General News

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28302, 13 June 1957, Page 12

General News

As You Were When drilling men of the naval survey ship, H.M.S. Cook, on the Suva wharf today in preparation for the Queen’s Birthday parade tomorrow, a petty officer gave the command, “Open order march.” stepped back and fell into the sea. He came up twice still holding his rifle before a Fijian spectator dived off the wharf and pulled him to safety on one of the wharf frames. He was eventually lifted aboard, still carrying his rifle.—Suva, June 12. 5000 Guineas for Ram What is believed to be a world record price of 5000 guineas (Australian) for a Merino poll ram was paid at the Sydney Merino stud sheep sales today. The ram. bred by Charles Mills Pty., Ltd., of Hay, was sold by the Commonwealth Wool and Produce Company, Ltd., to F. S. Falkiner and Sons Pty., Ltd., of Zara, in the Riverina. Bidding began at 500 guineas and increased quickly to the record price, and when the ram was knocked down by Mr Norman Davies there was a loud ovation’ For a hornless ram. the price is the best of this year’s sheep show for any type, and equals that paid last year for a special stud ram from Bundemar. —Sydney, June 12. Good Haul “This might well be the whitebait season, judging by the number who have been netted,” remarked Mr H. J. Thompson, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court at Greymouth yesterday upon the completion of 54 charges of being found on licensed premises after hours. Forty-one persons, including eight under 21 years of age. were fined for offences in a Greymouth hotel and one in the Ngahere Hotel. Two charges against licensees and six against patrons were adjourned. Of the 54 cases heard, 12 against persons at Ngahere were dismissed, the Magistrate holding that the evidence proved them to be guests of lodgers.—(F.O.O.R.) Appreciation A man walked into the Christchurch office of the Plunket Society yesterday and put £lOO on the secretary’s desk. He declined to give his name or address but said he made the gift in gratitude for what the society had done for him. He emphasised that this was not a contribution for the Dominion Plunket appeal but a direct gift to the Christchurch branch. Late gifts are still coming in for the Dominion appeal and it is hoped that all will be completed in time for winding up at the end of the month. School Desk Design A remit asking the Department of Education to sponsor a competition for the design of suitable desks and other equipment for secondary schools will be submitted to the biennial conference of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Boards’ Association in August by the Auckland Grammar Schools Board of Governors. The board will also ask the conference to consider qualification allowance increases for teachers and requests to the department to meet the costs of heat, light, and water in schools. Caps for Policewomen A peaked cap for women police is being considered by the Police Department. Modelled on those used by women police in Britain, it is a complete breakaway from the soft felt hat in current use. Samples have been sent to police stations throughout the Dominion to give policewomen an opportunity to express their views. The Controller-General of Police (Mr S. T. Barnett) said yesterday in Auckland that the initial response had been “fairly favourable.” It is believed that Auckland policewomen have voted unanimously in favour of the cap.—(P.A.) Diesel Locomotives Ordered The purchase of 18 400 h.p. diesel-electric shunting locomotives with spare components, at a landed cost of £603,000 has been approved by Government. The locomotives will replace obsolete steam locomotives performing heavy shunting duties in the larger railway yards such as Frankton and Auckland. A tender for the* supply of the new locomotives has been let to a British firm. —(P.A.)

Control of Hydatids Though it was pleasant to see that the Government was at last taking some action to establish a research panel into hydatids, his ward wanted to see compulsory dosing of dogs instituted, as legislation, said Major N. R. Rattray (Waimate) at the annual conference in Dunedin yesterday of the New Zealand Counties’ Association. He was moving a remit “expressing concern at the continued delay in Government action regarding the repeated requests of the conference that dosing become compulsory.” Delegates generally felt that something more definite should be done, and an amendment was carried that the executive committee approach the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health with a scheme.—(P.A.) Elderly Motorists Two 85-year-old motorists are among those who have passed their annual driving tests for “over-70’s” by the Christchurch City Council. One man of 84 passed his test driving through the central city streets in an old model planetary-geared vehicle. The council has a full book of elderly motorists for ■•tests every day up to the end of this month, when current licences expire. Up And Down The proposer of special thanks to members who staged the Canterbury Geographical Society’s map exhibition had an unusual turn of phrase last evening. “There were tremendous enthusiasm among those who put the. display up—and later took it down,” he said. The exhibition was unique in the annals of New Zealand geography. Mr J. L. Hewland, who was chairman of the organising committee, said everyone had helped; but he was particularly grateful to the 18 student teachers who conducted 4000 school pupils in groups through the exhibition. Queues Inevitable

Of the 25-266 driving licences which have to be renewed by motorists, motor-cyclists, and power-cyclists at the Christchurch City Council bv the end of this month, only 2262 had .been issued up to yesterday. “So there are going to be some long queues before the 30th,” said an officer yesterday. There are only 12 business days left before current licences expire, arid even if the number still to be issu'ed were spread evenly each day, queues would be necessary.