General News

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25134, 15 March 1947, Page 8

General News

“What About More Cigarettes” “Japanese political activity possesses features all its own,” said Professor I. L. G. Sutherland, who has returned to Christchurch * after a lecture tour of the occupation forces. “At one big Communist demonstration I saw in Tokyo there were many banners with fierce-looking slogans, which I presumed were of the usual Marxian character. I asked an interpreter the meaning of one of the fiercest and he read: ‘VQiat about more cigarettes.’ ” •. Bush. Fires in King Country With the continued dry weather, bush fires have again broken out in the King Country. Fires have been burning in recent workings in the Ongarue mill of Ellis and Burnand Ltd., and an aerial survey has disclosed small fires in the Mangapehi area. Only old workings have been affected so far and the State Forest Service officials do not consider the danger to standing bush is serious as yet. The fire at the Ongarue mill gutted from 100 to 150 acres of old bush, but with the wind in the present easterly quarter the fire threatens no standing bush. Bushmen have formed breaks along the eastern side of the burn in case the wind should turn.—(P. A.)

No Copies of Award “It is utterly ridiculous,” ‘ said Mr Justice Tyndall in the Arbitration Court yesterday morning, when he asked for a copy of an award, and was told that there were not enough copies for circulation. “I should adjourn this case until there are enough copies. I am not going to sit here and look at nothing. Here is an award made last December and there are not enough copies for distribution in the Arbitration Court.” Admiral Byrd’s Plans Reports that Rear-Admiral R. E. Byrd intended to lead another scientific expedition to the Arctic and possibly in Greenland waters within a month or two of his return to America were discounted by Admiral Byrd. In an informal interview he said he had no plans for sending any expedition to the Arctic and Whether or not an expedition was sent was a matter for the Navy Department in Washington. He would not be leading such an expedition to the north. He had a fairly strenuous time during the last few years and he wanted to spend some time at home.—(P.A.) “Orientation Week” When Professor I. L. G. Sutherland visited Sydney University on his way back to New Zealand from Japan this month, an “orientation week” was in progress. w This included a series of talks to freshers about the various courses, university life in general, and conditions in Sydney. At Sydney University, he said, difficulties seemed even more acute than elsewhere. The authorities were expecting 5,000 fresh-1 ers, making a total enrolment of 10,000 students. In an address, the vicechancellor said the university could comfortably accommodate only 3500 students. More than 2000 students were taking chemistry at stage one. About 1000 students were without lodgings, including a number of New Zealand bursars in veterinary science.

Motor-ship Bought Negotiations for the purchase of the American motor-ship, Cape Igvak, by the Union Steam Ship Company have been completed, and the ship, renamed Wairata, left San Francisco this week 1 for Auckland and Wellington via San Pedro and Papeete. The Wairata, commanded by Captain G. B. Morgan, D. 5.0., D.S.C., the war-time master of the Awatea and the Monowai, will arrive here early next month. Built at Beaumont, Texas, in 1943, by Pennsylvania Shipyards, Incorporated, the Wairata is a welded vessel of 5195 tons gross, with an economic speed of 14 knots.—(P.A.) Progress of Rehabilitation “If it were not for pensions adjustments and the acute shortage of housing accommodation,” says the annual report of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association, “it could be said that rehabilitation was accomplished, or in the process of accomplishment, for by far the greater majority of Second World War personnel. It will be many years before all outstanding matters can be satisfactorily concluded, but slackening off is clearly discernible in the calls made at the office in connexion with welfare questions concerning Second War problems.” N.Z. League Team’s Tour A cablegram requesting official advice of the possible cancellation of the New Zealand League team’s tour of England this year nas been dispatched by a special meeting in Auckland of the New Zealand Rugby League executive. Until a reply is received from Mr V. H. Hughes, chairman of the English Rugby League, the council arrangements for early openings of the various leagues and for trial matches to assist in the selection of the team will.be continued.— (P.A.) Army Appointments The names of more than 60 Army officers —ranging in rank from colonel down to lieutenant—are contained in the latest issue of the Gazette, which notifies their posting to the New Zealand Temporary Staff. The appointments are to fill the Army’s recentlyannounced decision to recruit new officers. Most of the officers affected served with the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, but a few have transferred from the Navy and the Air Force. The Fishing Rivers According to advice received by the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, the condition of the fishing rivers at noon yesterday was: Rakaia, Hurunui, Waimakariri, Ashley, Selwyn and Halswell, fishable. Mutton Bird Season Weather permitting, mutton birders will sail from Bluff in the Wairua tomorrow evening for the mutton bird islands. Forty-five permits have been issued to Maoris and their families for the coming season. Last season 100 mutton-birders caught 200,000 birds in nine weeks—a record. This catch was worth about £15,000.—(P.A.)