General News

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24986, 21 September 1946, Page 6

General News

11l Treatment of Children In the House of Representatives yesterday Mrs M. H. Ross (National, Hamilton) gave notice to ask the Prime Minister what steps he intends to take to see that those persons who illtreat children are more severely punished. Mrs Ross said it had been reported that several women’s organisations had approached the Prime Minister in order to adjust the position but no action had yet been taken. Many women viewed the situation as being a serious one.—(P.A.) Centennial Exhibition The appointment of provisional directors for the proposed Canterbury Centennial Exhibition was discussed last evening at a meeting of the Centennial Exhibition Committee. It was emphasised that all phases of community interest should be represented in the selection of directors. The following sub-committee was appointed to make further arrangements:— Messrs C. S. Peate, J. R. Dench, W. S. Mac Gibbon, J. N. Clarke,- A. M. Hollander, and R. T. McMillan. Education Report “A blatant piece of political propaganda,” was the description given by Mr M. H. Oram (Opposition, Manawatu) to the report of the Minister of Education (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason) in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr Oram said it purported to give a survey of 10 years, but it was material unworthy of inclusion in such a report, Which should be a factual review of the year’s work. He would leave it at that, except to say that it was in the worst possible taste. —(F.O.P.R.) Bequest to Crippled Children The president of the Crippled Children Society (Sir Charles Norwood) stated yesterday that the society is receiving £6OOO from the estate of the late Dorothy E. Timson. of Dunedin.— (P.A.) Timaru-Christchurch Train A decision to ask the Railway Department to reinstall the TimaruChristchurch train on Wednesdays, was made at a meeting of the Temuka Borough Council on the suggestion of Cr. E. G. Hancox. The Mayor , (Mr George Harris) said that the train already ran between Ashburton and Christchqrch, and the extra distance should not entail a large amount of extra running. Local Body Elections The elections of the Christchurch Drainage and Tramway Boards, which would nave been held next year are postponed until November, 1948, by a clause in the Local Election and Polls Amendment Bill. After 1948 these elections will be held every three years.—(F.Q.P.R.) Styx Area Drainage “The question of assistance by way of subsidy towards any scheme affecting rural areas would be considered by thcouncil, but until the proposals art submitted in detail the nature of the subsidy could not be indicated,” the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council has advised the North Canterbury Catchment Board. Proposals had been made by the Christchurch Drairfage Board affecting the drainage of rural lands in addition to urban areas. “The council, however, would not assist in urban or suburban sewage disposal, etc., any application* foi subsidy towards the cost of drainage improvements to rural areas should be supported by the Catchment Board." When the letter was read at last evening’s meeting of the Drainage Board, the chairman (Mr H. G. Livingstone) said the board’s purpose was to get the job of draining the area near the Styx river done, and the procedure to. place the matter before the ratepayers was slow. Courtesy Road Signals A plea for greater attention to “courtesy road signals” was made by Dr. S. A. Gibbs (Nelson) at the an? nual conference of the South Island

Motor Union yesterday Three toots on the horn was an accepted signal to a car in front that it was in trouble, perhaps through luggage falling off,/he said. Two toots should be sounded as an indication of intention to pass. Serious trouble could result from an overtaking car speeding past without warning. The driver in f ront could often indicate that the road ahead was not clear Medical Supplies for Ship

Auckland shipping company officials and an officer of the Health Department travelled from Paihia by launch on Thursday to make a rendezvous off Cape Brett with the Port Line freighter Port Fremantle,, which was carrying three men suffering from pneumonia. The ship, bound from New York to Brisbane, had advised earlier in the week that the patients were seriously ill. and the vessel was diverted to pick up medical supplies. The launch met the ship at 7.15 p.m. in choppy seas, and the supplies were passed up the side of the Port Fremantle. A message from the ship stated that the patients were improving rapidly. The vessel resumed her voyage at 7.45 p.m.— (P.A.) Saving of Oil Fuel

When the South Island Motor Union yesterday received official thanks for its co-operation in the saving of petrol during the war and for the work of officers on oil fuel committees, the president (Mr W. R. Carey) said returns showed that oil fuel saved by rationing in New Zealand during the war was equivalent to the capacity of 60 to 70 tankers, so the effort had been (veil worth while.