General News

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27094, 18 July 1953, Page 6

General News

“Walking” the Channel Mr Aleksander Wozniak, a draughtsman from Poland, tried out at Leicester today the ski-floats with which-he intends next month to try to “walk” the 21 miles across the English Channel to France. He believes he can “walk” the channel in eight hours.— London, July 16. Porridge Dearer In a 2000-word notice in the latest Gazette, an increase to the consumer of Jd per lb in the price of oatmeal and rolled oats is announced. Oatmeal, bought from a shop in any of the 16 cities or large towns in the Dominion, now costs 9d per lb (in lib lots), and rolled oats 9Jd per lb. The increase, which came into effect yesterday, is the first since March last year. Cricketers Help Church

The Australian cricket team has sent an autographed bat to Newton Abbot, Devon, to help raise money for repairs to a church damaged by fire. — London, July 16. Stock Route from Addington Proposed alterations in the present route for stock from the Addington saleyards through the Waimairi and Paparua counties were discussed at a conference between representatives of the two county councils yesterday morning. At present stock go along Mandeville street and Harakeke street to Clyde, Ham, and Bligh’s roads, and eventually to the Main North road. A new route suggested by the Waimairi County Council is along the stock route from the yards which runs roughly parallel with Blenheim road to Sockburn, and then on to Russley, Waimakariri, and Johns roads to the Main North road. As part of the proposed route is in the Paparua county, the scheme was referred to representatives of the council. They will report back to the council. Duelling by German Students Student duelling guilds which were banned in 1945 have sprung un again in the University of West Berlin, says the correspondent in Berlin of the “Daily Express.” The vice-chancellor, Professor Rohde, walked in on a duelling session in the university restaurant. Students attacked him and threw him out, and then resumed their duels. More than 100 were completed. Sixty students were wounded. Later the police arrested two students. The vicechancellor has ordered all students to sign an undertaking not to duel in future, says the newspaper. Higher Wheat Price Urged A resolution seeking a higher price for New Zealand-grown wheat to encourage production and to save overseas exchange was passed unanimously and without comment at the Dominion conference of Federated Farmers in Wellington yesterday. Mr F. C. Jurgens (Bulls) moved the resolution.— (P.A.) Flight Steward’s Illness A flight steward of Qantas Empire Airways, Mr D. Liston, who became ill on the Skymaster, Hong Kong Trader, shortly before it arrived at the Christchurch International Airport from Melbourne yesterday morning, was examined by the port health officer (Dr. A. Wilson) when the aircraft landed, and was taken to the Christchurch Public Hospital. He was discharged last evening and left for Wellington by air. He will leave for Sydney at 10.30 a.m. today by Tasman Empire Airways Solent flying-boat. Lemons Cheaper New Zealand lemons—other than Meyer lemons—will be 2d cheaper in the shops on Monday. A price order published in the latest Gazette fixes the retail price at Is IJd per lb, compared with Is 3J per lb, the price gazetted on May 28. Beekeepers Elect Patron The Auckland Beekeepers’ Club last evening elected Sir Edmund Hillary as its patron, subject to his approval His parents. Mr and Mrs P. A. Hillary, were elected life members. Mr W. Marsden, who proposed their election, paid tribute to the work of the Hillary family for the club. He said Mr Hillary had helped to start the club, and had given four hives as a nucleus of its stocks.—(P.A.). Plumbers’ Examinations Although more candidates passed than previously in both the written and practical sections of an examination conducted last month by the Plumbers’ Board, the examiners, in a report issued yesterday, express disappointment at the result. One hundred and seventy-four candidates sat the written paper, and 88 passed. One hundred and sixteen apprentices attended for the practical test in workmanship, and 72 passed. The examiners say inaccuracy caused many of the failures. “This was disappointing, as we have repeatedly emphasised the need for accuracy," the report says.— <P.A.)

Potatoes Dearer Potatoes have been increased id pe lb retail throughout New Zealand by a price order which appears fa tha week’s Gazette. The new Canteftwy price, which came into effect yesterday, is 3Jd per lb. If the rnarimm price for any lot of potatoes sold by a retailer is not an exact number c! pence or half-pence (in the case 0! a lot less than 51b), or is not an exact number of pence (in the case of ik of 51b or more),, the maximum'prta is the next highest halfpenny, or tbt next highest penny, as the case nuy be. The increase came into effect simultaneously with higher prices to growers, distributors and wholesaler*. In some North Island districts them retail price is a high as 5d pe It Anxious Bandsmen Because the bus carrying the instruments was delayed, the New Zeslaix National Band nearly missed tile opportunity of broadcasting to th* 8.8.C.’s Home Services programme 1 few weeks ago. says the special correspondent of the New Zealand Pre® Association. Ten minutes before to band’s broadcast was due to begin to instruments had not arrived— and to band had been asked to be resdy tr run through its programme an hoc before it was due to go on the it Feverish activity broke out when to truck pulled up outside the studio I Lower Regent street. The bandmK unloaded their instruments in reeod time, and dashed upstairs, where to soloist, Roy Jackson (euphonium) 1® had time to run through his nunto' before the red light was switched« It was later discovered that thej® which consumes a special t/P* ®; diesel oil, had run out of fuel justify leaving Oxford, 100 miles from Loe don. Only one station in Oxford CO® 4 supply the fuel, and this caused to delay, which nearly cost the band ibroadcasting opportunity—and itt--London, July 6. Commonwealth Unity Pessimists were fond of saying the British Commonwealth was brew ing up—that it was held together W by a few bonds of sentiment, said » Roy Price, the retiring British HU-’ Commissioner in New Zealand, J a civic farewell in Auckhu’ ; The Coronation, however, had giver a “stirring negative” ter such diswprophets, he said. He would leave to Dominion next month with the UW-’; ance that in good times and bad. Nf Zealand and Britain would remain together. He had every faith in to future of New Zealand.—(P.A) Weeds on Council Land Notices have been served on theWi'mairi County Council by its inspector to clear noxious weeds from two 01 its properties, and to trim two fa#on other properties. In his report to to council at its meeting on Thursw the inspector (Mr F. T. Peek) J* no'tices had been served on 14 oto, property owners to clear their gorse, broom or blackberry. about fence trimming had been serw 4 on three property owners beside to council.

Most Important Aeroplane The “most important areoplane J the country” was how the Air Secretary. Mr B. Rae, describe the Tiger Moth when he was spejj ing at the annual conference Of to Aviation Industry Association fa *’ e ‘ lington this week. Talking to topdressing operators, who use Tiger Moth extensively, he said to' this aeroplane seemed even more jp l portant than the Vampire jets.

State Works in Auckland Government works under I Auckland are estimated to I £7,188,000. those approved in P rin s!£j and for which surveys, n-vestigau and plans are in hand £2,537,000, JJ,, those under preliminary consider. • £5,502.000. In addition, expendlto on State housing during 1953-54 m city and environs is estimatea £2.350.000. making a grand toM £17,577.000. The Minister of (Mr W. S. Goosman) ga™ information at a con^ercn S e »i.tn’ representatives-of the Auckland • politan Planning Organisation.— Free Tours of Britain New Zealand visitors retl^r; c home from the Coronation are go free sightseeing tours of while their ship, the Rangitane. ing repaired. The Rangitane 'twice to sea. only to return e trouble. The ship’s owners, tne Zealand Shipping Company. free trips to the passengers, * “jumped at” the opportunity w . many places of interest they missed.—London, July 17.