General News

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25955, 8 November 1949, Page 4

General News

Too Late Because the Minister of Health (Miss M. B. Howard) refused to pay the expenses of ar* English doctor to come to Dunedin to take the position of assistant tuberculosis officer the doctor decided to remain in England and accepted another appointment. After representations from the Otago Hospital Board Miss Howard changed her decision and the board cabled to the English doctor, Dr. L. M. Franklin, but the offer to pay his expenses was made too late. The board has received the following cable from Dr. Franklin: “Regret I have already accepted another position in England, believing your original offer was final.” The board will now call fresh applications. —(P.A.)

Harewood Runways Tenders are expected to be called very soon for the contract for earthmoving to make part of the extended runway and a temporary runway at Harewood aerodrome. The alterations in the specifications will take only a few days.

Round Cape Horn The New Zealand Shipping Company’s motor-ship Haparangi will sail next month from Wellington for Britain, via Cape Horn. This announcement has aroused the interest of Wellington shipping circles in the possibility that snips in the New ZealandBritain trade may use the Cape Horn route to avoid the payment of dollars for Panama Canal dues. The choice of routes depends to some extent on the comparative costs of canal dues and fuel, on which New Zealand shipping offices have no figures. Modern ships are much more economical than the ships in service when the canal was opened, s<. that fuel costs .are not as important as they used to be. The Haparangi will be the first ship from New Zealand to sail round the Horn since the voyage of the Pamir in 1947. —(P.S.S.)

Late Frost Light frosts were recorded in most parts of South Canterbury yesterday morning, and there was some to early crops, mostly tomatoes and beans. One large grower of pumpkins lost about a quarter of his crop in Timaru, where three degrees were recorded. There were 1.9 degrees at Waimate, and about three degrees in parts of the Geraldine district. In Christchurch there was a frost of 4.2 degrees.

End of the Leander H.M.S. Leander, which served with the Royal New Zealand Navy during the war, is to be used as a target in gunnery trials at Loch Striven in the Firth of Clyde early next year. After that the cruiser will go to the shipbreakers. —(P.A.) Cases Settled Of 18 civil cases set down for hearing before the judge and a jury at the present session of the Supreme Court in Christchurch, only one came to a hearing. The jury called for this week was discharged yesterday morning without having to enter the Court. Postal Voting Papers Postal voting papers have been sent by the Electoral Office by air mail to England to those who inquired early. There are 23 days in which New Zealanders in England may have their postal voting papers sent to them and the votes returned. The method of. advising persons in Britain of the names of candidates after nominations close has not yet been announced. — (P.A.)

Boys’ High School Buildings The Minister of Education (Mr T. H. McCombs) said he was assured that there would be no hold-up in the preparation of working plans for the new wing at the Christchurch Boys’ High ; School, in a letter to the Board of Managers received yesterday. Advice was also received that working plans for the completion of the assembly hall had been approved, subject to certain provisions of egress.

Local Body Amalgamation Any assumption that the Local Government Commission was committed to the policy of wholesale amalgamation as the only solution of problems in various parts of New Zealand would be fallacious, said the chairman of the commission. (Mr J. G. Goldstine) at the opening yesterday of the inquiry into the districts and functions of local authorities in Auckland and environs. ’ The task of the commission is not only to sift and examine evidence but also to see that all issues are fairly considered,” Mr Goldstine said. “The commission does not propose amalgamation . for amalgamation’s sake.” —(P.A.)

Lyttelton Gasworks There was no truth in the rumour that the Lyttelton Borough Council might dispose of the gasworks, said the Mayor (Mr F. G. Briggs) at a meeting of the council last evening.- “I would like to assure residents that I shall always fight to retain the gasworks,” said the Mayor. “It is an amenity we can hardly do without.’’ Thermal Power Generation The possible generation of electric power by .thermal heat was discussed by the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) in a statement to the press at Rotorua. He - said New Zealand’s thermal resources were rather different from those of northern Italy but were much greater in extent and were well worth every investigation. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research had imported aerial survey equipment to be used in charting the thermal regions before tests began. About 250.000 kilowatts would shortly be generated from thermal steam at Lardarello in Italy. This was more power than even Maraetai would generate so the possibilities for New Zealand might easily be appreciated.—(P.A.)

Double Hat Trick Playing for the Boys’ High School under 16 111 team against St. Bede’s College on Saturday, N. Thomas took eight wickets for 5 runs, including the hat trick. In The second innings of the match he took six wickets for no runs, and again did the .iat trick. He had the remarkable match analysis of 13.2 overs, 11 maidens, five runs, and 14 wickets.

Properties in Civic Centre Block A decision to ask the City Council to postpone any direct action, and to meet those concerned at an early date, was made at a meeting last evening of property owners whose properties are situated in the proposed civic centre block and may be compulsorily acquired by the council. Apprenticeship on 2s a Week

Mr H. G- Appleton, of Morningside, Auckland, who, with his wife, celebrated his golden wedding on Sunday, said in an interview that he remembered serving an apprenticeship in the 1880’s in England when he was paid 2s a week. His apprenticeship as a butcher began at the age of 12 and by the time he had reached 18 he was earning 3s 6d a week. Working hours were from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and during his apprenticeship he lived in the home of his employer. Mr Appleton was a butcher in Christchurch for some years.