General News

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24603, 27 June 1945, Page 6

General News

14.000,000 Cigarettes A large consignment of American cigarettes is to be released for sale to the public shortly, comprising surplus American stores in Auckland. About 14,000,000 cigarettes are stated to have been purchased by the Government to relieve the present shortage. They are being distributed to merchants in Auckland and other centres in New Zealand. Supplies are expected to be on sale next Monday. The cigarettes are stated to be in packets of fives, 10’s, and 20’s.—(PJU Chalk Deposits At View Hill Chalk deposits at View BUI, Oxford, which may be of value to local farmers, are to be investigated by a special committee set up at a meeting called at Oxford on Monday evening. If it considers the scheme worth while, the committee will take steps to form a company to excavate the deposits for use in the district. The meeting, which was well attended, was called by Mr F. Gorton (Oxford), who presided. Among those present were Dr. M. M. Burns and Mr R. H. Bevin, of Canterbury Agricultural College, Mr E. G. Smith, fields instructor of the Department of Agriculture at Rangiora, and Mr W. H. Harris, engineer to the Waimakariri River Trust and to the North Canterbury Catchment Board. Manufacture of Tyres Proposals /to grant licences for the manufacture of motor-vehicle tyres in New Zealand were discussed in committee last evening by the executive of the South Island Motor Union. The executive, on the motion of Mr P. W. Breen (Otago), seconded by Mr J. S. Hawkas (Canterbury) decided: “In view of the publicity already given to motor-tyre manufacturing in *the Dominion, the executive would view with apprehension any policy of granting licences for manufacture to the exclusion of importations of standard makes of tyres already imported.” Reel ton Airman’s Appointment Flight Lieutenant R. S. Derek Kearns, D.5.0., D.F.C., D.F.M., of the Royal New Zeahnd Air Force, has been chosen to operate -Lancastrian aeroplanes on the regular EnglandAustralia air service. Flight Lieutenant Kearns, who was born at Reefton, was educated at Reefton and Canterbury University College, and is the younger son of Mr and Mrs Thomas Kearns (Reefton). After completing his air training in New Zealand, he left for England, where he served as an officer with the 75th New Zealand Bomber Squadron. He made many operational flights over Germany and the Continent, and was a member of the specially selected bomber crews who took pari- in the raids on the Mohne and Eder dams. Flight Lieutenant Kearns recently qualified for a B grade civil licence, and has been seconded for two years’ duty with the British Overseas Airways Corporation. Motor Drivers’ Licences The traffic department of the Christchurch City Council has had an exceptionally busy few days issuing motor drivers’ licences. Up to the end of last week the issue of licences lagged behind the numbers for the corresponding period last year. By the close of business last evening, however, the total had grown to 5605, or 301 more than up to the same date in 1944, Licences expire at the end of this month, and a rush of applications is expected on tile last three days of the licensing period on which the council’s offices are open, to-day, to-mor-row, and Friday. Importation of Stud Stock A decision to fesk the Royal Agricultural Society to request the Government to lift the restrictions on stock importations direct to New Zealand as soon as a quarantine station in Britain was operating was made yesterday by a meeting of society representatives held before the annual meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society. It was pointed out that the cost of importing high-class sires was prohibitive. Many small breeders of his society were considering artificial insemination, said Mr G. H.' Dowick (Palmerston North), of the Jersey Breeders’ Society, and through this method high class strains would be available. Others at the meeting declared that New Zealand was in danger of losing ground because of the difficulty of importing stud sheep.— (P.A.) Model Presented to Christchurch A model of Priory Church, Christchurch, Hampshire, England, given by the English town to Christchurch, New in 1943, is now On its way to the Dominion, according to advice received by the Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) from Mr W. J. Jordan, High Commissioner for New Zealand in London. The model was held in England because of the difficulties and danger of shipping it across the world in war time. In a letter to the Mayor, Mr Jordan recalls that in October, 1943, he and Mrs Jordan visited Christchurch, Hampshire, and conveyed to its people the greetings of the New Zealand city. Mr Jordan was then given, for transmission to New Zealand, the model of the old English church. Mr Jordan wrote that it is within necessary limits a faithful reproduction of one of the finest churches in England, with a history going back to Norman times, and a close association with important historical events. He added that the shipping company had undertaken to ship the model free of charge. Minister Denies Rumours Reports that serious trouble had occurred at the upper development scheme at Waikaremoana, and that all available supplies of cement were being hurriedly diverted there, were denied by the Minister of Works (the Hon. H. Semple) last night. “We need thousands of tons of cement for this job, just as for any other hydro-elec-tric undertaking,” said the Minister. “The whole basis of hydro-electric jobs is cement.” Mr Semple said that as far as he knew there was no foundation for the rumours that trouble had occurred. Certainly no such reports had reached him, nor had any been received by the engineer-in-chief of the Public Works Department. “We have had minor difficulties with water, and will continue to have them, because we are driving two drives under a huge lake in very porous country,” said the Minister, “It is one of the most ticklish jobs our engineers have tackled, and I am satisfied we have it under control.” —(P.A.) Australia’s Oil Production The Australian Minister of Supply and Shipping (Senator Ashley) has announced that production of shale oil at the New South Wales Glen Davis plant will reach a rate of 10,000,000 gallons a year by next March, says a message from the Australian High Commissioner in New Zealand, Senator Ashley saida group of new retorts would be in commission by September, and a second group by next March. So far the development of/ the industry had been impeded by the lack of a suitable water supply. A new scheme on the Fish river was to be in operation by September and should, provide ample water, not only for Glen Davis, but for many towns m the district. Butchers’ Difficulties Dissatisfaction with the conditions ruling for retail butchers In Wellington and surrounding districts was ventilated at a meeting of the "Wellington Master Butchers’ Association, when one resolution, carried unanimously, favoured closing butchers’ shops from Saturday next indefinitely unless some relief was forthcoming from the Government. A deputation which met the ( Acting-Prime Minister (the Hon. W. Nash) and the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) yesterday was given an assurance that the matter would be thoroughly investigated, A conference between the Wellington and New Zealand associations will be held soon with a view to endeavouring to place proposals- before the Government. On the assurance given by the Ministers, the Wellington association decided not td close the shoes as originally intended.—(RA.) Cheerful New Zealander# When contrasted with the “hard, calculating face*” at American*! New Zealanders have a cheerful appearance, according to Mr W. J. PlotWStoWardlaw. a British businessman, who has been visiting the Dominion. In the United States and Canada two men could not converse for more than five minutes without the subject of money entering the conversation. The dominating place occupied by sport in adult conversation was peculiar to New Zealand and Australia.