General News

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23536, 14 January 1942, Page 4

General News

No Municipal Conference In view of the international situation, and particularly the extension of the war in the Pacific Ocean, the president and executive of the New Zealand Municipal Association have decided that the conference for this year should be cancelled. It was to have opened in Nelson on March 3. P.A. Salmon Run at Rangitata . A salmon run has started in the Rangitata river for the second weekend in succession, when quinnat salmon have been caught. On Saturday Mr Gordon Haar secured two freshrun fish of 21 Jib and 22Jlb respectively. Mr J. Wain repeated his performance of last week-end in catching one of 25 pounds. Salmon have been seen congregated round the mouths of local rivers, and there seems to be every prospect of the early run lasting for some time. Praise for Patriotic Board “A fine effort on the part of the Patriotic Fund Board and I shall never, never forget it.” This was the comment of Corporal W. R. McCullough, of Geraldine, on the work carried out with patriotic funds in a letter to his mother. Corporal McCullough was taken prisoner in the Western Desert, but an opportunity offered lor him to escape and he look it. When he rejoined a New Zealand unit, he said, he was issued with cigarettes, tobacco, razor, toilet gear, jersey, and a balaclava from the Patriotic Fund Board. Cricketers to Dig Trenches City cricketing families from which the men have been taken for military service will be able in future to call on the services of • the Canterbury Cricket Association for the digging of shelter trenches. The association’s management committee passed a decision last evening undertaking that members would perform such services, and advising those who required the help to notify any of the association’s officers. The chairman (Mr R. H. North) commended the move, and expressed confidence that it would give other sports bodies a lead. Obligation of Individual “Individual risks may be individual affairs, but no individual has the right to endanger the community,” said Mr E Hitchcock, lighting controller, in a broadcast talk on the black-out from station 3YA last evening. “In this matter you arc not your own; you arc a factor in community safety. Do more than the bare minimum that must be done; the safety of your fellow citizens calls for good measure.” E.P.S. Conference Administrative questions connected with Emergency Precautions Services were discussed at a conference in Wellington yesterday of mayors and town clerks of the four chief centres. The president of the Municipal Association (Mr T. Jordan, Masterton) and the Director of National Service (Mr J. S. Hunter) attended.'' Chief among the matters dealt with were the recently Gazetted Air Raid Shelter Regulations and the fire watching scheme (including the question of personnel) which is now under consideration by the Government—P.A. Lincoln College Staff The mobilisation of the National Reserve and other defence units had seriously affected the numerical strength of the staff at Lincoln College, according to a report by the director (Professor E. R. Hudson) at yesterday’s meeting of the Board of Governors. One lecturer had been called up for service with the Navy, five others were serving with the National Reserve, two others were liable to be called up for service in the ballot on January 20, and still another was expected to enter camp in the near future for overseas. The director said it was now the vacation period, and possibly there might be some clarification of the. position before commencing the next term, but at the moment it appeared as if there would have to be some modification of the teaching programme. The mobilisation, the director added, would also make a considerable reduction in the number of students. Women Supply .22 Rifles Many women were among those handing in rifles of .22 calibre for sale to the Army at the King Edward Barracks yesterday. An officer stated that a' large number of women were members of miniature rifle clubs in the city and were bringing in their rifles. The rifles, which were slightly shorter in the barrel than men's rifles, were in good condition and beautifully balanced, he said. It was stated yesterday that the response for arms of this calibre was fair, the increase which was recorded over the week-end being maintained. The popularity of the scheme is testified by the number of people seen in the streets going in the direction of the barracks with rifles slung over their shoulders. Blind Persons More than 1200 blind persons, are known to the New Zealand Institute for the Blind. Of that number 141 are in the Christchurch district. Building Licences ■ Christchurch building firms have received information that applications for licences to complete buildings unfinished by the end of this month musl reach the Dominion Building Controller (Mr George Albertson) by tomorrow. Work for which licences have not been received must be closed down next month. The applications for licences must be made on special forms. Rural Fires Prevention Plan The Canterbury rural fires prevention scheme has had its first test—against two small outbreaks near Rakala. Mr P. R. Climie, organiser of the Canterbury Progress League, which is administering the scheme, said yesterday that he had received reports Indicating that the rural fire prevention organisation had successfully combated two small fires within the week at Te Pirita. First-aid Demonstration To give residents of the Christchurch west district some idea of first-aid to the injured, the district warden (Mr J. Wyn Irwin) has arranged for demonstrations at the Christchurch West High School to-morrow. Methods of treating shock and injuries that may be suffered in an air raid will be explained and demonstrated. Special attention will be given to simplicity of treatment, and the use of improvised material. No Food or Tobacco Food, tobacco, and cigarettes cannot be sent to prisoners of war by their next-of-kin, according to the latest circular issued by the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society. Food parcels are sent to prisoners every v/eek by the Joint Council, which also provides cigarettes and tobacco. Next-of-kin may send chocolate if they can obtain suitable tins, but half a pound of chocolate is added by the Joint Council in every case to the parcels sent by next-of-kin. Effect of Petrol Restrictions The greens and fairways of the municipal golf links at New Brighton are in excellent order, specially for the summer season. The petrol restrictions, however, have resulted in a considerably smaller number of summer players than usual. The restrictions have had the reverse effect at the camping grounds in Rawhitl Domain, where there has been a record number of campers. During the Christmas and New Year holidays there were 80 caravans and tents which accommodated 300 adults and children. At the new camping ground at Jellicoe reserve (South Brighton) there were 20 caravans and tents, with many applications coming in from week-end campers for space at both grounds. Glare from Welding Plants The intense glare cast by the number of electric welding plants employed in the Public Works Department workshops at Temuka has been hard to eliminate. A means whereby the ventilators in the roofs of the buildings could be blacked out with one of the lighter grades of sisalkraft has been evolved, and the intermittent glare from the welders, a familiar sight to travellers on the main road between Temuka and Arowhenua, has been satisfactorily dealt with. Precautions covering the whole of the works are now considered to be satisfactory.