General News

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25377, 27 December 1947, Page 6

General News

Language at Dog Trials “During the 30 years in which I have been attending sheep dog trials I have considerably improved my vocabulary. It is impossible to keep on attending trials and not pick up some new word here and there,” said Mr C. P. Butler speaking at a meeting of the North Auckland Sheep Dog Trial centre executive in Whangarei. Diplomatic Privileges Orders-in-Council extending to the United Nations Organisation and the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration diplomatic -privileges were issued this week. Their effect is to give officers and servants of both organisations diplomatic' immunities and privileges. A specific provision, however is that no exemption from rates ana taxes is given any British subject domiciled or employed in New Zealand. Mr Chifley’s Choice Before the running of the Melbourne Cup in November, several Australian newspapers recorded that the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, Mr Chifley, named Hiraji as the winner. Although he was right then, Mr Chifley preferred to make nd pronouncement on the likely winner of the Auckland Cup, which he watched at Ellerslie. He said that he was no authority on New Zealand racing form. Waimate Raspberry Crop The Waimate raspberry crop was saved as a result.of the recent rain, and well filled out berries are now coming on the market. Before the fall of 87 points of rain at the week-end, after a long, dry spell, prospects for the raspberry crop were bleak, but the rain was just in time. In a few instances where late varieties were grown, the strawberry season will also be extended. Import Licences The Customs Department has received information that the Australian authorities have allowed an extension of the period during which unfulfilled orders under the 1947 period export quota in respect of worsted yarn and piece goods may be shipped. In the circumstances special licences may be granted to cover any such orders which do not arrive in New Zealand by December 31, 1947, provided that a 1947 period licence in respect of similar goods having at least an equivalent unexpended balance is surrendered. Any licence granted in accordance with this instruction will not be a charge against the applicants 1948 period allocation. Tar-sealing Melted The extent of the blistering and softening of the tar-sealing on many Auckland streets on Christmas Day was an indication of the excessive heat of tne sun. In parts of Campbell road, Green lane, Athens road, and the Great North road, the surface became so moist that passing cars were splashed about the wheels and mudguards. Mining School Scholarship A scholarship to the Colorado School of Mines will be awarded each year beginning with the school year 1948-49 to a New Zealander on the recommendation of the Minister of Education, according to an announcement by Dr. Ben H. Parker, president of the Colorado School. The scholarship pays for all tuition, now 425 dollars a year, and is renewable to a maximum of four years provided ,the student maintains a satisfactory record. Deposits, special student fees, summer session tuition, living and other personal expenses are not included. The Colorado School of Mines is internationally known for training leading to engineering degrees in mining, metallurgy, geology, petroleum production and petroleum refining, with options in fuel engineering and geophysics, and elective courses in the production and utilisation of cements, refractories, clays, and other non-metallic minerals. —(P.A.) Population of U.S. The United States population was 144,708,000 on October 1, the Census Bureau estimated on November 28. The record figure includes the armed forces, the strength of which was put at 587,000 overseas and 748,000 at home. The civilian population alone was 143,373,000. The bureau said the population had increased more than 13,000,000, or almost 10 per cent., m the seven and one-half years since the last census was taken on April 1, 1940. In the 1930-40 period, the gain was less than 9,000,000 persons, or 7.2 per cent. Appeal for Shoes An immediate response has been given to the appeal for 10,000 pairs of boots and shoes for distribution to church workers in Europe, which was made at the beginning of October by the National Council of Churches. During the last month voluntary workers for CORSO in Wellington have packed more than 50 cases of boots and shoes and up until Christmas 32,000 pairs had been received. Most of the cases will go to Antwerp by the steamer Okhla early in January. Decorated Tram

Bright decorations for a tramcar on the Owairaka run, in Auckland, were arranged on Christmas Eve by the woman conductor, who placed red, gold, and green streamers inside the roof of the tram and fixed them to the back of each seat and the straps. A sprig of holly was attached to the back of the motorman’s compartment and the conductor had other streamers flowing from her satchel. The Fishing Rivers According to advice received from the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, the state of the fishing rivers in the society’s area at noon yesterday was as follows:—Rakaia, not fishable; Hurunui, Waimakariri, Ashley, Selwyn, and Halswell, ( fishable.