General News

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25365, 12 December 1947, Page 6

General News

Big Sunspot A big sunspot is nearing the central meridian of the sun. The director of the Carter Observatory (Mr I. L. Thomsen) reported last evening that it was likely to cause magnetic storms, which may interfere with radio transmission and reception, and may be accompanied by aurorae about December 12, 13, and 14.—(P.A.) Public Interest in Comet Public interest in the comeU which has been visible for the last few nights was apparent last evening, when many telephone calls were received at “The Press” from observers describing it. Conditions in Christchurch were ideal for meteorological observations, the sky being almost perfectly clear, and the weather warm. The comet appeared in the same place as on previous evenings, a few degrees above the horizon in. the south-west. It could be seen from any vantage point in the city, except from the areas near the Cashmere Hills, which obscured the view. Extra Rations for Christmaa Details of special rationing arrangements for Christmas were announced last evening by the Food and Rationing Controller (Mr A. J. Costelloe). Tea and sugar coupons numbers 9 to 12, and butter coupons 9 to 11, normally available on December 22, will be available a week earlier. Meat coupons number 9. not normally valid until December 22. will also be available from December 15. and meat coupons number 10 will be available from December 22. An advance of one week in the availability of the coupons does not affect the date of their expiry, which will be the date given in the coupon calendar on the back cover of the ration book. Referring to the Christmas meat ration, Mr Costelloe said that in the South Island the value of coupon H 8 would be Is sd, and of JB, lOd. The banking values of these coupons to retailers would be 9d for coupon H 8 and 5d for coupon J8.—(F.Q.0.R.) Unoccupied Houses “This is one of those bills brought down in response to certain pressure groups, and rather than have any stigma attached, the Government has. ‘passed the buck’ to the local authorities. In the old days, an Englishman’s home was his castle; but those days seem to have gone,” said Cr. H. Kitson, referring at a meeting of the Waimairi County Council last evening to the Fair Rents Amendment Act. Cr. D. Goode had asked a question about the council having power to take oyer unoccupied houses in the county under the legislation. The Government did not want to do the work itself, so had passed it to local bodies, said Cr. Kitson. Bequest to Orphanages Under the will of Mrs Catherine Short, of Hastings, formerly of Wellington. who died in August, the Public Trustee is appointed executor. After the termination of certain life interests, the will provides for the payment of the residuary estate to the Presbyterian Church Property Trustees for the benefit of Presbyterian orphanages in New Zealand. The estimated value of the residuary estate at present is £6000.—(P.A.) Christmas Mails Many people were already beginning to post Christmas gifts and letters, and there had been a noticeable increase in the volume of outward postings handled at the Chief Post Office. Christchurch, said the chief postmaster (Mr D. R. Thomson) yesterday. A bigger number of small parcels, both inward and outward, was also being handled. The normal day’s quota of letters at the Post Office is about 65,000, and on Wednesday, this was increased by about 20 per cent. No extra staff is yet employed. Because of the infantile paralysis epidemic, the Post Office will not recruit boys under 16 as additional staff this Christmas, but satisfactory alternative arrangements for the use of adult labour are being made. Mr Thomson yesterday appealed to the public to post letters and gifts early to avoid congestion. Processing of Wo al

Research into the processing of wool and its manufacture had been carried out by the Woollen Mills Research Association. which is helped financially by the Department of Scientific and (ndustrial Research which works in close association with the chemistry department of the University of Otago, with Professor F. G. Soper, Professor of Chemisty as its director, said the secretary of the department (Mr F. R. Callaghan) in evidence yesterday before the Royal Commission on the Sheep Industry. He cited examples illustrating the Importance of having research organisations to cover field and factory problems.—(P.A.) Bee Causes Car Accident . An unusual accident betel Mr James Martin Nash, aged 65, farmer, of Takanini, while he was driving his car on Wednesday. Mr Nash, who is the owner of the New Zealand Cup winner Beau le Havre, was driving near Hamilton when a bee entered the ear and 'distracted his attention. He lost control of the car and ran into a ditch. Mr Nash suffered bruises and lacerations, and was admitted to the Waikato Hospital. He had the New Zealand Cup in the car, and it is now in the custody of the Waikato Hospital authorities. Value of Composting Composting is like “robbing Peter to pay Paul”—it often deprived large areas of fertility to assist smaller ones, said Mr E. Bruce Levy, Director of the Grasslands Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, giving evidence yesterday before the Royal Commission on the Sheepfarming Industry. He considered that artificial manures were essential for the land’s welfare, that condemnation of them was entirely unreasonable, and that in many ways the compost school was “verv dangerous.”— (P.A.) Widening Fendalton Road Although plans of proposals for widening Fendalton road between Clyde road and Waiwetu street had been approved by the Main Highways Board, the Waimairi County Council, decided at its meeting last evening, on the recommendation of the works committee, to defer the matter of widening the road at present, in view of the recent decisions of the Christchurch Tramways Board, and the proposed lifting of rails in this locality. Big Dunedin Building Sold

The sale of the Premier Building, at the corner of Princes and Manse streets, Dunedin, from David George Gray to the Mutual Life and Citizens’ Assurance Company was approved by the Land Sales Committee yesterday. The transaction was' approved by consent at £25,750, in lieu of the original contract price of £27,500. The build-

ing is about 70 years old, but in fairly good condition. .The purchasers intend to erect a building of six or seven storeys on the site when a permit is available. It will be similar to the company’s head office in Wellington. - (P.A.) Flags Flying in City Flags were flown in Christchurch yesterday to mark the accession of King George VI to the Throne on December 11, 1936. When the Commission in the House of Lords gave Royal Assent to the Abdication Bill at 1.52 p.m., he succeeded to the Throne. Flags will again be flown in the city next Monday to celebrate the birthday of King George VI, who was born at York Cottage, Sandringham, on December 14, 1895. As December 14 is a Sunday this year, the flags will be flown on Monday. Next Tuesday flags will be flown to mark the 97th anniversary of the arrival of the First Four Ships at Lyttelton on December 16. 1850. Thanks from London “Dear New Zealanders,” a London resident writes in a letter addressed to the New Zealand Press Association. ■'As one of the average of London’s millions, I write to pay my humble tribute to the magnificent way your people have responded in helping in many ways to tide us over our economic adversity in England. Although we, the ordinary people, do not know or see one-quarter of what goes on between the Governments, we do occasionally get news of your help in the press. I am writing this letter because so many people here think and say well of New Zealand, but have no idea of writing and telling you so.” —(PA.)

Dictaphones in Public Service Because of the shortage of short-hand-typists. the Public Service Commission is buying 30 dictaphone machines.- (P. A.)