General News

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25088, 21 January 1947, Page 6

General News

Film Appreciation His hope to see classes in 'film appreciation more widely established bj the adult education movement was mentioned to the Senate last evening by the Chancellor of the University oi New Zealand (Mr Justice Smith). The influence of motion pictures was extensive and had wide implications, he said. This had been a powerful means i of instructing the forces during the war. Officers of the United States • forces had spoken to him of the poI tentialities of this form of instruction in the universities, particularly in the . sciences. In Auckland and Otago strong film study groups were in existence. He hoped these would be extended throughout the Dominion. Transit Housing Areas Replying to a request by the executive of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association, the secretary of the Dominion executive committee (Mr S. H. Harrison) advised that he had received word from the Minister oi Works (Mr R. Semple) that before existing hostels or communal camps were made available for disposal, every consideration was given to the suitability of such places for accommodation. Interested local bodies were consulted regarding the use of such buildings as transit housing areas and rental arrangements were made by the State Advances Corporation. Air Service to North Auckland A daily air service to North Auckland and Tauranga was begun yesterday by the National Airways Corporation in addition to the normal service both ways between Auckland and Gisborne. A Lockheed Electra left Gisborne at 7.30 a.m., landed at Tauranga at 8.25 a.m., and flew then to Mangere, Whangarei, Kaikohe, and Kaitaia, leaving the northern terminal at 12.31 p.m The aircraft returned to Mangere and Gisborne, calling at the same towns en route. Bookings for the northern service have been light so far.—(P.A.) Keeping University Terms A proposal that any student exempted from attending lectures in any subject should not be required to keep terms by a college examination in that subject came before the University Senate yesterday. Most members considered that little was now gained by this requirement; but there was some uncertainty about how far the concession should extend. The matter was referred back to the Academic Board for consideration and a report. Infantile Paralysis Case A case of acute poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis), the first since last May, was reported in the Canterbury health district last week. Other notifications of infectious diseases were: scarlet fever 5, diphtheria 2, tuberculosis 14, septic abortion 1, puerperal sepsis 2, erysipelas 1, hydatids 1. There were no notifications on the West Coast, and no deaths from infectious diseases were reported.

Horse and Gig Stolen A horse and gig, the property of Andrew McDowell, of Short street, i Tinwald, were stolen from South street, j Ashburton, between 3 and 4 o’clock on I Saturday afternoon, and were recovered about 10 p.m. the same day at Temuka. They had been taken by a patient who had escaped from the mental hospital’s farm at Templeton. He was found in possession of the vehicle and was returned to the farm. The horse and gig were restored to their owner. Buildings for Education When reports of the constituent colleges and of the special schools of the University of New Zealand were before the Senate last evening, members commented on the general difficulties of obtaining adequate accommodation and, in many cases, of securing sufficient staff to give sufficient personal attention to students, particularly in practical work. The numbers of students had increased considerably. The Vice-Chancellor (Sir Thomas Hunter) said he was fearful lest the standard of the University should go down because of these difficulties. Band’s Tour Postponed A tour of Australia by the Wellington Waterside Bahd has been postponed indefinitely, because of the uncertainty of the shipping position. The tour will be made when passenger accommodation to and from Sydney can be guaranteed. Because of the postponement, the band, which won the New Zealand A grade championship, will be unable to compete at the Australian championships. Gladiolus Show Abandoned - Because of the unfavourable season, the committee of the Canterbury Horticultural Society has found it advisable to abandon this year’s gladiolus show, which was to have been held on January 30 and 31. It is proposed to incorporate several of the classes for gladioli in the dahlia show to be held on March 6 and 7. Intending exhibitors of gladioli are advised to communicate with the secretary. Appeal for 64,000 Coupons The public is responding well to the Famine Emergency Committee’s appeal for 64,000 coupons to match the generosity of Mr K, Vogan, who has given £BOO worth of mutton for export to Britain. Every mail brings letters marked “Meat Gift.” “Reports from Britain showing that, in the main, the rations are considerably less than they were in war time will .do much to stimulate qur desire to do everything we can to help,’’ says a statement from the committee. Roses in Botanic Gardens The rose beds in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens are now a mass of bloom. In August last the rose trees were removed from the ground and trimmed so severely that they resembled sticks. The beds were then trenched and heavily manured before the plants were replaced, and the growth since then has been prolific. Freeing University Prescriptions A large number of amendments to statutes were made by the Senate of the University of New Zealand yesterday, on the recommendation of the Academic Board. Some gave effect to recent decisions to free the prescriptions for various courses. Mr L. J.

Wild said he believed that what was done would prove that prescriptions could be freed without separating the colleges into autonomous universities, which some claimed was a necessary condition of such freedom. Four Kittens Joined Together

A cat gave birth to four kittens joined together like Siamese twins, in Wellington yesterday. The cat’s owner said . the most remarkable thing was that the cat was feeding all the kittens. She had had about six litters before, but they had all been normal. The four kittens *are joined by their stomachs and are lying in the form of a cross. They look perfectly healthy. The kittens were handed to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and will probably be destroyed. Small Ships

When the ketch Ilex anchored in the boat harbour at Wellington on Saturday, the customs officer who boarded her told the master, Mr N. W. Thomas, that his was the smallest ship he had ever given clearance into-the port. The inspection completed, the officer climbed down on to his own craft, an Bft oared dinghy, probably the smallest customs boat ever to clear any vessel into Wellington. Thief Surprised*in Hotel A thief in the Panama Hotel, Vivian street, Wellington, early yesterday morning knocked down an elderly man, Mr T. Wadsworth, who had disturbed him, and escaped. Mr Wadsworth reached the hotel at 3.45 a.m. to begin work, and the intruder rushed him, knocking him»to the floor. Mr Wadsworth was badly shaken, and required two stitches over one eye The intruder had taken a bag of copper and silver from the office of the hotel, but left it; when he was disturbed.—(P.A.) Lion Cub Dies at Zoo A male lion cub. one of the twe cubs bom in August at the Auckland Zoo, died last week. It became ill about three days before its death and, although Dr. W. Gilmore, pathologist at the Auckland Hospital, and Mr B. Mackenzie, were summoned by the curator to attend the animal, it went into a decline and died. It -was found that death was due to a brain disease. The remaining cub is a female, 4 _.