General News

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30085, 20 March 1963, Page 12

General News

Dexter’s Gift E. R. Dexter, the M.C.C. captain, presented his England cap and M.C.C. blazer to th" Christchurch Boys’ High School yesterday. The captain of the first eleven, R Thomas, accepted the gift on behalf of the school. Old Tombstone A tombstone inscribed in memory of Richard John Seddon has been found in an overgrown yard during the demolition of an old Sydenham house in Sandyford street, a few yards from Colombo street The stone, about 3ft high and 18in wide, is surrounded by other stone blocks. It is, however, the only whole tombstone. One word of its inscription is illegible. The inscription reads: “In memory of Richard John Seddon, the great Premier, friend, stateman. humanitarian, 1843—1906. He loved he . Erected by the people of Cheviot” Plain Speaking A privy should be called a privy and a water closet a water closet and not a “sanitary convenience,” the leader of the Liberals in the House of Lords. Lord Rea, contended last night. He was protesting at the use of euphemisms in a bill aimed at improving conditions in offices in Britain. Lord Rea also objected to “powder room.” He thought this indicated “in a transatlantic sort of phrase, a touching and remarkable belief in the _ reviving powers of pulverised talcum.”—London, March 18. Police Auction When an auction sale of unclaimed lost property, handed to the police, is held next Monday, an axe, cigarette lighters, pipes, pens, sunglasses, clothing, spectacles, nylon stockings, rosary beads, and bicycles will be among the 96 articles offered. Swarms Of Ants Humid conditions after morning rain hatched swarms of flying ants yesterday afternoon and they swept in clouds round the outskirts of Kaitaia. Worst affected was the Kaitaia Intermediate School where about 40 children were stung. They developed severe swellings which subsided after treatment. — (P.A.) Reflecting Belts A reflecting belt for use when crossing streets at night will be presented to each of the first 27 tenants when the Mount Roskill Borough Council’s pensioner fiats are opened on April 6. The belts are grey and white, similar to those worn by traffic officers after dark, and they cost about £2 each. The Rotary Club realised that they might be beyond the means of some pensioners, and decided to make the presentation in the interests of greater safety.— (P.A.) Campaign Prayer A prayer for the success of the Freedom from Hunger Campaign written by Pastor M. Niemoller specially for World Freedom from Hunger Week, which will begin on March 21, has been sent from C.0.R.5.0. headquarters in Wellington to every clergyman in New Zealand. The clergymen were asked to say the prayer in church services last Sunday or next Sunday. It was sent to C.0.R.5.0. by the World Council of Churches for circulation. All the great religions of the world are taking part in the week, which is being held to focus attention on the problems of world hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and the growing seriousness of the world food situation “Stimulating” In a seven weeks’ business visit to the United States. Britain, and Europe, Mr R. D. Walker, of Sumner, missed only two working days through travel. “There were 35 working days in the countries I visited during my tour, and by travelling by air by night and at the week-ends I missed only two of them,” I said yesterday. He expected before he went away that he would be worn out by so much travel in between working days and that he would have to rest for a week on his return. “But I found the rapid transit, work, and changes of scenery most stimulating, and was full of beans on my return. The longest air trip I made was 24 hours, on my return journey.” Students Excluded Twenty-four students have been excluded from Auckland University for academic failure, under the terms of the Auckland University Act. The Vice-Chancellor (Mr K. J. Maidmen) said that if the i-gula-tions had been applied strictly, 350 students would have qualified for expulsion. The regulations had been applied with extreme leniency. The student roll is about 4800.