General News

Press, Volume C, Issue 29499, 28 April 1961, Page 12

General News

“21 Flaming Year.” A slightly amazed Stokes Valley (Hutt Valley) Fire Brigade has had requests for it* jubilee book “TwentyOne Flaming Years” from libraries and others in many part* of New Zealand and from as far away as Melbourne. “Perhaps they think it's the revelation* of a deb.” a brigade fireman said yesterday.—(PA.) Taking His Time “John Kennedy is a vital, young, and vigorous man. He is taking plenty of time, and I think rightly so, to make up his mind on major question*.”—The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake), speaking to the Wellington Junior Chamber of Commerce last evening.—(P.A.) “This Is It” Three Napier factory workers have won £lO,OOO in a lottery, but reported for work yesterday as usual—apparently unaffected by sudden wealth. They are Messrs Wally Serong, Wally Terril, and Ron Bright, all in their middle fifties. “We’ve been trying Seven years to win the jackpot,” said Mr Serong yesterday, “and this is it.” The three men work together at Thompson and Hills, Ltd.’s, factory, and are members of Napier’s Cosmopolitan Club, where they bought the £lO,OOO ticket from a fellowmember, Mr F. Badley. Mr Badley, a retired saddler, has now sold £70,750 worth of the lottery tickets in the last 12 months, including the £60,000 first prize-winning ticket in last year's Sydney Cup sweep.—(PA.) Rabbit Colony “The rabbit question interests me,” said Mr L. W. McCaskill at a meeting of the Arthur’s Pass National Park Board yesterday afternoon. “There is a colony of them in the upper Poulter area. We get them down, but then they increase again. I have the feeling that they are not coming from long distances, but that the few left multiply.” The senior ranger in the park (Mr P. Craft) said that Department of Agriculture officers would inspect the whole area soon. He himself would be with them. Questioned afterwards Mr Croft said it was intended to try to exterminate the rabbits before wekas were introduced. Vegetables Dearer Prices of most vegetables have been rising steadily in Christchurch produce markets this week. Potato and tomato prices are still very low. A medium supply of lettuces arrived by train from Oamaru yesterday and sold at up to 14s a case. Cabbages sold at 8s to 12s a sack, cauliflowers at 3s to 9s a case, onions at up to 15s a bag, spinach at up to 8s a dozen bundles, spring onions at up to 5s 3d a dozen bunches, pumpkins at 10s a sack, potatoes at 6s to 10s a sugar bag, and tomatoes at 3d to Is a pound. Westport Camp > The Automobile Associa-! tion (Canterbury) intends to' | plan a major building re-! placement programme for its Carter’s Beach camp at Westport. Although the camps committee found the grounds were orderly on a recent inspection, members said the buildings were no credit to the association, especially when motorists were demanding better accommodation. A report on drainage and levels of the whole site has been obtained in preparation for a new lay-out. Water supply is also being investigated.

Honour For Band The Christchurch Boys' High School cadet battalion band will play in June at the ceremonial opening of Parliament. It is believed that this is the first time a school has been honoured in this way. Defence Policy “Defence policy has not yet been determined by the .Government,” said the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) when questioned at his press conference last evening. The Prime Minister’s • attention had been drawn to -a published report suggesting that the Government was considering the reintroduction of compulsory military service as a result of an inadequate response to the services’ recruiting campaign.—(PA.) Carpet Designs According to a Christchurch architect, Mr M. Warren, there are basically only four .carpet patterns available to the prospective buyer. As he listed them they are “the two-toned job. the bastard Persian, the modern jazz type, and the fullblown floral.” Fortunately, however, there was a ray of hope in carpet design, said Mr Warren, who was speaking to members of the Design Association of New Zealand at its first public meeting last evening. “If they were well designed. New Zealand carpets could be talked of as we now talk of Danish furniture.” he said. 50,000 Target With the election of 407 members last evening, membership of the Automobile Association (Canterbury) now stands at 46,655. The association is aiming at passing tiie 50,000 mark by the time its new headquarters building is opened about the middle of the year.