General News

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27675, 3 June 1955, Page 12

General News

The Consumer "We decided to make the change to 'avoid any confusion between the poultry industry and the sheep industry,” Mr L. C. Gardiner explained to members of the council of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce last evening, when reporting that the title of the chamber's June agricultural bulletin had been changed from “Brooders to Save Lambs” to "Warmers to Save Lambs.” The title of the next bulletin for which the council's approval was sought was "The New Zealand Producers’ Organisations and the Consumer.” "Shouldn't that be (changed, too?” asked a member, who I suggested the title should read, "The (New Zealand Producers’ Organisations !and to Hell with the Consumer.” Reflectors on Bicycles i Any approved red reflecting tape could be used as a substitute for red I rear reflectors on bicycles, said the I Transport Department's traffic superintendent (Mr P. C. Watson) yesterday in Wellington. He was correcting an impression that the tape could be used only as an added safeguard. The department, he added, fully approved of the tape being used instead of the metal reflectors. “We don’t care how much tape cyclists use. but it must be fixed to the rear of their bicycles—nowhere else.”—(P.A.) Long Week-end Grocers, general retailers, and offices will be closed on Monday for the observance of the Queen’s Birthday. Bakers will not bake bread on Monday. Most Christchurch dairies will be open on the holiday, though some will restrict their hours. The Queen’s .real birthday was on April 21. but in New Zealand is observed on the first Monday in June, and in Britain will be observed on June 13, to avoid conflict with Easter and ensure a spacing of national holidays. Nelson Lime Works Closes After being kept burning for more than 50 years, the fire in the kiln at the limeworks at Port Nelson has been finally extinguished. It was lit on December 7, 1904—the day the old Nelson College buildings were destroyed by fire—and has been burping continuously since. This was the fourth kiln, the lime works being established in 1859. They have been closed down because a modern electrically-fired kiln is being built. The Port Nelson limeworks were established by Mr J. Lukins, who came from New Plymouth in 1859. One of his first big contracts was to supply burnt lime ft*r the foundations of the lighthouse on the Boulder Bank. built in 1861 —- (F.0.0.R.) Waddington Farm Sold Bidding was keen when a property comprising 25 acres 1 rood 34 perches of Government renewable leasehold land was sold at an auction on the | property yesterday for £530. Situated at Station road. Waddington, the land is in third year pedigree white clover and has been limed and topdressed. A tramcar on the property was sold for £l4O. Mail Closing Times "My sympathies are with the Post Office; I think we should appeal to the business community to make frequent postings during the day.” said Mr H. S. Jones, commenting at a meeting of the council of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce on a request from a member of the chamber. "Tn the old days ordinarv mails could be posted at the General Post Office up to 5.30 p.m. and late fee f-om 5.30 p.m. to 6 p.m..” said the member letter. “The steamer express still leaves at the same time as it used to leave, and yet the ordinary mail closes at 4.30 p.m.” The firm asked for a reversion to the former closing times. The council, after some discussion, decided to ’eplv to the firm that because of staff difficulties in the Post Office and the increase in tne volume of mail it did not seem feasible to extend the mail closing times.

Electricity Demand As a result of the cold snap the power demand rose sharply last evening and the engineering manager of the Municipal Electricity Department, Mr J. C. Forsyth, said that the load m the department’s district between 5 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. was probably the highest this year. Figures for the load will not be available until today. The peak demand in the South Island, excluding Nelson and Marlborough. yesterday was 254,000 k.w., the heaviest this winter and 10.000 k.w. higher than the day before. Bank Holidays Employers and retailers consulted by the executive of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce suggested that the bank holiday observed in Christchurch on Anniversary Day (December 15) should be transferred not to the day after the New Year holidays (as had been urged at a previous meeting of the council of the chamber), but to Show Day. This day was not shown in the bank employees’ award as a holiday, but it was observed.as a special holiday, which was applied for every year, the executive had learned. Reporting this to the council last evening, the president (Mr R. A. Witbrock) said the matter was to be referred again to the employers and retailers. Floor Price for Meat The Minister of Agriculture (Mr K. J. Holyoake) and other Cabinet Ministers had further discussions yesterday with representatives of the Meat Board and Federated Farmers on a floor-price scheme for export meat. Mr Holyoake *said, at the end of the meeting, that further worth-while progress had been made, and he was still hopeful of having legislation precared in time for introduction when Parliament reassembles.—(P.A.) Repairs to Parliament Buildings The noise of pneumatic drills biting into its east wall is shattering the silence of the old Legislative Council Chamber in Parliament Buildings while an attempt is being made to repair weakness in the wall, which was cracked some years ago by an earthquake. Four brick pillars about 18in square are to be cut out of the wall and replaced by reinforced concrete pillars as a precaution against collacse. If the wall were to fall outward it would probably collapse over the roof of the members’ lounge and cause considerable damage there. The repair job is likely to occupy several weeks.— (P.A.) Training for N.Z. Actors Students of the theatre will have the opportunity to receive training by and within the New Zealand Players Company under a scheme announced iby the producer and director, Richard Campion. Planned to take practical affect in 1956, the school will provide opportunities for two acting students (one man. one woman) under Mr Campion’s direction, production students, and others studying design. Mr Campion said that the New Zealand Players was established to provide opportunities for Nev/ Zealand artists,, but its prime aim, nevertheless, was to develop into a first-class theatre company. Where training or talent was lacking, preference had to be given to overseas people, but through the student scheme it was hoped to overcome this situation. Rubber Replaces Steel By using rubber buffers as wharf shipping fenders on the new Moturoa wharf the Taranaki Harbour Board may save nearly £7090. The board previously used steel springs as buffers. The present contract for the wharf provides for 326 spring buffers at £55 each, a total of £12,980, but last July the board was quoted rubber buffers at £26 10s each plus a mould charge of £l3O for the whole job. a total of £6384. The board is satisfied that 1 buffers can be provided in rubber to perform as well as steel springs at less first cost and with less maintenance. Railway Waggon Derailed The derailment of a waggon of timber which formed part of a Grey-mouth-Otira goods train yesterday afternoon disrupted traffic for almost an hour on the midland railway line. The rail-car, which was due to arrive at Christchurch at 10.30 p.m., was delayed about 40 minutes.— (P.A.) Boys’ High School Laboratories The Education Department has asked the Government Architect to proceed with working drawings for the new laboratory building at the Christchurch Boys’ High School so that tenders can be called as soon as possible.