NEW LABORATORIES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 93, 14 January 1936, Page 6

NEW LABORATORIES

Cabinet Grant For Plant Research Station NOTES FROM MANAWATU Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, January 13. Mr. .1. Hudgens, M.P. for Palmerston North, lias received advice that the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Hon. D. G. Sullivan, who recently inspected the buildings of the Plant Research Station at Palmerston North, lias obtained Cabinet’s consent to a grant for the erection of new laboratories. Attention was focused on the Plant Research Station following the resignation of Dr. G. ’ll. Cunningham, mycologist. The Director-General of Agriculture (Dr. C. J. Re:ike.s) on that occasion said that Dr. Cunningham had been perfectly justtilied in being dissatisfied with the laboratory accommodation lie had been occupying, and the necessity for providing a new and up-to-date laboratory had been appreciated. The establishment of this had been retarded by the diilicult financial position, but the representations made by the department sonic time since bad resulted in a vote of £5OO on account of an estimated cost; of £4500 being passed on the Public Works Estimates just before the last session closed. Plans for the building were then being considered.

A Dangerous Practice. The arrival and departure of the two Union Airways four-engined air-liners has attracted large crowds to Milson aerodrome. Yesterday afternoon before, the arrival of the Karoro the ground officials had difficulty in keeping the public away from the landing ground. After the machine bad landed, the public took charge of the ground by walking across the runways to view tlie new hangar, despite the fact that oilier planes were Hying in the vicinity. This practice is too dangerous to be allowed to continue. Recently at Blenheim a man was knocked over and a plane overturned. The offenders probably do not realise that as Milson aerodrome is owned by a company, they are trespassing on private properly.

Courthouse Additions. Further additions are being made to the Palmerston North courthouse. The law library accommodation at the rear is being doubled and a new magistrate’s room is being added to the eastern wing.

Swimmers to Visit Foilding. The Otago and Southland .swimming teams which are taking part in the Dominion junior and intermediate championships at Hamilton, have accepted an invitation from the Feilding Swimming Club to visit Feilding and participate in a carnival there. There will be 21 in the party. The carnival will be held on Thursday, January 30.

Accident io Cyclist. A dislocated right ankle was received by Miss Olive Wiggins, of 20 Wcllsbourne Street, Palmerston North, as the result of a fall from a bicycle yesterday. She is at present in the Palmerston North Public Hospital and her condition is reported to lie satisfactory.

Motor-cyclist in Hospital. The corner of Denbigh Street and Kimbolton Road, Feilding, was the scene of an accident yesterday when a collision occurred between a car driven by Sydney Geange, of Feilding, anil a niotor-eyclisl 4 Malcolm Frederick Rowe, aged 18, of Elthain. The motor-cycle was wrecked and a near wheel of the car smashed. Rowe suffered concussion and was taken to the Palmerston North Public Hospital. His condition is reported to be fair.

Personal. Mr. E. G. Spraggon, who has been visiting Sydney, has returned, to Palmerston North. Mr. David Wighton has returned to Eastbourne after a holiday spent in the Manawatu district. Dr. and Mrs. Ivan Wilson are spending a fortnight’s holiday at Raumiti beach. Mr. Anthony Rasmussen, who was badly injured in a collision while cyclo racing at Palmerston North on December 12, is reported to be making excellent progress.

Sales of Current. The statement of accounts as at December 31, submitted at a meeting of the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board this afternoon by the managing-secretary, Mr. K. W. Eglinton, showed that collections during the month from installations and sales were £372, the amount outstanding being £4044. Total sales of current for the eight months were £52,800, an increase of £2571, over the corresponding period of the preceding year. Due to greater consumption in the domestic load, the December readings increased by £331. Bank balances were £B4OO in the power fund account, and £l5 in the loan account.

Dredging Proposal. The suggestion that a small dredge should be acquired by the /Manawatu Drainage Board to be used in cleaning the larger drains was made at a meeting of the board to-day by Mr. S. H. Lett, of Rangiotu. He had seen small dredges working in the Thames district, Mr. Lett said, and they, operated along the waterways removing weeds, raupo and slips from the banks. They were operated by one or two men. Unemployed labour would not always be available, and the cleaning of the drains by the present methods was not the cheapest way. Mr. Lett is to make further inquiries on the subject.

Withdrawal of Relief Workers. Relief workers engaged on drainage undertakings by tlie Manawatu Drainage Board have been temporarily withdrawn and placed on sustenance pending their re-engagement in the New Year. Commenting on the situation at a meeting of the board this morning, the chairman, Mr. P. G. Mildon, said that as similar communications hud been received by all other local bodies in tlie district, it looked as though tlie death-knell of the Unemployment Board, ns at present constituted. had been sounded. He had been asked what the board could do in the direction of providing a five-day working week for tlie men if tlie Unemployment Board contributed 35/- a week toward the wages. lie had replied that this would reduce the number of men the board count employ. Members said they thought it looked like tlie beginning of the fortyhour week. Tlie chairman said the board had not more than £5O a month available with which to subsidise labour. There was no question, however, that, the extraordinary maintenance work contemplated required doing.