General News

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26560, 24 October 1951, Page 6

General News

Phar Lap fkmlahffid The Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives (Mr A. G. Cameron), who has been conducting a “blitz” on Parliamentary behaviour and who has declared himself against gambling in any shape or form, to-day entered the Parliamentary barber shop to have a haircut. He saw hanging on the wall (a place it has occupied for years) a coloured reproduction of toe champion horse Phar Lap with its jockey, Jim Pike, in the saddle. “Who owns that?” asked Mr Cameron. “I do," answered the barber, Mr Cecil Bainbridge who has been accustomed to exchanging horse talk with many notables, including the Governor-General (Mr W. J. McKell) and the late Mr J. B. Chifley. “Remove it from the premises," ordered Mr Cameron. When asked the reason for the order, Mr Cameron said: “It is not part of Parliamentary furniture.”—Canberra, October 23. Misunderstanding Through a misunderstanding only a handful of toe 250-odd people present took advantage of a lavish afternpon tea provided for them by the Government at the official opening of the new Opawa Post Office yesterday. In his opening remarks the Deputy-Mayor (Mr J. E. Jones) said that afternoon tea would be available to all the “guests" present, in the lounge of the Technical College hostel opposite, after the ceremony. When it was found that toe public had misunderstood the open invitation, officers of the Post and Telegraph Department scouted round for likely consumers; but by that time the majority of toe crowd had dispersed. Privilege Exercised Former members of the House of Representatives have the right to sit on the left of Mr Speaker in the House, but until last evening, many years had elapsed since the right had been exercised. For the Budget debate last evening, Lady Polson, who, as Mrs A. N. Grigg, was National Party member for Ashburton, was seated on the floor of the House next to Mr Speaker. With Lady Polson was her husband. Sir William Polson, who formerly was Leader of the Legislative Council—(F.O.O.R.)

Chief of Naval Staff Lifting of the rank of the Chief of Naval Staff to rear-admiral is to be suggested to the Government by the Navy League of New Zealand. Since the post was established the rank of the Chief of Naval Staff has been that of commodore. At its annual meeting the Dominion Council of the Navy League agreed that representations be made to the Government that the rank of the Chief of Naval Staff was no longer consistent with the dignity of the position nor adequate for the responsibilities. It was stated that any ranking for toe Chief of Naval Staff placing him below the ranking of the heads of other services was an injustice to the Senior Service. Heavy Rata at Masterton Masterton experienced a violent thunderstorm yesterday afternoon, the worst for many years. The lightning was very vivid. A cloudburst struck the town, and streets were soon flooded, water pouring into many shops through doors and roofs. Considerable damage was done. Many streets were impassable on foot Nearly half an inch fell in half an hour, and about an inch was recorded before the rain stopped.—(P.A.) Licence for Beer Tanker A licence allowing New Zealand Breweries to carry beer in bulk by tanker was granted by the No. 9 Transport Licensing Authority (Mr J. A. Brotherton) at a sitting yesterday. It is expected that the tanker, which will hold about 1200 gallons, will begin operating between Christchurch and Ashburton shortly. The application had not been opposed, as Ministerial consent had been given, said Mr E. C. Brittenden for the Railways Department. If toe application had been for the carriage of beer other than in bulk, it would have been opposed, he said. N.Z. Appeal for Blind. Donations to the Dominion appeal tor the blind now total £342.609. Mr C. I. Nathan, chairman of the board of trustees for the New Zealand Institute for the Blind, who announced this yesterday, said that the total funds would be vested as soon as accounting records could be completed. Mr Nathan said the results of the appeal had given New Zealand’s blind confidence and hope, and the board thanked all those who took part.— (PA.) “Body" by the Fountain About 1 o’clock on Monday morning a telephone report was received by the Christchurch Police that a badly injured man was lying by the Bowker Fountain, Victoria square. A constable was sent to investigate and he was reinforced by a patrol car. The police saw what appeared to be a body spread on the rock work under the fountain, a knife seemed to be sticking from its back, and there was a red stain on the rocks. A closer inspection of toe “body” showed it to be a fully clothed dummy, minus one shoo, with shearing shears stuck between the shoulders. The red stain was paint. Alanein Anniversary Memories of the Battle of Alameiu, which began nine years ago last night, were recalled by the Deputy-Leader of toe Opposition (Mr C. F. Skinner) when ha began toe Budget debate in the House of Representatives last evening. Mr Skinner said that relatives of Bth Army men who lost their lives in that historic battle could be assured that their memories were kept evergreen.—(PA.) No Washing . “From October to the following May both the North and South Koreans give up washing,” said Lieutenantevening. "During this period all water is frozen, soap Is unobtainable and the Koreans consider it too much trouble, to cut themselves out of the rags which they had sewn themselves info a few months previously. Naturally, enough our boys found it quite hard to take when on minesweeping operations with South Korean crews, he added. Timber Prices The present high timber prices were likely to continue, said Mr R. T. Vanderfleld, a Sydney timber exporter, in an interview in Auckland yesterday. Timber prices had increased by 250 per cent, in the last 18 months, and freight charges had increased proportionately. ’nils had caused an inflationary tendency in Australian building. Other immediate problems facing the industry were: (1) the Pacific Coast’s driest summer on record, and the prohibition of logging for two months recentiy: and (2) stockpiling of timber by Britain, which depended a great deal on British Columbia for the supply of softwoods, and delays in shipments. Mr Vanderfiela said he and other importers were optimistic about New Zealand pinus for the Australian trade. It was as good as Baltic softwoods.—(P.A.)

Poet Office Servicee Although some of toe services of toe Christchurch Post Office had increased more than 70 per cent, since 1939, there wa* a comparatively low increase—34 per cent—in staff over the same period, said toe Chief Postmaster, Chrlatohurch (Mr D. R. Thomson) at toe opening of toe new Opawa Post Office yesterday. Since 1939 there had been an increase of 73 per cent, in the number of telephone subscribers, 74 per cent, in the number of toll calls, 21 per cent. In the amount of mall handled, and 81 per cent, in savings bank deposits, said Mr Thomson..

Sm Cadet Camp -Hew Zealand will be represented at next year. The Navy League of New Zealand plans to Send two officers and 24 cadets to the camp. A fond to meet the coat of the trip has been opened, and toe branches of the Navy League in the four main centres have been asked to raise money for the cadets’

Aukland Landmark Demolished A 90-foot chimney on Auckland Harbour Board property at Freeman’s Bay was demolished yesterday. The chimney, a well-known landmark, was the highest In Auckland, ft contained 70.000 bricks. The chimney was considered unsafe by the board’s engineers.