General News

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23915, 6 April 1943, Page 4

General News

Lighting'of Post Office Clock

A restoration of the lighting in the Post Office clock in the immediate future is not at all likely, according to a reply obtained yesterday to a letter from a correspondent, ‘‘Time, Please." The letter stated that much comment on the black-out of the clock was being heard, the writer adding that he could not understand why the city people were deprived of the chance to check up on the time at night. It was pointed out at the Post Office yesterday that the clock was the property of the City Council, which was responsible for its correctness, lighting, and maintenance. Mr E. Hitchcock, general manager of the M.E.D., to whom the letter was then referred, said that present instructions were that there should be no lighting unable to be switched off promptly in the event of a warning being sounded, and as this condition could not be complied with in the case of the Post Office clock, the lighting had not been restored.

Imports of Carpets

Additional licences for imports of carpets from the United Kingdom or British India during the seventh period will be granted to the extent of 50 per cent, of the amounts of licences granted for imports of similar goods from the United Kingdom during 1941. This advice has been received by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, which has also been informed that any seventh period licences which have been issued in excess of the original allocation for the period will be regarded as part of or absorbing the additional allocation. The chamber has been advised by the Customs Department that the seventh period allocation for imports of pens and pencils from the United Kingdom has been increased from 100 to 150 per cent, of the value of the applicants’ imports from all sources in 1938. Licences under the extra allocation will be available for imports from Canada. Dangerous Tree Removed

Complaints about the removal of a large weeping willow tree near the Antigua boat sheds have been received by the Christchurch City Council. The reserves committee reported to the council last evening that one of the main limbs had collapsed of its own weight. The tree was then examined, and it was found that the trunk was split almost to the ground. In the interests of public safety it was imperative that the tree be removed. Infantile Paralysis at Greymouth The fourth case of infantile paralysis in the Greymouth district was admitted to the Grey Hospital yesterday morning, the patient being a girl of about 10 years. The first death from the complaint occurred in the Grey Hospital early yesterday morning, the victim being a married woman who was admitted to hospital late on Friday. The two other patients were yesterday reported to be in a satisfactory condition.

National Savings Campaign

The Christchurch City Council last evening carried a resolution, on the motion of Cr. H. P. Donald, urging other local bodies to support and invest in the war savings campaign. “It is a wicked waste for the worker to spend his money just now on luxuries that he'could do without,” Cr. Donald said.

Army Commanders’ Conference

A conference of area and fortress commanders in the Southern Military District is to be hold in Christchurch to-morrow. Problems arising out of the reorganisation of the Army will be discussed. Salmon in Waitaki

With the Waitaki river in good condition on Sunday, salmon fishermen had their best day of the season to date, nesrly 50 fish being taken. The average appeared to be about 201b, and the largest 321b. The “run” apparently is late this year, for the salmon have been seen for some time in the breakers at the mouth of the river, although until this week-end not more than a dozen had been caught. Patriotic Funds From Salvage

It was anticipated that a sum of £3500 would be available for distribution to patriotic funds this year, it was reported at yesterday's meeting of the Canterbury Reclamation Board. This figure is £2OO lower than last year’s. Receipts for March were £529 11s 9d, of which £142 Is 6d was for the sale of salvaged metal, £lO6 8s 2d for bottles, and £228 18s 8d for rubber. Plans were under .vay for doubling the amount of paper handled, already 20 tons a week.

More Electrical Installations

“While all restrictions on electrical installations are by no means lifted and there remains a shortage of material in many respects, this represents a reassuring improvement.” reported the electricity committee to the Christchurch Citv Council last evening, in intimating that the Building Controller (Mr G W Albertson) had advised that more latitude would be given in the matter of permits for electrical installations. This was the result of the delivery of a quantity of American house wiring cable in the North Island under lease-lend arrangements. Soldiers’ Pensions

The increasing of the basic pension for soldiers to £3 10s a week was suggested by the executive committee of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association at its meeting last evening in a recommendation to be forwarded to Dominion headquarters of the New Zealand Returned Services’ Association, It was also recommended that equal treatment should be given to all other forms of war pensions, and that the allowable income, including full pensions, should be increased by 75 per cent.

Mount Pleasant Drainage

A departure in the work of the Christchurch City Council was authorised last evening, when it was decided to take control of the Mount Pleasant sewerage system instead of taking steps to have control passed over to the Christchurch Drainage Board. The council adopted a recommendation of the works committee, which reported that, if control passed to the Drainage Board, a rating question with some complications might be involved and that there seemed no reason at present why the sewerage system should not be carried on by the City Council. Farm Courses for Soldiers

The first of a series of intensive week-end courses in agriculture for men in the Army, which have been arranged by the Army Education and Welfare Service, was held on Saturday and Sunday, when a party of soldiers visited Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln. The party, which consisted mainly of farmers’ sons or farm workers, spent two full days at the college, and was given an insight into up-to-date farming methods. The director of the college (Professor E. R. Hudson) and Professor C. P. McMcckan, and other members of the college staff, discussed sheep, pigs, cattle, and modern breeding methods with the soldiers, who were encouraged to ask questions. It is hoped later to organise longer courses. Record Collection of Rates

A collection of 99.054 per cent, of the rates levied had been collected by the due date, the County Clerk (Mrs S. A. Hewson) reported to the monthly meeting of the Kaikoura County Council. It was a record collection for the county and probably for New Zealand, said the chairman (Mr F. J. Monk). Favourable comment was made on the balance-sheet for the year ended March 31, 1943. which showed a credit balance of £7926 8s lid. including sale of plant totalling £2432. After deducting the amount received from this sale the position showed an improvement of £2573 14s 3d on the year’s working. Cr. A. Howard suggested that the financial position of the council was probably a record for the Dominion.