General News

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27375, 14 June 1954, Page 8

General News

- Biggest N.Z. City 1 In a national radio quiz show on > Saturday evening, a contestant was asked: “What is the biggest city in t New Zealand?” He replied: “Aucks land,” but was failed on the ground ' that the Christchurch city area has a f bigger population than the Auckland i city area. This was so at the last census, but the April issue of the ♦ Abstract of Statictics gives Auckland j city a population of 131,400 and . Christchurch 126,600. Wellington’s pop--5 ulation is given as 126,500.—(P.A.) - Air Feeder Services “As Wellington has lost a direct air . service with Australia, it should be provided with the best possible feeder ■ service,” said Mr C. M. Kay, at last ■ week’s meeting of the Wellington . Chamber of Commerce. Mr C. D. A. ■ George strongly criticised the pro- : posed feeder time-table, which forced anyone wishing to go to Sydney, via Auckland, to spend a night in Auckland. In addition to the delay, a return trip, Wellington to Sydney, would cost an additional £l2 18s, as well as hotel expenses. “We should insist on the internal time-table being amended to concide with the Minister’s promise to u 6,” said Mr George. The matter was referred to the air services committee of the chamber, with power to act. Hybrid Pigs To answer New Zealand pig breeders’ problems of low production and high mortality rates, Ruakura Animal Research Station scientists had been experimenting with national hybrid pigs for use in all conditions, Mr D. M. Smith, research officer at Ruakura, told the annual Massey Agricultural College dairyfarmers’ conference. The first hybrid sows, for farmers’ use would be available from Massey College’s new breeding farm this year. Mr Smith said that the present hybrid sow was the result of a cross between the Large White and Berkshire breeds. However, Ruakura workers were trying to introduce a third breed by crossing a Tamworth sire with a Large White-Berkshire hybrid and rear this latest cross at Massey College. Obstacles on Railway Line A goods train approaching the New Plymouth railway station on Saturday afternoon fouled one of several railway sleepers found lying across the track in a cutting a few hundred yards from the station. It was feared the track was damaged, and the express from Wellington was delayed for about 30 minutes while tests were made. The police are making inquiries. —(P.A.) Dredging of Estuary A further step towards the dredging of the Estuary of the Avon and Heathcote rivers has been taken by the Christchurch Drainage Board. The board has called for tenders, vrhich will close on July 20, for the welding of a steel pontoon and equipping it as a suction dredge in working order afloat on the Avon, together with delivery pipe line on floats. Crash Helmets from Paper The latest use found for Kinleith kraft paper is in the manufacture of crash helmets. Seven layers of the paper are laminated with cheese cloth and pressed in a special mould with plastic, heat-setting glue as the bonding agent. The head-protectors weigh 20oz and have passed rigorous tests by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. So far the New Plymouth manufacturer has made and sold 3000. Sumner Gas Supply Reduced Pressure in Sumner’s gas mains was reduced on Saturday because of heavy consumption in the area, but was back to normal yesterday. It could have . been “worse, said the manager of the gasworks (Mr G. F. Sauer) last evening. It would be three days before ( the new beds were hot enough to , work. Monday (washing day for , many residents) was usually heavy, , and if the weather was cold pressure might have to be reduced again. Cheque Salvaged from Crash

A cheque for £206 which a reader of “The Press” sent to Glasgow by airmail last March was salvaged from the wreck of the British Overseas Airways Constellation at Singapore on March 13, sent on to Glasgow, and although badly burnt, was paid out. It has now been returned to its owner. “Friendly” Ticket

Bus drivers of the Auckland Transport Board have been issued with “friendly reminder” tickets. They are to be handed passengers who delay the bus while they fumble for money or concession card. The message on the ticket says: “Please help our operator to maintain his timetable by having your concession ticket or cash fare ready in your hand as you board the bus. In helping him you will also help yourself and your fellow passengers by reducing the time of the journey.” Inquiry into Police Force The Commission of Inquiry into the Police Force will open a sitting at Auckland today. Counsel assisting the commission (Mr C. Evans-Scott) will call 18 witnesses. The Commissioner (Sir Robert Kennedy), Mr Evans-Scott, and the commission’s secretary (Mr T. J. Kennedy) arrived at Auckland on Saturday, after hearing evidence at Hamilton earlier that day.—(P.A.) Hillary-Lowe Everest Fund

Thanks to the free services of several firms and organisations, the book “New Zealanders and Everest,” by L. W. Bryant, has raised £515 0s 6d for the Hillary-Lowe Everest Fund. This fund was sponsored last year by the Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand to recognise the achievement of the successful British expedition to Mount Everest and in particular of Sir Edmund Hillary and Mr George Lowe. “New Zealanders and Everest” was published free by A. H. and A. W. Reed, Ltd., on paper given by the Paper Merchants’ Association. Booksellers throughout New Zealand sold the book at no profit to themselves. In addition to the money raised from the book donations have brought the total sum to £776 18s 6d. Beer Garden Praised

Beer garden conditions had brought a general improvement in the drinking habits and conduct of the public, said Mr M. C. Astley, S.M., chairman of the Tamaki Licensing Committee, on Thursday. He said the beer garden at Ellerslie, Auckland, had been a success from the point of view of the public interest. Mr Astley was speaking at the annual meeting of the committee. The Ellerslie beer garden had been an experiment, and reports showed it had been satisfactory, he said. The consuming of liquor in the open, in conditions that gave more room and allowed people to ,sit and drink, had brought a general improvement in the habits and conduct of the public.—(P.A.)