General News

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29718, 11 January 1962, Page 8

General News

Extra Dividend Though only seven horses started, three place dividends were paid after the running of the Mawheraiti Hack Handicap at Reefton yesterday. By an oversight, Gay Fiancee, which bad been scratched earlier in the day, was not notified to the totalizator as a scratching until after the totaitaator had opened. Eight is the minimum number of horses in a race for which three dividends are normally paid.—(F.O.O.R.) Widow Falls A giant riverbank willow near the Antigua street footbridge cracked, swayed and plunged its crown into the Avon mud yesterday afternoon. Its trunk, rotten at the heart, was split down the centre. No-one was near and that reach of the river, below a small weir, is protected from craft at the nearby boatshed. Only a dozen really big willows now stand over the river between there and the Manchester street bridge. The rest are young replacements for unsafe trees cut some years ago or old trees cropped of their heaviest limbs Bit The Hand ... The West Indian fast bowler, W. Hall, after a cricket coaching class today at Murgon, south - east Queensland, went out on to the field to get some tips on boomerang throwing from some aboriginals from a nearby settlement. One mighty throw from Hall sent the boomerang hurtling into the grandstand where it hit the local representative of the oil company which employs him. The representative was hit on the arm, but said later it was not “too painful.”—Brisbane, Jan. 10.

Eczema Warning The first facial eczema warning ot the summer was given yesterday as soil temperatures rose in Waitemata county, Great Barrier Island and all other islands in the Hauraki Gulf. Farmers there have been warned to take precautions against the disease as soon as rain falls.— (P.A.) Fame For Finkelstein The readers of the Cape Town English - language morning newspaper, the “Cape Times.” were puzzled yesterday when they read on the front page of an attempt to put a man named Finkelstein on the moon. The report said the Americans planned to launch a giant spaceship in 1965 “that would be used to place a man on the moon—preferably Finkelstein.” Today the newspaper explained that a linotype operator “facetiously added the words ‘preferably Finkelstein’—* jesting reference to the nickname of a colleague.” The line was deleted in correcting but was not eliminated from the type. Disciplinary action had been taken against the man concerned, the newspaper said. —Cape Town, January 9.

Polio Immunisation Four hundred and one immunisation doses Were given at the Health Department’s monthly open poliomyelitis clinic at the Orange Hall on Tuesday. They comprised 163 injections of Salk vaccine and 238 oral doses of Sabin vaccine. The injections included 41 firsts. 112 seconds, and 10 thirds, while the oral doses included 83 firsts and 155 seconds. Summer Excursions Reservations for holiday excursions by train from Christchurch are filling steadily. Not all the 20 seats allocated to Christchurch for a £7 7s fid week-end trip to Milford Sound have been booked, but on past business the Railways Department expects that all will be taken. Die fare includes the cost of breakfast at Te Anau on January 20. a hotel lunch at Milford and a launch cruise. An unfortunate printing error in a recent advertisement tor an excursion to Picton on January 26 has not affected bookings. The “cheap return fare” will be 30shalf the normal fare—and not £3O as advertised. Last year 200 people went on the annual Picton excursion train. First Sweetcorn The first local sweetcorn of the season was sold in Christchurch produce markets yesterday for 8s 6d to 24s a tray and in the shops for Is 3d to 2s a cob Samoan paw paws sold for 33s a case in the markets and for 2s to 2s 6d a pound in the shops. Water melons were Is 3d a pound in the shops. Extreme Accuracy R. Masters, of Wellington, distinguished himself yesterday with the most remarkable shot of the New Zealand archery championships being held at Newtown Park. Wellington. One of his arrows embedded itself two indies deep into the top of an opponent's arrow already lying in the bullseye—(P.A.) Lucky Dogs France’s newest and greatest passenger liner, the France, which has just made her maiden call at Southampton is specially equipped to carry passengers’ dogs. Firstclass compartments, all carpeted, are available for 20 dogs, together with covered and open exercise areas which, according to a publicity brochure, “include some novel ‘inducements’ in the form of Parisian milestones and New York fire hydrants.”—London, January 10.

Cyclist Injured.—A seven-year-old cyclist, Kevin Tait, of 39A Wharenui road, suffered minor head injuries when he struck the rear of a motor-car at the corner of Elizabeth street and Wainui street about 6 pan. yesterday. He was treated at the Christchurch Hoqpitel and sent