General News

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24372, 26 September 1944, Page 4

General News

| Land Values in Sumner During the last 12 months sales I totalling £81,601 had been made in Sumner, the Government values in i 1938 being £64,805, said Cr W. Machin at a meeting of the Sumner Borough Council last evening when referring to a statement made recently by a Crown Valuer before the Christchurch Urban Land Sales Committee. The valuer was reported as saying that he had found practically no difference in the value of land in Sumner between 1938 and today, and that there had been no general increase. “These figures represent an increase of over 25 per cent., and are indicative of the growing popularity of Sumner as a residential area,” said Cr. Machin. University Boundaries A rearrangement of university boundaries, proposed by Victoria University College, was approved by the Canterbury University College Council yesterday afternoon. The Counties of Amuri, Cheviot, and Kaikoura on the east, and the Counties of Inangahua and Buller on the west will be included in the Canterbury University College district; but the County of Murchison will remain in the Victoria University College district. Troops From Pacific A further draft of troops from the Pacific have arrived at Auckland. A few of the men are to go to essential industries, but the majority are leave personnel. At the reception the Government was represented by Mr A. G. Osborne, M.P.—(P.A.) Dominion’s Coal • Mines There were 134 coal mines operating in the Dominion in 1943. Fifty-four of those mines were situated on freehold property, and produced 1,132,735 tons, or 41 per cent, of the total output. The remaining 80 mines are situuated on Crown lands, and produced 1,655,133 tons, or 53 per cent, of the total output of 2,787,868 tons. Price of Tennis Balls Lawn tennis players will have to pay more for tennis balls this year, said Mr E. A. Lee, chairman of the management committee of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association, at the annual meeting last evening. New Zealandmade balls, he said, would probably cost about 6s 6d a pair and imported balls about 8s a pair. The pre-war price was 4s to 4s 6d. Mr Lee added that players were not likely to complain so long as balls were obtainable. R.S.A. Membership The present membership of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association is 6791, an increase of 1985 over the figure at the same time last year. Armistice Celebrations The Mayor of Wellington (Mr W. Appleton)' said yesterday that thought was being given to arrangements lor a full and safe and reasonable observance of the armistice day, and probably there would be some announcement and discussion at the next meeting of the Wellington City Council. How soon or how delayed that day might be none could know, but it would be wise to have plans in train. One proposal on which he acted was that besides a great outdoor jollification there should be a really worthwhile musical festival, and a meeting of interested societies and bodies had been called.—(P.A.) Housing For Miners Because of lack of manpower and essential materials, the provision of housing accommodation for miners is not proceeding as rapidly as might be desired, says the Minister of Mines (the Hon. P. C. Webb), and, consequently, the employment in the mines of quite a number pf suitable men has been prevented. To improve the position temporarily in the Waikato, the Government has obtained a number of huts, which have been transported to and erected at the Renown and Wilton mines, and cooking and other facilities have been provided. The huts have been made available to the coalmining companies concerned on favourable terms, and are being occupied by single men directed to the coalmining industry. Community Service in Sport “The unaffiliated club can do nothing for the game or the community beyond its own interests," said Mr E. A. Lee, chairman of the management committee, when referring at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association last evening to the increased number of affiliated clubs. The body of affiliated clubs, on the other hand, was a potent force in the community, capable of organising the sport, arranging coaching schemes for young players, and arranging visits by players from overseas, said Mr Lee. He added that the community service of the affiliated club was recognised by the Government authorities who decided that affiliated clubs should receive a bigget allocation of tennis balls under the quota scheme than unaffiliated clubs. Insufficient Coal Supplies Because of a clearance of mine bins by the week-end and the fact that the district mines were not working on Saturday, there was insufficient coal to meet shipping demands at Greymouth yesterday. The Rata arrived early yesterday morning, but was not able to start loading for Nelson and Tarakohe till last evening. After discharge of her cement cargo, the Holmlea will load coal for Picton. The Poolta could not obtain her full complement of labour on Sunday evening, and was not expected to complete loading for the North Island till last evening. Heavy seas held up the Gabriella yesterday morning, but she got away with coal and timber for Wellington yesterday afternoon. Literary Attainment of Students A report on the standard of literary attainment of first-year and secondyear students at Canterbury University College will be obtained from the professors by the rector for a report to the college council, according to the report of the college committee yesterday. Wellington Tramway Award After a series of discussions between representatives of the tramway committee of the Wellington City Council and the Tramway Employees’ Union, differences of opinion which had threatened to lead to a serious public inconvenience by the introduction of a “legal go-slow’’ (by strict observance of tramway and traffic regulations and of city by-laws) have been cleared away, and agreement has been reached on all outstanding points of the pending award. The agreement will be reported to the Court of Arbitration, which will write the amendments into the new award.—(P.A.) Chair of Geology __ The chair of geology at Canterbury University College will be re-estab-lished because of the present and prospective increases in roll numbers and the extension and specialisation of the course in geology, according to the decision of the college council yesterday afternoon. A sub-committee has been appointed to make full inquiries and report to the council on steps to be taken to fill the chair. Proposed Agricultural College An announcement that Mr J. E. Strachan, headmaster of the Rangiora High School, and Mr G. Wild,’ senior inspector for technical schools in New Zealand, will visit Southland next month to discuss the proposed establishment of an agricultural college, was made at a meeting of the Southland provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union. Mr Strachan will be asked to address a meeting of representatives of the various branches of the union on October 6. He will also discuss the matter with branch representatives at Gore on his way south! On October 16 Mr Wild will discuss the proposal with representatives of the branches interested. Mining Licences A total of 247 licences for mining privileges was granted under the provisions of the Mining Act last year, an increase of 23 on the previous year. Of the licences granted in 1943, 32 were licences entitling the holders to mine for gold. Altogether 45 mining privileges, including four claim licences and 16 water-race licences, were struck off the register.