N.Z. briefs

Press, 8 July 1976, Page 3

N.Z. briefs

Council member A Dunedin manufacturer. Mr M. R. Ellis, had been appointed a member of the Manufacturing Development Council, the Minister of Trade and Industry (Mr [Adams-Schneider) announced [yesterday. Mr Ellis is manlaging director of Arthur Ellis land Company. Ltd, which [manufactures blankets, sleeping bags, and mattresses, and [he is president of the OtagoI Southland Manufacturers’ AsI sociation.

| Duck shooting I Mid-Canterbury may have la longer duck-shooting season next year because of damage by ducks to crops. This year’s season will end on July 20. Mid-Canterburv Federated Farmers will discuss the possibility with acclimatisation societies. Logging plans [ An allegation that “secret" moves were being made to [log another stand of native forest near Okarito, in South [Westland, has been denied by I the Conservator of Forests in Westland (Mr W. R PedIder). The Forest Service had I proposals on “its books” to log some of the kahikatea ' timber, but no decision had been made as yet, Mr Pedder said. An environmental assessment was being compiled and this would go to the Minister of Forests for a decision.

Myxomatosis call ' A cal! has been made for I the reintroduciton of myxomatosis as a means of condrolling rabbits. A remit to the annual conference in ■ Dunedin of the South Island Pest Destruction Board's j Association calling on the (Agricultural Pest Destruction (Council to investigate the re|introduction of myxomatosis jto New Zealand was carried unanimously. -S7«r grading I The Motels Association |will ask the Automobile Association to discontinue its star-grading system for accommodation. This was decided at the annual conference of the Motels Association in Hamilton yesterday. The Manawatu Association: said too many anomalies were built into the star system,to show consistency in the qua-; lity of the hospitality of| motels. To retire Mr Peter Luxford, the executive director of the Employers’ Federation, will retire at the end of next January. He announced his retirement at a meeting of the federation’s national executive yesterday. Mr I.uxford has held his present position (for more than 25 years, and ■has reached retiring age. Brisbane visit

The Minister of Transport (Mr McLachlan) will travel to Brisbane today for a meeting of the Australian Transport Advisory Council tomorrow. He win return to New Zealand on Saturday after the meeting, which will also be attended by Transport Ministers from the Australian states and the Federal Minister of Transport. Vessel sold

Lack of finance has forced! the Union Steam Ship Com-1 pany to sell its Tasman vessel Marama, according to the general manager (Mr R. E. Harris-Dawe). The seven-year-old Marama has been sold on a time charter to the Ascot Shipping Company. This means Ascot Shipping owns the ship, but the Union Company has chartered her and will own her again at the end of the term of the charter. Mr Harris-Dawe said the Marama was sold so that four new ships could be financed.! Road toll down The road toll for the first! half of the year stood at 316,! compared with 342 for the) first six months of 1975, the . Minister of Transport (Mrj McLachlan) said yesterday, i The toll for June, 70, was; eight more than for June last year.