General News

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27303, 20 March 1954, Page 6

General News

**Bong of Welcome”

The composer, Sir Arthur Bliss, ; has completed a special work to be broadcast on the night of the Queen’s return on. May 15, says the “Daily Mail.” It is “Song of Welcome” and is orchestrated for full chorus, orchestra, and two solo singers—a soprano and a bass baritone. “So far we have not finally decided on the chorus or the orchestra, nor upon the conductor, although 1 hope Sir Malcolm Sargent will be the man,” said Sir Arthur Bliss. “I thought of the idea immediately the Queen left Britain. The poet, Cecil Day Lewis, is writing the words. The work will be repeated later in the year at Albert Hall promenade concerts.”— London, March 19.

Rough Trip x From Macquarie Island The Holmlea, carrying a sick Australian meteorologist from Macquarie Island, arrived at the Auckland Islands yesterday morning after an exceptionally rough trip. She was expected to leave for Dunedin last night. In spite of the heavy seas, the Holmlea is a day ahead of schedule. The weather is believed to have improved recently, and the ship is expected to arrive at Dunedin about midday tomorrow.—(P.A.) Housewives Prefer Butter

The 8.8. C. interviewed 500 housewives for its Danish service to get their views on how the derationing of butter next mtfnth would affect their household budgets. Of the 500, 317 said they would buy mortf* butter, 164 said they would carry on as at present, and 19 said that they would buy less.— London, March 19.

Eggs Dearer On Monday Eggs will cost more in Christchurch and on the West Coast on Monday. In Christchurch the new retail prices for hen and duck eggs fixed by a price order gazetted lasi -evening are 5s 5d a dozen for large grade, 3s lOd for small, and 5s 2d for mixed. Since January 18 the prices have been 4s 10d s 3s- 9d, and 4s 7d. The prices on the West Coast are 5s 9d for large grade, 4s 2d for small, and 5s 6d for mixed. New wholesale prices for Christchurch will be 5s OJd for large grade, 3s 5Ad for small, and 4s 9id for mixed. On the West Coast the prices will be 4d higher for each grade. Failure to Pay Taxi Fare Mr J. S. Hanna, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court at Wellington yesterday, refused to order payment of a taxi fare incurred by a drunken man. “Taxidrivers are under no obligation to carry drunken passengers, except at the request-of the poiicq* and if they do so they are looking for trouble.” said the Magistrate. He fined Thomas Forde, aged 41, a drainlayer, £1 for not paying the fare, but made no order as to the 10s fare incurred. On a drunkenness charge Forde was fined £3, default being fixed at 10 days’ imprisonment.—(P.A.)

Lost Property Auction Large numbers of women were attracted yesterday to the auction sale of about 500 articles left on hoard the inter-island steamer express. Hotwater bottles sold at prices ranging from 3s to 7s, and clippers in their dozens sold for a few shillings. Most of the goods were clothing, and nearly all of them were very cheaply sold. A pair of pyjamas, a pack of cards, and a pair of trousers sold for 4s; a pipe and a book which together made up another lot went for Is; a mouth-organ was regarded more highly, and

changed hands at 10s. \An overnight bag sold at £3, one of the dearest lots, and a man’s overcoat made 37s 6d. Fault In Power Line A power line fault at Otira caused a break in telephonic and telegraphic communications between Greymouth and Christchurch for a period yesterday. There was some delay while calls were routed through Wellington, out a temporary line to Christchurch was later established.—(F.O.O.R.) Guide Rangi fn Melbourne Guide Rangu the famous Rotorua guide, went on a guided tour herself today—with the Speaker (Mr P. K. Sutton) around the Victorian Parliament House. Mr Sutton chuckled the whole time at the bubbling of the Maori visitor. The “Melbourne Herald” says thait dressed in all the finery of her race, Guide Rangi looked like a Maori princess, with a rich brown mat on her shoulders, a flaxen skirt and a gay red scarf around her head. She prefaced her entry to the Legislative Council Chamber, with its crimson plush seating, with a typical comment: “Ah. is this where you see red?” Guide Rangi took a keen in-' terest in Mr Sutton’s explanation of parliamentary procedure. At the same time she mixed serious questions with “cracks” about politicians. Guide Rangi also visited the Melbourne Zoo today.—Melbourne, March 19. Cheviot Licensing

The first election of members of the newly-constituted Cheviot Licensing Trust has been postponed for a month. An amendment to the Cheviot Licensing Trust Constitution Notice, 1954. fixes the date for the election as Saturday, May 1. Originally the date fixed was Saturday, April 3. Power Line’s Long Span Although some very long high tension spans will be required to connect the Buller power system with the State Hydro-electric Department’s network, one of the longest in the South Island is that across the Taylor’s Mistake gully. The 11 k.v. line makes a 451 yard span across-the gully. The line yvas erected during the war to supply power to Godley Head, and is now the property of the Christchurch Muncipal Electricity Department. Directors’ Meeting on Launch

The well-known Dunedin motoriaunch Alert, owned by Mr A. J. Black and used for carrying out jnasine biological surveys, was chosen by the Austin -Distributors’ Federation for their directors’ meeting. The directors, including Mr J. Seabrook, chairman, of Auckland, embarked on' the Alert at Picton and held their meeting while cruising in Pelorus Sound. The directors arrived in Picton from Auckland, Taranaki, Invercargill, Christchurch, and Wellington. Aerial Topdressing

A fifth of the fertiliser delivered to farmers in the year ended March 31 lest was distributed from the air, according to the Department of Agriculture. The area so' treated was 1,376,000 acres, which received 144,800 tens of fertiliser. The amount of fertiliser distributed from aircraft was 55,930 tons more than in 1952, and the area treated was 546,420 acres greater. (P.A.)