General News

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23971, 11 June 1943, Page 4

General News

Seeds From “Down Under” “On many Christchurch allotments crops are being grown from seeds , which came all the way from New Zealand as gifts from the citizens of the town of the same name in response to a letter sent to their Mayor some time ago by the Rev. Harold Mayall,” says the. “Bournemouth Daily Echo,” England. “Vegetable seeds of - many varied kinds were sent and have been distributed amongst allotment holders, one of whom found inside a packet of radish seed a note with the following wording: ‘To whoever opens this packet I wish you a great crop this year and all the best of luck. —Cliff G. Belworthy, 05 Harper street, Sydenham, N.Z.’ The soil and climate apparently suit the seeds from ‘down under’ as they are making promising progress and the recipients of the useful gifts, who greatly appreciate the generosity of the New Zealand donors, are hopeful of being able to let them know that record crops were gathered.” f Maori Concert Criticised

Criticism of a recent Maori concert in Christchurch was expressed at a meeting this week of the Christchurch Ngati-Otautahi Maori Association. “Though I was not present,” said Captain H. Pohio, “I understand that it was a disappointment to some of our pakeha friends, as items were introduced that were not Maori.” If Maori concerts were held, he declared, they should be Maori and not "fiftyfifty.” “Otherwise.” he remarked, “let us call it a variety show and be done with it, but not a Maori concert.” A sailor’s hornpipe, even if danced by a Maori, added the speaker, was certainly not a Maori item. Sitting Hours of the House The House of Representatives yesterday, on the motion of the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) agreed in future to sit on Tuesdays from 10.30 a.m. until 10 p.m., with the usual adjournments for meals, and to conclude the sittings on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 10 p.m., instead of 10.30 p.m., thus avoiding the necessity of interfering with news broadcasts from New Zealand to servicemen stationed in the Pacific.—(P.A.) Wish to Serve in Both Wars

“I should be most interested to know how you propose to get into the Army,” said Mr S. L. Wright, to a farmer, aged 45, at a sitting of the No. 2 Armed Forces Appeal Board yesterday. The reservist had been called in a ballot some time ago and shortly afterwards had volunteered—just to make quite sure. He had not appealed himself, the appeal having been lodged by the Director of National Service, with the support of the local primary production council. The reservist stated that he had served throughout the last war and saw no reason why he should not serve in this. Maoris in Services Plans for the establishment of clubrooms where Maori men and women in camp in the services could be entertained, were discussed this week at a meeting of the Christchurch Ngati-Olautahi Maori Association. The chairman, Mr Vernon Thomas, explained that he had approached the Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews), who had assured him of his support in this aspect of the association’s future activities. Efforts were now being made to find club rooms, and it was hoped to obtain a grant from the Patriotic Society. The meeting approved of a constitution outlined by the executive. A number of young Maoris from all parts of New Zealand, explained Mr Thomas, were now in camps near Christchurch. Full-time Rectorship "Under the unique constitution of Canterbury College, the rector here has more work to do thap at any other New Zealand university," says a leading article entitled ‘‘Full-time Rectorship” in the latest issue of ‘‘Canta,’’ the official organ of the Canterbury College Students’ Association. ‘‘Usually the business of the Registrar’s Office is confined to college affairs, but the extent to which the office here is involved in other business is a strong point in favour of a full-time rector to cope with the academic side. But such a rector, without a lecture room, as a moans of keeping in touch with students, might very well tend to become autocratic. Such an appointment is virtually for a life-time, as the college council, although it might not hesitate to change a part-time rector if he were a professor from within the college, would certainly think twice about dismissing a full-time rector without a chair to fall back upon. It is not hard to imagine how bad affairs would have to become before such a drastic action would be taken.” Rehabilitation Committees In reply to an inquiry which it had made concerning representation of primary producers on rehabilitation committees, the Waimate Farmers’ Union has been advised by the Minister of Agriculture that business or farming representation was given according to the type of district. It was proposed, in addition, to appoint to rehabilitation committees, sub-commit-tees to deal with land settlement and the selection and classification of applicants. "Kentucky Blue Grass” The story of a farmer who sowed twitch seed, believing it to be good grass seed, was told at a meeting of the management committee of the Canterbury District Pig Council thi.s week, by Mr H. W. Mclntosh, the district supervisor. This farmer, said Mr Mclntosh, had sown 10 acres in seed described as ‘‘Kentucky Blue Grass,” which turned out to be common twitch. Purchase of Trucks A remit asking that endeavours be made to have impressed trucks returned to buyers by direct negotiation with the Army, was approved at the annual conference of the South Canterbury executive of the , Farmers’ Union recently for submission to the Dominion Executive. Mr A. J. Davey said that when trucks were taken into the Army they were taken directly by the armed forces authorities. Farmers now had the right to apply for trucks which were being released, but they had to go to the recognised trade channels and pay commission on purchases. Water Supply for Fires Comment on the pressure of water available for fire-fighting in the Riccarton borough was made in a report by the superintendent (Mr A. Morrison) received by the Christchurch Fire Board recently. Mr Morrison said that an officer of the brigade, a representative of the Canterbury fire un-. derwriters, and the Riccarton borough clerk had made flow tests on the water reticulation within the borough on May 31. ‘‘The test disclosed.” said Mr Morrison, “that the pressure in the mains is not sufficient for firefighting purposes without the use of the stationary pumping unit which is situated at the base of the water tower, and even then the volume of water is sufficient only for dealing with small fires such as dwellings." Students’ "Work Week” Under the auspices of the Christchurch committee of the International Students’ Service, students of Canterbury University College have embarked upon a novel effort to raise funds to provide books and writing materials for prisoners of war in enemy countries. During the week beginning June 19, they are prepared to undertake any odd jobs about homes in Christchurch. The men will do gardening, painting, wood-cutting, etc., and the women will undertake any form of housework, sewing, minding children, etc. Although the college is at present in session, the students frequently have fairly long periods of spare time, such as the intervals between lectures, which they are prepared to utilise in performing household tgsks. A minimum charge of Is 6d an hour for the services of each student has been set, and it is anticipated that there will be a good response to toe scheme from toe public. "