General News

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29239, 24 June 1960, Page 12

General News

Short Miles

“Do you agree that there are 3650 yards in a mile?” said Mr H. W. Thompson, defence counsel, to a witness in a traffic case yesterday. When the witness could not enlighten him, Mr Thompson asked if someone would. Traffic Officer W. Wilson said 2760 yards; but all accepted the 1760 yards offered by the Magistrate, Mr E. A. Lee. “If it is not,” said Mr Lee. “then I have done some very short miles in my time.” Fire Call During the Waimairi County Council's discussion on possible confusion between Waiwetu street and Wai-iti terrace, it was reported that some residents had ialleged that fire engines mistakenly went first to Wai-iti terrace instead of Waiwetu street. The county engineer (Mr D. P McLellan) said yesterday that he had been assured by the Chief Fire Officer (Mr L. R. Osmond) that the brigade went directly to Waiwetu street where the fire occurred. Like Oliver Twist New roading schemes in the South Island were “infinitesimal” compared with what was being done in Auckland and Wellington, said Mr F. W. Freeman, at a meeting of the council of the Automobile Association (Canterbury) last evening. While two-thirds of the population was crowded into the North Island, it looked as if the South Island would continue to get the widow’s mite. “I’m afraid that like Oliver Twist, we will always be having to ask for more,” Mr Freeman said. Helpful Officer A woman driver of a large car parked outside a city hotel yesterday afternoon was in a quandary. Her problem was to pull out of a parking space between two other cars, with extremely little room in which to manoeuvre. Manoeuvring had just begun when a traffic officer approached. Obligingly he stood by, and waved signals to the driver —forward a little, turn the wheel hard, forward again. After a few such manoeuvrings, occasignoring just one slight bump against the car behind, the big car was free. Driver and traffic officer exchanged a cheery wave and smile, and the big car sped off. Fruit In Demand The Island fruit which was on sale in the Christchurch produce markets yesterday met with steady demand. Paw paws sold from 15s to 34s a case, according to size, eggfruit sold from 23s to 28s a case and green ginger, the first fresh supply in the markets for some time, sold at Is 3d a pound. With the exception of local parsnips at 25s a sack, silver beet selling from 2s to 4s a case and beetroot at 4s a box, all of which showed slight rises from the previous day, vegetable prices remained stable. Further supplies of new season’s potatoes from Nelson are expected early next week. No Reply Received The council of the Automobile Association (Canterbury) had made representations to the Christchurch City Council on the following matters—identification of pedestrian crossings by flashing lights, traffic turning right at the intersection of Papanui road and Bealey avenue, the restoration of roads in which drains have been laid, and the education of pedestrians and motorists in proper use of pedestrian crossings —it was reported at last evening's meeting of the council. No reply had yet been received Chilean Relief The fund for the relief of injured and homeless after the recent earthquakes in Chile has now risen to £2745, the Red Cross Society reported last evening. Of this sum, £l5O was raised by children, and the Methven Junior Red Cross held a shop day which realised £36 3s 3d.