General News

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24741, 5 December 1945, Page 6

General News

Record Rainfall The total rainfall to date this year at Wataroa, West Coast, is 206.84 inches, compared with 181.99 inches for the corresponding period of last year. This year’s recording is the heaviest _ since records were commenced in 1935. Last month rain fell on 23 days, the total fall being 32,82 in, compared with 18.02 in on 24 days in November, 1944. The maximum fall was 8.13 in on November 6, against 5.01 inches on November 11 last year.

Mileage Tax Included in the list of emergency regulations recently revoked were the Substitute Fuel Regulations, said the Minister of Transport, the Hon. J. O'Brien. He added that owners of vehicles driven 4sy producer gas would in future be required to pay mileage tax and make monthly mileage returns within seven days from the end of e&ch month. The first return would be due at the end of December.—(P. A.)

Whole Body of Duck Found in Eel “The whole body of a full-grown duck was found in a big eel taken from the Ohape creek by Mr G. Hawkins, of Orari,” said Mr S. Goddard at a meeting of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. In a mile of the Ohape Mr Hawkins had cauvht 400 eels in a year. A neighbour, Mr C. E. J. Gould, had lost ducks and had set lines and found legs of ducks in the stomach of a 61b eeW It was possible to imagine what a 201b or 301b eel might do. said Mr Goddard. The society instructed its ranger (Mr F. W. Grayburn) to construct eel traps end pots as soon as materials were available.

Message to Queen of Tonga The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon, P. Fraser) has sent a message to Queen Salute of Tonga on the occasion of the celebration of the centenary of Tonga. "The history of our Pacific area is only at its beginning, and in the years ahead we hope, and shall do our best to ensure, that our two countries will continue in brotherly friendship, contributing each to the other’s welfare," said Mr Fraser —(P,A.) Coal Drilling at Kawa Kawa. Coal-drilling operations are to be carried out by the Mines Department in the Waiomio basin at Kawa Kawa. near Russell, in the North Auckland Province, and a drill and crew are now en route from Portland, where the Mines Department carried out some drilling operations on behalf of Wilson’s (N.Z.) Portland Cement Company, Ltd., on cement deposits in that area. A geological survey was recently completed on the Waiomio basin area at Kawa Kawa. and it is now intended, in the initial stages of test drilling, to bore three holes of depths up to possibly 1000 feet' each, with the prospect of proving coal deposits. The drilling superintendent' of the Mines Department (Mr R. McMillan), who is stationed at Grey mouth will shortly visit the area—(F.O.O.R.) Inspection of Housing Work Members of the Christchurch City Council housing sub-committee who inspected the work at Harewood aerodrome yesterday found that the city’s temporary housing scheme is making good progress, but that the shortage of certain materials is likely to prevent the completion of any units in time for Christmas. Lack of pipes is holding up the' plumbing work. The conversion of some •of the dormitory blocks is nearing completion all the partitions having been erected. These are awaiting the supply of interior fittings and the completion of plumbing. A preliminary selection of'prospective tenants has been made by the - City Council, but the number of applicants has yet to bo reduced to the required number. Arrangements have been made for the accommodation of a grocer’s shop and a butcher's shop in Ihe former rations store of the air station.

Specialists in Education At the end of this year, a number of specialist students in physical education. music, arts and crafts will complete their training and will be available for service in the schools. The Education Department has urged headmasters of large schools on whose staffs suitable vacancies will occur, to make the position known, so that appropriate appointments may be made. An increasing number of specialist teachers are being accepted for training next year.

National Savings There were 257 national savings weekly quota successes last week, an increase of four over the previous week. Both the New Plymouth and Timaru postal districts attained their annual quotas for the current year,, making seven such accomplishments out of the 20 postal districts involved. In addition, four more local annual quota successes were achieved, these being at Nelson, Blenheim, St. Andrews, and Timaru, giving 85 local annual successes to Saturday last. Cash investments continue to show a rising ■tendency, indicating the continued popularity of national savings as an investment.—(P.S.S.) Christmas Cards Christmas cards are being made in many different sizes and styles this year according to a* statement made by the Economic Information Service. war restrictions prohibited the folding of paper twice to make a double-backed card, and the size of the cards was necessarily limited. This year, too, there will be an ample supply of paper hats in various colours, and a limited supply of bonbons.

Wellington Tramway Dispute No trams or city council buses wilt Wellington to-day. Tramway S r rs will observe a full-day strike l to tl ? at °J last Wednesday, and will meet in, the morning to determine whether the strike shall continue to-morrow, or be renewed on any later date if a settlement of their thspute with the City Council is not reached The progress of the tramway workers dispute with the council is being closely watched by allied transport unions, but there is no evidence yet to suggest that the strike will extend to other fields. Future developments depend on decisions to be reached at to-day’s meeting of the Unlon.-(RA.) TramWay Em P lo yees’

Crockery Factory in Auckland Although cups and saucers had not been made in New Zealand as recently as three years ago, there is a factory in Auckland which is now capable of producing 10,000 cups and 5000 saucers a day, states the December il SUe M of “Consumer News." Hitherto the New Zealand cups and saucers on the market have been cream coloured. Coloured crockery will, however be made in quantity in New Zealand as soon as colours necessary for the glazes can be imported from England. The New Zealand-made cup at present was a very much more polished article than it was in the first year of its production. Compulsory Unlonisih Compulsory unionism made for a greater degree of efficiency and contentment among workers, and he ■was 100 per cent, in favour of it, said the Minister of Works (the Hon. R. Semple) in the House of Representati”es yesterday. He favoured every farmer being a member of the Farmers’ Union. There were, DRifortunately, persons who he described as industrial cuckoos, rail sitters, and parasites, who were prepared to accept the benefits obtained through the efforts of others, but were too mean to contribute their share. It had to be recognised that trade unionism had come to stay. There was no reason for strikes in New Zealand, and those who walked out were merely cutting their own throats and destroying the privileges which the pioneers fought for and handed down —(P.A.)

Service of Railways An insight into the dependence of industry and the community as a whole on the operation of the national railway system is illustrated in a new series of film strips produced for the Railway Department and now being used in the schools in New Zealand. “Tram Operating” gives a vivid survey of the organisation behind the running of a passenger train, the handling of tickets, luggage, signals, and the engine being shown in detail. “Transport of Goods” depicts phases in the consignment of raw materials to the factory and to the consumer.