General News

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28981, 24 August 1959, Page 10

General News

“Inescapable” Fate A prosperous, Americanised New Zealand, complete with hamburgers, supermarkets and citizens who talk of “traffic cops” instead of “traffic policemen,” is the impression of recently knighted Sir Ronald Syme, who was born in Eltham and arrived in New Plymouth on Friday night for a three-week holiday in Taranaki. “This great Americanisation is not all a bad thing,” said Sir Ronald Syme. “It is inescapable. I think New Zealanders have economic prosperity—and plenty of leisure.”— (P.A.) Katipo Hunt Katipo spiders have a venomous bite but the children of Glenverbie school on the outskirts of Whangarei have been stalking them as part of a nature-study project The hunt for the spiders began when Mr J. King, a schoolmaster, started the project One group of children at the school had to collect examples of river life, insects and spiders. The seven children stalking the spiders found them in the home of one of their number. The collection of katipos will be handed over to Mr G. Dean, administrative director of city parks at the Auckland zoo, for display during the school holidays. Ruapehu Active Mount Ruapehu burst into activity again at 2 p.m. yesterday in the most spectacular display of activity yet seen this year. Large crowds at the Chateau Tongariro could clearly see the display throughout the afternoon. Heavy clouds of grey, white steam billowed 1000 feet into the air. Ruapehu last showed signs of activity a week ago, but then only small clouds of steam were visible. A party from the Auckland Tramping Club climbed to the crater lake yesterday. The lake level rose and fell and loud hissing noises continued throughout the afternoon.—(P.A.) Arthur’s Pass Excursion About 600 persons travelled on the two excursion trains to Arthur’s Pass yesterday and. apart from one or two instances, their behaviour was reported to be good Constables L. Lardner and I. McAteer travelled on the first train and Constables E. R Barker and B. Hubbard were on the second train. At Arthur’s Pass they were joined by the constable from Otira and by one from Greymouth. The trains arrived back in Christchurch at 7.32 p.m. and 8.5 p.m. Skating At Lake Ida One bus and 60 cars went to Lake Ida yesterday. The 30 acres of the main lake was still covered with ice but only about half was safe for skating. The approximate thickness of the ice was nine inches. Two days of northerly winds followed by frost could give perfect conditions for skating next week-end. Salvation Army Ashburton and Christchurch Young People’s Bands of the Salvation Army took part in a rally in Christchurch on Saturday with timbrellists and singers from Westport and local brigades. More than 200 junior members took part They were given tuition in open-air public speaking, with the proper use of music, and later saw a film on the training of cadets. Also on the rally curriculum was a quiz session, a talk on junior soldiery, and a concert of vocal and instrumental selections. Brigadier F. Searle led the junior members in a special service in the Christchurch Citadel on Saturday afternoon. Coincidence A rail-car which struck a boy near Buckland station on Saturday afternoon was the same as that which later struck a car at Midhirst, Taranaki. The driver had been changed at Taumarunui. —(P.A.)