PA briefs

Press, 15 July 1976, Page 3

PA briefs

Last lines July 31 is the date set for the closing of three railway branch lines — the 25km Kapuni-Opunake section of the Opunake branch line, the 35km Methven line, and the 48km Riverton- Tuatapare section of the. Tuatapere branch line. The Minister of Railways (Mr McLachlan) said no date had been set yet for the closing of the Ngakawau-Seddonville section of the Seddonville line. None of the four lines carries passengers, and all show operating losses on low levels of freight. Their closing would save about slm in maintenance over the next four years, and prevent operating losses of about 8230,000, said Mr McLachlan. Ao ban A Labour Government would not have withdrawn passports from the All Blacks, had they insisted on going to South Africa, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Mr Tizard) said yesterday. He said withdrawal of passports was the last resort of any Government, and might have been applicable if a team had been going to Rhodesia. However, the question of taking the A(1 Blacks’ passports away to prevent their going to South Africa had not been discussed in the caucus or the Cabinet, either before or after the election. “Had Labour been re-elected we would have endeavoured to persuade the New Zealand Rugby football Union not to send the All Blacks to South Africa. But if 1 they had insisted on going, a Labour administration’s reaction would have been to make it absolutely clear that the players were going as private citizens and went without any support or blessing from the Government.” "Open the chapel” The new chaplain appointed to Waikato University would like to see Roman Catholic Masses held in the “Protestantsonlv" chapel being built

on the campus. If the conditions of the Sir William Goodfellow Trust Deed are adhered to, a Catholic priest will be, forbidden to officiate at a Mass. The Rev J. C. McKean, whose appointment as chaplain was announced yesterday, said he considered the restrictions imposed on worship in the chapel were unfair .“Sir William Goodfellow’s endowment reflects the views of an earlier age. I would certainly like to see the chapel open to all.” Power plant Geothermal power is planned as part of a multi-million dollar development of wood-process-ing and sulphur-mining plants near Taupo by Fletcher Holdings, Ltd. The company now mines sulphur at Lake Rotokawa, near Taupo, and has a large wood-processing plant on the city boundary. The expansion scheme is being considered by the Government. A Fletchers official said the company hoped for an early indication of Government feeling. He would give no further details of the scheme, because it was being considered. Peace people The folk-singer, Joan Baez, Senator Edward Kennedy, the consumer advocate, Ralph Nader, and a veteran anti-war demonstrator, Daniel Berrigan, are among about 20 United States citizens invited to speak at an international convention for peace action in Wellington next February. New Zealand groups have organised the convention to explore ways to stop a build-up of nuclear weapons. According to the co-ordinator, the Rey Dr John Hinchcliff, the convention will work toward returning New Zealand to its former position as “peacemaker.” Foot patrol The New Zealand equestrian team, which has only one horse, is not the only organisation in Canada short of horses. Sad to relate, the Royal Canadian

Mounted Police now has only 50 horses for its 15,000 men. “Mounties” were on guard in Montreal yesterday when the Gover-nor-General (Mr Jules Leger), the Prime Minister (Mr Pierre Trudeau) and the Mayor of Montreal (Mr Jean Drapeau), among others, were on parade at the opening of the International Olympic Committee’s congress. About 50 of the famed force, which “always gets its man,” were on duty in their scarlet tunics, riding boots and breeches, and their unique lemon-squeezer hats. None of the few remaining horses was on view, however. The R.C.M.P. is now a highly mobile force, and “mounties” were flying several helicopters which shadowed the various motorcades. School in style Schoolchildren on Niue Island will be transported to school in new buses soon. In March, three buses formerly owned by the New Zealand Department of Education were scrapped because they were considered by the Niue Director of Education (Mr P. De’ath) to be in a dangerous condition. One bus lost a wheel when loaded with children. Since March about 1500 schoolchildren —half the population of Niue—have been walking, riding bicycles, or riding on the backs of trucks to school. According to education authorities, the lack of transport has not affected attendance at the eight island schools. One new bus arrived this week in the Toa Moana. Another new one is expected soon.