General News

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24960, 22 August 1946, Page 4

General News

Orbit of New Comet More news of the comet discovered by Mr A. Jones, of Timaru, has been received by the Carter Observatory in a cablegram from Dr. L. E. Cunningham, of Berkeley. California, who has calculated its orbit. The comet will be closest to the sun between October 4 and 5, when it will be 38,000,000 miles from the sun. The orbit is inclined to that of the earth at an angle of 72 degrees. As far as the Carter Observatory can at present tell, observation will be very difficult by the beginning of September, but later it may be seen in the western sky in the evenings.—(P.A.) Attendance at Industries Fair

A paid attendance of 67,479 at the New Zealand Industries Fair to date was reported to the council of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association last evening by Mr B. J. Masters, chairman of the fair executive. He said that more than 10,000 school children in organised groups, including children from Kaikoura and all parts of Westland, had visited the fair. Mr Masters also reported that Army ,hut sections purchased this year would be stored for future fairs. f Attempt to Rob Post Office An attempt was made on Tuesday night to rob the strongroom of the Wellington East Post Office at Courtenay Place, but the thieves used too much explosive, and jammed the three locks of the strongroom, making it impossible to open the door. Entry was gained through a fire escape and a window. Nothing was taken from the office. —(P.A.) Whitebait Catches on Coast

Small quantities of whitebait have been caught at the mouth of the Hokitika river this week. The abatement of heavy seas improved conditions for fishing, and indications are that larger supplies will be netted in the next few days. Because of excessive rain and the flooded state of the rivers and streams few good catches have been reported in the Buller district. Last week-end two kerosene tins full were caught in the Charleston area and were available to the local market. With the return of fine weather, supplies should be more plentiful. The price remains at 7s 6d a pint. In an endeavour to have fish retailers in Christchurch open their shops on Saturday mornings, the aid of West Coast whitebait fishermen is being solicited. If a satisfactory arrangement can be reached it is expected that supplies railed to Christchurch on Fridays will be disposed of on Saturday mornings.

Aero Club Activities A decision to set up a committee to prepare a strong case to the Government for State subsidies to aero clubs and the restoration of taxi licences, was made at the annual meeting of the Royal New Zealand Aero Club yesterday. It was decided to adopt the Australian system as a basis for subsidies. The meeting also decided to urge the Government to resume Air Force civil reserve training, and the supply of equipment. Mr L. B. Swan, secretary of the Auckland Aero Club, commented that in peace time Air Force training could better be operated by clubs.—(P.A.) Combined Orphanages’ Appeal An increase of £65 on last year’s figure was shown when the results of the annual appeal ‘for the combined orphanages at Christchurch were announced last evening. Contributions amounted to £2768, compared with £2703 in 1945. The radio appeal produced £1932, against £1950 last year, but street collections totalled £B36—a record and a rise of £B3. Among the 400 collectors, there was . a fair percentage of secondary school pupils. The proceeds will be divided between Presbyterian, Methodist, and Anglican orphanages on a pro rata basis. The support which the appeal always received from the public was very much appreciated, said Mr J. L. Hay (organiser) last evening. “We met with a very generous response from all sections of .the community,” he said. Tributes to the work of the secondary school pupils who acted as collectors. helpers who aided the organising committee in counting the receipts, and a special women’s committee which provided refreshments for the collectors, were paid by Mr Hay. Condition of Potatoes

Typical of notices which have been received by almost every potato merchant in Timaru, a telegram has been received from a buyer in Auckland requesting that, in view of the rotten condition of potatoes unloaded from the Samstrae, only f.a.q. lines be shipped on the Samnethy, or delivery could not be accepted, according to a statement issued by the South Canterbury Grain, Seed, and Produce Merchants’ Association. The statement added that there was a glut of potatoes in the North Island and there was definitely no market for under-grade potatoes. A line forwarded for shipment, because of blight and rottenness, was rejected at Timaru on Tuesday, and was immediately dispatched to a store for regrading. Seven sacks out of 90 were lost in .the regrading, the additional cost to the farmer being about 32s 6d a ton, the statement said.

Saturday Baking In the House of Representatives yesterday, Mr J. T. Watts (Opposition, Riccarton) gave notice to ask the Minister of Labour if he were aware that a Christchurch baker was attempting to serve the public by delivering bread and baking on Saturdays. Did the Minister know that officials of the union concerned had threatened to declare the baker and his business black? Did the Government approve of this action of union officials? Was it contrary to the law, and if so did the Government intend to take any steps in the matter?—(P.A.)