General News

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23661, 11 June 1942, Page 4

General News

Fat Sheep Killed by Train ' Shortly after a mob of more than ’SOO fat sheep were released from the Addington saleyards yesterday on-to the road leading to the railway line cunning past the yards, a train travelling from North Canterbury to Christchurch ploughed, in to the leading section of the mob, and before it was possible to bring the train to a standstill, 15 of the number, half of them lambs, were killed outright, and others were Injured. The sheep had been purchased and had been .taken delivery of by the Islington freezing works. The value of the sheep killed was estimated at / between £2O and £23. The number injured was comparatively few. i Went to Work Too Soon Reporting that last year 20 Dunedin primary schoolgirls went to work before completing a year in Standard VI, and 33 went direct to work from Standard V and even lower-classes, the Vocational Guidance Officer in Dunedin commented on the tendency of such girls to drift from job to job because they entered positions ill-equipped or before they were old enough to be fit to receive the half-yearly increase m pay the present awards stipulated. The trouble in the latter case, said the officer, was that the girls (were too immature to take senior work or to assume more responsibility at the end of the period when their wages automatically' increased.—(P.A.) “Marks of Disgrace” "Although we appreciate the action" of the Department of Health in removing the charge for nurses at dental clinics and granting the committees £25 a year for each nurse employed, it is no matter of pleasure to me to view the number of these clinics in the country,” said Mr A. C. Brassington, a delegate to the annual meeting of the Canterbury School Committees’ Association last evening. "The clinics were no doubt necessary, but at the same time they are marks of disgrace to the district in which they are situated. There is no reason that children under the age of 10 should require dental attention.” Holding of Wheat A decision to ask the Wheat Committee that the increments for holding wheat in April and May should be increased by Id a bushel each month, bringing the increments up to 2d each month, was made by the North Canterbury District Council of Primary Production at its meeting yesterday. Mr R. G. Bishop, who moved the resolution, said the increase would cause a greater amount of wheat to be held for the period, and would ease the transport position. Civilian Identity Discs A public statement is likely to be made shortly recommending civilians to procure identity discs of some suitably marked fire-resisting material. This information has been’received by the organising committee of the Christchurch E.P.S. from the Director of National Service (Mr J. S. Hunter). Mr Hunter in his letter said the Government did not propose, at this stage, to make the wearing of identity discs compulsory. 300 Bales of Hay Destroyed Three hundred bales of hay stored in a shed at Braemar Station, Fairlie, were completely destroyed by fire recently. Appeal for Furniture "We are doing our utmost to provide comforts for the troops, but personally I doubt whether wardrobes and chests can-be classed as comforts— I’m just afraid the Army is stretching the long bow when it makes such requests,” Colonel J. Murphy (president) said when at a meeting last evening members of the executive of the Territorial Association were dispussing the need for furniture in military camps. It was reported that 1 the demand was great and the need as urgent as it had been in the past, and members agreed a further appeal—probably to country people—would have to be made shortly, and that the furniture depot in Manchester street would have to be maintained for at least six months. Greater Allowance Sought An increase in the allowance for meals made to members of the armed forces living outside camps is still sought by the New Zealand Returned Services’ Association. At a meeting of the executive committee of the association it was pointed out that the associv ation had always contended that the' allowance of lOd a meal for members of the forces living outside camp, barracks, or stations should be increased to 4s 6d a day. It decided to make further representations to the Government on the matter, and to request that pay and allowances in the case of women’s services should also be investigated.—(P. A.) United Nations Day in Schools The schools of Canterbury and the West Coast will celebrate United Nations Day to-morrow, when a period from 1.30 p.m. to 1.55 p.m. will be set aside in each school. Headmasters will address pupils on the significance of the celebration and a broadcast programme from 3YA beginning with the National Anthem will Include prayers, an address by the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr E. H. Andrews), and suitable songs for the nations concerned. Flooding at Ohoka THte opinion of the engineer (Mr H. W. Hams) that “something would have to be done at Ohoka” because of recent flooding, provoked a discussion at yesterday’s meeting of the Waimakariri River Trust, which decided to ask the Eyre County Council if it proposed to take measures to deal with the Ohoka stream in its upper reaches. Mr Harris reported that the Ohoka stream overflowed its banks in several places and was particularly bad at Ohoka, where the water went across to Flaxton and flooded a fair area of farm lands. Fortunately the Cust was not high enough to close the floodgates, and as a result the surface waters were able to get away very quickly. There was not a great deal of water in Colliers creek or injhe Eyre river. Mr Harris said that the big culvert at Flaxton was menaced by the extra water which had to be carried in the last flood. Timaru Mayoralty The period of six months’ leave of absence granted by the Timaru Borough Council to the Mayor (Major W. G. Tweedy), has almost expired, and theije has been speculation as to what course the Borough Council will adopt about Major Tweedy’s future position. Major Tweedy is at present serving overseas as Red Cross Commissioner for New Zealand. Since his departure from Timaru, the Deputy-Mayor (Cr. P. B. Foote) has been carrying on as acting-Mayor. The Mayoress (Mrs Tweedy) has retained her official position. The council will have to consider the question of the Mayoralty some time this month. If a majority of the council oppose an extension of Major Tweedy’s leave of absence, an election will be necessary. Fine Response to Appeal The appeal for nautical instruments for the Royal New« Zealand Navy has had a response ‘'xceeding expectations. The Minister for Defence (the Hon. F. Jones), thanking donors of instruments, which included chronometers, compasses,’ and theodolites, said that these would prove Of considerable assistance to the Navy in maintaining its fighting efficiency.—(P.A.)