General News

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29800, 17 April 1962, Page 14

General News

Drying Hazard Concern was expressed by members of the Hokitika Fire Board recently at the number of fires during the year under review, which had started in hot water cylinder cupboards. It was pointed out that a danger of which few persons were aware was that, while a dry article placed on a hot water cylinder would not cause a fire, a wet or damp one would in certain circumstances burst into flames. —< FOOR)

£l4OO Benefit Bert Sutcliffe will receivt* more than £l4OO as a result of the recent public subscription and testimonial match. This was revealed at a meeting of the executive committee of the Otago Cricket Association last night. Reporting on the testimonial match, Mr C. W. Welhan said that donations were still 1 being received and it was' not yet possible to say what ■ the final figure would be It was definite, however, that) even after expenses had been I met. Sutcliffe would receive] a cheque for more than £I4OO—(PA.) Life Of Parliament The annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand yesterday approved a remit urging the Government to hold a referendum at the) next General Election to as-] certain public opinion on the r oposal that as from the Parliament after next, the life of Parliament be extended to four years.— (P.A.) Authentic Note Artificial minnows which leave a trail of red blood are the latest bait used by American anglers. A trail of blood comes from a pellet of dried blood inserted in the head of the bait and which dissolves over a 20 minute period. The plastic minnow is said to quiver like a real one and is recommended for bass and big trout. —London. April 16. Lifejackets Replaced The Otago Catchment Board has decided to destroy all of its lifejackets after watching them sink during a test. Not one of them stood up to the United States Coast Guard test with an 181 b weight. The chairman of the board, Mr T. Mcß. Burnside. told members that new lifejackets had been bought. He said the dozen which failed the test were bought in 1957.—(P.A.)

Informal Sale Yesterday morning’s power failure forced a break in wool-selling tradition. When the lights failed in the Repertory Theatre about 11.45 a.m. there was only the single emergency stage light left. The auctioneer at the time, Mr D. C. Gould, left the rostrum and continued the sale standing in the circle in ] front of the buying benches, with his clerks on chairs beside him. The sale continued in the dim light with the wind howling outside and the cold draughts sweeping across the stage for nearly 20 minutes before the lights came on again.

No Good An ill wind blew over two Mount Pleasant houses at the week-end. During the southerly storm a resident called out his neighbour to helip board up his plate-glass window which was flexing menacingly in the wind. While he was absent, his own window blew in. To report this, his wife ran out, fell, cut her hand, and was taken to hospital for treatment. All troubles apparently faced, the good neighbour returned to see his new chimney blown down. Simple Remedy Milk could be used as a simple means of relief for small burns. Dr. G. S. Cox. director of the New Zealand School of Pharmacy, told a meeting of the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry last evening. “If you get a nasty small burn, dip the burnt part into milk immediately.” he said. ‘‘lt works marvellously—the skin doesn't even blister.” Vegetable Prices There was a shortage of vegetables and prices rose sharply in city fruit and produce markets yesterday Growers were unable to harvest their crops because of bad weather at the weekend. Cabbages sold at 17s a sack compared with a top price of 5s last week, tomatoes rose from Is 3d a pound to 2s and carrots from 10s to 19s a case. Protein Factory A new factory has been opened at Plymouth to produce six tons of edible protein daily—equal to 18 tons of meat—out of vegetable material. The protein will be sent to countries where protein malnutrition is widespread. The ‘‘Guardian” said the plant which cost £300,000, was capable of manufacturing 2000 tons of: protein a year, which was sufficient to provide for the protein requirement of a city of 120.000 people at a cost of about one shilling a person weekly. The factory uses ground nut as its raw material because it has a high protein content and because, paradoxically, it is mainly countries which suffer most from protein malnutrition that grow large quantities of high protein oilseeds —London, April 16. Island Grapefruit Grapefruit from the Islands * s ? n M J e in 'Christchurch fruit and produce markets to 145 s a case. Normally island grapefruit is available for about six weeks and another shipment is expected within n fortnight