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Evening Star, Issue 25871, 15 August 1946, Page 6

Coal deliveries in Dmiedm are expected within a month to return to normal—the fulfilment of orders within a week instead of three or more weeks. Much depends on the weather, which hos been the prune factor in staving oT a shortage worse than last winter, the on tout from the mines bring even lower this year than in 1945 The -president of the Dunedin Coal Merchants’ Unon (Mr D. R WilsorO said to-dav that, besides the dry winter, vne use. on a of brown coal had been resoons’ble for making available on a rationed scale supplies of coal to all householders

The Dunedin, Drainage Bill, in charge of Mr P. G. Connolly (Dunedin West) was read a first time in the House of Representatives yesterday and referred to the Local Bills Committee. Disposing of a report that all exotic timber felled in Otago would be processed in a large sawmill to be erected in Dunedin, Mr Skinner, Commissioner of State Forests, has informed Mr T. L. Macdonald and Mr Rov that a condition of the sale of the timber cut in plantations in and near the Pomahaka Valley, will bo that the logs must be converted in a gang frame sawmill to bo erected on the site •originally purchased for the purpose at Conical iHill.—Parliamentary reporter.

The annual conference of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation at Wellington yesterday was addressed by Mr H. E. Blyde, who asked that the delegates consider the suggestion that the Fruitgrowers’ Federation link up with the Federated Fanners, says an Association message. Among the remits adopted were: That the Government bo asked to retain the present marketing scheme until such tune as a compreliensive manketing policy was : developed; that the present schedule of stabilised prices on pip fruits be reviewed as the fruit was sold under tho cost of production ■ that apples and pears bo retained jointly in tho general scheme of marketing, but that recommendations be made to the Fruit Council that a higher proportion of the payment be made to the peal* growers; that, in view of the present high cost of machinery and equipment, a "new cost of production be assessed. “1 am tailring action to get the necessary Cabinet authority for the reintroduction l of road transport for the delivery of fertiliser throughout the Dominion,” stated the Minister of Agriculture in the House to-day, replying to a question by Mr H. S. Sutherland (Nat., Hauraki). “As a preliminary to early resumption, a conference has beep held between the officers of the Agriculture, .Railways, and Transport Departments, together with representatives of the fertilizer companies, and plans are being completed wherebv the Railway Department, in consultation with the Transport Department and the Carriers’ Federation, will co-ordinate road and rail transport to the best advantage. It is considered that this will result in more economic and effective distribution of fertiliser during the present ration year.”—Parliamentary reporter. “ The Post Office is already engaged in a study of departmental rates and charges in relation to present-day costs but the issues involved are wide and varied,” said the PostmasterGeneral. Mr Webb, in reply to Mr W. Sullivan (Oppu., Bay of Plenty). The Minister added that some time was likely to elapse before a full report on the ‘question would be available for consideration by the Government. The position was made more difficult by the fact that the department’s income and expenditure under existing postwar conditions had not yet been stabilised at what might .be regarded as normal for peace time. 1 “ The troubles we are now experiencing are the direct aftermath of the recent coastal shipping strike,” said Mr R. Worley, general manager of the Auckland Gas Company, in an address to the Auckland Rotary Club. Suggestions that the difficulties which gas consumers had had to face during the past three or four years could have been avoided' by the company were entirely untrue, he said, and had been spread to distract attention from the real causes of the troubles, which were lack of discipline of labour within its own ranks and the apparent inability of anyone to do anything about it. “If there has been negligence, it is not on the part of the company, but rather of the miners or mines organisation, who have neglected to produce sufficient coal, on "the part of the seamen, who have neglected to bring the .coal from tho West Coast to Auckland, and on the part of a comparatively small section of the company’s retort workers, who have neglected from time to time to maintain the works in continuous operation when there has been cortl available, and, in spite of the law, have involved the company in strikes. Mr Justice Kennedy has granted probate in the following estates*:—-Ruth Kipling Murdoch, widow, Macandrew. Bay; Margaret Prattley, widow, Sawyers Bay; Constance May Martin, widow, Dunedin; William Cisil Challenger, grocer’s assistant, • Mosgiel; Robert Davidson, retired farmer, Waikouaiti; Barbara Margaret Dickie, widow, Dunedin; William McNeur, retired minister, of religion, Milton; Robert Gray, fanner, Omimi ; Johannaji O’Rourke, spinster, Dunedin; Dorothy Edith Timson, spinster, Dunedin; and Elizabeth Hodge Morrison, widow, Dunedin. Letters of administration were granted in the estate of James William Lachlan t Clark, University student, Dunedin. “ Of recent years, epidemics of infectious disease appear to be becoming morQ frequent, and at any rate the incidence rate among the young population is increasing when at epidemic proportions,” states the annual report of the'school medical officer (Dr Grace Stevenson). “it would seem.” she adds. “ that more effective measures for. the isolation of the patient and prevention of the spread of infection would mitigate the problem." The shortage of school children’s outerwear was referred to by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr Sullivan, in his reply to Mr J. T. Watts (Oppn., Riccart'on). The Minister said the New Zealand woollen mills were endeavouring to increase production, and import licenses for woollen and cotton piece goods were being granted to the full extent permitted by those countries from which the imports were obtained. Sponsorships were invariably granted for the procurement of supplies of imported cotton materials from the United Kingdom, which were suitable for children s ■ wear. Meanwhile, import licenses were being granted for the importation of made-Up clothing, including boys’ three-quarter hose and girls’ c gym. hose. The equivalent of a vote of no confidence in modern accountancy practice was voiced by a witness. before tho Land Sales Committee at its sitting to-day Evidence was being sought about the financial aspect of a certain hotel and the value of a balance •sheet was touched ou. “I never worry about balance sheets.” remarked the witness,” “ they’re too twisty for me.” '

The possibility of building a railway to link Nelson with Marlborough Plains and the South Island Main Trtink to Christchurch and the south has been under investigation by the Government for some time. Announcing this the Minister of Works, Mr Semple, made it clear that no decision had yet been arrived at. A preliminary aerial survey had already been made The route being surveyed s'arts from Spring Creek on the Ohristchufch-Pieton line and .runs through the Wairau Valley Plains, passing near Touhouse and thence runnino,,dWn to the southern suburbs of Nelson. The Minister said the surveys were being completed to ascertain whether it was a practicable proposition.—Press Association.