General News

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24982, 17 September 1946, Page 6

General News

Sale of Talcum Powders New regulations controlling the sale of talcum powders are likely to be gazetted soon. It is thought that they will require the sterilisation of dusting powders or their ingredients.— (F.0.P.R.) “Mulberry Harbour” Soon to be on exhibition in Christchurch is a model of one of the war’s most closely-kept secrets —the floating harbour, pre-fabricated in. Britain before D-Day and towed across the English Channel to give the invasion forces /a ready-made, undamaged port in France. Known officially as “operation Mulberry,” details of the scheme were not fully released until after the war. A scale model of “Mulberry- Harbour” recently arrived in Wellington and is in process of being unpacked and assembled by employees of the Wellington Harbour Board, which will arrange for its public exhibition. The Lytteltoh Harbour Board hafe not yet been advised of the date of the arrival of the model in Christchurch. Badge for Interim Army The badge to be worn by members of the New Zealand Interim Army, now being recruited, has been decided on. It will be the fern-leaf, as at present worn by men of the New Zealand Temporary Staff. Daffodil Day Daffodil Day this year was fixed for September 29 by a meeting of the Christchurch Domains Board yesterday. The director (Mr B. P. Mansfield) said that the rain at the week-end had made a considerable improvement in the woodland and the daffodils would be at their peak between September 22 and 29. It was agreed that the Canterbury Horticultural Society be allowed to take up a collection on that day for its funds. Waimairi Power Transfer f “While all matters in relation to the giving of supply are in hand and progressing, a further meeting of the two sub-committees has not yet been held,” stated the report of the electricity committee to the Christchurch City Council last evening in dealing with the transfer of the Waimairi electricity undertaking to the M.E.D. “There are several points in the county’s annual financial statement of its electrical undertaking that are under consideration by the Audit Office, which has not yet completed its audit. As soon as these have been determined, it is hoped to have a further meetiijg of the •two sub-committees to reach finality regarding the financial aspects of the transfer of the undertaking." Sale of Butter to U.S. The American refrigerated ship Abangarez, which is to load 5,500,0001 b of butter for the United States Government, is expected to reach Auckland between October 10 and October 15. The butter has been sold on behalf of the British Government, to which the proceeds will go. It is not yet known what arrangements are being made for the shipment to America of the rest of the 10.000,0001 b contract, but it is understood that it will be carried out soon.—(F.O.P.R.)

Attracting Immigrants A method of attracting immigrants of the right age and type to Australia, which is now being practised with some success, was discussed by Mr A. R. Cutler, High Commissioner for Australia in New Zealand, in an address last evening. The same rehabilitation facilities as were available to Australia’s own former servicemen were also made available to any Allied former servicemen who wanted to settle to Australia. A large number had already taken advantage of the offer, some because they had married or were engaged to marry Australian girls, and others, without domestic ties, because they thought there were greater opportunities in a young country. About 1000 former American servicemen, he said, intended taking up permanent residence in Australia. War Memorial in Cathedral Plans for the erection of a memorial to the men and women of the Christchurch diocese who died in the 1939-45 war were described in a circular from the Cathedral Chapter which was received at a meeting of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association last evening. An appeal for funds was referred to the finance committee. The circwlar stated that it was planned to have a roll of honour placed in the chapel close to the one put up after the 1914-18 war and to extend the oak panelling behind the chapel altar. If sufficient funds could be raised it was proposed to place an oak memorial screen on the left of the chapel altar in place of the present doors into the choir vestry. Permit for Sky-Sign Refused In refusing an application for permission to erect a neon sign advertisement for a manufacturer of chocolates on the roof of the Antigua street boat sheds, the by-laws committee of the Christchurch City Council “expressed surprise at such an application being made for a sky-sign in this particular location,” it was reported to the council last evening. The sign was to have been 20ft long by 2ft high. Plants and Seeds from Overseas Three hundred and forty-three packets of seed,, trees, shrubs, and • herbaceous rock plants had been received from Montreal, Edinburgh, Gothenburg, Paris, and Champex (Switzerland) since April 1, stated the director of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens (Mr B. P. Mansfield) in a report to the Christchurch Domains Board yesterday. In addition, he said; 155 plants. 24 packets of seeds, and 1373 bulbs had been received from parks departments, nursery traders, and private individuals in New Zealand. A total of 335 packets of seeds of indigenous plants had been sent to Ottawa, Chapingo (Mexico!® Melbourne. Gothenburg, and various towns in England. To inland destinations 100 plants. 64 packets of seeds, and 1380 cuttings had been dispatched. Sumner Beach Improvements The first section of the Sumner beach improvements along the foreshore by the Cave Rock has been completed. the area for lawns sown in grass, and the flower borders prepared, manured and levelled in readiness for planting, some of which will be carried out during the present week, the reserves committee reported to the City Council last evehing. Bibles for Tibet The Tibetans’ dislike of a book with a stitched cover had led missionaries in Tibet to ask the British and Foreign Bible Society to supply Bibles in a form to which the tribesmen were used, Miss Mildred Cable told her audience in the Civic Theatre last evening. “The Tibetan does not like a book with stitching—he likes one which folds out so that he can read a page at a time. The society supplied books like this in an incredibly short space of time,” she said. The tribesmen were delighted, and often returned to ask for more, and many became unconscious agents of the Bible Society. “Ecclesiastics are always on the free list—others have to pay,” said Miss Cable, amid laughter. Consolidation of Schools The Aylesbury School, 22 miles from Christchurch, on the West Coast highway. may be consolidated next year with the school at Darfield. nine miles away, if residents of the district approve. This week members and officers of the Canterbury Education Board will meet parents and discuss the position with them. Some years ago a good deal of consolidation of schools took place in Canterbury and, where warranted, arrangements were made for school buses to-make a circuit transporting pupils in the area to and from school. The Canterbury Education Bdard has approved consolidation only where roll numbers have de- i dined in country areas, and where it is in the interests of pupils to join a larger school. Aylesbury is a sole charge school, where the.teacher must instruct all of about 20 pupils, from infant classes to standard six. Biff Electrical Contracts “It is gratifying to note in this case the return to competitive tendering." stated the report of the electricity committee to the Christchurch City Council last evening, in listing quotations for the supply of triple braided aerial cable. Throughout the war. most of the firms tendering for electrical contracts have quoted standardised prices and the deciding factor has usually been the prospect of the earliest delivery. The council approved tenders amounting to £25,611 for the supply of various kinds of cable and meters.