General News

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23946, 13 May 1943, Page 4

General News

Infantile Paralysis A boy, aged 16 months, from Temuka, who nas beeen admitted to the Timaru Public Hospital, has been reported a positive case of infantile paralysis. Teachers on Active Service "The executive has been in close touch with the Education Department on matters affecting the rights of soldier members,” said the president of the New Zealand Educational Institute. Mr D. Forsyth, of Dunedin, at the annual conference in Christchurch yesterday. Each branch, he said, had a special committee set up to watch the interests of soldier members. Further, he indicated that a scheme had been submitted to the Minister of Education (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason) which, if accepted, would have provided for the training of training college students both as soldiers and teachers. The executive had also been in touch witn the Director of Manpower with a similar request, but he indicated that no decision had yet been reached. 'Transport of Farm Produce Strong criticism of the road transport service for farm produce provided by a local transport company was made at the annual meeting of the Ellesmere branch of the Farmers’ Union, Mr W. R. Fraser described the position as chaotic, and said that not one sack of produce from the recent harvest had as yet been shifted from his farm. It was unanimously decided to seek the co-operation of grain merchants and other organisations in placing the facts before Mr T. H. Langford, Licensing Authority. Tobacco Supplies Increased supplies for sole tobacconsisls were announced by the Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan). Referring to a recent deputation from the New Zealand Federation of Tobacconists and Hairdressers, the Minister said he had been able to tell them that stops had already been faken to increase supplies to sole tobacconists by something approximating 30 per cent, of the supplies they had been obtaining recently. “I cannot over-emphasise,” said Mr Sullivan, "that the utmost co-operation is necessary on the part of retailers and smokers to prevent excessive buying, which not only is unfair to the trade in its endeavours to meet the position equitably, but also is ultimately detrimental to the interests of the consumers.”—(P. A.) Condition of Sehvyn River Bridge Concern at the condition of the traffic bridge over the Sehvyn river at Whitecliffs was expressed by members of the Sehvyn County Council following an inspection made at the conclusion of the monthly meeting of the council. It was decided to erect notices restricting the loading on this bridge, and to make temporary repairs to the decking. The question of more extensive repairs, or a now b.idge, will bo considered at the next council meeting. Melanesian Mission Relics It was thought that certain historical records which formed part of the memorial to Bishop J. R. Sehvyn m the Memorial Cathedral at Siota, m the Solomon Islands, had been lost as a result of enemy action.’ News has been received in Christchurch, however. from the Bishop of Melanesia (Bishop Baddelcy) that the relics were safclv removed from the cathedral. But‘full details of the loss and damage to the mission in this part of the Melanesian diocese is unknown. Bishop J. R. Sehvyn was a son of Bishop G, A. Sehvyn. first Bishop of Now Zealand, and later Bishop of Lichfield, Work of River Trust "The wisdom of the Trust in buying mechanical plant has been fully justified," said the chairman (Mr u L Aschman) at a meeting of the Waimakariri River Trust yesterday. "It a .hadn’t been for our plant, our work would have practically slopped with the present shortage of manpuwei, continued Mr Aschman. "It was all right when we had 1100 men woi’icm 0 or us but that number has gradually dwindled.” "You will have them workin-’ tor vnti again soon, ’ remarked jvL Freeman. "I hope not, said Mi Aschman. Standardised Exercise Rooks For some time a committee of th 3 New Zealand Educational Institu e nas been working in conjunction wi-h the New Zealand Standards Instituto on the matter ol formulating standards ; 0 r school stationery. It was reported at the annual conference m Chns.church yesterday that finality had at last been reached, and standards had been enforced tor the manufacture of school exercise books. Specifications had also been issued establishing the requirements of school paper stationery with regard to quality of paper ruling, number and dimensions of ,caves, cover and marking for books lor general utility and other work. Deputat’on on Manpower Proposals which the Canterbury Pio»rcss League considered would be for The more efficient utilisation of the Dominion’s manpower, particularly as affecting primary industries, were discussed with the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) yesterday by a dcr.ulalion from the league. The proposals, the outcome oi the manpower conierence in November, were discussed in committee for tw'o hours. According to a report released afterwards, members of the deputation weie well satisfied with the results of them representations. The deputation comprised Messrs S. P. Taylor (vice•president of the league), D. W. Westcnra, W. S. Mac Gibbon, and P. R. C.imie (organising secretary of the league) Removal of Wounded Methods developed in the Middle East for the removal of wounded men from tanks were demonstrated for the first lime near Christchurch 'yesterday by members of a field ambulance unit. These methods, which arc new to the Dominion are based on the lessons 1c rned by field ambulance units during the fighting in North Africa when members of tank crews had to be removed in battle. For the purposes ot the demonstration a tank was “d anl " aged” by the explosion of a “land mine,” and the driver wounded. Two strctchei-bearers climbed on the lank, opened the ports, and looped under the driver's arms a special webbing harness which is carried in tanks tor this purpose. Using the harness, the stretcher-bearers w'ere able to pull the driver out and lower him to a stretcher. Grants For Flood Protection The fact that the Government will provide grants aggregating £6500 for flood protection w-ork at the Haast. South Westland, was announced yesterday at Greymouth by the Minister of Transport (the Hon. J. O’Brien), who stated that on (he previous day he had acquainted himself at first hand with the position in South Westland. He had studied plans for changing the course of the Ha-st river, which would probably prove effective in a short time. At Okuru. ho said, he made an inspection of rather extensive flood damage, and he intended to make representations to the Government in the direction of securing a giant. Yesterday afternoon, the Minister viewed flood damage in the Coal Creek area. Position of Brunner Borough Al hough the Hon. P. C. Webb, during a v.sit to Greymouth several months ago. promised that the Brunner Borough would not be permitted to suffer a financial loss by the State acquiring the Dobson and Wallscnd mines, the Brunner Borough Council has not yet received any positive information from the Government as to its intentions. “As I see it, the whole think depends on the charity of the Government.” commented the Mayor (Mr J. Smeaton) yesterday, "The only advice w-e have received is a letter from the Under-Sccretary of Mines advising that the State would take over the liability for special rates.” Mr Smeaton said that the general rate is struck on a capital valuation of £IOO.OOO, this being the source of the council's revenue. The hospital rate goes direct to the hospital board, and in the past it has not always beep possible to raise the whole levy so that part of the amount has had to be met out of the general tale. With ( the loss of the rales from the Dobson and Wallsend mines, the borough would be in a very difficult position indeed, said Mr Smeaton.