General News

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31595, 5 February 1968, Page 12

General News

Pest Profit

A programme to reduce the opossum and rabbit populations of the Whangarei county by the county rabbit board has earned about 810,000 in overseas funds since it began in 1966. The money has come from the sale of about 11,500 opossum skins to Britain and more recently the United States. The skins are used as a protection during the manufacture of nylon stockings. During the eradication programme carcases of 491,158 opossums and 2480 rabbits have been counted, but the number of opossums killed is probably as high as a million. Display Ends At 10 p.m. yesterday the lights were switched off at the conclusion of the twefth annual display at the home of Mr R. H. Stillwell, of Selwyn Street. The display, which Mr Stillwell described as the most successful he had had for crowds, will be dismantled today. The collection of 500 dolls was returned on Saturday to the owner. Mr Stillwell said that in the eight weeks the display had been open to the public, more than 40,000 persons probably saw it. More than 11,500 signed the visitors’ book. Anniversary Fresh The Waimakariri River marked the centenary yesterday of the great flood of 1868 with a 4ft fresh over the week-end after 5.44 in of rain in the Alps on Friday night.

Hospitality Impresses

The friendliness, interest, and generosity of senior officials of Australian State and local departments impressed Mr M. Douglass, traffic engineer of the Christchurch Regional Planning Authority, during a recent visit to Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, and Adelaide to study traffic matters. “They would not hesitate to take time off to meet one, and to discuss mutual problems and explain local methods,” Mr Douglass said.