General News

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24984, 19 September 1946, Page 4

General News

Phosphates From Nauru A shipment of 9850 tons of high grade phosphate from Nauru, the first to reach New Zealand since early in the war, is carried by the Bank line steamer Moraybank, which is due at Auckland at 10 o’clock this morning. The Moraybank’s cargo representspart of 35,000 tons of phosphate shipped out of Nauru since the island was retaken from the Japanese nearly a year ago, and is the forerunner of shipments which will become more frequent as the repair of plant damaged ’by the Germans and Japanese progresses.—(PA.)

Dairy Industry in North Canterbury Some persons believed that dairying in North Canterbury would not recover from its present position, said Mr W. G. Macartney, whp is chairman of directors of the Tai Tapu Central Co-operative Dairy Company, Ltdyesterday. While at present small seeds might be more profitable than dairy farming, his company thought that with the eventual return of formal trading conditions dairy produce, particularly butter, would be the commodity which could provide stability for the farmer.

British Airways Corporation In her attack on thq export markets of the world Britain was determined to utilise air travel to the fullest extent, said Lieutenant-Commander A. D. S. Murray, special representative in Australia and New Zealand of the British Overseas Airways Corporation, in an interview yesterday. Having steadily increased its route '• mileage throughout the world, the corporation now covered more than 70,000 miles and carried 5000 passengers weekly, he said. There were more than 90 regular service? on about 30 different routes, and not one life had been lost in the last year’s operations. “The corporation has no ambition to own and control local seryices, but it is willing to assist local governments or to help others who might want to start new airlines," he said.—(PA.) Saturday Racing A decision to protest to the Government against the holding of race meetings on Saturdays was made at the annual meeting last evening of delegates to the Canterbury Cricket Association. In introducing the subject, the president, Mr R. H. North, said that Saturday racing affected them, a good deal. The Government, in words at any rate, was very keen to solve the problem of youth and child delinquency, Mr North said. -However, it was not much use saying that if it did not encourage the playing of games on Saturdays. If the Government said that, and robbed them of potential cricketers by allowing race meetings to be held every Saturday, If was not good enough, and the Government was not sincere. It was decided to protest to the Government through the New Zealand Cricket Council.

Surplus Fat Ewes The following announcement was made at the opening of the fat sheep Sale at Addington yesterday, on behalf of the freezing companies of Canterbury:—“Vendors are reminded that freezing companies are open to accept for export, fat ewes surplus to local-re-quirements, the schedule being: under 641 b, 5d per lb overall; over’ 641 b as for 641 b at sd, equal to 26s 8d a head overall, with deductions for shorn skins.” _ ' .. Tinned Fish

Seeking information from the Minister of Customs (the Rt. Hon. W. Nash) concerning the reasons why the Customs Department was refusing applications for the import of tinned fish from Canada, Mr J, T. Watts (Opposition, Riccarton), in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, said he was informed that the Food Council had approved allocations for almost all British Dominions, colonies, and dependencies ' with the exception of New Zealand. He added that there was still time for New Zealand to apply for an allocation of tinned fish and receive her share after Great Britain’s requirements had been satisfied. —(P.A.) Blue Herons at Hokitika A flock of seven blue herons recently made their home near the Hokitika river, on the banka of the Mahinapua creek. It is reported that five of the birds appear to be young ones, and may have been hatched out near the outlet of the creek. The blue heron, is slightly smaller than the white heron, and makes more noise when in flight. Help Offered to Niuafoou . “The New Zealand Government has offered help to Niuafoou, tn the Tongan group, where an eruption has occurred,’’ said the Minister of Defence (the Hon, F. Jones). On receipt of advice of the eruption a message was dispatched to Sir Alexander Grantham, High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, offering every assistance, and expressing willingness to send H.M.N.Z.S. Arbutus if required for relief purposes, said Mr Jones.—(PA.) Building Permits Whether the building of new factories in Christchurch was preventing older-established factories from carrying out enlargements, and whether difficulty was being encountered by members in obtaining permits while completely new industries were being set up, were questions asked by the Otago-Southland Manufacturers’ Association in a letter received by the Canterbury Association’s council last evening. The council decided that a questionary should be sent to members, so that reliable information could be given. Tefi-Vear Plans Some misconception appeared to have arisen about the meaning of the regional programmes prepared by the planning division of the Ministry of Works, said the Minister of Works (the Hon. R. Semple) in the Public Works statement presented in the House of Representatives yesterday. It w as intended that the schedules convey some indication of major construction works which were regarded as likely to require consideration within 10 yearsThey did not commit the Government or other authority to undertake all the works enumerated before the ehd of 10 years.—(F.O.P.R.).

Road Signs at Otira Gorge The authority by which road signs have been placed at both entrances to the Otira Gorge was questioned at a meeting of the council of the Canterbury Automobile Association last evening. The association agreed to express to the Main Highways Board its surprise at not being consulted about their erection and to state that it would appreciate being taken more fully into the board’s confidence. The notice stated: “The route between’ Arthur’s Pass and Otira is a steep, mountain road, suitable for highpowered cars only. Drivers of light cars are warned that they will have difficulty in traversing the route.” Several members suggested that the wording of the sign was an overstatement, and that in any case it was a confession that the road had been allowed to get out of order. Election Campaign The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) idkt evening confirmed that the official opening of the Labour Party’s election campaign will take place in the Auckland Town Hall on October 15.—(PA.) Aurora Display One of the most brilliant displays of aurora seen from Christchurch in recent years lit the southern sky after the storm cleared last evening. While heavy banks of dark cloud hung over the hills, the star-lit sky above them turned first to .a. bright pale. green, shot with moving bars of light, and then changed gradually to a warm gink. Reports from Riccarton and ryndwr shortly before midnight were that a reddish glow could be seen, with intermittent shafts of light that penetrated well into the clear sky. Medical Stores for Fort Fremantle Reporting that three men were now >ll with pneumonia -in the Port Line motor-ship Port Fremantle, but that they were in a satisfactory condition, the master of the ship, Captain Rhlnd, advised the Auckland agents that the ship would arrive off Cape Brett at 5 o’clock this afternoon. Representatives of the company will go from Auckland to Paihia to-day. and travel by launch to Cape Brett, carrying a supply of medical stores and equipment ordered by the ship. After the material has been transferred the Port Fremantle wjU resume her voyage from New York to Brisbane.—(PA.)