General News

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31028, 6 April 1966, Page 16

General News

Weak Link A senior Christchurch police officer finds he may also have a promising future in commerce, according to a chain letter he received in his mail this week. The “Executive Quickie," as the letter is called, “is a different type of plan confined to the aboveaverage business and corporation executive." The link in the chain is assured of being no more than a £3 loser, and stands to receive £1455 if he is lucky. However, an integral part of the system is a cheque for £3 which should apparently have been enclosed with the letter, so the chain has a weak link somewhere. Port Labour Shortage Rain and a labour shortage caused further delays at Lyttelton yesterday. At 7 a.m. 267 men were needed. Vessels initially idle included the Poranui and Konini and the Gloucester, Malaya and Turakina were short manned. Biological A paragraph in “The Press” of March 5 on the effects of fresh-water crayfish burrowing into the banks of a waterrace at Hororata had attracted the interest of the biology department of the University of Canterbury and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, the Malvern County Council’s Engineer (Mr W. J. Bevis) said yesterday. The university wanted a supply for study by students. The crayfish used to be caught in the Avon, but, he was told, repeated cleaning of the river had depleted stocks. Overcast And Cool The weather in Christchurch yesterday was overcast and cool, with a light to moderate south-west wind. Light rain fell during the morning. The temperature at Harewood was 54 degrees at 6 a.m., rising to 56 degrees at 9 a.m., falling to 54 degrees at noon, and rising again to 56 degrees at 4 p.m. The temperature gauge on the Government Life building recorded 58 degrees at 4.30 p.m. Vietnam Protest A demonstration to express concern at the war in Vietnam will be held in Christchurch during the weekend after Easter by the Joint Council on Vietnam. There will be a protest march on the Saturday afternoon, calling for an end to the war, and a “teach-in” in the evening. On April 15 a service of intercession will be held in the Cathedral from 12.30 to 1.30 p.m. and there will be a silent vigil of prayer in front of the Cathedral from 5 p.m. to 9.15 p.m. On Sunday the Rev. D. M. Taylor and the Rev. A. A. Brash will address a public meeting in the Knox Church Hall at 2.45 p.m. Coin Collectors When the well-known Christchurch sculptor, Mr F. A. Shurrock, one of the artists who submitted designs for the new decimal coins, spoke to members of the Association of Friends of the Canterbury Museum last evening, his subject was “Coin Designing.” There was no set charge for admission, but a silver coin collection was taken. Logs On Roads Complaints by Crs. W. J. Logan and H. H. Deans of small logs falling on to roads off trucks and causing a menace to motorists led to a suggestion by the chairman (Mr C. O. Redfern) at yesterday’s meeting of the Malvern County Council that the local traffic officer (Mr B. Tozer) be asked to check trucks with unsafe loads. Mr Redfern said that there were strict penalties for truck drivers who offended in this way. Short Supply There had been some difficulty in getting final seals sprayed on road works because of a shortage of bitumen, the Engineer (Mr A. Dyhrberg) told the Paparua County Council. He said that contractors reported that the Government had allowed the importation of only about half the usual supply. Heavy viscosity tar was being used, and the council was assured that this would have a satisfactory life.