General News

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25933, 13 October 1949, Page 4

General News

Quick Service to Orchardist A Tasman orchardist had a breakdown with his spray plant, holding up a three-man spraying team. The owner telephoned the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation ordering the spare part required, and the Nelson Aero Club to deliver it. Thirty-five minutes after the telephone call to order the part it was parachuted from a club plane alongside the plant on the orchard and work was resumed within five minutes. No Quorum Because fewer than 50 of its 54.045 members were present, the Automobile Association (Auckland) was unable to hold its forty-sixth annual meeting last evening. Only 46 members were present. After waiting about an hour in case the necessary four came late, the president (Mr F. G. Farrell) adjourned the meeting until next week. He said that according to the rules it was impossible to proceed unless there was a quorum of 50. It appeared strange that with so large a membership there were nor 50 members present.—(P.A.) Minor Repairs to Ship The Port Campbell, due to leave Lyttelton for London yesterday, pulled out into the stream last evening but stopped for minor repairs. It was thought the ship would be able to get away at daylight this morning. Interest in Civic Centre Although it is only fO days since the Christchurch City Council adopted in principle the civic centre plan, business firms are already showing interest in securing premises in the now block. An Auckland firm is seeking permission to establish a “ladies’ gown salon" among the shops in the centre. School Accommodation in U.S. Rapid increases jn population were worrying education boards in America, said Mr W. J. Cartwright, headmaster of the Normal School, during an address to the Canterbury School Committees’ Association on the American educational system, last evening. Mr Cartwright has recently returned from a visit to the United States. The education board controlling schools in Los Angeles thought that it would be necessary to open a new five-roomed school every Monday morning tor 10 years to cope with the increasing population. He was present at the opening ceremony of a school for 700 pupils, completed in three months. Nine hundred pupiis had turned up. "Of course, we do have similar problems here.” he said. Sheep Killed by Dogs Forty-six sheep were killed and many others injured in attacks by stray dogs on a flock of 92 stud and flock hoggets on the property of Mr J. M. K. Toft. Island Block, Te Kaurwhata (Waikato). The dead sheep are valued at .£l3B and some of hem, by an imported ram. cannot be replaced. The damage was done in about three hours and only about six or seven in the whole flock escaped unhurt. The dogs had disappeared by the time Mr Toft discovered his loss. Rare Birth at Zoo The first bonnet monkey born in Australia or New Zealand was born in the Wellington Zoo last week. He is five inches long. Both his parents spend most of the time stroking and petting the baby. "Bonnet monkeys, named for their parted hair-do. are considered by many to resemble humans more closely than any other creature." said the curator of the zoo 'Mr C. A. Cutler) yesterday. “This baby has a pale skin, blue eyes, and neatly parted brown hair.”—(P.A.) Painting Rejected The selection committee of the National Art Gallery has declined a gift of a painting "On the Hooks" by the Wellington artist, Mr Sam Cairncross. The painting shows two sheep carcases at the Wellington city abattoirs and has been the subject of controversy since it was painted some months ago. It was then bought by a Wellington collector. Mr Roderick Mclvor, who offered it tn the collection. The brutality of the subject has offended some critics while others have paid tribute to its realism. Tasman Yacht Race Planned A race across the Tasman will be i arranged by the Royal Akarana Yacht Club, of Auckland, again this season if sufficient entries are received. The race will be from Auckland to Sydney. Tentative entries have already been received for the Miranda, owned by Mr F. Dumcrgue, of Christchurch, and for the Kurrewa HI. owned by Messrs Livingston brothers, of Melbourne.- - (P.A.) Centennial Publicity To secure new pictures of Christchurch lor distribution oversea in preparation fet Canterbury’s centennial, the National Publicity Studios of the Prime Minister's Department have sent a photographer to Christchurch. Mr K. V. Bigwood will make a comprehensive coverage of the city and its surroundings He hopes to take many pictures from unusual elevations and j local bodies will be asked to make available high extension-ladder equipment for this purpose. Working Parents in U.S.A. A war-time innovation in America which he thought would be a permanent need, wore child care centres, said Mr W. J. Cartwright, who addressed the Canterbury School Committees’ Association last evening on impressions of the education system in America, gained during his recent visit. The object of the centres was to care for children whoso parents were both working. Started during the war, the I centres were now in such demand that jhe did not think the Federal Gov- | ernment. which granted them assistance, would risk abolishing them. Belgium in Film Festival The Belgian Government will be represented in the international documentary film festival to be held in Christchurch next October during the centennial celebrations. Mr Armand Nihotte, Minister of Belgium in New Zcak-ncU has advised the Centennial Association that the Belgian Ministers |of Education end Foreign Affairs will send official films and that private r rodu'ers are also likely to co-operate. This brings the total number of naItions accepting invitations to eight. St. Saviour’s Boys’ Homo Substantial interior alterations which were required to St. Saviour’s Boys’ Home at Timaru would cost about £7OOO. it was reported at the annual meeting of St. Saviour’s Guild yesterday. It was decided to seek exI pert information as to the advisability jof proceeding with alterations, and the possibility of adopting a cottage home system. Search for Relatives Christchurch City Council officers have been asked to assist in tracing relatives or friends of a New Zealander in England who hrs been suffering I for many years from injuries received jin the Fir;- J.vrr’d War. He is Mr I Arthur Warrs low Riversdalc Percy. I whose parent?. brother ‘Herbert) and sisters Houis. Maud, and Nellie) lived lin New Friehfon from 1999. Now rejcovered. Mr Percv is seeking to reI establish links with his home town. He now lives at 85 Llandover road. North Wembley. Middlesex.