General News

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25090, 23 January 1947, Page 6

General News

Resealing City Streets In the last two or three months the tar-sealing of city streets, in some cases two to three years overdue, has been accelerated. The City Engineer (Mr E. Somers) said yesterday that arrears of work on the 180 to 200 miles of streets which needed periodical resealing would not be overtaken this year, and that the works department would be lucky to catch up with it in 1948. However, the effort had begun. Streets had already been sealed right through St. Albans, and in the central area work was complete on Armagn* Hereford, and Gloucester streets, and the east end of Cashel street. The department required fewer men for the work than before the war, as it was more mechanised; screenings were now laid by spreaders, straight from the trucks. Elderly Bowlers in Christchurch The claim of being the largest association of its kind in the Dominion is made by the Christchurch Elderly Bowlers’ Association. In the report in the first year of the association’s existence, the membership is given as 82. Bowlers of 70 years or more are eligible for membership. The oldest member of the Christchurch association is 92. Greek Crew for Maunganui The Greek merchant ship crew being flown to New Zealand by Air ViceMarshal D. C. T. Bennett comprises Captain Harry Vandouras and 20 key men for the Maunganui. which has been purchased by a Panamanian company. which is, nevertheless, reported to be owned by Greek interests. They are due early in February.—(P.A.) Little River Hospital Closed

Because of the resignation of the sister in charge of the Little River Hospital the hospital has been temporarily closed. When interviewed yesterday by a reporter of ‘‘The Press,” the secretary of the North Canterbury Hospital Board (Mr A. Prentice) said that this would not cause serious inconvenience to expectant mothers in the district, as arrangements had been made for maternity cases to be received at Akaroa Hospital. The appointment of a new matron to the Little River Hospital. and the reopening of the hospital, would be considered by the hospital committee of the board next month, he said. Formosan Presbyterians The Presbyterian Church is active in Formosa, states an article .in- the “Outlook,’’ the official magazine of the New Zealand Presbyterian Church, contributed by Mr A. J. Shackleton, an UNRRA official. Services are conducted in the Mandarin language, or in the Formosan tongue, and are taken by native preachers who have full congregations. Some informality is observed, however, since members of the congregation are offered the opportunity to assist in the ritual, women rising and taking the prayers, benedictory readings, and. on occasion, the sermon. Conference of 500 Veterans The South African War Veterans’ Association will hold its annual conference in Hastings and Napier on February 28 and the next two days. Already 230 applications have been received for accommodation, and with 120 members in Hawke’s Bay, the conference will be attended by about 500 people. Nurses’ Requirements The matter of what articles nursing candidates should provide themselves with at the beginning of their training has been given consideration by the lady superintendent of the Southland Hospital, Kew, and the following recommendations were put before a iheeting of the Southland Hospital Board: one pair of plain white, laced duty shoes with Cuban heels and rubbers; three pairs of strong white stock-' ings: one watch with a second hand; one pair of surgical scissors; one fountain pen; one umbrella; one raincoat. Need for Missionaries “It is truly alarming that no fewer than 37 additional ministers and home missionaries could be placed at the coming conference if that number were only forthcoming,” states the “Methodist Times.” “The need is more than urgent—it is imperative, for the honour of our Church and the honour of Christ’s Kingdom, that there be some response made to the call now being issued. In the days that are gone, many devoted men gave their whole lives to the home mission work and rendered splendid service. Some such men are even now spending the evening of their lives amongst us. The stress to-day is being laid upon young men who can give two or three years in home mission labour, meanwhile seeking to prepare themselves for the full work of the ministry.”