NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 16, 20 January 1944, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

WEATHER FORECAST

Fresh to strong south-easterly winds. Weather overcast, with occasional drizzle or rain. Cool temperatures. The further outlook is for only a slow improvement. The Moon. —New moon, January 26. High Water—Today, 12.4 p.m.; tomorrow, 12.29 a.m., 12.49 p.m. More Mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are either more numerous or more aggressive in Christchurch this summer than they have been for a number of years, states the "Star-Sun." Residents in many parts of the city report that they have been troubled with them, and a chemist said yesterday that he had treated more people for mosquito bites this year than in the past. Albatross in Distress. A Wellington man, Mr. J. Crowe, found an albatross on the road between Birdling's Flat and Motukarara on Tuesday, states the Christchurch "StarSun." The bird, which had evidently been forced down by the gale, was exhausted. After taking several photographs, Mr. Crowe placed the bird in a ditch where it could regain its strength before taking to the air again. Raft Drifts Ashore. A raft made of balsa wood similar to that once used for making model aeroplanes came ashore at Mason's Bay, Stewart Island, recently. It is 12ft long and Bft wide, the sides and ends being built of five thicknesses of the wood. The corners are rounded, the raft being the shape of the rubber boats carried by aircraft. It has no hand-grips or grablines, and appears to be new and unfinished. Farmers Carting1 Water. With the water in the Tiritea reservoir, the city's main supply, now over five feet below the spillway, the water situation in Palmerston North has reached a serious stage. "The Post's" correspondent reports that the council has commenced excavating a soakwell near the Manawatu River and that the Mayor (Mr. A. E. Mansford) has again appealed for curtailment in the draw-off. In the country areas many farmers are already carting water. More Petrol Wanted. The request of the South and North Island Motor Unions for two full petrol coupons a month has been sent to the Acting Prime Minister (Mr. Sullivan), states a Press Association message from Christchurch. The unions, in a letter, contend that supplies and tanker transport are available, that Army reserves previously stored in re- j sellers' underground tanks have beenj released for sale, that there has been a general easing of restrictions, that road services running beside railways have been reopened, and that the tyres of the majority of motorists will last for many thousands of miles. Believed in Tunnels. "We can do anything in this country if we get more machines, because we have the technical skill and the men in this country to handle them,' said the Minister of Public Works (Mr. I Semple), speaking at Lyttelton yesterday after inspecting the tunnel road scheme, reports the "Star-Sun." T believe in going under the hill and not over it. Perhaps that is because I was a borer for twenty-seven years. That was my university, and I am proud of it. Compared with the old days, tunnel driving today is easy. It used, to be the most laborious job man was] asked to do, but today a man sits on a machine, presses a lever, whistles 'Rule, Britannia,' and the blooming job is done." (Laughter.) Standard of Cricket. Concern for the standard of cricket in Wellington was brought to a head by Wellington's poor performance against Auckland at Christmas, and last night the local management committee held a long discussion with a view to finding what was wrong and what should be done about it. Mr. J D. Howitt was in the, chair. Suggestions put forward dealt mainly with the post-war period, though the need for something to be done right away was appreciated, and it was stated, for instance, that it might be advisable to return to two-day club matches next season. Other points raised included the poor quality of the practice wickets, the advisability of securing an overseas coach, the need for organised and scientific practising, proper preparation and training of representative sides, the advantages to be obtained from exchanges of visits with overseas sides, and the need for encouraging young players. '' Not a Dog's Chance.'' "Personally I am not impressed with your scheme, and I don't think there is a dog's chance of it being adopted by the Government," said the Minister of Works (Mr. Semple) when he heard a deputation from the Port Christchurch League on Tuesday, reports the "Star-Sun." Outlining the Port Christchurch scheme to the Minister, the engineer for the league (Mr. R. B. Cotton) set out the costs at a total of £4 997,000. Mr. Cotton estimated the value of the reclaimed land at £4 000,000. The Minister said that speakers had stressed the value of the scheme for rehabilitation purposes, but it was not a question of providing employment. The Government was not going to embark on any scheme unless it had been submitted to scientific examination and was of definite value to the nation. "We know something ! about these bar harbours, and they are a curse to the nation, and we are not going to build any more of them," said Mr. Semple. "More money has ibeen poured into the ocean on such wildcat schemes than anything else I know, and there is no guarantee that to keep open the Port of Christchurch Channel, it will not cost thousands of pounds a year. Your scheme will^ be considered by the works council, and that is all I can promise. No matter what you say about the Port Christchurch scheme, there is a gamble about it. I don't think it can be considered for some time because of the cost and risk involved, and because of the more important work to be taken into consideration when the war is over."