General News

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28478, 7 January 1958, Page 8

General News

A Full Ship The inter-island steamer Hinemoa was a full ship when she left Lyttelton for Wellington last evening. About 40 . persons who had gone to Lyttelton on the chance of getting berths were disappointed. Many of those left in Lyttelton tried to book in at Lyttelton hotels for the night but with little success. Most of them were seen to board trains for Christchurch, with the evident intention of trying to find accommodation there. Damaged Icebreaker The United States Navy icebreaker Glacier, which has sustained . some damage in an Antarctic icefield, is expected to arrive at Wellington at midday on Thursday. It is reported that one or both of her propellers and possibly her bilge-keel have been damaged. A diver will go down to report on the damage, after which the Glacier will go on to the floating dock for repairs. A stock of spare propellers to meet such an emergency was landed in Wellington in November from the supply ship Greenville Victory.—(P. A.) Record High Wind The highest wind ever recorded in New Zealand shrieked unheard over Invercargill at 270 miles an hour on December 30. The Weather Service radar station clocked a 2ft meteorological balloon at that speed at 30,000 ft. “It is the strongest wind we have had reported in New Zealand,” said the Director of Research for the Meteorological Service (Dr. J. F. Gabites) yesterday. The big wind, capable of wrecking cities at ground level, was caused by. a marked difference of 50 deg Fahrenheit between high level air temperatures over New Zealand and to the immediate south.—(P.A.) Lone Penguin One lone penguin appears to have wandered 150 miles inland from the South Pacific coast of Antarctica, says Denis Wederell. “The Press’’ correspondent at McMurdo Sound to the United States Antarctic expedition. Apparent penguin tracks have been seen by an I.G.Y. traverse party from Byrd Station. The leader of the traverse party reported that the tracks were seen over a distance of a mile, following a regular course, indicating that the bird was in good condition. He said that the bird was on its belly for all but Oft of the distance—penguins push themselves along on their belly as an alternative to walking. The tracks were measured and photographs taken. An inquisitive skua gull was also seen by the party when well inland.

Heavy Snow At Chateau

Heavy falls of snow at the Chateau Tongariro blocked the road to the ski-ing grounds during the week-end, but only a light fall occurred yesterday about midday. Yesterday morning a grader cleared the road from the Chateau and a party left the hotel by bus to see Ruapehu cloaked with snow in the middle of summer. The assistant-manager at the Chateau (Mr J. Esterhazy) said that conditions for ski-ing were excellent, but few of the guests at the hotel were equipped for the sport. Yesterday afternoon the mountain from a height of 4500 ft was covered in a blanket of steel-grey cloud, and the weather was extremely cold for the time of the year.—(P.A.) U.K. Exhibitors The New Zealand Government will sponsor trade exhibits in two exhibitions in the United Kingdom next year. Arrangements are being made to take part in the British Food Fair in London, and the Ideal Homes Exhibition in Birmingham. The Department of Industries and Commerce, through the Senior Trade Commissioner. London, will collaborate with -the Meat Producers’ Board, the Dairy Products Marketing Commission and any other interested organisations on displays of products for the exhibitions. On Tap Gladys, the model cow of Brooklands Farm in Bourne, Cambridgeshire, puzzled her owner, Mr F. Chapman, by a sudden drop in milk yield. He soon found the reason. Nine little piglets from the field next door were helping themselves from their "permanent milk bar.” Now he has moved them away from temptation.—Bourne, January 5. Guards Of Honour The Navy will provide a guard of honour when the GovernorGeneral (Lord Cobham) opens Parliament on January 22. The British Prime Minister (Mr Macmillan) will inspect an Air Force guard of honour when he arrives at Whenuapai on January 20, and an Army guard of honour when he departs from Harewood on January 28. (P.A.) New Zealand Display New Zealand will have an exhibit of 2000 square feet in the Australian Homes Exhibition, in Sydney from June 20 to 28. The central theme of the exhibit will be New Zealand timber and its uses, but the exhibit will also give adequate presentation of other products.