General News

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25811, 24 May 1949, Page 4

General News

Answer to Prayer While a prayer for more rain was being offered at a special service by the River Arun at Wieborough Green, in Sussex, last night, rain fe)l so heavily that the rest of the service had to be held in the church. Earlier, a special Rogation service was held in the village church. After emphasising the need for more home-grown food, the Bishop of Chichester (Dr. G. K. Bell) led the congregation to a nearby farm. Prayers were offered in a meadow, by growing corn, in the farm buildings, and then by the river. —London, May 23. Licensing of Press Not Favoared The Labour Party conference at Wellington yesterday rejected a renfit from the Green Lane (Auckland), and Gisborne branches which proposed:“(1) that with a view.to making available a less biased selection of news, the activities of the Press Association be investigated; and (2) that a system of licensing of the press be instituted.” —(F.0.0.R.) “Fool Hooking” The Magistrate (Mf E. A. Lee) leaned back in his chair and several lawyers ducked their heads When the ranger for the Ashburton Accliterttigation Society (Mr M. Orton) deffionstratefl the correct manner, of using d fishing rod and, line in the Ashburton Courthouse yesterday. “Let’s have no foul hooking, here,” said the Magistrate. A Charge of wilfully foul hooking a salmon in the Rakaia river was being heard. Invitation Declined "This club was repudiated by the Students’ Association for its float in the students’ procession on capping day. I don’t think we should have anything to do with them,” said Mr D. W. Russell at a meeting of the executive of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association last evening when an invitation was received from the Canterbury University -College Sociallist Club. The club invited the association to supply a speaker to state the case for conscription in a debate. The Peace and Anti-Conscription League was being asked for a speaker to state the other side of the question. The executive declined, the invitation. Wool for Russia When the Mooncrest berths at Bluff on Thursday She will load about 7000 bales of wool. Part of this wool, together with consignments from other ports, is destined for the Russian port of Odessa. It is probable that the shin will load grain at Odessa for Hull, where the remainder of the wool Will be discharged. The most recent' consignment of wool for Russia was shipped by the African Prince, which Sailed from Wellington on May 7 for Odessa and Novorossisk. This ship was also exoected to load grain for Britain.—(P.A.) Revisit After 60 Years Sixty years ago, Mr E. H. Andrews (Mayor of Christchurch), who was spendirig a holiday with a brother, a farmer, at Waitohi, was taken for a day’s outing in a cart to a piece of native bush. In the bush was a still, which was not in operation that day. On Friday, Mr Andrews, in company with Cr. J. N. Clarke (chairmdn of the reserves committee) and Mr H. S. Feast (Town Clerk) again visited the bush, which is on a reserve owned by the Christchurch City Council from the early days of provincial government. The visit was'made to inspect a farm of 1004 acres at Kakahu, owned by the council, the transfer of the lease of which has been held up on account of a dispute between thte former lessee and the new lessee over the condition of the boundary fences. The council owns three farms at Kakahu, and also three farms at Methven. Power Used in South Island Warmer weather and the emergency measures that followed the breakdown of a generator at the Waitaki power station resulted in lower power consumption in the South Island last week than in the week,before. Nevertheless. consumption was 15.72 per cent, above that of the corresponding week of 1948. according to • the Electricity Controller (Mr A. E. Davenport).— (P.A.) Long Wait for Investiture He had heard of a man who had been awarded the M.B.E. four and a half years ago. and had not yet been invested with the decoration, said Mr G. Hattaway at a meeting last evening of the executive of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association. As a member of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force the man had gained the award for services in the Middle East in December. 1944, said Mr HattaWay. While this was not exactly a matter for the association, he had brought it forward because he wondered how many similar cases there were. Mr Hattdway was asked to give the man’s name, number, and unit, to the secretary (Mr L. A. McKenzie) to be sent to the appropriate Government department.

Polished Hospital Floors Two accidents caused by highly polished floors were mentioned in reports before the board, said Mr H. W. Shove at a meeting of the Auckland Hosoital Board yesterday. One accident to which he referred occurred at the Cornwall Hosoital when a nurse slipped and fell while carrying a baby. The child was injured but recovered. In the second case a visitor to the Auckland Hospital slipped and broke a wrist. The board decided that it could not accept liability for the visitor’s accident, as it was not caused by any negligence on the part of the board or its servants. Mrs E. Morris asked whether it was not possible to use a oolish that was not slippery. Judging by the way the staff had to run iip and round the wards and up and down the corridors it was a wonder there were not more accidents, she said.— (P.A.) Rail-car .Delayed A breakdown just outside Cora Lynn delayed the Hokitika-Christ-church rail-car last evening. The railcar. which was timed to arrive in Christchurch at 10.23 p.m., arrived at 12.25 a.m., towed by a steam locomotive. Deaths From Tuberculosis Two deaths from tuberculosis—one in Canterbury and one on the West Coast—were reported to the Deuartment of Health last Week. Notifiable diseases reported in Canterbury were: —scarlet fever, seven cases; tubercue losis. ohe: and puerperal sepsis, one. On the West Coast there was a case of tuberculosis and one of erysipelas. “Mystery” Pig Two Wafau farmers who went to kill the only pfg on their farm recently found that a second smaller pig had mysteriously appeared in the sty. Although they displayed a notice on the local notice board stating that “one weaner nig, 14J inches long, with blue eyes and a kind disposition” had been found, they received no inquiries. They believe that the newcomer is a wild pig. Assistant Director of Broadcasting The Public Service Commission is advertising the position of assistant director of broadcasting at £1025 to £1250 a year, according to qualifications and experience. Candidates are required to have “a broad educational background, programme administrative capacity, and a lively and practical interest in the major forms of community and entertainment activity which comprise the basis of broadcast programmes.’’ The appointee will be responsible to the director “for the control and oneration of programme activities, including music, 'drama, talks, variety, news, etc.” Redecoration of Barracks’ Entrance The Cashel street entrance of the King Edward Barracks is now being renovated under the supervision of the Ministry of Works. The stone work and brickwork is being cleaned down and painted. « It is believed that these repairs to the entrance are the first to be carried out since the building wdfc erected 40 years ago. Tree Planting at Ashley During the .winter about 500,000 pinus insignis trees will be planted out at the Ashley State forest, a few miles north of Rangiora. When the trees are planted out the area of the forest will be increased by about 400 acres. A similar number of trees will be planted out at Omihi by the forest service in an area of 450 acres, which is infested with nassella tussock. The area was handed over to the service after the Nassella Tussock Board had declared it to be seriously infested.