General News

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23799, 19 November 1942, Page 4

General News

A Warm November Day Last Sunday was the warmest November day since 1931. The maximum temperature recorded at the observatory was 81.1 degrees. Workers Not to be Penalised The Minister of Civil Defence (the Hon. D. Wilson) yesterday issued a reminder that regulations make it quite clear that no employee shall have his wages reduced or be otherwise penalised by his employer because of any actual loss of working time caused by compulsory attendance a,t E.P.S. parades and assemblies or compulsory dispersal trials. Mr Wilson said that instances recently brought to his notice indicated that some employers were not fully aware of this obligation and of the penalties for non-compliance.— IP A.). Lewis Pass Reopened A track his been cleared through the slip on the Lewis Pass road between Reefton and Springs Junction, making this luute open through to Christchurch. The secretary of the Greymouth bianch of the Canterbury Automobile Association stated that cars must exercise care because of the na.--rowness of the track. The road between Waiho and Weheka is reported to have been blocked by a slip. The Difference "A farmer in England was asked of a Land Girl if he could tell her which was the correct expression; ‘A hen was setting or a hen was sitting,’” said Mrs A. N. Grigg, M.P., in her address at Rangiora last evening. “All I care about,” said the farmer in reply, "is when a hen is cackling is she laying or is she lying.” New Substitute for Butter The production by the Dairy Research Institute of a substitute for butler for the use of troops in the tropics was announced last night by the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. J. G. Barclay) Mr Barclay said that because butter melted in the tropics and became unworkable, a request had been made for a substitute which would be an edible, pioa.-i.nt, and nourishing fat which could be spread on bread in tropical cnndii'ons. The institute had produced the substitute in short time. It consisted of (10 per cent, butter-fat, 20 per cent, beef fat. and per cent, dried milk, ana it remained spreadable at 105 degrees. It was highly nourishing, particularly because of the incorporation of dried milk. An order had been pljud for a quantity, and if it proved successful in the Pacific the way wou'd be open for development of the deduction. — (P.A.) A Prophecy Writing from the Middle East on September 9 to a friend in Christchurch, Gunner J. H. Chalmers concluded with the following prophecy. “I hope to be able to tell you that the position here in the desert has been cleaned up once and for all the next time you hear from me. Perhaps'the next few days will decide the issue. We are ready and keep probing the Hun to make a move, and when ne does it will be curtains for him.” Gunner Chalmers said the rations were plentiful, but plain, and parcels of foodstuffs from New Zealand were a godsend to the men, who relished a change of diet. Fire-watching Proposal Proposed arrangements for continuous fire-watching in the block of buildings including the Waimairi County Council's town office were discussed by the council last evening. Cr. L. V. Lawrence said it was proposed that the tenants of three buildings should combine to provide a nightwatchmun who would sleep on the premises for £5 5s a week of six days, with a relieving man on Sundays. The man would be able to sleep at night and work during the day. The chairman 'Cr. W. G. Chapman): "How can ho watch if he's sleeping?” Cr. H. Kitson said the man, with other fire guards, would have to learn how to deal with incendiary bombs. Sale of Health Stamps The Postmaster-General (the Hon. P. C. Webb) announced last night that health stamps sold during October realised £5162, compared with £3115 last October. The Auckland district led with the sales; then came Dunedin, Invercargill, and Wellington (P.A.) Reclamation Dins Damaged Two planks were neatly sawn out of the Canterbury Reclamation Board’s bin for waste paper in Cathedral square during the week-end. Giving this information yesterday, the chairman of the board (Mr John Stewart) said it was the peak of a series of incidents, apparently caused by persons wishing to sort over the articles given to the board. The wire round the large metal bin had been broken frequently, and on one occasion the lock was removed. Patriotic Board’s Expenditure A budget providing for a total estimated expenditure of £1,129,500 to meet the requirements of the National Patriotic Fund Board for the year ending September 30 next, was submitted to the annual conference yesterday of patriotic bodies. This is £127,000 greater than the total amount budgeted for last year. Some idea of the need for increased expenditure, said the secretary and treasurer of the board (Mr G. A. Hayden) could bo gauged from the fact that when the last conference was held only 80,000 men were under arms, both overseas and in New Zealand. The number increased to 140.000 in April. 1942, and was now about 160,000. — (P.A.) Presentation to School A presentation of two oils was made to the Sydenham School recently by Mr Jesse Hollobon, a Christchurch artist. One was a portrait of the first headmaster, Mr John Cumberworth (1872-79), in whose lime Mr Holiobon was dux of the school. The other was a landscape painting of Mount Grey, both pictures being painted by Mr Hollobon. The headmaster (Mr A. F. Barrel!) accepted the gifts on behalf of the school, and thanked Mr Hollobon for his generosity. Back Saturday Work in Mines The Wallsend mine will work thf remaining two back Saturdays, November 28 and December 12, before Christmas, in response to a request from the Mining Controller. This decision was made at a meeting of the Brunner Mine Workers’ Union. The men will be paid at ordinary rates, thoug.i at a previous meeting, in response to the request to work on the back Saturdays, they had decided not to work unless paid at the rate of time and a half. The Grey Valley and State Minors’ Unions made a similar reply to the request, but the Dobson miners will consider the request again at a bath house meeting, possibly before the end of this week. No advice has yet been received oy the State Mines Office regarding v~on the remaining back Saturdays. Wholesale Milk Prices The Christchurch City Council has written to the Minister of Marketing (the Hon. J. G. Barclay) expressing its concern about the supply of milk for the city next winter because of the prices to the producers fixed by the Price Tribunal. The council has expressed its willingness to undertake the work of fixing wholesale prices by setting up a committee consisting of representatives of the council, vendors, and producers, with an independent chairman, and has suggested that such a committee would be bettor able to assess local needs than would a purely judicial body. The letter is the result of a decision made at the last meeting of the council. Women’s Home Service Representations are being mode to the Government by Mrs M. M. Dreaver, to establish a Women’s Home Service to assist the wives of farmers during the war period. Disclosing this in her address at Greymouth, Mrs Dreaver said the Women’s Land Service would aid farmers, but not the womenfolk. A Home Service, on the other hand; would provide an opening for women who did not wish to do farming work, enter industry, or join the services, but who could help in maintaining the home life in rural dls-