General News

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29859, 27 June 1962, Page 12

General News

No Car “It was a motor vehicle, was it?” asked the Magistrate. Mr E. S. J. Crutchley, S.M., when a traffic officer who had been on point duty described in court yesterday how a car “disintegrated” in front of him. Red hot and smoking, the baffle plates and muffler fell off as the car approached, he said. The battery was roped on and the carburettor was being fed from a tin held by a passenger. The car had a wire-netting hood, no petrol tank, no guards, no mirror —and no warrant of fitness. “It was just an engine on wheels,” he said. Possession A fox terrier “converted” a car in New Plymouth on Monday and resisted attempts by the owner to regain control About 9 am. Mr R. F. Vogt parked his car near the cabinetmaking factory where: he works in Upper Vogeltown, but left the car door open. He noticed a fox terrier when he left the car. but when he returned the dog, a plump female, had jumped in the door and taken charge. Each time Mr Vogt approached the terrier snapped and snarled. Finally an S.P.C.A. inspector, Mr T. Outwin, was called and the dog dragged out. Saved By Asthma An attack of asthma saved a man from his burning house at Stillwater, Auckland. Mr J. G. Herregraven, of Remuera, was asleep in his bach when he was awakened by an asthma attack. He smelt smoke and ran outside. The bach was burned to the ground. Pathology Anniversary An exhibition to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the pathology service at the Christchurch Hospital will be opened in the blood bank at the hospital on July 16. The exhibition will feature the work of the department over the years, and will be open to hospital staff and medical practitioners. After the day of opening it will be transferred to the department’s museum. The first pathologist to the hospital. Dr. A. B. Pearson, took up his duties on July. 16, 1912. . Tax Pamphlets Information pamphlets about P.A.Y.E. taxation for universal superannuitants will be available by the end of this week from all Post Offices and Inland Revenue offices, the Commissioner of Inland Revenue (Mr F R. Macken) said in Wellington yesterday.—(P.A.) Port Empty Lyttelton was almost an empty port last evening after the departure of the steamer express Hinemoa and two overseas vessels, the Wairata and City of Coventry. The only trading vessels remaining at the berths late last evening were the 890-ton Holmburn and the 150-ton Picton. Rare Bird A search for the rare native bird, the kokako or North Island or wattled crow, may be made in the Waitotara Valley, near Wanganui, by the Wanganui Museum curator (Mr R W McDonald), Members of the Wanganui Tramping Club have reported hearing whistles from a bird which sounds like the kokako about 50 miles up the valley The bird, which is found in only a few%reas, is a bluishgrey colour, with slate-black tail, black bill and legs and blue wattles. It is a little larger than a tui. Small Meeting Only three of 97 members of the Canterbury Fruit Retailers’ Association were present at the annual meeting last evening. They were the president, Mr L. F. N Chapman, and two members of the executive. The meeting was cancelled. Island Clerk A local resident, Mrs D. J. Hinton, was appointed clerk of the Great Barrier County Council at a special meeting of the council on Saturday. Mrs Hinton will take up the position on July 2. Her annual salary will be £250 The former county clerk. Mr P. H Mitchener, resigned because he considered his £240 a year not enough fcworking seven days a week