General News

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24368, 21 September 1944, Page 4

General News

A “Maternity Case” “A certain section of the community has no sense of responsibility when ordering taxis late at night,” said Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., in the Dunedin Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when fining James Hugh McDonald 20s oh a charge of making a false statement when ordering a taxi. The chief traffic inspector said that this offence was very prevalent. The defendant telephoned a taxi depot saying that a car was urgently needed to take, a woman to a maternity home. When the car arrived the driver found two men with a sugar-bag of beer. The Magistrate said that future offenders would be severely dealt with.—(P.A.) > Theft of Plants Twice in the last three weeks thieves have helped themselves to polyanthus plants from a large flower bed* inside the gate Of Mr E. Orchard’s home at 113 Victoria street. Mr Orchard said yesterday that the first time, three weeks ago, the flower bed was visited by a woman, judging by the footprints that were left. She took a large number of plants, pulled others up and left then? lying about, and spoiled the appearance of the bed. Mr Orchard replaced the gaps in the bed with fresh plants, but on Tuesday night or early yesterday morning a male visitor removed more plants. Supply of Honey “Families with children should be able to gefriiore honey this year than at any time since early in the war," states an article in "Consumed News, a new publication issued by the Economic Information Service, Wellington. “Unfortunately New Zealand does not produce enough honey to give everyone a definite monthly ration,’’ the article continues. "Grocers who are not in a position to contact beekeepers direct are being supplied from the Internal Marketing Division pool. Provided adults do not rush them unduly, most shops will be able to let families with children and old people get a reasonable supply." Loss of Mica in Transit An unusual cargo theft case is included in recent reports to the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association—the theft of 321b of mica, a commodity which is now valued at 19s 3Jd per lb. One case of the consignment had a corner damaged, apparently in transit to Christchurch, and the thin sheets of mica had apparently been extracted from the .case through this opening. University Senate Election The triennial election of five members of the Senate of the University of New Zealand to represent the General Court of Convocation will take place on October 4. The General Court consists of all registered graduates of the university. Eight nominations have been made for the five seats as follows:—Sir Hugh Acland, of Christchurch; Dr. G. E. Archey, of Auckland; Mr W. A. Armour, of Napier; Mrs Gertrude Benson, of Dunedin; Mr F. L. Combs, of Wellington; Mr F. A. de la Mare, of Hamilton; Dr. P. P. Lynch, of Wellington; and the Rev. H. W. Newell, of Christchurch. Mrs Benson and Mr de la Mare are sitting members of the Senate. Inter-Island Ferry' Service A further conference of the Railways Department, the Union Steam Ship Company, and the Lyttelton Harbour Board was held yesterday, when the matter of facilities for the steamer express service was discussed. After discussing the matter for an hour in committee, the conference set up a committee comprising representatives of all three bodies, which will meet on Friday, September 29. The members of the committee are Messrs J, K. McAlpine, W. S. Mac Gibbon, and R. Browning (Lyttelton Harbour Board), iP, W. Fryer (engineer and secretary of the Lyttelton Harbour Board), P. H.-Morey and F. G. Clark (Railways Department), and P. L. Hodge and H. G. Edwards (Union Steam Ship Company). Coloured Pedestrian Crossings Consideration may be given by the Christchurch City Council to the use of coloured concrete pedestrian crossings similar to those used in Wellington. Mr J. Bruorton, Chief City Traffic Inspector, on a recent visit to the North Island to study traffic conditions, was favourably impressed with the results obtained in Wellington, and in his report to the City Council recommends that consideration be given to the use of the Wellington formula. The City Engineer of Wellington, who supplied the necessary data, informed Mr Bruorton that crossings in Wellington retained their colour after being in use for six years, Life-Saving Reels “Great difficulty is being experienced at the present time owing to shortage of materials in completing six life-saving reels for the use of clubs this season,” said Mr G. D. Griffiths, president of the Canterbury Surf LifeSaving Association, at a meeting last evening. He said that kauri timber was one of the principal problems, singe supplies were under Government control and practically unobtainable. Advice from, the Wellington Association revealed that the position there was considerably worse than in Canterbury, as practically none of the essential materials was available. Shortage of Coal Supplies Though the advent of good weather and the improved depth on the bar are facilitating the working of the port of Greymouth, the coal supply is insufficient to meet demands. The Pakura arrived early yesterday to load coal for Miramar, but could not commence work, as no cargo was available. By varying her loading, the Karepo sailed for the North Island at noon, one tide earlier than had been expected. The Rata was expected last evening. - Otira Gorge Open The highway between Otira and Arthur’s Pass is again open for motor traffic after the recent heavy snow. The section of highway between Inangflhua and Westport which has been blocked by slips is now negotiable, but the Works Department advises motorists to use the road while workmen are on the job to issue directions. Primary Producers’ Organisation An important meeting of all sections of primary producers is understood to be scheduled to take place in Wellington towards the end of the month. The purpose is to consider a plan for a united organisation. While details as to the proposals are yet undisclosed, it is understood that the proposed national body will be along the lines of the National Farmers’ Union of Great Britain, which is recognised as the most ' successful primary producers’ combined organisation in the British Empire.—(P.A.) A Narrow Escape Trooper D, B. L. Bowker, on active service with the Tank Division in northern Italy, in a letter to his father, Mr H. L. Bowker, of Christchurch, tells of a narrow escape he and other members of the tank crew had while the division was under shell fire. He writes:—“ Some little time back when we were out on a job I had a rather nasty experience—had finished tea about 6 p.m. and thought I would clean my pistol, so got it out of the tank and was sitting on my bedroll. The spare driver had just filled a bucket for a wash and had crawled under the tank for his towel. The commander and gunner were both in the turret, when, without any warning (except for the fact that German projectiles were passing over us high up shelling targets in our rear) a shell landed about four yards from me and right in the bucket of water. The battered bucket was later picked up 50 yards away. The spare driver was particularly lucky, as at any moment he might have had his head over the bucket having his wash, and I also would very probably have been among the missing, so you can see that there is a lot of luck in this business." Mr Bowker’s other son. Captain S. B. L. Bowker, is in northern Italy, with the Medical Corps. Wallsend Mine Idle The Wallsend State mine, which resumed on Tuesday after being idle f9r three successive days, was idle again yesterday. A fault developed m the main shaft when the men were being taken down the mine, and they decided not to work. The fault was a minor one and was quickly remedied.