General News

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27999, 20 June 1956, Page 12

General News

Glass Cheque A Wanganui brewery company yesterday received a cheque made of glass. The cheque was sent by a Taranaki publican in payment of his monthly account. It was etched on a piece of window glass, lOin by sin. The cheque was for £259 10s 4d, and was drawn on the Bank of New South Wales, Stratford. The only reason why the cheque was not considered valid was because the recipients could not endorse it. It will go back to the bank on which it is drawn, and an orthodox cheque will be asked for. The glass cheque was crossed, and it was made payable to order. Had it been crossed and made payable to bearer, the recipient’s bankers would have accepted it. The glass cheque carried a 2d stamp for duty.-—(P.A.) Springbok Grace

A story illustrating the advantages ot being bilingual was told by Mr P. N. Le Mesurier, headmaster of Medbury Preparatory School, speaking to the Tin Hat Club last evening. When the Springboks were last in England they were visiting a baronial mansion. An aide to the Lord of the manor went to Hennie Muller, who had taken over the captaincy, asking that the visitors should respect the old family plate that his master had put out for the benefit of the team. Muller had no time to warn his team-mates before they went in to dine, but as he went in he asked his host if he might say grace in Afrikaans. The host thought it a novel idea. Muller’s grace in Afrikaans went: “Look here you jokers. The old chap has got a lot of good stuff on the table. If I see any of you with so much as a spoon in his pocket he has got to reckon with me. Amen.” Search for Plane

Members of the Wairarapa and Ruahine Aero Clubs are planning a search for an aircraft that disappeared on a Tasman flight 28 years ago. They will search a pin-pointed area of the Marlborough Sounds, for the aircraft of Captain G. Hood and Lieutenant J. R. Moncrieff. Captain Hood was a member of the Wairarapa club when he lost his life in the attempt with Lieutenant Moncrieff to be first across the Tasman. They are believed to have been near Cook Strait when they disappeared. The instructor of the club (Mr P. B. Legg) said last night that the search area was pin-pointed on the information of a former club member, who was on holiday in the sounds when the airmen disappeared.—(P.A.) Nelson Rainfall It never rains but it pours at Bainham. In less than six months so far this year 88 inches of rain have fallen in the scattered farming settlement at the head of the Aorere valley, in Collingwood County. Rain has fallen on every day this month, the total for 18 days being 16 inches. The nearby Takaka valley has had nearly 50 inches this year, and Nelson has had the above-average total of 26.25 inches to date, compared with an annual average of 37 inches.—(P.A.) Rugby Match Broadcasts The failure of the New Zealand Rugby Union and the New Zealand Broadcasting Service to agree on the question of direct broadcasts of matches played by the touring South African Rugby team was strongly criticised by the monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Hospital Board yesterday. On the recommendation of Mr W. J. Fletcher (Waimate). and Mrs I. L. Firman (Temuka-Geraldine). the board decided to protest to the Rugby Union and the Minister of Broadcasting (Mr R. M. Algie). “This is a matter of national importance.’’ said Mr Fletcher. “The board is deeply concerned for the benefit of the hundreds of patients in our hosnitals throughout Canterbury.”—(P.A.) Progress On Baths Construction of the dressing sheds for the new baths at Maruia Springs is about to begin. Concreting for the main pool measuring 45ft by 20ft and 3ft 6in to sft 6in deep, and two private baths measuring Bft x 6ft. and the piping, has almost been completed. Water for the baths will be piped from the hot springs across the Maruia river to a holding tank. Two Rubber Factory Disputes

Negotiations are continuing in disputes between the Canterbury Rubber Workers’ Union and the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, Papanui. and the Dunlop Rubber Company, Woolston. The Firestone dispute concerns an agreement on conditions of employment and talks, which were adjourned last Thursday, were resumed yesterday The Dunlop dispute concerns the conduct of a foreman. Stop-work meetings were held earlier at both factories. but work is continuing as usual while the talks are in progress.