General News

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24572, 22 May 1945, Page 4

General News

State-owned Banks Claiming that the only way to bring about a sound financial system was for the State to own and control the. Bank of New Zealand, Mr F. Langstpne, M.P., in an address, at Blenheim maintained that money was the responsibility solely of the State. The Government issued its own notes through the Reserve Bank and the great bulk of transactions were done with public credit. Nobody should be allowed to operate these credits but the State, and when the Government took over the bank it would be the only authority to operate the credits. That meant that all the other banks would be mere savings banks in the same category as the Post Office Savings Bank.— (P.A.) Control of Park and Gardens “The board has just completed its eighty-first year of the control of the Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens, and I feel it my duty as chairman of the trustees of the domains to say something about the proposed amalgamation of the domains with the City Council,” states the report of the retiring chairman (Mr E. Paterson) presented yesterday at the annual meeting of the Christchurch Domains Board. “The Christchurch Botanic Gardens have the reputation of being the best in New Zealand. This reputation has been unchallenged throughout all the years—a sufficient testimonial to the management of the various domains boards, and since this management has been so good and satisfactory it would be unwise to change it. In such an event such a change in constitution would have to be effected by Act of Parliament.” Giant Petrel Driven Ashore During last week a giant petrel with a wing span of about seven feet landed at North Beach. This petrel, which is oceanic, is generally driven ashore only in bad weather; but, being a scavenger, it will follow ships into narbours and it can often be seen about Lyttelton harbour. The giant petrel is of the same size and ' proportions as the smaller albatross, and differs from the albatross only in its more bulbous beak and the heavy nasal tubing which runs along the top of the beak. The director of the Canterbury Museum (Dr. R. A. Falla) said that no attempt had been made by the museum authorities to capture the bird, as it was ascertained from reports that it was in good condition and would probably make its way out to sea within the next day or two. Waste Reclamation The annual accounts of the Canterbury Reclamation Board, presented at yesterday’s meeting of the board, showed a net surplus of £2176 3s 6d, compared with £1928 for the corresponding period last year. The gross receipts from the sale of material were as follows:—Metal £2Bl, bottles £566, rags £751, waste paper £424, rubber £1094, miscellaneous £32. Sydenham Clock-tower About 80 persons attended a recent meeting in the Sydenham Public Library to discuss the Government’s decision to remove the Sydenham Post Office ■ clock-tower. The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr E. H. Andrews) has been asked to preside at a public meeting of pretest, and city councillors will be invited. A telegram has been sent to the Postmaster-General asking that work on the clock-tower should be suspended until after the meeting. Middle East Campaign An interesting address on aspects of the Middle East campaign was given by Mr R. Guthrey at a recent korero of the Christchurch Savage Club. Tohunga A. Wotherspoon presided. Items were given by Savages T. Hutton, W. Toomey, B. Mac Gibbon, Mr W. Fowler, and by the club’s orchestra, conducted by Savage N. Coffin. Savage G. Russell was accompanist* Amalgamation Proposals The City Council would be willing to take over tbe Christchurch Domains Board, according to a statement made at a recent conference of representatives of the Christchurch City Council and the finance committee of the Christchurch Domains Board, anfi reported by the chairman (Mr M. E. Lvons) at yesterday’s meeting of the Domains Board. It was explained that the area over which the board levied for its finance would be contracted into the city, and that the existing domain would be maintained as botanic gardens. The City Council would not expect the outside districts to pay any more than, their ridings paid ’at the present time. It was decided by members of the Domains Board that a meeting be convened of all constituent bodies, together with members of the Domains Board, with the object of deciding whether it is the wish of the constituent bodies to have any change in the existing constitution of the present board. Large Banana Shipment One of the largest shipments of bananas for some time, from Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa, comprising 24,000 cases arrived at Auckland on Saturday. The Internal Marketing Division will distribute about 8000 casesjthroughout the Auckland Province. The remainder will be distributed through the rest of the country. The banana season in the islands this year has been very good. Extra Holiday Refused A request that schools throughout New Zealand be given another day’s holiday as part of the victory celebrations has been declined by the Minister of Education (the Hon.’H. G. R. Mason). The request was made by the Auckland Education Board. The children" had already had one day’s holiday for the surrender of the German forces in Italy, said the Minister in a telegram received by the board on Friday. They had presumably attended celebrations marking the end of the war in Europe and were enjoying their usual term holidays. The Minister thought this sufficient, especially as the weather made it uncertain whether arrangements could be made for the en-. joyment of the holiday. Schools will, therefore, commence, their second term on the original reopening dates, after having closed for the term holidays a day earlier to mark the German surrender in Italy. Scots Ancestry Research Council According to information received through the New Zealand High Commissioner in London (Mr W. J. Jordan), a Scots Ancestry Research Council has been established in Edinburgh, with Mr Thomas Johnston, M.P., Lord Rosebery, and Lord Alness as trustees. This new organisation, which is an independent and unofficial body, will undertake to trace the ancestors for many generations back of any person of Scots birth or descent. According to a recent calculation made by Mr Johnston, there are throughout the world at present probably no fewer than 20,000,000 persons who can claim Scots ancestry. The chief officer of the council, whose offices will be at 4 North St. David street, Edinburgh. 2, is Mr Douglas Thomson, who has had experience of ancestry research in the Registrar-General’s Department and elsewhere. An expert staff will be employed for examination of the necessary records. Liquor in Cabarets Suggestions that the licensing laws be amended to permit of liquor being taken into cabarets when they are hired by private parties or clubs were put before the Royal Commission on Licensing, at its Auckland sittings. The mansger of one cabaret appeared on behalf of it and another three, and gave evidence. He said it appeared anomalous that a person who was under no restrictions if he held a party at his home should not be permitted to entertain his guest? similarly when he chose to use the amenities provided by a modern cabaret. Commonwealth Disposals Commission Already the Australian Government Disposals Commission has sold more than £3.000.000 worth of war goods to the public. A vast range of material is being dealt with and recent sales included 1,000.000 yards of web equipment, khaki shorts, rifles for the use of pastoralists. some 700 tOns of ammunition, Rolls-Royce engines and some ships. A number of small craft ho longer required by the services have been sold, and tenders are being invited for a 1000-ton vessel, the Pulganbar.