General News

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23714, 12 August 1942, Page 2

General News

Train Substituted For Rail-Car So heavy has been the demand for seats by racegoers that the Railways Department has decided to substitute a steam train for the double unit railcar, which it was proposed to run to Christchurch next Friday night. Probably six carriages will be attached to the train, which will leave at the normal time and return from Christchurch on the Monday morning. Passengers whose seats have been booked in the rail-cars will be provided with similar seats on the train. Sheet and Towel Imports Importation from the United Kingdom of plain tablecloths, sheets, towels, and similar plain articles will be permitted under licences granted in respect of cotton and similar piecegoods. This advice has been received by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce from the Customs Department. Publication of A.A. Itineraries Automobile associations’ loose-leaf touring itineraries are considered by the organisation for national security to be in the same category as road maps, and as such maps or itineraries might be of value to the enemy, it is desired that their publication should cease. This ruling was received last evening by the executive of the South Island Motor Union, which agreed to co-operate by notifying associations of the ruling. Theatre Fire Precautions Thirty-six visits of inspection to picture theatres wore made by officers of the Christchurch Fire Brigade last month, and the superintendent (Mr A. Morrison) reported to the board last evening that the conditions ot licences were being strictly adhered to. Firemen-doorkeepers at theatres had attended the central station for instruction. Voluntary Service “It is still not understood by many young women that enlistment in the Army, Navy and Air Force is purely voluntary, and is not covered by registration for the records of the Manpower Office,” said Miss A. Buckley yesterday. She said that many applicants for service in the Armed Forces who came to see her to ask questions were under the impression that when they had registered in either of the age groups so far called up they had done all that was necessary to get themselves accepted in one of the forces. "I wish ’they could be convinced,” Miss Buckley said, “that the Army is in need of them and that if they wish to enter the service they must make an application.” Soldiers’ “Comforts Coupons” Supplies of ‘‘comforts coupons” for the patriotic fund campaign reached Christchurch yesterday afternoon and a start was immediately made by the women’s committee organising the appeal. Though only two hours was available for selling the coupons, more than £4O was taken. which was considered reasonably good in view of the late start. Pat iolic Community Sing The Master Butchers' community sing, sponsored by the Hollywood Social Club, which was held last evening, resulted in £92 10s being raised for patriotic purposes. Patriotic Rugby Match The Canterbury Rugby Union has not yet had a reply from the Army authorities on its suggestion that an inter-island Army match be played at Lancaster Park on September 26 for the benefit of patriotic funds. It was stated at the meeting of the union last evening, however, that permission had already been obtained for the Band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force to travel to Christchurch to assist in the event of the fixture being held. Members expressed appreciation of the offer by the Air Force authorities, the popularity of the band with the Christ, church public having already been proved at patriotic Rugby matches at Lancaster Park, First Rail-car to Westport On its initial trip to Westport thiough the Buffer Gorge, one of the 52-seater Vu'can rail-cars left Greymouth yesterday afternoon at 2.35 o’clock and arrived at Westport shortly after the schedule time. 4.42 o’clock, the 100-mile journey over the partly neve Buffer gorge line being complet'd in a little more than three hours. The passengers included - the Minister of Mines (Iho Hon. P. C. Webb), the Minister of Railways (the Hon. R. Semple), and Mr C. H. Bcnney, Under-Secre-tary for Mines. The Mayor of Westport (Mr J. M. Robertson) and the County chairman (Mr J. Ward) officially welcomed the Ministers and expressed a wish that the rail-car should be permanently stationed on the Westport section. Fewer Fires A substantial reduction in the number of fires in Christchurch in the period from April 1 to July 31. compared with the same four months of 1941, was reported to the Fire Board by the Superintendent 'of the Fire Brigade (Mr A. Morrison) last evening. In the 1911 period there were 182 caffs and 62 actual fires, and in the 1942 period 128 calls and 48 actual fires. The other calls in each period were to false alarms, rubbish fires, and chimney fires. National Savings Last week 77 places, including nine provincial centres, attained their national savings quotas, says a statement issued by the Post and Telegraph Department. During the last 10 weeks 26 towns have been successful on all occasions, and four other places have recorded nine successes during the same period. Women for Army Camp Of the 234 women who were expected to be available to begin their training for work in anti-aircraft units in a camp near Christchurch on August 22 so far only about 50 per cent, have been enlisted. An officer at Southern Military District Headquarters stated yesterday that recruiting had been disappointingly sluggish, and that probably the camp would open without the fuff complement, new recruits entering as they were enlisted. The camp had been specially prepared for the women with hot and cold showers and baths installed. New Type of Siren A sample of a now type of warning siren has been received by the organising committee of the E.P.S, Distinctive features are that it can be carried by the operator and that it has a muffling device which enables the operator to give a wide variety of signals. Though portable and handoperated, the siren gives a good volume of sound/ Miners’ Fares to be Paid The fares of soldiers returning from camp to work in the mines are to be paid by the authorities, and soldiers who have paid their own fares will have (hem refunded, said the Minister of Mines ithe Hon. P. C, Webb) when the recent protest, of the Westland Provincial Patriotic Council against soldiers having to pay their own faros was referred to him at Greymonlh. Milk Inspection The taking of milk samples by the City Council inspector detailed for the work has not yet begun. It is necessary that his appointment should be approved by the Health Department, and details of the arrangement proposed by the council are now in the hands of the head office of the department for approval. Margin of Profit On Monday a woman showed Mr R. T. Bailey, officer in charge, Labour Department, a sample of material marked 3s 9d a yard from a warehouse and a sample of the same material marked 8s lid from a retail shop. Mr Bailey states that an investigation as to the margin of profit will be made.