General News

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24371, 25 September 1944, Page 4

General News

One Rook, Fewer One of two rooks flying over Wigram on Saturday afternoon when the Roya} New Zealand Air Force Station was open to the public, was killed, in an encounter with a Corsair fighter flying at more than 350 miles an hour. The Corsair was diving towards the airfield when it struck the rook, which vanished in a puff of black feathers. The other rook, caught in the air blast from the fighter’s propeller, was hurled head over heels, and people on the ground saw it flying off in drunken fashion. Dominion Day , The thirty-seventh annual celebration of Dominion Day falls to-day. The anniversary, which has gradually become less widely observed, is not recognised as a general holiday, but the Stock Exchange and the Supreme Court will close for the day. Banks will open as usual. The day commemorates the elevation of New Zealand from the status of a self-governing colony to |hat of a Dominion. The Proclamation of the change was made on September 26, 1907, but Dominion Day is now celebrated on the nearest Monday to that date. Whitebait From South Westland Though catches have been comparatively poor at Greymouth, 58 boxes of South Westland whitebait were forwarded to Christchurch for disposal at auction during the week-end. The total represented about one tpn and a half. Used Motor Vehicles “Negotiations have been carried out throughout the year between the Motor Vehicle Dealers’ Dominion Section Committee and the Price Tribunal on the question of the proposed establishment of a price ceiling for used motor vehicles," said the report presented by the president (Mr A. D. Tench, Christchurch) at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Retail Motor Trade Association in Wellington. A case had been presented to the Price Tribunal and no further action had been taken. “While we are prepared to admit that there are real difficulties at present in regard to the marketing of used motor vehicles, the Dominion committee was definitely of the opinion that the institution of a price ceiling would, in itself, create greater difficulties than are evident at the present time,” added the report. “In making this statement we draw on the experience of Australia and the United States of America, where certain price ceiling regulations for used vehicles are in operation and are acting very detrimentally to the motor traders.” Farther Coal Restrictions Because of a further decision of the Mining Controller, Greymouth will now be without supplies of its principal household coals. Strongman coal was taken off the market on September 13, and Braehead coal was taken off on* Saturday. These two coals provided almost all the household coal consumed in Greymouth. In the case of Strongman coal, the position will be reviewed this week, but with Braehead no review period has been set; Supplies of other coals will be available from the dealers, but as far as domestic use is concerned, there has been practically no demand for other than Strongman and Braehead. Volunteer Fire Brigades “For many years I have had a very soft spot for the volunteer fire brigades whose work in New Zealand exjonus over a period of 80 years, said the Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs, Mr J. W. Heenan, at the annual conference of the New Zealand Fire Brigades’ Association in Wellington. Nowhere in New Zealand was there a better example of voluntary public service. The Government and the department had helped materially and financially the holding of the biennial demonstrations, and it was hoped that as soon as conditions permitted there would be a full-scale resumption of the demonstrations. Bath (or Hospital Patients An up-to-date bath of American invention, in which patients may lie, literally “for hours,” is used at the Kingseat Mental Hospital. Known as a sling bath, it has holes punctured in the sides, through which water runs in and out all the time, and a leather cloth, on which the patient lies, is hooked over the sides and let down into the bath. This cloth gives extra support to the body, and enables fhe patient to lie in the bath for up to two hours if necessary. The water is not medicinal, but the effect of the long warm bath is relaxing, and the treatment is good for excitable, rest--less patients. The patients can read, eat, or drink in the bath if they wish, but as a rule they spend two threequarter hour periods there a day under supervision. Telephoning for Doctors To overcome the difficulty that sometiirfes confronted the public at nights and week-ends in obtaining the services of a doctor, the medical profession in Wellington has arranged, in conjunction with the Wellington Hospital Board, for notification to be included in the new telephone directory to be issued in October that the Free Ambulance may be telephoned for information as to available doctors. For this purpose the number of the Free Ambulance is to be included in the list of emergency numbers in the front of the book and also on the page devoted—to the medical profession. When this was reported at a meeting of the Wellington Hospital Board, members commented that it should prove a boon to the public. Less Cream Consumed The marked reduction in the consumption of cream in Auckland since the restriction was introduced is shown by records kept by the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council. Before the restriction between 375 ami 440 gallons of cream were taken daily by wholesalers and retailers in the council’s area. At the present time the daily figure is approximately 62 gallons. Labour for Farms “The situation of manpower for farms is unsatisfactory and a large part of the blame for this position rests with the authorities," said Mr H. W. James, organiser for the Whangarei Production Council, at the annual meeting. “But part of the blame rests with the farmers themselves.” Mr James explained that when the scheme for bringing back men from the Pacific was first brought into operation farmers had delayed making application for labour, and at one period there were more men available than applications from farmers for labour. However, now in the Whangarei district there were 59 positions on farms still not filled. In regard to shearing Mr James said the council had made arrangements for shearers and it was thought that there would be sufficient for the work offering. Theft of Newspaper “Although at first sight the theft of a newspaper valued at 2d may seem a trivial offence, actually it is a serious ’matter,” said Mr J. H. Luxford, S.M., in the Auckland Magistrate’s Court, when a man. aged* 63, pleaded guilty to stealing one “New Zealand Herald” from the delivery box on the front gate of a residence at Newmarket. Senior-Sergeant Sparks said that as a result of numerous complaints of missing newspapers in the locality, a watch was kept, and on August 11 a constable detected accused removing a “New Zealand Herald.” Counsel said that unfortunately accused often left to go to work before his paper had arrived. and on the morning of August 11 the headlines had been particularly big. “They are always big these days, said the Magistrate. “Accused is allowed to peep over the other fellows shoulder to see what’s in the ‘Herald, but that is as far as the law goes. Accused was fined £2, with costs. Law Examination Achievement An achievement of no mean merit is the completion of the third section of the LL.B. degree by Gunner J. B. Woodward while on active service overseas. Gunner Woodward, a son of Mr W. H Woodward, S.M.. New Plymouth. who is now in Italy, was given a fortnight’s leave to sit the examination. at which his commanding officer was the supervisor, and seven months later received the welcome advice that he had passed in the two contract papers, company law and bankruptcy, thus completing his third section for the degree.