General News

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28541, 21 March 1958, Page 10

General News

International Permit The first international driving permit to be issued in New Zealand was received yesterday by the Minister of Transport (Mr J. Mathison). It was presented to him by Mr W. H. Brown, a member of the management committee of the New Zealand Automobile International Touring Alliance. The Minister said the adoption of the United Nations convention on road traffic, enabling the issue of the permits in this country, would benefit New Zealand motorists travelling abroad. The permits would be recognised in any of the 38 countries which were parties to the convention. New Zealanders with current driving licences could obtain an international driving permit and also with current registration use their vehicles overseas with their present number plates and the New Zealand emblem.—(P.A.) Van Recovered A man was arrested last evening on a charge of converting a van owned by the New Zealand Broadcasting Service, Christchurch, which, after it had been missing from Gloucester street since Tuesday evening, was recovered in Southampton street by police yesterday morning. The van was taken at least as far as Mosgiel on Wednesday, Interest In Satellites A* interesting spherical piece of basaltic rock from Sumner, looking “somewhat like a meteorite,’’ has been presented to the Canterbury Museum. Mr H. W. Beaumont, the education officer, who reported this gift to the Museum Trust Board yesterday, said it was identified as part of a large basalt dyke at the head of the Sumner valley. “Its presentation is evidence of the lively interest in satellitic material and its history will form a useful part of our lessons on the earth and its neighbours.’’ Vegetable Supplies Tomatoes were sold at the markets in Christchurch for Is 9d per lb yesterday. Earlier in the week they were Is 4d per lb. Tomatoes are ripening slowlj' and are in heavy demand. Cauliflowers were sold yesterday for £ 1 5s fid a case, compared with £1 earlier in the week. There were good supplies of most other vegetables. “Hot Burglaries" The Shirley Boys’ High School was entered by thieves three times recently, the chairman (Mr E. A. Adams) reported to a meeting of the board last evening. Mr J. J. Saunders asked whether the goods taken “were consumable and therefore not recoverable,’’ and the headmaster (Mr D. V. Gallagher) replied: “The report on the first burglary in particular would make pretty hot reading. I would not like to say it in open meeting.” The matter was not pursued. Wine Industry Some of the recommendations of the Select Committee on the New Zealand Wine Industry were given effect to by legislation last year. The other recommendations are being carefully studied by the Government to decide what action should be taken, says the Minister of Justice, Mr Mason, in a written reply to a question asked in the House of Representatives by Mr W. H. Gillespie (.Opposition, Hurunui). Included in the recommendations is one to allow the sale of New Zealand wines in certain restaurants. Blotched Tomatoes The Dominion Physical Laboratory has been experimenting with blotched tomatoes to find the cause, and a remedy. It was discovered that the blotches were caused by high humidity and little light. Growers may have to ventilate and heat glasshouses to reduce blotches, which cause infected tomatoes with little flavour or sugar content. Salt Harvest Harvesting of this year’s “crop” at Lake Grassmere solar saltworks ended yesterday afternoon. A total of 7650 tons was gathered. Last season’s production was 11,400 tons—a record—but unfavourable weather this year during the critical months October to December meant a substantially reduced output. The huge pyramids of salt now stacked at Lake Grassmere now contain something like 20,000 tons of salt, which includes stockpiling from past seasons.—(P.A.)