DOMINION NEWS TEN-YEAR PLAN OF WORKS FOR OTAGO

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 July 1946, Page 9

DOMINION NEWS TEN-YEAR PLAN OF WORKS FOR OTAGO

A 10-year plan of works- projects for Dunedin and Otago was announced by the Minister of Works (Mr. Semple) to a meeting of more than 100 ' representatives of local bodies and residents of the province in Dunedin yesterday. The plan, which was outlined by the Minister and more fully explained by representatives of various Government departments, included development works under the headings of communications, utilities, industries, social and cultural services, land development, and housing. At the conclusion of the meeting, which lasted for more than two hours, a resolution expressing approval of the plan and pledging the co-operation of those present in helping to carry it out was carried unanimously.— (P.A.) Gumboots Restrictions Withdrawn. “Restrictions on the sale and purchase of all types of gumboots except thigh and three-quarter boots have been withdrawn,” said the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr. Sullivan) yesterday. He added that the restrictions on these two types would continue only for such period as was necessary to safeguard the interests of fishermen, farmers, seamen, and other workers to whom these boots were absolutely essential. — (P.A.) *

“Policing” Taxis. The need for some organisation to “police” the taxi business and report lapses to the metropolitan licensing authority, which had power to revoke a licence, was emphasised by the Transport Licensing Appeal Authortiy, Sir Francis Frazer in Wellington, yesterday. He said it was not for him to say what the organisation should be, but it should be one with discipline behind it. When a man was given a taxi licence he was granted a privilege, and he should give service.—(P.A.) . Gift to Mr. Fraser.

Named after the most potent taniwha which ever inhabited the Northern Wairoa river, according to Maori belief, and symbolising the friendship and good wishes of northern Maoris, a carved and paua shell inlaid walking stick was presented to the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) at a hui after an unveiling ceremony at Kaihu on Sunday. The Prime Minister performed the ceremony in honour of LanceCorporal Moses Daniels, who was killed in action at El Alamein. With the gift went the expressed hope that it would carry with it the power of the taniwha, so that Mr. Fraser might rule the country as the taniwha of old ruled the tides in the river.—(P.A.) Women Public Servants.

A meeting of women public, servants will be held in Wellington today to discuss anomalies which have arisen with the implementation of the new Public Service salary scale. There has been some dissatisfaction with the way in which the new scale worked, and the Public Service Association has taken up the matter with the Public Service Commissioner, who has expressed himself ready to consider any instances brought to his notice. To-day’s meeting is being held at the instance of the association so that women can give information of anomalies, to enable a full schedule to be laid before the commissioner.— (P.A.)

Disease by Air. Australian quarantine precautions to prevent the introduction of tropical diseases by air passengers are likely to be adopted in other countries, including New Zealand. The Australian restrictions already protect New Zealand to a large extent, because most of the air passengers who arrive in New Zealand from the east come through Australia. All persons arriving in New Zealand by air are given a strict medical examination, and the danger of tropical diseases is closely watched. Steps are taken to prevent the entry of mosquitoes as well as to keep a elose watch on the health of people who arrive by a’ir.— (P.A.)

Auckland Power Cuts. Power supply cuts in the Auckland Electric Power Board’s district have been lifted for this week. The halfhourly disconnections in residential districts and the southern rural area between 4.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m., and the cut for 4.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in industrial areas, have been discontinued. After a meeting of the board which made the decision late yesterday afternoon, the general manager, Mr. R. JI. Bartley, said the relief was contingent upon voluntary economies being "observed by consumers. In spite of slightly improved hydroelectric conditions, the board would be compelled to reinstate the cuts ii voluntary savings were not made.— (P.A.)

Camp Oranje. A compromise solution to the controversy over the future of Camp Oranje, Remuera, was put forward yesterday by Mr. C. E. Price, district architect of the Public Works Department, and pending consideration ol technical details this morning and the final decision of the Auckland Hockey Association, it now appears that this plan will become the basis of an agreement satisfactory to all parties. . It involves the conversion of the buildings on their present site, with provision for their removal on a chain system to another site, where they will be converted to permanent housing. Under this plan Hobson Park will be- vacated within 18 months. — (P.A.)

Building Costs. . An indication that the Budget might contain measures which would result in the easing of building costs was given in Dargaville by the Prime Minister when he replied to a request from the Dargaville Returned Services’ Association that freight costs should be avoided by permitting the local use of kauri timber milled in the district. After reviewing the difficulties which face the country in resuming normal building operations after the intense concentration of men and materials on defence works during the war, Mr. Fraser said that if plans now well advanced were put into effect the Dominion would have overcome its housing difficulties in two years, and within three years, if the problem were tackled as were the needs of war, the supply of houses should be abreast of the country’s needs. —(P.A.)

Doctor’s Estate of £76,000. The estate of Dr. A. H. E. Wall, a well-known medical practitioner in AVanganui for many years, has been sworn for probate at £76,000. Dr. AVall, who died in AVanganui on June 28, after making a number of family bequests, provided in his will for a number of public and charitable gifts. He bequeathed to the trustees of the Wanganui Museum such sum

as will, added to gifts made bj him during his lifetime, make a totnl gift of £lO,OOO. When Dr. Wall died it was announced that he had given £BOOO while a member of the board of trustees for a building fund, to extend the museum. During his lifetime, Dr. Wall also created the Walls Anglican Trust Fund, and to this under his will he left such additional amount as will be required to increase the fund to £lO,OOO. This fund was created many years ago.