DOAMINION NEWS RETURN OF THE VICTORY CONTINGENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 August 1946, Page 2

DOAMINION NEWS RETURN OF THE VICTORY CONTINGENT

The Maunganui, in which the New Zealand Victory Contingent is returning to the Dominion, is expected to arrive at Wellington on the morning of August 14. This advice was received yesterday from Brigadier A. E. Conway, who is aboard the Maunganui, which sailed from Fremantle on Sunday. The message added that generous hospitality was extended to the contingent by the Government and civil and military authorities. Members of the contingent were guests at the Western Australian Hunt Club meeting, and of various welfare clubs.—(P.A.)

Inter-Island Service. Arrangements have been made for the Anchor Shipping and Foundry Company’s vessel Arahura to make a special trip between Wellington and Lyttelton on Thursday. This measure will compensate for the absence of the Rangatira, which is undergoing repairs. The Arahura will leave Wellington at 6.15 on Thursday, and will arrive at Lyttelton at 10 a.m. on Friday.

Passengers Waited Months. The former hospital ship Manunda arrived at Wellington on Saturday with more than 350 passengers from Sydney. Many of them had been waiting for several months for a passage to New Zealand. They included 15 naval men formerly attached to the British Pacific Fleet who have chosen to be demobilised here and 23 Army men, among whom are several New Zealand officers who have held commissions in the Indian Army during the war. There were also three New Zealand Y.M.C.A. officers from India. — (P.A.) Strike Charges Dismissed. Charges against 12 crane drivers employed by the 'Wellington Harbour Board alleging that on June 3 they were parties to a strike, have been dismissed by Mr. W. F. Stilwell, S.M., in a reserved decision. The hearing of the charges was spread over a period from July 5 to 17, the employees pleading not guilty. The charges related to the working of two coal boats, the Wingatui and the Kaiihiro, on June 3, the King’s Birthday holiday. The Magistrate, in his judgment, said that in his view the Wellington Harbour Board, as the informant, had failed to establish that the men were parties to a strike within the meaning of the regulations.— (P.A.)

Marching Union. „ A national body to control marching as a competitive sport has been, formed in Wanganui. It is the New Zealand Marching Union, and came about as the result of a movement begun last February, when the Wanganui Marching Association was asked to frame a constitution for distribution among other similar associations, and call a"meeting of delegates. Delegates attended the meeting from Masterton, New Plymouth, and Patea, in addition to those from Wanganui, and it was disclosed that the new union would begin it.-: career with some 60 teams affiliated. Officers of the new union arc to be elected by the affiliated association deputed by the annual meeting each year to conduct the New Zealand national championships.— (P.A.)

Salvation Officer Declines Grant. An offer by the Invercargill Licensing Trust to the Salvation Army Band.of £5O has been “declined with thanks.” Adjutant Pauling stated that moneys derived as direct profits from the liquor trade could not be accepted. The money could be well used tor band instruments, as old members were buying their own uniforms and paving into the band fund lor purchase' of instruments. They would carry on with the long-term arrangement for- the purchase of new equipment. “When we sell the War Cry in hotels,” Adjutant Pauling added, “a different principle is involved. That money is a personal donation which would otherwise go to the liquor trade profits. We appreciate the trust’s offer, but. must respectfully decline.”—(P.A.)

Cutting a Kauri Forest. The recent statement by the Director of Forestry (Mr. A. R. Entrican) concerning the activities by the State in cutting trees from the State forest at' Waipoua, was referred to by the lecturer in zoology at Auckland University College (Mr. W. R. McGregor). Mr. McGregor said that he had been under the impression that dead timber alone was being cut out, but the public had now been informed that green timber -was also being exploited, provided trees exceeded 30 inches in diameter. It was a fact that throughout the main body of the forest green timber less than 30 inches in diameter was so rare as to be practically non-existent. Mr. McGregor said it followed that Mr. Entrican’s statement was a plain admission that operations calculated to destroy completely the forest’s most valuable feature, its kauri trees, were already vigorously in progress.—(P. A. )

Lack of Engineers. That the implementation of national and local engineering development schemes now under consideration might be seriously hampered through lack-of qualified engineers, particularly in Government departments, for proper design and supervision of major engineering works was the opinion expressed at a meeting of the Hawke’s Bay branch of the Professional Engineers’ Association in Hastings. It was stressed that the development of secondary industries and the rapid increase of housing construction had called for the urgent construction of a nSrnber of major hydro-electric stations. In addition, there was to be an extensive construction programme of railways, highways, bridges, and tunnels to cope with increased transport. All these works called for the services of skilled and qualified engineers. . The records of the association, it was stated, disclosed that experienced engineers were being attracted at an alarming rate out of the Government service and it appeared certain that unless Government service was made more attractive to engineers, new engineering achievements in the next 10 years would fall so far short of plans as to be a national disaster, clue to hurried design and insufficient supervision of works. — (P.A.)