General News

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23740, 11 September 1942, Page 4

General News

Wintry Weather After three weeks of fine weather, there was a sharp change in Christchurch yesterday, when a strong southwesterly wind brought with it an aftertaste of winter. The weather was bitterly cold and threatening during the day, and last evening a fairly heavy fall of hail was followed by snow, sleet, and rain. About 9 o’clock the streets were white with hail. Reports received from fruitgrowing districts near the city indicate that little damage was done by the storm. In the Rangiora district there was a light fall of hail in the afternoon. At 1 o’clock this morning it was snowing, and up to that time 20 points of rain had been recorded at "The Press’’ office, this being the only fa’l exceeding five points since August 26. when 23 points were registered. Snow at Arthur’s Pass Snow fell at Arthur’s Pass yesterday. and although not heavy enough to lie on the ground the fall continued for several hours. Brilliant sunny weather was yesterday experienced at Greymouth, accompanied by a strong southerly wind. Black-Out on Railway Travellers by the express from Invercargill reached Christchurch in the midst of the black-out last evening, and there was a good deal of confusion and inconvenience at the railway station, which was in total darkness. The first warning of the blackr out was given about 10 miles frofh the city, when guards went through the train to make sure that all blinds were drawn. It was not indicated to passengers that the black-out signal had been sounded, and as the time of arrival drew near many blinds were ■raised as strangers tried to make out the reason for the absence of lights. On the station persons'meeting arrivals by the express had considerable difficulty, but after one had taken advantage of the loud-speaker service to advise friends of her location many others followed her example. The luggage rooms. were closed, and many persons were delayed there while a large crowd assembled outside the station to await trams and taxis. Record Lambing Indicated A record lambing is indicated for Canterbury this season, according to Mr E. E. Elphick, livestock superintendent of the Department of Agriculture, Christchurch. Mr Elphick said that a change for the worse in the weather might affect back-country lambing, but lambs on the flat land were well advanced generally and the returns were good. All stock in Canterbury had been favoured by the mild winter, and moreover most farmers had made provision for wintering the stock. This season stock had been comparatively free from disease and particularly from parasitic troubles. Women-Farm Workers’ Wages Increases from 6s a week to 8s 6d a week for women farm workers are provided for in an amendment to the Agricultural Workers’ Labour Legislation Suspension Order gazetted last night. The new rates will be as follows: —For dairy farm workers: first six months £2 Is. plus keep; thereafter £2 8s 6d plus keep. Other farms and stations: first six months £1 16s. plus keeo; thereafter £2 3s 6d. plus keep.— (P.A.) Release of Younger Servicemen The release of younger servicemen after training to resume civil occupations, when thev would be available in an emergency, has been suggested by the Waimate Returned’ Services' Association as a means of reducing the problem of rehabilitation. It was stated that the efficiency of these men would be maintained by service in the Home Guard after their discharge from camp. A resolution to this effect will be sent to Dominion headquarters. Commercial Fire Guard Satisfaction .with the result* of the prolonged test of the Commercial Fire Guard preceding the ■ black-out last month was expressed yesterday by the Controller (Mr A. M. Hollander). He said a careful study -of all reports had been completed, and he found that only eight guards had not given the service required of them and that only 10 owners of buildings had not provided the equipment they should have provided. : Action was being taken to bring these persons into line. Coal Through Duller Gorge Coal railed through the Duller Gorge fo the first week of September weighed 650 tons. Potato Crops The importance of increasing the production of potatoes has been impressed on farmers at sittings of the Southland Armed Forces Appeal Board during the present series of sittings by the chairman (Mr E. H. Murney). In many cases he has suggested to farmer appellants that if allowed to retain the services of farm workers they should make a special contribution to the national effoit by growing potatoes. In 51 cases during the last five days of sittings Mr Murney has secured promises that potato crops will be grown, the acreage being slightly more than 80. From average crops on this area more than 800 tons of potatoes should be produced, which would be a worthwhile contribution to the national effort. Fishing Licence Fee Advice was received at the monthly meeting of the Waitaki Acclimatisation Society that the Marine Department had decided to amend fishing regulations to provide f> n annual licence fee of 30s in the North Island and 25s in the South Island. Holders of South Island licences who desire to fish in the North Island will be required to submit their licences for endorsement to a North Island society, together with a fee of ss. The Cornea of the South Island Acclimatisation Societies advised that the North Canterbury Society had withdrawn its proposal that the fishing license fee throughout New Zealand should be increased from 25s to 30s, in view of the opposition of South Island societies. The Marine Department advised that the proposed amendments to the Waitaki Society’s regulations had had to be deferred, but would receive consideration at a later date. This meant that the society’s recommendations for the opening of the fishing season would go by the board, said the president. The Waitaki river, therefore, would not open until n ctober 15. £SO Suggested For Mufti Allowance A motion that the Government increase the mufti allowance, for returned service men from £l2 10s to £SO was passed at the monthly meeting of the executive of the Kaikoura branch of the Returned Services’ Association. It was considered that, under existing conditions, the former amount was totally inadequate to fit a man out with clothing upon his return to civilian life. It was decided to write to the Christchurch executive urging the Government to make the increase. Otira Tunnel Traffic There was a large increase in railway traffic on Canterbury and West Coast lines during the two weeks of the school vacation, but this was not entirely due to vacation travel. Compared with last year, passengers increased by 26,598 and revenue by £4039 for the two weeks. Passe, iers numbered 97,424 for the two weeks this year, bringing in £13.586 in revenue, compared with last year’s total of 70,828 passengers and £8947 in revenue. Gumboot Supplies The limited quantities of guhnboots available for agricultural purposes will be distributed as widely as possible, and it is anticipated that restricted supplies will be available through the ordinary retail channels in Greymouth and possibly one or two other centres on the West Coast. Advising Mr J. O’Brien, M.P.. to this effect, the Hon, J. G. Barclay stated that there are only sufficient stocks of gumboots to meet a very small percentage of *he really urgent cases, and such stocks as are available for agricultural workers have been reserved exclusively for persons on dairy farms.