General News

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28160, 26 December 1956, Page 6

General News

Firemen’s Cold Christmas Dinner Christmas dinner was on the table in the dining-room at the Khandallah (Wellington) fire station yesterday. The firemen were just settling down to the serious business of eating it when a call to a gorse fire on a hillside in Ngauranga gorge was received. Reluctantly, the brigadesmen left their dinner and sped to the fire. The fire was extinguished and no damage was caused. When the Khandallah men returned to their dinner it was cold.— (P.A.) Greetings From South Pole On Sunday night a United States Navy radio operator. Thomas Montgomery spoke for 15 minutes from the South Pole to his wife and three children in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts. This was the first time a person at the South Pole had spoken by radio and telephone to someone in the United States. The talk was made possible by 16-year-old Jule Madey, an amateur radio operator, of Clark, New Jersey, who picked up Montgomery’s signal and then connected his telephone to his receiver and transmitter to enable Mrs Montgomery to speak to her husband.—New York, December 25. Launch Made From Aircraft A Catalina flying-boat was towed into Whangateau harbour, near Leigh in the Auckland province, recently after a seven-hour trip behind a 30foot launch from Hobsonville. Purchased by Mr J. Sellars, of Wellsford, the 50-foot duralumin hull is destined to be converted into a boat powered by two engines. The aircraft was without engines,/instruments and certain wing flaps when bought by Mr Sellars, to ensure that it could not be made airworthy again. The interior of the hull is divided into watertight compartments and is equipped with tables, chairs and a small electric stove. It cost only £250, and Mr Sellars hopes to find a use for parts not used in the finished launch. Heron Nest Squatters

Royal spoonbills have become squatters in nests of the heron colony at Okarito. The spoonbills come from Australia. Since 1949 their number has increased from two to 19 or 20, and the herons have moved to the north bank of the Waitangiroto stream. Only two or three families remain on the south bank where a decaying kowhai tree once housed the main colony. These discoveries were made by a recent party from the Canterbury Museum which went to Okarito to take final photographs and record details of the heron habitat for a diorama display in the Edgar Stead Hall of New Zealand Birds next year. Dr. Roger Duff, the museum's director, told the Museum Trust Board that about 12 nests of the white heron were recorded; a sitting of three eggs was being hatched last .nonth in one, and chicks were found in several other nests. There was evidence of high mortality among young birds, he said. Free Tram Rides in Auckland

For a few hours on December 29, Aucklanders will be able to enjoy free rides on trams. This privilege will be part of the farewell celebrations for the old faithfuls of Auckland public transport. The Mayor of Auckland (Mr T. W. M. Ashby), the Mayor of Mount Albert (Mr H. A. Anderson), and the chairman of the Auckland Transport Board (Mr N. B. Spencer) will take turns at the controls of tram No. 242. which will make the last run along Queen street. Before taking over the role of acting-motormen, they will speak at a public gathering outside the chief post office. Fifty-four years of responsibility for public passenger transport in Auckland will end for the trams at 10 a.m., when buses will take over the Queen street shuttle service. Until that hour on the final day, people will travel in the trams free of charge. Mansion for Sale

The Tourist Hotel Corporation does not intend in the meantime to buy or lease Mansion House, Kawau Island. This was stated by Mr A. E. Horsfall, a director and major shareholder in Mansion House, Kawau, Ltd. Mr Horsfall said his offer of £20,000 below the valuation of the building and land still stood. It was open to any group capable of preserving the historical interest of the property.