General News

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28870, 15 April 1959, Page 12

General News

Explosions Mysterious explosions which yesterday startled householders in the north-west area of Christchurch were caused by the Army, which was disposing of amfnunition at West Melton. Occurring regularly at 15 minute intervals, the explosions rattled windows in many houses and echoed from the Port Hills. After he had received many complaints yesterday the Waimairi County Council engineer (Mr D. P. McLellan) investigated and found that the Army had begun exploding ammunition at West Melton on Monday, although no complaints were received by him then. “They were very co-operative,” said Mr McLellan, “and agreed to reduce their charges by half.” Markets Slack The effects of slow trading on Christchurch produce markets last week are still being felt this week. In the first two days of trading this week there has been little demand for the large quantities of produce available. Prices for most lines remain unchanged. The only relief on the otherwise dull market was the moderate sale of Jamaican oranges out of cool storage. Their price is fixed at 69s a case by a recent Price Tribunal order. Early Chathams Days A book on early days at the Chatham Islands has been privately printed in England by its author, Mr R. N. Lyne, who, at the age of 95, lives in Bristol. An early student at Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, he was at the ‘ Chathams with Chudleigh. Mr Lyne has sent a copy of his book to his old college and it has been placed in the historical section of the library, Library At Lincoln The trees round the site of the George Forbes Memorial Library at Lincoln College have been felled and the ground cleared for building. Arrangements have been made with the Auckland firm of architects which won the .design competition to make four visits during the construction. The successful tenderer for the building contract, the Fletcher Construction Company, Ltd., has not yet signed the documents. “We hope to get the documents signed shortly and to get the job started,” said the chairman (Mr W. H. Gillespie, M.P.) at yesterday’s meeting of the board of governors of the college. “The Press” In Sydney To keep members of the New Zealand trade mission up to date with home news, copies of "The Press” are being regularly flown to Sydney by T.E.A.L. On arrival in Australia the newspapers are rushed through Customs clearance. When the mission is in cities other than Sydney the papers are transshipped to connecting flights of local airlines. Delivery from airports to members of the mission is by special messenger. Seal In River A young seal attracted attention as it swam up and down the Grey river, close to the wharves at Greymouth yesterday morning, and again in the afternoon. In the early afternoon it mounted the rocks for a brief period, and onlookers were able to obtain a close view of it. The seal had probably lost contact with its mother when it entered the river at high tide early yesterday morning, and by the way it was traversing the river it appeared to have completely lost its bearings too. — (F.0.0.R.) Anti-Magnetic Ship The Soviet anti - magnetic schooner of the U.S.S.R. Academy of Science, Zarya, is expected to visit Wellington in July to study magnetic fields. Built at Odessa on the Black Sea in 1928, the Zarya—the name means “dawn” —is a wooden vessel of 114 tons. There is a complete absence of magnetic materials in the ship’s construction.—(P.A.) Not Missed A Maori boy, about two years old, fell off the back of a truck in Queen street, Auckland, yesterday, without the driver being aware of it. Onlookers rushed to the rescue and the police took the apparently unhurt child to Auckland Hospital for an X-ray The accident happened about 12.20 p.m. and late last night the police still had not heard from the driver of the truck.—(P.A.) War Graves Shortly before Christmas, letters were sent from the Department of Internal Affairs to more than 7000 relatives of servicemen and servicewomen of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. who died in the Second World War and who are buried in cemeteries administered by the Imperial War Graves Commission, to inform them that the commission has now had headstones placed over the graves. The Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Anderton, yesterday expressed pleasure at the many letters of appreciation which had been received from these next-of-kin. ‘‘lt is very gratifying to learn that the erection of the headstones has brought solace to so many relatives of those who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of their country.”—(P.A.) Red Fire Engines “I don’t like the colour of your grey fire engines. I like the red ones best.” wrote a small boy to the secretary of the Christchurch Metropolitan Fire Board. His attitude was commended by a member of the board. Mr A. B. Grant, at the board’s meeting last evening. “This boy is quite in concurrence with the board’s decision that red was the best colour for fire engines.” said Mr Grant. "But the bought a Gamecock, which is not red but grey. The lad is quite right.” The chairman (Mr W. R. Campbell) said the board had no alternative, because the Gamecock was lined with aluminium. The DeputyChief Fire Officer (Mr C. H. Robinson) added that the boy had accepted an invitation to inspect the board’s engines and the central fire station. DURAWARE Festival Ware. In 6 bright colours. New stocks have just arrived. 18-piece sets 675, 30-piec6 sets 137 s 6d. MASON STRUTHERS, Colombo street. Telephone 65-07 a