General News

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27669, 27 May 1955, Page 12

General News

Cheese Chasing The New Zealand Government has presented a number of 801 b cheeses to, keep alive an ancient English custom dating back to Druid times, the “Daily Mail” reported today. It is the tradition of cheese rolling. The war-time and post-war shortage of 241 b double Gloucester cheeses compelled the Brockworth Rolling Committee to substitute wooden dummies, but on Whit Monday this year real (New Zealand) cheeses will roll again down rough and steep Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire. The idea is that the local lads chase the cheese down hill and keep what they can catch.—London, May 25. Traffic Impedes Fire Brigade Comp'laining of “the traffic chaos which is created on the sounding ot the fire siren” a letter from the Rangiora Volunteer Fire Brigade was received at the monthly meeting of the Rangiora Borough Council. The letter asked that steps be taken to curb the hordes of cyclists who attempted to keep up with the fire engine, thus endangering their own safety and delaying firemen’s arrival both at the station and also at the fire. The Mayor (Mr C. W. Tyler) said that in addition, motorists went ahead of the brigade when it was on its way to fires in the country areas and raised so much dust on unpaved roads that it was difficult at times to see ahead. The council decided to investigate the position. Overdue Lathes After many unaccountable delays four lathes have now been delivered to the workshop at Papanui High School, just two years seven months after an application for a grant to purchase six lathes was sent to the Education Department. The school board of governors was told at a meeting yesterday that the department had made a grant of £350 towards the total cost of the equipment and accessories (£660) and that the balance would be drawn from incidental funds. Dirtiest Cities Auckland is one of the dirtiest cities RniSlS yi? rl< i’ m opinion of Mr Robert Allender, publicity manager Of Tasman Empire Airways, Ltd Addressing the Auckland Business Meais Association yesterday he said: , Although we don’t have smogs, this 'is, in its own little way, in consideraT nndni ’lf ■ SlZ . e ’, 3 dirtier ci ‘y than I London. It is at least as dirty as New j Yfbich m March this year adthe world"?/ the dirtiest metropolis in “S world. If we are wise, Aucklanders tom’fi?(PA e ) thlng about the dirt prob - The Tired Businessman With the object of providing relaxaho^d after ? h ? rd days work before the hard work of another day. an airline company in the United States conduct! executive flights" for men who wish to travel between the country's main cities on business. No women are permitted to travel on the flights The men are encouraged to remove their shoes and put on slippers, to loosen their neckties and take off their suitcoats and to consume cocktails and filet mignon. Cigars and pipes, not usually allowed during commercial flights, are permitted. The latest stock quotations from different centres are broadcast over a public address system. Naturalisation Ceremony Nineteen aliens will take the oath o’ allegiance at a naturalisation ceremony in Auckland next month. This was announced by the Mayor (Mr J. H. Luxford) at a meeting of the Citv Council last evening. Mr Luxford said the ceremony would be similar to one in Wellington this week. An official of the Department of Internal Affairs had [approved the arrangements.—(P.A.)

No Claim Before making flights by helicopter from H.M.A.S. Sydney a» Lyttelton yesterday newspaper and broadcasting service representatives were Required to sign forms of in- , demnity which in the Navy are, termed “blood chits.” By signing the form passengers relinquished their right and the rights of their executors and administrators to claim compensasation from the Commonwealth of Australia for loss, damage or injury to property or person (including injury resulting in death). All passengers returned safely. The flights were made by courtesy of the commanding officer of H.M.A.S. Sydney (Captain G. C. Oldham. D.S.C.). DC-6 Delayed A Tasman Empire Airways DC-6 aircraft, due to leave Harewood for Melbourne at 5 p.m. yesterday, was delayed overnight because of bad weather at Melbourne. It will now leave at 8 a.m. today. The passengers were accommodated in hotels. Laid in 31 Minutes The Minister of Health (Mr J. R. Hanan) this week qualified for the title of New Zealand’s fastest layer of foundation stones. Arriving at the Thames Hospital, he mounted a dais, declared a stone “well and truly laid” and disappeared—all in three minutes 30 seconds. The reason for his precipitate departure was a heavy shower which sent everyone scurrying for cover. The ceremony—to mark the beginning of a £273,000 construction job—was continued indoors. Having dried out, Mr Hanan made his speech. Application by R.S.A. Clubs The Licensing Control Commission will sit in Wellington on June 1 to hear an application on behalf of all New Zealand chartered returned servicemen’s clubs for authority to sell liquor for consumption off the P re " mises.—(P.A.) N.Z. Pipers for Edinburgh Festival The first New Zealanders to take part officially in an Edinburgh Festival will be two Highland pipers, Mr B. J. Jackson, aged 26, and Mr F. W. McKinnon, aged 19, both of Wellington. Mr Jackson is a pipe major, and Mr McKinnon a sergeant in the Regimental Pipe Band of the Ist Armoured Car Regiment (New Zealand Scottish). They will leave in the Ruahine on June 2, and will be guests of the festival authorities from August 21 to September 10. Mine Resumes Production After a report yesterday morning from the inspector of mines, Mr ? Kennedy, on the condition of the air in a section of the Li crpool Staw coal mine, the employers res^]? e . Q work. The mine was id’s on Wednesday when the management closed the mine for the day after the men had been meeting for more than an hour discussing the possibility of air contamination. The mines inspector was asked by the men on Wednesday to investigate the area. He said the matter was not serious and saw no reason for alarm. —(F.0.0.R.) Land for Rhododendron Trust An additional area of 90 acres has been given to the Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust. The trust, a national organisation, now controls an area . 1 ?J 403 acres on the lower slopes of tne Kaitake Ranges near New Plymouthand with Crown land adjoining ha. preserved for posterity a section o scenic drive two and a half miles longThe donor is a farmer who wishes remain anonymous.