General News

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25902, 7 September 1949, Page 4

General News

New-born Baby Flown to Hospital A 10-hour-old baby, who was flown to Wellington for special treatment last Friday, is reported ■to be doing very well. Seventy-five minutes after the Nelson Hospital advised the Nelson Aero Club that the baby was suffering from a blood deficiency that could be rectified only by an immediate operation in Wellington, the baby was in the Wellington Hospital. The child was flown across Cook Strait and was met at Rongotai by ambulance. The baby’s blood had to be drained and replaced by another type. (P.A.) A Coincidence Totalisator investments for the Advance Handicap at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s 1948 National meeting totalled £21,726. Exactly the same amount was handled for the Advance Handicap at this year’s National meeting. Ownership of Property Notice to ask the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) “whether, in view of the statement by the Minister of Lands that the Government intends to apply the principle of terminating absentee ownership of farms, it also intends to apply the same principle to hotels, chain stores, shops, and other businesses afid property.” was given in the House of Representatives yesterday by Mr J. J. Maher (Opposition, Otaki). Mr Fraser commented: “I coi?ld add to that. The answer is in the negative.”—(P.A.) A New Zealand Walk

The New Zealander’s accent is not the only guide to his nationality, according to Mr H. L. Spark, of Rangiora. who has recently returned from a visit to Britain. Mr Spark said that when he entered New Zealand House on the Strand in London, an assistant behind the counter had said, “What are things like down under?’’ to which Mr Spark replied, “How do you* know I am a New Zealander?” “I can tell by the way you walk.” said the assistant. He had certainly found it necessary to adjust himself to the crowds in the large British cities, and his New Zealand swagger was sometimes a handicap, said Mr Spark. Macarthy Trust Grants

A distribution of £16,000 for charitable and educational purposes or institutions in the province of Wellington was approved at the annual meeting of the board of governors of the Thomas George Macarthy Trust held at Government House yesterday. Distributions made since the death of Mr Macarthy in 1912 now amount to £417.467. The Governor-General (Sir Bernard Freyberg), the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser), Archbishop O’Shea, the Mayor of Wellington (Mr W. Appleton), and the Public Trustee (Mr H. W. S. Pearce) were present at yesterday’s meeting.—(P.A.) 1910 Rolls Royce

A 39-year-old Rolls Royce attracted attention when it was parked in Dee street Invercargill, a few days ago. The owner. Mr J. A. McEwan, of Hastings, and formerly of Invercargill, said that the car aroused interest wherever he went. A 1910 model, this Rolls Royce was one of the first of this make to be brought to New Zealand. Its engine is still in perfect order and . according to Mr McEwan has never been touched, although the mileage is at least 250,000. Running repairs are never necessary, and all that Mr McEwan, who is a mechanic, ever does to the engine is to keep it clean. Petrol consumption is 16 to 18 miles to the gallon. 300 Tons of Grass Seed One of the largest amounts of grass seed to be mixed in New Zealand for a number of years is massed on the floor of a Palmerston North firm’s store. It weighs 300 tons, and is valued at £65.000. The seed, of various grasses, is being mixed to be sown for permanent pasture. It was bought from dealers throughout the country by a Government seed purchasing officer for the Lands and Survey Department. It will be sent to the Rotorua district, where it will be sown ever 16.000 acres of undeveloped pumice land which is being broken in. Wellington Flowers in Brisbane Daffodils, hyacinths, cyclamen, camellias, apple blossom, and manuka from the Wellington Botanic Gardens were displayed at the Chelsea flower show in Brisbane yesterday afternoon. They were picked on Monday morning and flown to Brisbane by way of Auckland and Sydney. The exhibit was arranged by the New Zealand Red Cross Society. Early Printing Press On Saturday it was reported that the Christchurch City Council had offered a printing press, now lying in a corner at the Public Library, to the Canterbury Museum. It had been < laimed that it was the first used in Canterbury, being that on which the first copy of the “Lyttelton Times” was printed in 1851, rut investigations by Mr E. R. Webb, president of the Canterbury Pilgrims’ and Early Settlers’ Association, have disclosed that the original press used by the “Lyttelton Times” and brought out on one of the First Four Ships is already at the Museum and is actually still being used in the office there. According to Mr Webb, the press in the library was a second-hand one. also brought out to Canterbury by Mr Shrimpton, who was associated with the establishment of the “Lyttelton Times.” It was used in the early days. Sterling Uncertainty Uncertainty about the future of sterling pending the outcome of the Washington dollar talks has led some Auckland exporting firms to quote prices to overseas buyers “subject to no alteration in sterling exchange.” The firms mainly concerned are exporters of meat, hides, tallow and wool. Usually about one week elapses between an exporter’s quotation and an overseas buyer’s acceptance. Once the acceptance is received in New Zealand, the exporter can buy exchange from a bank in New Zealand to cover the deal but a change in currency values during the period between offer and acceptance could, if the quotation was not made subject to any change, mean a heavy loss to the exporter.— (P.A.) Films Screened in Daylight An apparatus now in use at Southern Military District Headquarters enables educational films to be screened during lectures in the day time. The projector is directed towards a silversurfaced mirror and the image is reflected on the screen. This screen is on one side of a black box which has the back removed. This saves a lot of time and work because a lecture room does not have to be darkened. The images on the screen are clear and well defined. Record Gate Takings Takings for the Australia-New Zealand Rugby football test match at Wellington last Saturday were £4588 14s. it was reported to the Wellington Rugby Union management committee last evening. The chairman (Mr J. N. Millard) said he thought this was the highest amount received for any Aus-tralia-New Zealand match in New Zealand.—(P.A.) National Orchestra’s Southern Tour The National Symphony Orchestra will arrive in Christchurch from Wellington this morning to begin a South Island tour. The first concert . ill be given in Christchurch on Thursday. Boy Scouts’ Holiday in N.Z. Two boy scouts from Brisbane came ashore from the Monowai at Wellington yesterday to start a two years’ tramping holiday in New Zealand. They are Keith Gilbert and George Fox. both of the First Taringa Troop. (P.A.) League Match Cancelled The council of the New Zealand Rugby League decided at Auckland last evening to cancel the proposed match at Wanganui between the Australian team and southern provinces. : This decision was made because a > suitable ground was not available. The I league could not get the use of Spriggens Park, which is under lease | to the Wanganui Rugby Union. If posi sible the game will be played in anj other centre.— (P.A.) I Empire Games Booking i Subscribers, guarantors, and donors to the company financing the British Empire Games will be given preferen- . tial booking rights. This was decided upon at a meeting of directors of British Empire Games (N.Z.), Ltd. Those i who have offered more' than £2500 , will be allowed four seats and all (others two seats.