General News

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24981, 16 September 1946, Page 4

General News

Hottest September Day Since 1911 With a maximum temperature of 78.7 degrees in the early afternoon, Saturday was the hottest September day in Christchurch since 1911. On Friday a temperature of 76.2 degrees was recorded at the Christchurch Magnetic Observatory. The highest ever registered for September was 81.1 degrees, on September 4, 1911. On September 13 last year, the reading of 75.3 degrees was the highest for many years. Roof* Blown From Grandstand

A strong north-west wind,' at times reaching gale force, blew half of the iron roof from the Methven Trotting Club’s grandstand on Saturday. The iron was scattered on the ground at the base of the building. The president of the club, Mr T. S. Harrison, said on Saturday that the loss of the roof would make no difference to the club’s annual meeting, which will be held on October 5, as tarpaulins would be used if necessary. The wind did little other damage. A fowlhouse was blown down, and one or two minor faults occurred in the power system. No damage was done to Post and Telegraph communications. Gisborne Timber Shortage

Timber merchants and building contractors in Gisborne are facing, earlier than expected, a critical shortage of timber for building which, unless relieved within a fortnight, will compel cessation of almost all construction in the district. Gisborne builders and the workers’ union have advised the Minister of Works (the Hon. R. Semple) and the Commissioner of State Forests (the Hon. C. F. Skinner) that unless the position is relieved at once by the provision of additional timber for the district, no more than 10 days will elapse before tradesmen must be laid off.—(P.A.) Poor Whitebait Catches

Semi-flood conditions in West Coast streams at the week-end precluded the possibility of any success in whitebaiting, though catches in thQ lasV week have been exceptionally poor all round, in spite bf reasonably good conditions. Freshes in the streams are expected to have a good effect, following the exceptionally high spring tides now being experienced, and catches should improve towards the end of the month. Those fishermen who have been securing reasonably good catches during the last week have secured excellent returns from the markets, the price ruling at 6s 3d per lb. —(F.0.0.R.) Tourists’ Hotels for the South A proposal of the Government Tourist Department to erect a large new hotel at Queenstown on the hill overlooking thb Government gardens was announced by the Minister of Works, the Hon. R. Semple, when he detailed the 10-year plan for Southland at Invercargill. He also announced tijat it was proposed to build a new tourists’hostel on Stewart Island and to make additions to the existing hostel at Milford Sound. Mr Semple announced that plans were being made for the resumption of work on the section of the main hfehway between Te Anau and Milford Sound as soon as the resources and manpower situation permitted. Consideration was also being given to recommencing the Hollyford to Okuru road, work on which was suspended on the outbreak of war. Battle of Britain Parade A parade to commemorate the Battle of Britain was held in Auckland yesterday morning. Headed by the Auckland Watersiders’ Silver, and Silver Junior Bands, and a colour party, the procession included Battle of Britain pilots and personnel of the Royal Air Force, Home Command, Middle East and Far East units, men serving and former members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Royal Flying Corps, and former Waafs. Church services followed. Very heavy ram spoiled the sunset service, which the Auckland branch of the Air Force Association had arranged to take place at the Cenotaph. Because of the weather, a Lockheed Hudson aircraft, which was to have circled the domain during the service and then headed into the setting sun at the end, was grounded. Prayerk were recited, after which wreaths were laid on the Cenotaph.—(P.A.) Move From English Concepts

“You may say that all I have found out about New Zealand is that she is just a little England, but I can assure you that is not so, . said Mr Stuart Campbell, a visiting British journalist, in a broadcast address last evening. “Undoubtedly you did start that way,” he continued. “The city of Christchurch certainly, did. On my first morning there, when I looked out of my bearoom window, my mind, in a flash, was back to the provincial cities I know so well—to Derby and Leicester. But I know Christchurch better now, and underneath its English exterior I have found that its people are: moving steadily away from the concept of their fathers —just as Wellington and Auckland have done years ago.” N.Z. Wool at London Sales The NevsT Zealand Wool Disposal Commission reports that 8000 bales of New Zealand stock wool were submitted to auction at the London sales. The offering comprised mainly scoured wool and slipes, but a small proportion of greasy fleece was catalogued. These stock wools opened up well and showed little discolouration. The Continent and Home trade were the principal operators. Compared with the ex-store New Zealand issue prices, which were in force up to June 30, greasy fine crossbred fleece showed an advance of about 10 per cent., scoured fine crossbred fleece 15 per cent., medium crossbred 10 per cent., first lambs 25-30 per cent., second lambs 25 per cent., bellies 35 per cent., slipe, fine and medium lambs, par to 5 per cent., sheep and seconds, 15-20 per cent. —(P.A.)

Air Terminal for Invercargill? The geographical situation of Invercargill warranted consideration being given to the ultimate establishment there of a trans-Tasman air terminal, and with this possibility in view proposals for improvements to the existing field would have to be closely examined, along with the alternative of relocating the airfield on a more favourable site, said the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Works, at Invercargill last week. The Minister stated that the organisation of post-war civil aviation was likely to demand facilities for every class of air traffic, including overseas air terminals, and fields for regular air services, for air taxi services and for club and private flying, and in some locations provision for flying-boats instead of, or as well as for, land machines. Southland’s position strategically, as well as her well dispersed centres of rural life and the vigour of her industrial life, would undoubtedly make' demands for services of all of these kinds.

Australian Magpie “a Menace” That the Australian magpie was a menace to the welfare and possibly the existence of some New Zealand native birds was a claim made by Mr E. F. Stead during an address to the Christchurch section of the New Zealand Forest and Bird Society. He showed how the native pipit or ground lark had progressively decreased in numbers with the spread of the magpie into the open country, which was the natural home of the pipit.

The Kea and Sheep When discussing the habits of the kea in an address to the Christchurch section of the New Zealand Forest and Bird Society, Mr E. F. Stead said that unquestionably some keas killed sheep, but that was no reason why innocent keas which never had and never would see a sheep should be ered.

Bumble Bees in New Zealand Some interesting facts about bumble bees in New Zealand were given in a discussion on a remit dealing with yields of red clover at the annual conference of the agriculture section of Federated Farmers of New Zealand recently. A delegate stated that of the five species of bumble bee in New Zealand one was very rare, two were short tongued and nipped the bottoms of the flowers, and only the remaining two types were of any use at all. More bees were required, but on account of the stringent quarantine regulations to be satisfied it was impossible for an individual to import them. In Sweden there were nine varieties of bumble bee, and the yields of red clover averaged 2511 b an acre. In New Zealand! the yield was only 301 b. ,1