General News

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24346, 26 August 1944, Page 4

General News

0 Labour Party Conference The annual conference of the Labour Party, postponed from Easter because of travel restrictions, will open at Wellington on October 23, Labour Day. It will be preceded by the annual conference of the Federation of Labour, which will open on October 18. — (F.0.P.R.) Survey and Aerial Maps Of the total area of 4375 square miles in the North Canterbury Catchment Board’s district 1511 square miles are now covered by provisional one mile to the inch maps, stated the engineer (Mr H. W. Harris) in a report submitted to the board yesterday. Mr Harris said that 1861 square miles were covered by the aerial survey maps, and he urged that the board should join with other bodies in securing the completion of the aerial survey of the district. The board decided to make application for a supply of both maps. Grey Bar Unworkable Because of the heavy seas which have been running off the West Coast, the Greymouth bar was unworkable on Thursday evening and yesterday morning. The Pakura was ready to sail early yesterday morning with coal for Miramar, but could not get away. After a somewhat rough passage, the Holmlea, which had been standing by in the roadstead, berthed yesterday afternoon, but the Kiwitea was unable to do so, and remains in the roadstead. First New Potatoes The first new potatoes of the season were on sale in Christchurch this week. The prices were 10d per lb. New potatoes at this time usually come from Nelson or the North Island. Small quantities of green peas are still on sale, the price being 2s lb. More early spring vegetables are now appearing on the market, lettuce, radishes and spring onions being in fairly good supply. Lettuce are still expensive, however, prices ranging to Is 3d each. Repatriation of N.Z. Prisoners An organisation was being established in London to deal with New Zealand prisoners of war when they were repatriated from enemy camps. Making this announcement, the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) said that a large camp staff would be necessary to look after the men when they arrived in Britain. It would be built up principally from New Zealand Expeditionary Force personnel overseas and would include medical officers, dental officers, and dental orderlies, as well as postal and provost personnel, and an educational and rehabilitation officer. — (P.A.) Flood Protection on the Cam "This illustrates the need iov a coordinating body,” said the chairman of the North Canterbury Catchment Board (Mr W. Machin) at the meeting of the board yesterday when the engineer (Mr H. W. Harris) recommended that consideration be given to the construction of an embankment along part of the north bank of the Cam river, opposite where a bank is to be constructed by the Waimakariri River Trust this year. Mr Harris said the bank would come within the Ashlev River Trust’s district, but no rate was collected by the trust for improvement of the Cam river. Most of the area concerned was native land, and the collection of a rate was difficult, if not impossible. Mr Machin said the construction of a bank on one side only would probably mean more severe flooding on the other, and work on both banks was desirable. The recommendation was adopted. N.Z. Tank Transport Unit Tanks ol every operational armoured unit in the Bth Army have been carried during the last few months in Italy by a New Zealand tank transport unit, Beginning about a month before the break-through at Cassino in May, and the consequent enemy retreat through southern and central Italy, these New Zealanders have been continuously engaged in tank transporting, often under difficult and dangerous conditions, and have earned a high reputation, including specific praise from Lieutenant-General Sir Oliver Leese, Commander,of the Bth Army, for the speed and skill with which they land tanks in forward areas, in good order to carry the fight to the enemy.—(Official War Correspondent.) Succession Duty Rates A request for relief in payment of succession duties Was made in the petition of a Christchurch married woman presented by Miss M. B. Howard. M.P., in the House of Representatives yesterday. The woman was the illegitimate daughter of a man who transferred to her a mortgage of £650 on her home. Gift duty was paid. Her father died a few days before the expiry of the statutory period of three years’ after the gift, and consequently the woman was assessed for succession duty, as if the mortgage had been part of her father’s estate, and because she was illegitimate duty was fixed on the rate for a stranger (17 per cent.), instead of the rate for a daughter (1 per cent.), a difference of £lO4, That was before the amendment to the act made a fgw weeks ago. providing that illegitimate children should pay the same rates of succession as legitimate children. The petitioner asked for the remission of the difference in succession duty and such further or other relief as might seem fit.—(F.O.P.R.) Success of Holiday Centre Yesterday was the last day when the Linwood Holiday Centre for children was open. The centre, which is thought to be the first of its kind in the Dominion, was inaugurated last Monday and was open every morning until noon during the week. The assembly hall and classrooms at the Linwood Avenue School were lent to the organisers of the centre, who were members of the Linwood Ministers’ Fraternal. About 450 children from all parts of the Linwood district were present at the centre yesterday. Expressing appreciation for the work of all who had helped to make the venture such a success, the president of the Ministers’ Fraternal (the Rev. Clement S. Knight) said that it was hoped to hold, similar centres lor the entertainment and instruction of school children during future holiday periods. He especially thanked the headmaster oi the Linwood Avenue School (Mr D. McCormick), the school committee, and Mr J. L. Hay, who lent talking films for screening at the centre. Payment tor Chiropractic Treatment An inquiry by an independent tribunal into the efficacy of forms of treatment, such as chiropractic treatmerit was asked for in a petition presented to the House of Representatives yesterday by the Hon. W. E. Parry on behalf of the Chiropractic Institute and 4122 others. The petition said it was unfair that persons should have to contribute to the Social Security Fund for forms or methods of treatment not required by them, and at the same time have to pay personally for other forms of treatment “which they desire and require, and which they find benefit and improve their health.” The petitioners said they desired that forms of treatment other than orthodox medical treatment should be approved by the Health Department and paid for out of the Social Security Fund, so that citizens might have the treatment of their choice, whether it be chiropractic, orthodox medical. or otherwise. — (F.0.P.R.) Loss of Launch Hope A letter from the Minister of Marine (the Hon. J. O’Brien) was read at a meeting of the Port Chalmers Borough Council recently in reply to the council’s request that a public inquiry should be held into the loss of the fishing launch' Hope. The Minister said the council’s representations would receive early and full consideration. Cr. A L S. Cassie said that the circumstances of the tragedy should certainly be investigated, and he thought that the responsibility for what had happened should be placed on the right Shoulders. Cr. W. D. Campbell said he had a clipping from a Dunedin of 1908 recording a similar event. At that tilhe the opinion was, expresses) that *uch a tragedy should hot be allowed to happen again. Flax Cutting on West Coast Flax-cutting on the contract system Is being carried out on practically every available area between Punakaik’i river and the region of the Waitaha river, and the flax is being disposed of to local and Canterbury mills. The area at Barrytown in front of the dredge has practically been cleared, and the flax is being sent to the Westport mill.