General News

Press, Volume C, Issue 29618, 14 September 1961, Page 12

General News

Weed Detection Lincolnshire farmers are going up in the air to find out what is going on on the ground. They are using a number of light aircraft to spot couch grass and other weeds which have fiourished in many parts of the county this season. The extent of ! growth cannot always be seen from the ground. But from a few hundred yards up, the carpet of weeds can be seen very clearly, particularly where a cornfield has been harvested and the green shows against the stubble. Bare patches can be seen in the crops which would not be visible from the ground.—(London, September 12.)

Typhoons, Tornadoes

References in the news to typhoons, hurricanes, and tornadoes prompted “The Press” to find out the specific meanings of the terms. A meteorological officer at Harewood said that "hurricane” was the term used in the Caribbean and “typhoon” was used in the South China Seas, and both applied to violent storms with a diameter of up to 1000 miles. A tornado was a much smaller storm, usually measured in hundreds of yards, which often came in the wake of a hurricane.

Jugoslav Beef Some of the Jugoslav beef he had seen in Smithfield Market during a recent visit to Britain would not even be fed to dogs in New Zealand, said Mr S. Deans, a Darfield farmer, speaking at a meeting of the committee of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association yesterday. Mr Deans said he asked one of the workmen whether the beef sold well, and was told it did and that it was used in restaurants where one could not see what one ate. “If it was hit with a hammer about 20 times it might be palatable,” said Mr Deans. Mid-year Holiday When the Burnside School Committee asked last evening that one day should be chosen for a mid-year break by all primary, intermediate, and post-primary schools observing such a holiday, other Canterbury School Committees’ Association delegates considered this might be restrictive. They suggested that all schools in each area should confer on a common date.

Junior Champion An 80-year-old woman has won the junior singles championship of the Mitchell Park Indoor Bowling Club of which she is a foundation member. She is Mrs A. Newton. Both Mrs Newton and her husband are keen bowlers.—(P.A. No Racing Results While all newspapers have joined in congratulating the “Guardian” on its initiative in printing in London, there has been some criticism of its adherence to the policy of never reporting horse-racing results. On the first day of the London printing, the "Guardian” published a photograph of the Bishop‘of Guilford patting a horse at the celebration of Horseman's Sunday at Epsom—but no news was given of racing, or its results. Even the classic St. Leger run a day before failed to get a line in the “Guardian.” London, September 13. Liquor Bill New Zealanders spent more than £l7 a head on drink in 1960, according to a report to the New’ Zealand Alliance annual conference, which began in Wellington yesterday. —<P.A.) Honesty Appeal

Britain’s largest group of stores has appealed to its 13,000 employees to help in combating dishonesty among their follow workers. The appeal, in the staff magazine, says employees will not be “telling tales” if they do The group said that the “wastage” last year was £197.000, or more than £l4 for every staff member “Although a good deal of this was due to carelessness, bad work or shop-lift-ing.” says the magazine, “the unpleasant fact remains that a considerable amount was due to the dishonesty of some employees. Within a six month period, eight members of the staff were prosecuted for dishonesty and 15 dismissed for similar offences or breaking regulations which left them open to suspicion”— (London, September 12.) School Lighting The Canterbury Education Board is willing to investigate any specific complaint about inadequate lighting in its schools but considers an over-all survey impracticable. This information was given to the Canterbury School Committees’ Association last evening.

Telephone Courtesy

Interest in the new telephone courtesy film. “A Manner of Speaking,” had been such that the screenings in the Municipal Electricity Department theatrette were now completely booked out, the Chief Postmaster (Mr C. J. Simpson) said yesterday. There should be enough room for all. however, in the special screening tomorrow afternoon in the Civic Theatre. Admission to this screening would be free, and no booking was necessary.

Oyster Supplies

A small shipment of oysters was available in Christchurch fish markets yesterday, and "“»>* expected this morning. There was another 3001 b of West Coast whitebait in the markets, but fish was still Srerce. Prices were: gurnard Zs 6d to 3s a pound, tarakihi 4s a pound, blue cod 4s 6d a pound, and soles 3s 6d a