-time activities, but research work carried out in the last two years reveals that wood is a vital material for a wide range of war purposes. Wood is used in the manufacture of pulp for cartridge wrappers and of gun cotton smokeless powders, photographic film, colloaion and celluloid plastics. Wood flour is used in the manufacture of dynamite for construction and demolition work. Producergas from wood or charcoal may be used as a fuel for internal combustion engines to curtail importation of gasoline and Diesel oil. Charcoal from Canadian hardwoods is being used extensively in the manufacture of certain alloys used principally in the construction of aircraft. New Invercargill Courthouse Work on the new Courthouse in Invercargill has been completed, but all the furnishings are not yet available, states the “Southland News." When sufficient furniture arrives it is Understood that the Courthouse staff will move from Tay street to their new quarters. The building, however, will not be officially opened until the first day of the Supreme Court sessions next year, that is, February 24. The opening ceremony will be performed by the Hon. H, G. R. Mason, Minister for Justice.