News Briefs

Evening Star, Issue 26153, 15 July 1947, Page 4

News Briefs

Fire in Hotel A child playing with matches in an upstairs room in the Portobello Hotel about 2.15 this afternoon gave himself a fright when the curtains and a carpet caught fire. The blaze was soon discovered, and some neighbours and hotel employees joined in helping to throw the blazing articles out of the window. The damage was not assessed when the ‘ Star ’ went to press, but was believed to be light.

Radio Licenses Increase An increase of 22,227, or 5.65 per cent., in the number of radio receiving licenses issued in the year ended, March 31, compared wtili the previous year, is noted in the annual report of the Post and Telegraph Department, presented to Parliament this week. There were 415,281 licenses in force on March 31 this year, the report states. The number of private experimental amateur had increased by 415 to 1,260. Soap Prices

The world scarcity of fats and the dearth of caustic soda, due to its wider use in industry, have already had their effects on the soap-mnkiiig industry in New Zealand.* Owing to the rise in the price of tallow, the manufacturers appealed to the Price Tribunal for permission to increase the price of laundry soap. After investigation the tribunal authorised the manufacturers to increase their prices for laundry soap by £9 os a ton gross, less the customary trade and cash discounts. The increased price became effective from May 26, but it does not apply to present stocks held by retailers. When the new stocks reach the shops it is expected that laundry soap will cost the customer Id or l£d more than the former price, according to the weight of the bar. Many Jurors Called

An apology to jurymen because so many had been called and so little use made of their services was made in the Supreme Court in Auckland by Mr Justice Callan, after the empanelling of the jury. _ “ Before you i other gentlemen are dismissed,” said His Honour, “ I should like to explain that when the jury lists were compiled there were 15 cases set down for this week, and these dwindled to two. Now we find that there is only one to bo heard. Many reasons are given as to why the cases have been adjourned, and I think you are entitled to an explanation as to why your services are not required.”

Ohai Coalfield “ I was impressed with the huge potentialities of the Ohai coalfield. The resources are larger than previously anticipated, said Dr E. Marsden, head of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, after visiting the district. “The recent geological findings, largely confirmed by borings, indicated . that within 10 years the Ohai coalfield will be the main, source of coal in the South Island,” he said. Discussion on Wharf Control v

,The national president of the Waterside Workers’ Union, Mr H. Barnes, the national vice-president, Mr A. Drennan, and Mr J. Connor, the Auckland member of the national executive, left Auckland for Wellington yesterday. It is expected that they will confer with the Minister of Labour, Mr McLagan, on the constitution of the proposed new commission to control the waterfront industry. Plumbers' Examinations _ The examiners’ report on the examination conducted last month by the Plumbers’ Board of New Zealand states that 91 candidates sat for the written part, resulting in 65 securing passes, equalling 71 per cent. Three candidates ,sat for this portion of the examination in Japan and all passed. One hundred and two candidates sat for the practical test in workmanship, 55 securing passes, representing 54 per cent. Married Quarters for Army

The Government had approved a plan to convert barracks and other buildings into married quarters for troops of all ranks in military camps, said the Minister of Defence. Mr.F. Jones, after inspecting the housing settlement at Papakura camp. Only a limited number of buildings could be used, as ordinary military requirements had to be maintained, and tjie scheme would be carried out accordingly. He said the cost of the houses varied according to the amount of salvaged material used, but it was in the vicinity.of £SOO. " Blue Baby " Treatment

Arrangements may be made by the Auckland Hospital Board to have “ blue baby ” cases treated in Auckland. A report from the Green Lane Hospital Committee adopted at a meeting of the board last night drew attention to the need for making arrangements to obtain the services from America' of a surgeon experienced in the treatment of. such cases, or, alternatively, of sending a surgeon to America to obtain up-to-date information on advances made in surgery, particularly in the treatment of “ blue baby” cases. The board decided. to defer a decision until after the arrival of Dr R. Nicks, the newly-appointed assistant thoracic surgeon at the Green Lane Hospital, who might have information of the technique involved. Indian Girls As Nurses Indian girls will bo admitted to New Zealand annually for nursing training under a scheme to be introduced by the Health Department. The director of the nunsing division, Miss M. I. Lambie, stated in a letter received at a. meeting of the Auckland Hospital (Board last night that girls would be specially selected with a good standard of education and a knowledge of English. They would pass a medical ana X-ray examination before being accepted by the selectors in India, as it would be necessary to consider climatic conditions. The training schools the department was recommending were those in the North Island rather than in- the South Island, stated Miss Lambie. The board decided to agree in principle with the scheme, and to refer the letter to the matron-in-chief for her recommendation. Engagement of Apprentices

An important new section of legislation concerning apprentices did not yet appear to be widely known, announced the Commissioner of Apprenticeship, Mr H. C. McQueen, to-day. It was necessary for an employer to obtain the consent of the appropriate local apprenticeship committee before engaging an apprentice. The practice until recently had been to notify the committee within three days of the engagement of an apprentice, but the amending Act of 1946, which came into force at the beginning of. this year, made it necessary to obtain consent before the engagement of an apprentice. —Wellington P.A.