General News

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26396, 14 April 1951, Page 6

General News

Family Problem The Chathary Islanders recently made matrimonial history when a man married his grandfathers second wire. That made relationships complex, but they have since become much more confused for a child has been born of the marriage. The father is now concerned how the child is to address its mother, for the same woman is also its step-great grandmother.—(PA.) Australian Television A former Wellington girl, Rosemary Miller, who has distinguished herself in repertory Work in Sydney and Melbourne, has been assigned a part in the first television film to be made in Australia, “Captain . Thunderbolt.” Rosemary Miller, who is 13, will enact the role of the boyhood sweetheart of Thunderbolt, who was one of Australia’s famous bushrangers. The moving spirit behind the television venture is Mr C. G. Scrimgeour, , a former director of the New Zealand Commercial Broadcasting Service.—(PA.) Councillor Forfeits Seat Because of his failure to attend "meetings, the Inangahua County Council has decreed that Cr. S. williams must forfeit his seat.- Cr. Williams, a miner employed at Waiuta, was one of three councilors elected for Antonio’s riding at the last election, and has attended only the first meeting of the new council. He had not given any explanation for his absence from subsequent meetings, said the county clerk (Mr C. Belcher) yesterday. He added that Cr. Williams was aware of the course that the council would have to adopt if he continued to absent himself from meetings. A by-election has been set down for April 28. There are four candidates for the vacancy, Mes rs A. Topp (a former member defeated at the polls in November), G. J. Tibbles, G. Mclnroe (a son of a former councillor), and E. Palmer.— (F.0.0.R.). Survey of Chatham Islands

A general survey of needs and amenities at the Chatham Islands has just been completed ,by officers of the Island Territories Department. It is the first official survey of the islands by officers of the department Mie two officers concerned returned to Wellington by flying-boat yesterday. During a stay of nearly a month, the officers familiarised themselves with island problems and met aj many of the islanders as possible. The Chatham Islands are now administered by ihe Island Territories Department The finding of the survey will be placed before the department Mr A. G. Brash, a Government veterinarian, and Mr A. Forrester, a senior stock inspector of the Department of Agriculture, also returned from the islands by flying-boat yesterday. They gave lectures and practical demonstrations to farmers on the island.—(P.A.) Game Season to Open on May 5 The game season will definitely open on May 5, as originally set down, according to advice received by the secretary of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society (Mr H. R. Bennington) from the council of the South island Acclimatisation Societies. The postponement of the opening t of the season or its cancellation was sug-, gested by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr W. A. Bodkin) because of a possible shortage of ammunition caused by the waterfront dispute. Investigations made in North Canterbury J>y the society at the request of the South Island council showed that there was sufficient ammunition available. British Carpenters for Maraetal Twa more parties of carpenters will leave London by air soon to work on the Maraetai hydro-eleetric project. Twelve men leave by 8.0.A.C. aircraft on April 19, and another six on April 26. They come mostly from London and the adjacent counties. The wives and families -of married men will follow by sea within the next few months.—London, April 13. Home Aid Service The Minister for Social Welfare (Mrs Hilda Ross) denied yesterday an; suggestion that the home aid service was to be discontinued. She said everv effort was being made to obtain additional aids, and the Department of Labour and Employment would welcome applications from women interested in this worth-while service.|XRA.I, ,• >r- • i- - South Hand-Show in 1962

The Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s show in 1952 is to be called the South Island championship show. This was announced at the annual meeting of the southern districts council of the Royal Agricultural Society at Gore.—(P.A.) Bone Sank at Wellington Although the Auckland Hospital has established a bone bank, it is not the first in this field in New Zealand. The Wellington Hospital has had one for the last 15 months. Donations of bones are made bv patients when it is necessary for medical reasons that they have portions of bone removed. Particulars of the source are noted, and the bones stored in a frozen state. When a surgeon requires bone for grafting during an operation, suitable pieces are selected from the bank and thawed for immediate use.—(PA.) Hawke's Bay Fruit The Apple and Pear Marketing Board has arranged for the reopening of the assembly depot in Hastings to store the balance at the apple and pear harvest. It is hoped mat this will elimin-te a repetition of the wastage which occurred in the Nelson district Bugs in Hot Water An Orakei Home gardener reports that he has found hot water effective in killing the green shield bug. “I fill a bucket three parts full with boiling water," he says, “then, holding the bucket well under a cluster of beans or foliage, I brush or shake the bugs into it. I have killed thousands of them in this way.” The Fishing Bi ven According to advice received by the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, the condition of the fishing rivers at noon yesterday was as follows: Halswell, discoloured; Hurunui and Ashley, slightly discoloured but clearing; Selwyn and Waiau. clear and flshable; Upper Rakaia, discoloured but clearing. Land at Ijd an Acre

Evidence about the sale in 1851 of 86,000 acres, known as the Mohaka block, to Queen Victoria, is being tsken at Wairoa by the Maori Lands Claims Commission. The petitioners c'aim that a number of the signatures cr marks on the petition connected with Wa sale were from persons who were not interested in the area and had no power of authority to cede the interests of the genuine owners. It was said that the land was sold for l£d an acre. The petitioners are now asking for the amount to be increased to at least 2s 6d an acre.