General News

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29272, 2 August 1960, Page 14

General News

‘Promoted And Demoted’ “I have been promoted and demoted this morning,” said the Minister of Social Security (Miss Howard) at the opening of the New Zealand Country Women’s Institutes’ conference yesterday morning. "The president introduced me as the ‘Right Hon’.” said Miss Howard. "That is something for Mr Nash to think aboutThat would be a feather in my cap, as a woman. I feel badly demoted since the Mayor, who has known me for years, introduced me as ‘Mrs’. I thought I was one of New Zealand’s grand old maids. It will take a long time to live that one down.”— (PA.) Warning On Pigeons Persons who had shot pigeons it the Waimate district at the week-end were warned in a radio broadcast by the Waimate police yesterday that pigeons had been noticed on Sunday feeding on a property where phosphorous poison had been laid for birds. Public Hearings The Education Commission’s hearings in Christchurch until Thursday were open to the public, the chairman (Sir George Currie) said yesterday. For the opening session there were about half a dozen visitors present—all persons directly employed in education. Some will give evidence later and seemed interested to learn the method. The commission’s practice is to read evidence in advance and then move quickly through page by page, with opportunity for the person presenting evidence or any members to elaborate any point. 1080 Poison For Pigs Wild pigs have become very numerous along the north-eastern border of Ashley State Forest and the New Zealand Forest Service will lay 1080 poison for a week in the area, starting today. The pigs are not damaging the trees but it is feared that heavy lamb losses will be suffered by the adjoining sheep farmers during the coming lambing season. Fish More Plentiful Fish was more plentiful in shops yesterday because the trawlers were able to get out during the week-end. The most plentiful variety was tarakihl, which was 3s per lb, and gurnard which was 2s. Sole and flounder at 5s and 3s per lb respectively were also reasonably plentiful. Crayfish were in good supply but oysters were in limited supply. Hoping For The Answer The Riccarton Borough Council last evening agreed to contribute £24 a year as its share towards a five-year air pollution survey in Christchurch to be conducted by the Regional Planning Authority. “Will they come along with a solution to the problem?” asked a councillor. "We’ll be extremely disappointed if they don’t,'* said the Mayor (Mr E. J. Bradshaw). A voice: Do they know if there’s a solution? The Mayor: We hope they will in five years. Wet July In Capital July rarely has as many rainly days as were recorded last month in Wellington, a Weather Office official said yesterday. Twentythree rainy days were recorded, five days above the average. The rainfall of 7.60 in was 2.24 in above the July average- The highest rainfall in a 24-hour period was I. on July 6.—(P.A.) First In Queue The first person to receive a New Zealand television receiving licence is Mr lan Watkins, of Auckland. He waited more than an hour until 9 a.m. yesterday to head a queue of four at the Auckland Chief Post Office. Yesterday was the first day television licences could be bought. Twenty-five licences were issued in the first hour and a half.— (PA.) Three Bob A Dog Members of the staff of the Riccarton Borough Council would be offered 3s for “bringing in” any unregistered or stray dogs, the council decided last evening. Jet Visit Navigation and airport familiarisation exercises brought two Royal New Zealand Air Force Canberra jet bombers over Christchurch during yesterday’s lunch hour. After leaving their base at Ohakea about 11 a.m., the two jets of No. 14 Squadron were delayed from returning to the North Island because of indifferent weather over Ohakea. They were sent on to Christchurch, where they landed at Harewood about 12.30 pun,, to await an improvement. One hour later they were airborne and on their way to base. Support For Orchestra The proposal to establish a civie symphony orchestra in Christchurch was supported by the Lyttelton Borough Council which would be prepared to contribute its share of £2O a year to the orchestra provided other local bodies did likewise, said a letter received by the Riccarton Borough Council last evening. On the suggestion of the Mayor (Mr E. J. Bradshaw), the Riccarton council passed a formal resolution supporting the orchestra, and agreeing to contribute its share of £56 a year, provided other local bodies did likewise. Cook Island Fruit Oranges, tangerines and a small quantity of grapefruit from the Cook Islands were unloaded from the Crusader at Lyttelton yesterday. The oranges were sold in the Christchurch produce markets yesterday. The tangerines and grapefruit will be sold today No mandarins arrived in the ship but New Zealand mandarins were sold for I7s 6d to 20s for an 111 b case. The Island oranges are Is per lb in shops. Finally Recognised The speeches were laudatory, the presentation was made. Then the retiring ’.Zellington District Commissioner of Works (Mr L. C. Malt) rose to reply at his farewell function. Turning to his wife, he said: “Now do you realise what a good guy I am?”