General News

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26126, 31 May 1950, Page 6

General News

High Prices for Cars The unsatisfied demand for cars in Wellington at present was emphasised when two modern cars were put up for auction yesterday. An interested crowd filled the auction rooms. A Ford “forty-niner” de luxe, which had done, 12,000 miles, was offered and bidding started at £9OO. which is £2l more than the price at which such models were selling new last year. Bidding went quickly to £l5OO, then a little more slowly to the sale price of £l7OO. Bidding on a late model A7O 16 h.p. Austin started at £BOO. These cars sell new at £B7O and this model had done 12.000 miles. Bidding was again brisk up to £lOOO and the car was knocked down at £1040.—(P.A.) The First Socialist A popular story among anti-socialists I is quoted by the London correspondent |of “The Press.’’ ‘‘Christopher Columbus was the first socialist. He set off without knowing where he was going. When he got there he didn't know where he was. And, anyway, he went at somebody else’s expense.” Tunnel Road No land has yet been acquired by the Government on the route of the tunnel road from Ferry road, Woolston, to Lyttelton. No hint of a beginning on the road construction has been received in Christchurch and none is expected until the estimates of expenditure by the Ministry of Works are presented to Parliament. Precious Poodle The most fantastic news item this week (writes the London correspondent of “The Press”) concerns a black poodle bitch with two and a half inch ruby pendant earrings, which is missing from the home of her master, Mr Tom Leonard, of Shepperton. He is offering a reward of £5O for news of her. ‘‘lt’s the earrings I’m worried about,” he said yesterday. “My wife was not keen on wearing them, but they looked well on the dog. I suppose my wife was right!” Lunar Rainbow A lunar rainbow, a fairly rare sight, could be seen soon after 6.30 o’clock last evening. The moon was surrounded in an almost perfect circle, with a fleecy, light pink, powder-puff-like cloud and, surrounding this, was the rainbow, in which green was the prominent colour. Chambers Encyclopedia says that lunar rainbows often occur, but the feebleness of the 'moon’s light usually prevents any colours being observed. Subsidies in Britain

The opinion that sales of New Zealand butter would not be affected if subsidies were removed in Britain was expressed by a former Sidmouth, South Devon, grocer, Mr W. J. Ainsworth. who arrived in the Monowai from Sydney to settle in New Zealand with his family. Mr Ainsworth said that if British food subsidies were removed, cheese would be 3s per ]b. butter 2s 6d per lb. bread 6£d a 21b loaf, and eggs 6d each—they could not be bought by the dozen. Though margarine, which was not subsidised, was lOd per lb, it would not replace butter, said Mr Ainsworth. Hitler’s Fate

People in Germany were “pretty certain” that Hitler was dead, said Mr R. T. F. Flach at a United Nations Association luncheon in Hobart. Mr Flach was an interpreter and prosecutor at war crimes trials in Germany. He said: “If Hitler appeared in a main street, I think he would be lynched, not because of his atrocities, but because he lost the war.” The Germans had cooperated in Western Germany, and there was no underground movement, Mr Flach added.—Hobart, May 30. Increases in Biscuit Prices

Retail prices for biscuits in Christchurch have increased from £d to 4d a pound depending on the variety. The average price increase over lines on the local market is approximately 2d a pound. An announcement last week that prices had been increased from Id to lid a pound referred to wholesale prices in Wellington and covered only certain lines. In Christchurch the increase in prices to retailers range from id to 3d a pound. Relief for Flood Victims The Greymouth Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a proposal for relief for persons whose properties were damaged ih the flood. The chamber will communicate with the Earthquake and War Damages Commission to inquire whether insurance is available for flood victims from the Earthquake and War Damages Fund. — (F.0.0.R.). Royal Navy Frigates for N.Z. Two Royal Navy frigates which are on exchange service from the Mediterranean Fleet to New Zealand are expected at Auckland on July 23. The Navy Office, Wellington, reported yesterday that the shins had left Ceylon for Fremantle. H.M.S. St. Austell Bay will, call at Cocos Island and H.M.S. Veryan Bay at Christmas Island during the passage. They are due at Fremantle on June 12. Jockey’s Successful Day The veteran jockey, Teddy Atkinson, gained a place with all his seven mounts on the heavy rain-soaked Belmont Park track to-day. Atkinson, who is 34 and was born in Canada, won on his first five consecutive mounts, was beaten by half a head in the sixth race and was third on his seventh mount. Atkinson did not ride in one race—a steeplechase.—New York, May 29. Psychologist Resigns Job A psychologist employed by the St. Louis Browns baseball club to boost the players’ confidence and morale announced to-day that he was finished with the club. Dr. David Tracy was engaged after the Browns had finished seventh in last year’s American League competition. The team was in last place to-day. Dr. Tracy blamed it on “lack of co-operation from the management.”—New York, May 29. U.S. Comment on British Films British film producers were catching up with Hollywood and were even topping United States producers with factual films and dramas of everyday life, the United States Commerce Department said to-day. It added that the United States still leads with “smooth, fast-moving comedies and musicals.”—Washington. May 29. Increased Pay Sought The Wellington section of the Public Service Association on Monday decided to press for increased pay for all public servants, says the “Dominion.” The resolution asked that the increase be made without prejudice to the association’s claims for an extra £lOO a year already lodged with the Government Service Tribunal. It was also resolved to ask for an increase to £4OO in the personal exemption on income tax.

Methodist Anniversary The one hundred and eleventh anniversary of the first Methodist service on the Te Aro Flat—and the first Christian service in Wellington—was celebrated at Wesley Church. Taranaki street, on Sunday. The occasion was also the seventieth anniversary of the dedication of the present church building. Among the congregation at the morning service was Mr W. J. Jordan. New Zealand High Commissioner in London, who formerly attended Wesley Church for some years.