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Evening Star, Issue 26041, 4 March 1947, Page 6

Hopes that the proposed new air service between New Zealand and Canada would begin this month were expressed by Sir Lebnard Isitt, New Zealand director of British Commonwealth Pacific Airways,. on his return yesterday, from a visit to Montreal. As a result of the negotiations with the Canadian and United States Governments, the service would be conducted on the route from Auckland to Vancouver and back once a fortnight, and Douglas Skymaster aircraft would be used. Sir Leonard conferred with Government aviation authorities and heads of private aircraft concerns in Montreal. His visit proved satisfactory in every respect, and the interest which was shown in the scheme was most encouraging. He met representatiyes of the Air Transport Board and the Department of Commerce in Washington, where he was also well received.

The opinion that the police force in New Zealand had recruited a fine type of man to its ranks was expressed by Mr Cosmo Gibson, representing an oldestablished Argentinian stock and station firm, who has been visiting sheep stud farms in Southland. Mr Gibson said he ’was glad to see the respect the police enjoyed among the public and to note how closely they resembled the typical policeman in the Old Country, which New Zealanders still called Home. He said he had been impressed with their friendliness and general attitude of helpfulness, which was a pleasant contrast with policemen in other countries he had visited.

"Estimated to weigh over I,ooolb, a large shark was beached near Helensville by Messrs J. and K. Fisher, Whangarei, who are operating on the Kaipara Harbour. The fish was lift 6in long with a girth of Bft lOin. Hooked well up the Helensville River, the shark pulled the 45-feet fishing craft about until -exhausted and it was then dragged on to a beach by means of a winch. . The shark yielded 201 b of liver. The Fisher brothers have been operating on the Kaipara Harbour since November and have caught over 2,000 sharks, the largest haul being 90 taken within an hour and ahalf during the slack oil the tide. The season is now approaching its end. The seven members of the Otago amateur cycling team to compete at the national championships at Auckland next Saturday left by the express this morning.

A programme of wool store extensions in Gisborne estimated to cost £IOO,OOO lias been started with the preparation of a site and the erection of steel reinforcing frames for an additional building for the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Company. The new building will have a floor space of 61,000 square feet, providing show space for an extra 7,500 bales.—Press Association.

About 80 cases were set down for hearing by the Otago Land Sales Committee at its sitting this afternoon.

The recent suggested removal of protection for the Australian magpie in New Zealand was supported by Wanganui farmers at the monthly meeting of the federation. It was stated that the bird was originally imported to combat the grass grub, but that use had been eclipsed by the widespread harm done by the bird. Several members gave instances of young poultry being attacked by magpies, which were increasing in numbers tit an alarming rate. The bird was also reported to be destroying the native insect eaters. The meeting passed a resolution supporting the Dominion council’s move to remove the protection at present afforded the magpies.

It is reported from imperial Headquarters of the Boy Scouts Association that Rear-Admiral Viscount Mountbatten, of Burma, K.G., K.C.8., D. 5.0., has accepted the position of Commodore of Sea Scouts.

Bringing down over 300,000 tons of limestone, a large shot was fired at tile quarry of Wilsons Portland Cement, Ltd., at Portland, near Wliangnrei,' This stone will keep the works supplied for about 15 months. In all there were 48 shot holes, the deepest being 209 ft, and 30 tons of explosive was used. The largest shot used in the quarry was fired about two years ago, when 36 tons of explosive was employed.

“ A completely unrealistic view,” was the description given by the. Minister of Rehabilitation, Mr Skinner, to the attitude of the New Zealand Federated Builders and Contractors’ Industrial Association of Employers to the carpentry training schools. The association recently urged, in view of hardships in the industry caused by priorities in supplies of building materials, that all trade training schools should be closed immediately when the Minister was assured that all ex-servicemen had the opportunity to receive training. Mr Skinner 6aid a number of schools would eventually be closed, but the scheme, as developed by the Government, was here to stay. The Government was acting on the advice of the trade unions, and many of the master builders themselves. It was felt that young men' received a better basic training under the scheme than they did as apprentices under ordinary private contract.

. Despite the heavy reservations made at photographers’ studios, and on taxi firms in Dunedin, only 10 applications for the issue of marriage licenses for the Easter period have so far been lodged at the registrar’s office. It is expected, however, that the number will be suhtantiall.v increased before the end of the month.

An apparent misunderstanding between the office of the chief traffic inspector (Mr E. H. Barrett) and Dunedin taxi operators has given rise to complaints that a prohibition has been placed on taxis taking the visiting United States naval personnel to and from Port Chalmers. Many operators have concentrated on giving the visitors every opportunity to visit the city and return before their liberty expired, resulting in the public finding extreme difficulty in obtaining cars, even for urgent reasons. City taxis had not been prohibited from giving a service to the American visitors, stated Mr Barrett in response to an inquiry, but they had been requested to ensure that the public did not suffer. City Corporation buses have been engaged to leave Dunedin in time to,.return the Americans to their ships '(before their leave, expires at 1 a.m.

Due in Wellington oil Thursday, the New Zealand Shipping- Company’s vessel llimutaka is bringing 288 passengers from England. About a quarter of this number is made up of New Zealand service personnel. 'Among the passengers are Brigadier 11. S. Park and Mrs Park, Captain A. W. McKellar, R.N.R., Group Captains G. Ef. Kay and W. C. Sheen, Wing-com-mander M. A. Ensor, D. 5.0., D.F.C., Major A. Reid, D. 5.0., M.C., and Squadron-leader D. F. Wilson.

The City Fire Brigade attended a grass fire on the railway embankment at Burnett street, Caversham, at 9.45 a.m. to-day. v