General News

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28397, 2 October 1957, Page 12

General News

“The Press” at McMurdo Sound Bundles of yesterday's issue of “The Press” were delivered at McMurdo Sound last evening, maintaining a record established in 1955 when the first flights were made from Christchurch to the Antarctic. These will be the first newspapers which the men who have wintered at the base have seen since March this year. “Died of Commercialisation”

A wreath as big as a tractor tyre was placed in the foyer of Station IZB. Auckland, at 7 p.m. yesterday and an attached card read, “In loving memory of IYD. Died October 1, 1957, of commercialisation.” Between 40 and 50 university students “paid their respects” before the wreath, while one outside with a bugle played “Last Post.”—(P.A.) Survey Flight to Chathams

The Royal New Zealand Air Force will send one of its planes on a special survey flight to the Chatham Islands next week. The plane will be a DC3 from No. 12 (Transport) Squadron. It will make an overnight stop at the Chatham Islands, where there is a newly-licensed airstrip. There will be eight passengers—a full load—aboard when the plane takes off from Ohakea next Tuesday morning. They will include Government officials sponsored by the Department of Island Territories to make administrative checks, a Health Department physicist, and the member of Parliament for Lyttelton (Mr H. R. Lake). Mr Lake has the Chatham Islands in his electorate. He has made one previous visit there.—(F.O.P.R.) Warning to Fishermen

A warning to fishermen was given by the chief engineer of the North Canterbury Catchment Board (Mr H. M. Reid) yesterday. He said that fishermen should realise that fishing was not allowed from groynes or any other construction work going on in rivers.

Accuracy of Radar “Trap”

The Automobile Association said yesterday that if copper coins were jingled near the Lancashire police radar “trap” machine, fantastic speeds were recorded. Distorted readings were also produced by rattling a bunch of keys near it. The A.A. is leading an investigation into the operation of the equipment, which it wants banned.—London, October 1. Tractors for the Antarctic

Soviet engineers have built new types of tractors and cross-country vehicles to aid them in their exploration of the Antarctic, according to information supplied by the Soviet Legation in Wellington. The width of their tracks is two metres, and special testing devices force air into the engines to create conditions for their normal operation. New Penguin tractors, very light machines which do not press down more heavily on the snow than a man’s foot, will be used in areas far removed from the coast. £3OO Singing Contest

Paul Gilmore, of Hamilton, last night won the final and £3OO first prize in a sponsored singing competition at the Wellington Town Hall. He sang “Where E’er You Walk” by Handel and “Floral Dance” by Moss. lan Morton, of Auckland, was second, and Mrs Treasure Spencer, of Dunedin, third.—(P.A.) Freak Daffodil

Mr Allan Saunders, who for the last eight years has grown daffodils for their bulbs and has 20.000 in bloom at Kakahi, a township 11 miles south of Taumarunui, has grown a perfect freak daffodil with eight petals. In a life-time’s experience in England and New Zealand, Mr Saunders says he has never heard of more than six petals to a daffodil.— (P.A.) Drownings Last Month Eight persons were drowned in New Zealand last month, according to the National Water Safety Council. This figure was the same as for September, 1956, but so far this year more persons have been drowned than in the same period of 1956. Last month’s total included two children under five. Rivers accounted for one death, open ditches.for two, and harbours for three.—(F.O.O.R.) “Absent-Minded Week”

To give conscience-stricken borrowers a chance to return “lost” and long-overdue library books, the Auckland City Council proposes that the library holds an “absent-minded week” for the return of books. During this week, no fines will be imposed. The Auckland city librarian (Mr R. Duthie) had informed the library committee that the suggestion of “absent-minded week,” put forward by the librarian of the Leys Institute, was quite common in the United States.