NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 127, 22 February 1941, Page 8

NEWS IN BRIEF

Higher Building Costs

Figures were submitted to this week’s meeting of the Hutt Valley Electric Power Board showing how building costs had increased. The board desires to erect residences for some of its employees in Eastbourne and m the Upper Hutt district. Nine years ago it erected such residences in Lower Hutt for £650 each, and five years ago a similar one cost £750. It is now estimated that similar houses will cost more than £l5OO. The matter was referred to a committee for report. Erection of Maori Hostel. Work has been started on the erection of a Maori Hostel at Frankton Junction. The contract price, which was £2425. was raised mainly by public subscription. The hostel, when finished, will be available, at very low cost,- to Maori visitors to Hamilton, and will be devoted solely to this purpose. “No Value.”

When presenting the finance committee’s report to the Waimairi County Council recently, Cr. L. V. Lawrence quoted a case of an owner of a section at North Beach who had applied to the Valuation Department and had his property’ assessed at ‘‘no value.’ Being revalued as of no value, the property, the owner bolds, is not ratable,” Cr. Lawrence said. “If we accept that, it will be open to all others to apply for a revaluation, and if it is given as nil, the council will lose rates.” The council decided to sue for the rates, though Cr W. P. Spencer said the action would mean throwing good money after bad.

Air-Conditioned Carriages. With the hot summer weather last month, the new air-conditioned carriages on the Taneatua and Opua (North Auckland) railway expresses became stuffy and passengers foun’d it necessary to open the doors. As a result, the carriages were sent to the workshops for alterations. Eight windows in each carriage were altered to allow them to be lowered half-way. In addition, four electric fans were fitted in each compartment of the carriages attached to the Opua express. Fostering Rugby Football.

In a policy statement issued yesterday, the chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Council, Mr. S. S. Dean, said that the council was eager to foster the game among the younger generation, particularly in the schools and colleges and among the men in the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. It was hoped to arrange tr restricted programme of representative matches this year, as last year. Men in territorial camps would not be neglected, he added.

Help to Old Boys. More than 100,000 used stamps have been collected in a stamp “drive” inaugurated at Rougotai College at the beginning of last year, to raise funds to help old boys serving with the forces. Gangs of boys are engaged every’ lunch-hour in soaking, and then sorting and counting the stamps. This year pupils have been asked to bring square tins with close-fitting lids, so that parcels which are sent overseas may be packed without fear of perishable articles arriving in bad condition. Planets in Conjunction.

For the third time during their present visibility, the planets Jupiter and Saturn were in conjunction yesterday, and they could be seen last evening, low above the north-western horizon, only lldeg., or three times the moon’s apparent diameter, separating the two objects. It has been calculated that a similar series of conjunctions between these two bodies will not recur till April, 1961. However, they will not be visible, the planets at the time lying behind the sun.

Rougotai College. From a small room no bigger than a private study. Rongotai College library has grown in the last year till today it has seating accommodation and reading tables for more than 40 boys. Most of the books were purchased recently. Pupils may now enter the library for the purposes of reading or reference at any time of the day, and may take out books at appointed times, when librarians are on duty. Boys are specially nominated to the post of librarian. The library occupies two adjacent former classrooms, with the dividing wall taken down. Soldiers and Liquor.

Criticism of the action of the Government in permitting 44,000 gallons of beer to be sent to the New Zealand troops in Egypt, is expressed in a resolution which the Auckland council of the New Zealand Alliance has forwarded to the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, and members of Parliament. The opinion is expressed that the policy of the Government regarding the supply of intoxicating liquor to soldiers is contrary to the best interests of the men. The resolution urges that in future no liquor be permitted in any military camp.