NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 157, 31 March 1937, Page 13

NEWS IN BRIEF

Testing of Motor-cars

All motor-vehicles on the roads oi: New Zealand after to-night are required by regulation to have a warrant of fitness, and those qualified to inspect cars and issue warrants of fitness are

now very busy. Yesterday a number of motorists went to the corporation yard. Clyde Quay, to have their cars inspected bj’ the Wellington City Council inspectors, but found that, although the date of application of the new regulations is so close, that division of the Traffic Department was closed. Opportunities for the obtaining of warrants will continue indefinitely, however. Tlie Sailor and the Ducks.

Some of the difficulties arising in the management of the settlement, for unemployed men founded by him in Sydney were referred to yesterday by Canon R. B. S. Hammond, at a lunchon at the Y.M.C.A. rooms, Wellington. He mentioned the case of a naval man who, while proving very useful to the settlement as a carpenter, could not be prevailed upon to cultivate his garden. He objected that he had not been taught gardening in the navy. When it was pointed out to him that, sailors were supposed to be very adaptable, he said: “Oh, well, I’ll keep ducks —them and me understands water 1” Wind Hampers Flying.

The strong and gusty north to northwesterly winds which blew at 'Wellington yesterday curtailed flying activities at Rongotai considerably. This is one of the worst type of winds for the aerodrome, and gusts increased in velocity from zero to 50 miles an hour. The air service across Cook Strait, where conditions were just as rough, was suspended, but a double service is scheduled for to-day. There were no arrivals at Rongotai and the only departure was that of the Milos Hawk trainer machine, piloted by Mr. 11. C. Walker, who took as passenger Mr. J. Gamble. They left at 3.15 p.m. for Auckland for the arrival of the Clipper plane from Pago Pago. “Almost a. Sacred Plant.”

“Ragwort is. and always will be, a noxious weed in the North Island, and farmers spend thousands of pounds every year in trying to keep it down,” said Mr. W. M. Horton, Palmerston North, in an interview in Invercargill recently. Mr. Horton is supervisor and advisory officer of the Greens Research Committee of the New Zealand Golf Council. “But ragwort is by no means confined to the North Island,” he added, “I came to Southland, where I expected the farmers to have wonderful farms, and found that ragwort is treated almost like a sacred plant. Every vacant place in the town, or on the roadside for miles around, is infested with ragwort. And no effort, apparently, is being made to get rid of it.” A New Warehouse.

A new warehouse and bulk store on Te Aro Flat, work on which is progressing toward completion, is that for Macduff's, Ltd., in Dixon Street. This is a seven-story warehouse block with about a 50ft. frontage to Dixon Street and adjoining the existing premises of the firm, which front both Cuba and Dixon Streets. The building is being erected in reinforced concrete with two cart docks opening on to Dixon Street and goods elevators for the handling of stores. The building, work on which was begun last year, has now reached the sixth floor, and is being built to scheduled time. The architect is Mr. C. A. Martin and the contractor Mr. IV. 'Williamson. The building will bo the tallest in the block bounded by Cuba, Dixon, Upper Willis and Manners Streets. Infectious Diseases.

Thirty-four eases of infectious diseases were notified in the Wellington district and eight deaths from infectious diseases occurred during the seven days ended yesterday. In the Wanganui-llorowhenua part of the district there were ten cases, the total consisting of three cases of tuberculosis, two of poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis), and one each of scarlet fever, septic abortion, eclampsia, hydatids and bacillary dysentery. In Wai-rarapa-llawke’s Bay there were 13 cases, six being of poliomyelitis, four of tuberculosis and three of scarlet fever. In Central-Wellington there were nine eases, three being of scarlet fever, three of diphtheria, two of enteric fever, and one of tuberculosis. In Nelson-Marlborough two cases of tuberculosis were the only cases notified. The deaths were: One from tuberculosis in Wanganui-llorowhenua, one from tuberculosis in WairarapaHawke’s Bay, one from diphtheria and four from tuberculosis in CentralWellington, and one from tuberculosis in Nelson-Marlborough.