General News

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31659, 20 April 1968, Page 12

General News

No Standing “This is a relic of older, more formal days," said the chairman (Mr E. R. Radcliffe) at a Mount Herbert County Council meeting yesterday, when he ruled that there was no need for councillors to rise when they spoke. “The custom could well go,” he said. Free Firing It was hoped that pensioners would benefit from the storm by getting free firewood, said the chairman of the Walmairi County Council (Mr D. B. Rich) yesterday, when he announced that trees blown down on council reserves would be offered to community and charitable organisations for disposal. Trees were down on most of the reserves, and those interested in cutting them up should get in touch with the county engineer (Mr I. Calvert). Easter Flights The National Airways Corporation carried 6150 passengers through Christchurch Airport in the seven days of Easter —from April 10 to April 16—which was a 16 per cent drop on the 7328 passengers carried at Easter last year. There were 164 flights out of Christchurch, and the average load factor was 81 per cent for the seven days. Weather caused severe disruptions during that time and there were long periods when airports were closed. “No Demand” There had been no demand in New Zealand for flameproof material for children’s night attire, said the chairman of the Christchurch Combined Clothing Group (Mr F. H. Baird) yesterday. A demand could grow rapidly, because of Consumer Council tests. If there was a demand, manufacturers would readily meet it. Flame-proof material he said, could cost twice as much as material not so treated. Steel Transport The head office of the Railways Department had denied that merchants had been offered contracts for the transport of steel, the district railways traffic manager in Christchurch (Mr M. R. Leineweber) said yesterday. The matter had been raised after a meeting of South Island harbour boards had discussed the possible loss of steel shipments in view of a circular the department had supposedly issued. Asked ■ whether the department I offered special contracts to anyone for the cartage of any goods, Mr Leineweber said the Minister had power to enter into arrangements for the carriage of special goods. Schools Co-operate Appreciation of the cooperation among district primary, intermediate, and high schools in ensuring co-ordi-nated continuity of education for children was recorded by the Canterbury Education Board yesterday. Mr W. J. Cartwright said this was a most promising development. There was growing continuity in prescriptions of work at all stages. Mr D. L. Waghorn said the trend was not confined to city schools. It was clearly evident also in the country. “Live, Not Alive” “When the lineman reached the cat it was live, not alive,” the chief engineer (Mr F. C. Stevenson) told the monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Electric Power Board this week when reporting that one of the five power disruptions- in March was caused by-a cat getting on to a line. —(F.0.0.R.) Fishing Rivers The Waiau, Hurunui, Ashley and Ashburton rivers were discoloured at 9.30 a.m. yesterday, according to a report from the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. The Waimakariri was discoloured at the gorge but clear at the mouth, and the Rang)tata was slightly discoloured. The Selwyn and Rakaia were clear and fishable, and the Hinds was clear.