General News

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29363, 16 November 1960, Page 16

General News

Sudden Call

Early yesterday afternoon the blood transfusion service at the Christchurch Public Hospital was engaged on routine work when suddenly the blood bank made an urgent demand for supplies of “A” positive blood. Within minutes the service was sending out emergency calls for donors and by 4.15 pun. more than 40 people had arrived to give blood. Most of the donors were Post Office workers. Slight Fresh The Waimakariri river was in slight fresh yesterday after rain in the foothills and the recent nor’west weather. Although muddy and running swiftly, the river rose no more than three feet, and by yesterday afternoon the level was dropping. A shingle contractor working in the riverbed shifted some of his screening equipment to a high shingle bank in the river where it was well clear of the water after the Catchment Board had warned trim of the fresh. Oxford Blood Donors Oxford is getting a call from the blood transfusion service’s mobile unit tomorrow and about 160 persons are expected to give blood. This North Canterbury township is a “happy hunting ground” for the service. Every time the unit calls there more people arrive to give blood. Since March, 1955, the unit has been there 15 times and blood has been taken from 1903 donors. Citrus Fruit The season for citrus fruit from the North Island is drawing to a close and supplies are becoming shorter in Christchurch produce markets. Tree tomatoes rose yesterday to between 36s and 41s for a 201 b case. Chinese gooseberries are also easing in supply and the best sold for 2s per lb. Grapefruit are in fair supply and selling up to 25s a case. Tomatoes dropped very slightly to 4s 3d per lb but the price is still a good one for this time of the year. Maori Mayor Mr E. T. McDonald, a school teacher, who was recently elected Mayor of Palmerston, is probably the first Maori mayor of a South Island town. He defeated Mrs E. R. G. Chatterton, one of the few women taxi owner-drivers in New Zealand. The election was held after the resignation of Mr W. J. Hopkins because of illhealth. Mr Hopkins had been Mayor of Palmerston for the last 10 years. Tooth-Cleaning Pill A green tablet that fizzes in the mouth and cleans the teeth is soon to be on sale everywhere, says the London “Daily Sketch.” It rinses away after-meal rubbish left around the teeth. Dentists say this British invention could help fight the alarming increase in tooth decay among children if used after school meals. Youngsters just tear the foil wrapping and put a tablet in the mouth. The makers, who spent four years developing this tooth-cleaning pill, are now trying it out in south-east England.—London, November 15. Scholars Day Auckland will have an “Honour the Scholars” uay on December 13. The City Council has approved suggestions put forward by Cr. R. C. F. Savory and is supporting the scheme. Cr. Savory suggested that this idea could spread throughout New Zealand. 86-Mile Walk The Dunedin to Naseby walking record was broken last weekend. Two Taieri High School pupils, John Wells and Errol Moore, reduced the record of 31hr 43min by five hours and 10 minutes. The previous time was set a few weeks ago by Victor Grey, a senior pupil of King Edward Technical College. Wells and Moore covered the 86 miles in 26 hours and 33 minutes. They made the return trip in an easier style—as hitch-hikers.