General News

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27489, 25 October 1954, Page 10

General News

“Argument Unsound” Two C.-ottish spinster sisters who reiused to pay their taxes because they did not acknowledge Queen Elizabeth as their sovereign were ordered in Edinburgh to “pay up.” The sisters, Miss Karleen Macintosh and Miss Alison Macintosh, had appealed against a Co>- t ruling that they must pay the taxes. The sheriff principal, Sir James Gilchrist, dismissed their appeal, and in a reserved judgment said their argument was unsound.—London, October 23. Power Storage Increases In the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. yesterday hydro-electric storage in the South Island increased by 80,000 units. r eadill g ?t 9 a.m. on Saturday was 12,590,000 units. At the same time yesterday the figure was 12,670,000 units. Last Sunday 14,240,000 units were held in storage. Mr G. H. Battersby, electrical engineer of the Electricity Department, said that little benefit was obtained from the rain that fell at the week-end. None fell in the back country. He said tne time in which to regain water was getting much shorter. Another officer said: ‘We need a substantial thaw or ram - It will have to come soon. Hus cannot go on for much longer.” Cricket in the Snow Although all cricket in Invercargill was cancelled on Saturday because of heavy rain, a Marist team travelled inland to Waikaia in the hope that the weather would hold for the scheduled match against Northern District. After the game had been 'in progress for about an hour, snow began to fall. Stumps were drawn from a snowcovered field. Northern District had lost five wickets for 40 runs. The game was abandoned.—(P.AJ

Forty Barrels of Whisky Lost Forty barrels of raw whisky—far stronger than any that can be bought—crashed through the floor of a Lanarkshire distillery yesterday, according to the “Daily Express.” Firemen doused the liquor with water to stop the potent fumes from rising. As workmen mopped up, a distillery official said: “It was a type of whisky which would make anyone foolish enough to drink it tipsy for days.”—London, October 23. Soldiers in the Rain

When Lieutenant-Colonel Graham, commander of a Royal Artillery unit, was presented to the Queen in Rochdale Town Hall, South Lancashire, the Queen asked him, “Do you command the guard of honour outside this building?’’ reports the “Daily Express.’’ The colonel replied: **l have that honour, ma’am.” The Queen asked: “Then do you know that those men are standing in the pouring rain?** The colonel told the Queen that it was not raining when he came into the building. The Queen replied: “Then I would like you to thank those men who have stood so patiently in the rain waiting for me to arrive.” —London, October 23. Marine Band ArrivesThe new Royal Marine Band, which will be stationed in New Zealand for about three years, arrived at Auckland in the Tamaroa on Saturday. There are 18 bandsmen, and five of them have brought their families. Staff Bandmaster H. J. Med.’alf. L.R.A.M,, is in command. The band is a new combination comprising volunteers with a wide range of experience. Some of the men saw service in the Second World War and in Korea.—(P. A.) Birthday Celebration Mr James Montee celebrated his ninety-second birthday yesterday by piloting three generations of his family on an aeroplarfe ride. Mr Montee learned to fly when he was 60 and has been celebrating his birthdays in this manner ever since.—Los Angeles, October 23. Lottery Prize-winners Three New Zealand ticket-holders were among the major prize-winners in a recently drawn overseas lottery. E. and R. Sun, Auckland, won the second prize of £2500, 8.R.T., Auckland, the fifth prize of £BOO, and “Change of Luck.” Auckland, the sixth prize of £6OO. Mild Weather in Auckland Auckland city and the province are experiencing the best Labour weekend weather for years. Highways and beaches near the city have been crowded. The maximum temperature was 65.2 degrees on Saturday and 68 degrees yesterday, when the principal swimming baths attracted large crowds. Cloudy and cooler weather is forecast for today. The maximum temperature in Whangarei yesterday was 79 degrees.—(P.A.) Use of Family Benefit More than one-third of all mothers receiving the family benefit exercise the preference to have the benefit paid direct into their Post Office Savings Bank account or to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue. According to latest statistics, there were 290,480 family benefits in force for 671.523 children on March 31 of this year. Last Sear £17,618,581 was paid out. The enefit was credited directly to the Post Office Savings Bank accounts of 105,301 mothers, the amount lodged being £5,381,218. Another 3212 mothers paid £148.278 direct to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue to help to pay their own or their husband’s income tax. The remaining 181,967 mothers collected £12,089,085 in cash. Latin as Church Language

Latin would “with necessary modifications” always remain the official language of the Roman Catholic Church, Monsignor Montini, one of the Vatican’s two Pro-Secretaries of State, said yesterday, according to the Rome correspondent of “The Times.” Monsignor Montini, who was speaking at a prize-giving ceremony in an international Latin verse and prose competition. said this was because Latin was a language capable of conveying the content of the church’s doctrine in a universal form.—London, October 23. Improvement Promised

Student leaders at Glasgow University have begun a campaign to ensure “fair play” at this year’s Rectorial address, “The Times” said today. The address last year by Dr. John MacCormick, leader of the Scottish Covenant Movement, was almost inaudible in the noise of handbells, shouting and singing, and there was a constant shower of tomatoes, rotten eggs, and bags of flour on the stage, and in the middle of the chaos a drunken duck was let loose.—London, October 23.