General News

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25537, 3 July 1948, Page 6

General News

Shrubs Now in Flower Some species of prunus are now in flower in private gardens on Papanui road. These trees are among the first to flower, but this is unusually early. High Temperature The maximum temperature of 65.8 degrees recorded at the Christchurch Magnetic Observatory yesterday was the highest July recording for two years. On July 12, 1946, a temperature of 65.9 degrees was recorded at the observatory. Temperatures of 62.6 degrees and 63.4 degrees were recorded during July 1947. These temperatures, however, are unusual for July, the average temperature for which is 42.09 degrees. Yesterday was warm and sunny with a light north-west wind and conditions remained pleasant until late in the evening. Coal This Winter The continuous fine weather this winter had meant an improvement in the coal supply, said the president of the Coal Merchants’ Association (Mr T. Jones) yesterday. Last year, he said, the bad weather caused a rush on supplies, but this year there was enough to go round and still would be if the weather remained as favourable. “If the next two months produce bad weather there will be a shortage,” he said. Separation of University

No discussion of any proposal to separate the University of New Zealand into four self-governing universities at the main cities has taken place in the Senate of the University of New Zealand. The matter has never been raised before the Victoria University College Council. This was stated in Wellington yesterday when comment was made on a report that the Canterbury University College Council had set up a sub-committee to discuss the establishment of a University of Canterbury.—(P.A.) “Tonic for Rats”

The Auckland City Council’s rat poison was a tonic for the rats, according to a chemist who had analysed some baits, said Mr C. H. Booth, of Birkenhead, at a meeting of the Auckland Suburban Local Bodies’ Association. It appeared that the potent part of the bait was only effective when it was freshly laid, said Mr Booth. A stray dog which had consumed large quantities of bait had suffered no ill effects at all. When he had fed some poison to rats it had had no effect. “The poison was a waste of money in the Waitemata county,” said Mr A. Bishop. “The baits did not even attract the rats.” Infantile Paralysis Outbreak An eight-year-old girl was admitted to the Wellington Hospital yesterday as a suspect poliomyelitis case. The Wellington District Medical Officer of Health (Dr. Hubert Smith) said that where a child was absent from school for any illness, the child would be visited by a nurse, and if there were any suspicious circumstances permission would. be granted for the child not to return until the quarantine period had elapsed. This would be an added precaution to the closing of certain schools.—(P.A.) Damage Caused by Aircraft The Civil Aviation Bill before the House of Representatives provided for regulations governing the noise and vibration of aircraft. Provided such regulations are complied with, the bill stipulates that no action shall lie for trespass or nuisance from the flight of aircraft over property at reasonable heights, considering wind, weather and other circumstances. Damages may be claimed for material damage or loss caused by aircraft in flight, taking off, or landing by any person in the aircraft, “or by any article or persons falling from any such aircraft.” z Arrangements for Royal Tour The Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs (Mr J. W. Heenan), who has arrived in London to complete arrangements for the New Zealand sectioh of the forthcoming Royal tour, will discuss details of the suggested itinerary with the King and Queen at Buckingham Palace at the end of next week. Mr Heenan has already had preliminary discussions with the King’s private secretary (Sir Alan Lascelles) and will discuss press and publicity arrangements soon with the King’s press secretary (Commander Richard Colville).—London, July 2. Bridges on Main Highway

Replying to representations made by the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, the Highways Board’s representative on the District Highways Council (Mr E. F. Evans) has stated that it was recognised that both the Washdyke and Saltwater Creek bridges, to the north and south of Timaru on the main highway, did not measure up to the requirements of modern traffic. Their replacement had been considered, he said, and a design for the Washdyke bridge had been prepared. He had no idea when the new bridges would be built. “Acute shortages of reinforcing steel and other materials, as well as skilled labour, are delaying bridge programmes throughout the country, and even when the position eases the priorities allocated to both these bridges will prevent their being done for some time,” said Mr Evans. Old Motor-cars

The Commissioner of Transport (Mr, G. L. Laurenson) yesterday corrected and brought up to date certain figures relating to motor-cars to which he referred at a recent meeting of the New Zealand Road Safety Council. The latest figures show that at March, 1948, 219.728 motor-cars were licensed, and that 160.838 were 10 years old or more, 32,995 were between five and 10 years old, and 25,895 five years old or less.— (P.A.) Greymouth Aerodrome The provision of a new area for an aerodrome near Greymouth was urged at a special meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council. In the meantime the Government is to be asked to provide a feeder service, or to adopt a type of plane that could be used on the Greymouth aerodrome, and to send an engineer to the West Coast to furnish a report on possible areas near to Greymouth. Butter from North Island The coastal vessel Foxton has left Wanganui for Dunedin with a cargo of North Island butter. The shipment, of 180 tons, was the first consignment of butter for the South Island this season, said a Marketing Department official. Dairy production in both islands declined rapidly at this time of year, it was explained. As the North was the site of the major dairying centres, it was usual to supply the South Island with extra butter during the off season. £2 Notes Suggested

Notice of his intention to ask the Minister of Finance (Mr W. Nash) if he would consider issuing banknotes with a face value of £2 was given by Dr. A. M. Finlay (Government, North Shore) in the House of Representatives yesterday. He said that on April 17 the National Union of Bank Employees asked for the issue of £2 notes in Britain, and said they would be a great relief to banks in the physical work of handling and counting notes, and would help industry by reducing the number of notes to be folded and put into pay packets each week.—(P.A.) German Power Smashed

The power of Germany had been completely smashed and there could be no fear that she would rise to again within 30 or 40 years, said an English equipment engineer, Mr A. Baugh, who left Germany last March after doing reconstruction work. Mr Baugh is a member of the staff of the Dunlop Rubber Company, and was supervising the rebuilding of the company’s factory at Hanau, near Frankfurt. In New Zealand he will supervise his company’s new factory at Upper Hutt. Sports Fixtures

The win by Albion over the championship leaders. Technical, last Saturday has added interest to the Canterbury Rugby Union’s senior competition. and to-day’s game on the oval at Lancaster Park between Technical and Marist may provide further thrills. In the first round Technical beat Marist by 5 points to 3. The big attraction in the Association football game will be between Western and Technical A in the local final for the Chatham Cup. which will be played at English Park. In League football Hornby and Riccarton will play the main game in the Massetti Cup series. Canterbury and Malvern women’s hockey teams will play in a series of games at Hagley Park, and cycling clubs will hold road races.