General News

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25084, 16 January 1947, Page 6

General News

Common Cold Virus It was interesting to note that the New Zealand Government had on order an electronic microscope, said Dr. E, Marsden, director of the Department of Scientific and Industrial i Research, referring to a cable message I that British doctors were hopeful of photographing the common cold virus with a similar instrument. Dr. Marsden said that the cost of the instrument was about £3500. Other instruments associated with it would be constructed in New Zealand, and it was proposed to house the microscope in the first place at the Dominion Physics Laboratory, but it would be available to scientific workers.—(P.A.) The Cost of Weed Killer There did not seem much chance of getting supplies of some of the new chemical weed killers at cheap prices within New Zealand for at least the next two years, mainly because they were not yet being produced in large quantities, said Mr R. McGillivray in a talk on noxious weeds which he gave to a meeting of the North Canterbury executive of Federated Farmers. He mentioned that a new variety, Agrozpne, was now being tried at Hamilton, and it was only half the cost of other types. An investigation was also to be made shortly into what was thought to be a fungus which was retarding the growth of blackberry at Kaltuna, Weka Pass, and parts of Marlborough. No reports had been received from the Chatham Islands, where an insect was said to be eating the seed and shoots of blackberry, but that was also a potential field of research. Mr McGillivray appealed to farmers to continue their interest in weed control, and to keep pressing for increased research and experimental work into what was an urgent national problem. Ascent of Mount Humphries An ascent of Mount Humphries (8483 feet), a previously unsealed peak in the Hopkins Valley region of the Southern Alps, was one of the accomplishments of g party of Tararua Club trampers who recently returned to Wellington. The same party conducted part of the rescue work after the Mueller Glacier tragedy. The party consisted of seven of the club’s most experienced men, four of whom reached the top of Mount Humphries.— (P.A.) . Appeal for 64,000 Coupons A strong appeal is being made by the Christchurch Famine Emergency Committee for a special offering of coupons by the public to match the generosity of Mr K. Vogan, who has given £BOO worth of mutton for export to Britain. “During the holiday period,” says a statement from the committee, “the savings of coupons dropped off very badly indeed, and we are now askiqg that this leeway be made up. Sixty-four thousand coupons is a big number, entailing some sacrifice from every home in our district, but a sacrifice which those who read the cable news with thought and understanding will be very willing to make.” Interpreters for Japan Enlisted primarily to relieve the pressure at present placed on Australian interpreters in Japan, 10 successful applicants for positions of linfuists with J Force will leave by ying-boat for Australia on Friday. They will study Japanese at a Royal Australian Air Force training school at Sandy Hook. Their departure marks the end of a W“—’B basic Army training course which they had been attending at Trentham. Nine of the men are university students who have specialised in languages.—(P<A.)

Taxes on Rat Poison A motion was passed at a meeting of the North Canterbury executive of Federated Farmers yesterday asking the Dominion executive to approach the Government for the removal of sales and import taxes on rat poison. Speakers said that farmers had to pay 9s for half an ounce of rat poison, but 50 per cent, of that price was due to taxation. The cost of this material was discouraging many people from taking active measures against rats. The' Government should be concerned to see that the poison was as widely distributed as possible.

1 Intruders Escape in Dinghy Two intruders were disturbed when they were meddling with a Royal New Zealand Air Force flying-boat standing outside a hangar at the HobsonviHe air base about 12.45 on Sunday morning. The men ran off down the wharf and began to row away in a dinghy which they overturned in their haste to escape, about 100 yards from the shore. They then swam in the direction of Beachhaven, where a number of yachts were moored, and disappeared in the darkness. The trespassers were discovered by two airmen who had rowed across to the base after attending a dance at Beachhaven. An investigation was made by a detective who was dispatched from the central police station in a patrol car. Nothing was found to be missing from the aircraft, which contained such movable articles as very light cartridges and knives' and forks, ine police have not yet recovered the overturned dinghy. Unusual Glow in Sky An unusual purplish-orange glow appeared in the sky over Wellington about 7.30 o'clock last evening, and was seen for approximately 35 minutes. The colour observed was probably a reflection of sunlight from an upper layer of cloud although within low cloud, according to a statement from the Meteorological Office. This reddish light from the sunset made low clouds appear purplish in contrast. If there had been no low cloud an ordinary red sunset sky would probably have been observed, it was stated. It was considered unlikely that the colour of the sky was a result of an aurora.—(P.A.)

Saturday Closing at New Brighton •’lt appears to me that in the question of Saturday closing of shops, the members of my association are equally divided,” said Mr F. W. Cullimore, president of the New Brighton Businessmen’s Association, commenting on the subject yesterday. In the hope of reaching finality in the matter, the association has called a special meeting for to-morrow evening, when a full discussion will be held on the association’s attitude to the grocers’ protest against closing on Saturday. Groc'ers from New Brighton and Sumner will be represented.