General News

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26211, 7 September 1950, Page 6

General News

Party for a Bull Two hundred guests to-day went to a cocktail party given for a bull, re- ■ ports the “Daily Express.” They gathered round the bull’s stall, murmured, “To Robert,” and raised their glasses to the 11-year-old Vern Robert I. one of the best Hereford bulls ever bred. Robert had an 11-candle birthday cake made ot cattle cake, flaked maize, and bran with white flour “icing.” Robert, who is owned by Captain R. S. de Qaincey, has outstanding beef qualities, and his sons have Tieen eagerly sought by Hereford breeders throughout the world, selling for a total of more than £ 100,000.—London, Sept. 6. Valid Reason Two unusual reasons advanced before Mr Justice Stantcn by a respondent in a divorce case as to why he could not have been habitually drunk during the last four years caused laughter in the Auckland Supreme Court. “While I was on compensation for a year after an accident on the wharf I did not drink at all,” said respondent. “Also, for another nine months I was in prison, so I could not have been drunk there, e ther.” I Removal of Fair Exhibits The dismantling and removal of the exhibits at the Centennial Industries Fair, which concluded at the weekend, are now nearing completion, and , it is expected that the barracks will ■ be cleared by to-morrow. Some of the buildings along one wall and at the western end of the barracks will be retained to provide accommodation at the re-enactment of the breakfast on board the Randolph and at the Early Colonists Ball, which will be held in November. Many of ‘.he attractions at the other section of the fair will be re-erected at the centennial amusement park in North Hagley Park. Ijnproved Waiting Rooms More than 70 new fireside chairs will be provided for railway waiting rooms at selected stations, according to a rei cent statement by the general managed of New Zealand Railways (Mr F. W. Aickin). “The Railways Department has long realised the desirability and necessity of providing, for the comfort and convenience of the travelling public, waiting rooms that are congenial and attractive,” he said. The new chairs will be distributed to both railways and road services waiting rooms. Charges for National Orchestra Prices for National Orchestra concerts, previously 8s 6d and 5s lOd for reserved seats, will now be 11s 9d, 8s 6d. and 5s lOd. Unreserved seats will still be 3s. Fast Flight by Mosquito A Mosquito of No. 75 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, landed at Whenuapai at 1.15 p.m. yesterday, after a non-stop flight from Dunedin at an average speed of 344 miles an hour. It was preparing for a record-breaking attempt to be made on Air Force Day, September 16. The aoropiane left Ohakea yesterdav morning, and arrived at Taieri at 10 ajn. After being serviced, it left for Whenuanai at 11.18 a.m. The pilot was Flying Officer R. J. Scott, and the navigator Flight Lieutenant J. D. Garrett. The previous record is believed to have been established by Flight Lieutenant J. R. Day in a Corsair three years ago. He took 2hrs 25min.—(P.A.) Passengers Walk to Train

Passengers who arrived at Lyttelton by the steamer express from Wellington yesterday morning had to walk to the railway yard to board the steamer train. Although the carriages which were derailed on Tuesday night had been removed, the state of the permanent way was such that railways office’s considered that it should not be used until it had again been inspected.

Licence for Fox Glacier Hostel • The issue of a licence to the South Westland tourist hotel, the Fox Glacier Hostel, was approved by the Westland Licensing Committee at a sitting at Hokitika this week. This was the first application by the hostel’s proprietor, Mr J. Sullivan, for a licence.— (F.0.0.R.). Vandalism in Port Train Damage to three leather seats in the Lyttelton train on Sunday afternoon was reported by the stationmaster at Chr’stchurch (Mr S. D- Dallard) yesterday afternoon. Large circular holes had been cut in two of the seats and a strip, four inches wide, had been cut in the other. “It is difficult to imagine why members of the public do such things,” said Mr Daffara. On the same train, which left Christchurch at 2 p.m., a man had beep caught tearing off a blind in one of the carriages, added Mr Dallard. and it was understood that he would be charged by the polic’a. Need for New Taxis It was estimated that about half the taxis in New Zealand were pre-war models 11 or 12 years old. sa ; d the report presented to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Taxi Proprietors’ Federation yesterday. Practically no new cars of makes proved by experience as most suitable for taxis had been imported during the year, and apart fr?m the few imported the only cars of that tyne taken into fleets had been purchased at high prices on the second hand market. The report said that cars of United Kingdom origin had been tried long enough to prove their unsuitability. They were not built for the rugged work of a taxi and did not have the necessarv size, strength, or power. “The position is one that demands serious consideration. particularly by the Government, which alone has the power to effect an urgently-needed remedy,” the report added. Lyttelton Train Service A chorus of “No.” with the addition by one member of: “But we can’t do anything about it,” was the reply bymembers of the Lyttelton Harbour Board yesterday when the chairman (Mr F. W. Freeman) asked if members were satisfied with the replies received from five local members of Parliament to the representations for an improved Lyttelton train service. “Just the usual answer that they will discuss the matter with the Minister,” said the secretary (Mr A. L. Burk) when asked what the letters stated. Mr T. Martin: Passing the buck in other words. Mr R. E. Cairns said that the Minister of Railways (Mr W. S. Goosman) had made a statement to the newspapers inferring that Mr Cairns had made a personal attack on the Minister, and had a’so answered his own question. “I asked why the Minister did not reply to the deputation.” Mr Cairns added. “A column given to the press is not a reply to the deputation.” Akaroa Main Highway The slow progress of work and the present unsatisfactory state of the Christchurch-Akaroa main highway were referred to in a letter read by the Canterbury Progress League, from the Akaroa County Council, at a meeting of the league last evening. The council said that a very considerable amount of traffic was expected to visit Akaroa during the Canterbury centennial celebrations, and considered that the Government should be urged to have the work of improving the highway speeded up considerably, and asked for the league’s assistance. “It is not a matter of comparative interest. The centennial celebrations will suffer if the work is not carried out.” said the president of the league (Mr W. F. McArthur). The secretary was instructed to take the matter up with the Main Highways Board. Animal Week A special week devoted to promoting i kindness to animals will be observed ; by animal lovers throughout the world |at the beginning of October. A Do- . minion-wide campaign will be organI ised by the Council of Combined I .Animal Welfare Organisations of New i Zealand, a body consisting of repre- | sentatives from humane societies. ! Octcbei 4 is recognised as world day for animals because it is the day dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi. th° natron saint and lover of animals. It has been extended to a world week : for animals. > Hof’iital Tradesmen An application has been made to the North Canterbury Hospital Board by the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Carpenters’ and Joiners’ Union for the payment of 4d an hour in excess of award wages to tradesmen employed by the board. The application followed the receint by the' secretary of the union (Mr F. L. Langley) of a letter from the Minister of Health (Mr J. T. Watts) advising that he had permitted the Wellington Hospital Board to pay tradesmen 4d an hour above the award rates, retrospective to last June.