General News

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27499, 5 November 1954, Page 12

General News

New Use for Royal Tour Car ; One of the Royal tour Daimlers—car No. 3—a 36 horsepower landau* lette, has been bought by an Auckland firm of undertakers, and will be converted into a . hearse. Lord Freyberg’s slightly smaller Daimler has also been bought by the same firm, and will be used as a car for mourners.—(P.A.) Remuneration- by Quids A witness in a civil case being heard in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday gave evidence that he had laid water on his property and permitted a neighbour to draw from the supply. “And I suppose you received something for it?” asked counsel. “Two packets of tobacco,” replied witness. The Magistrate (Mr L. N. Ritchie, SJM.): That’s what you call a quid pro quo.

No Road Work, No Milk The Birkenhead Borough Council in Auckland has decided to make no improvement in Balmain road in the current financial year—which means that the Mayor (Mr C. J. Utting), who is also the milkman, will continue not to deliver milk there. A deputation of residents recently complained to the works committee that the road was so bad that the milkman would not deliver. Mr Utting told the council that his truck had a 16ft wheelbase, which was considerably wider than the road. But widening the road and forming a gravel surface would be an expensive job not warranted by the traffic the road carried, and there were more urgent works to be done in the borough. Height and Weight Survey The Health Department is carrying out a height and weight survey of children between five and 15 years of age, the first for some years. The Wellington survey has been completed, but the national survey is unlikely to be finished much before the end of the year. The children up to 13 years have been drawn from the primary schools, and the others from the secondary schools. The results will be tabulated and interpreted next year.—(P.A.) Dairy Production Down Dairy production in New Zealand for the season ended July 31 was down on the season before by nearly nine per cent. This was disclosed in figures released by the Dairy Products Marketing Commission. The total paid to dairy companies for the season was £67,748,400, a decrease of £3,743,100 on the amount paid the previous season. Iron Curtain Amateurs

The Hungarian Communist newspaper “Szabad Nep” complained today that Hungarian athletes received so much State support that they were no longer amateurs. “They often stay away for weeks and months from their place of work or study as a matter of course. Discrimination against some sportsmen is also unfair. When one of the great ones commits a fault, the authorities turn a blind eye, but lesser sportsmen are severely punished,” said the newspaper.—Vienna, November 4. Butter and Cheese Consumption More* butter was consumed in New Zealand in the season ended July .31, 1954, than in the previous season, according to figures released by the Dairy Products Marketing Commission. The rise was from 41.41 b a head to 42.71 b a head, or five and a ha)f per cent. Cheese consumption for the season dropped from 61b to 5.81 b a head, a decrease of one and a half per cent.

World Baptist Congress From 400 to 450 delegates from Australia and New Zealand will go by specially-chartered ship to England next year to attend the jubilee congress of the Baptist Woyld Alliance in London. It is expected that 70 or more delegates will represent New Zealand. The golden jubilee address will be delivered by the president of the alliance (Dr. Townley Lord}, who is now visiting New Zealand. The “keynote address” will be given by a New Zealander, the Rev. L. A. North, who was elected general secretary-treasurer designate at yesterday’s sessions of the New Zealand Baptist" Union Assembly in Auckland. On the closing night of the congress, there will be a mass meeting at the Arsenal football grounds on Highbury Hill, when the speaker will be Billy Graham, an American evangelist.—(P.A.)

Pedestrian Subway Suggested The provision of a pedestrians’ subway at the Bank of New Zealand corner and possibly at other busy intersections in Christchurch has been suggested to the transport committee of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. Reporting this to the council of the chamber last evening, Mr R. C. Neville said the suggestion had been referred to the Christchurch City Couhcil and the road safety committee, which were asked if they would make an investigation.

Bacon Prices Unchanged No change in the price of bacon is contemplated in Christchurch, according to local bacon curers. In Auckland the retail # price will be reduced Id to IJd a pound as from Monday. A Press Association message states that the reductions (which apply only in the Auckland district) will depend on the cut and type of package. There will be no change in the price of ham. Meat packers this week decided to reduce the retail price of, New Zealand tinned lamb or sheep tongues by 6d a tin. • J ■'