NEWS of the DAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23271, 5 June 1950, Page 4

NEWS of the DAY

Travels Through North Africa. About five months ago, Mr. Sydney Sedgewick ]eft his job in Hamilton to travel the world, and so far he has been through France, Tunisia, Libya and Cyrenaica. He is travelling with some Dutchmen and an Englishman in a converted army truck, sleeping in barracks and thoroughly enjoying himself.

Mr. Nordmeyer, Builder The former Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr. A. H. Nordmeyer, is now the owner of a builder's level, which was presented to him at a farewell function in his honour organised by the Oamaru Labour Representation Committee. He will find some use for it as he has acquired an interest in a building and contracting business in Wellington. Mr. Nordmeyer was also presented with a cheque. Mrs, Nordmeyer received a silver salver, and their two children each received pens, Building- Homes to the Sun

A remit forwarded by the women’s committee of the National Party to the National Council of Women, New Plymouth branch, sought the support of the Government for publicity to encourage people to have their homes built to “consider the sun, not principally the street frontage.” Builders, it is staled, would support the remit which they considered highly desirable and in the interests of health and would lead to a big economy in fuel and electricity. Gifts For European Churches

More than £2,260,000 in cash and £3.000,000 in food, clothing, and other material assistance have benefited nonRoman Catholic churches in Europe last year, the donations coming from an organisation of inter-church aid. This information is given in a statement issued by the National Council of Churches in New Zealand. About 83 per cent, of the total came from the United States and next in order came Switzerland and Norway. New Zealand was eighth on the list of donors. Gns Pocket Struck

Spectacularly shooting up- from a depth of 800 ft.. a black column of water fountained 50ft. in to the air while drilling was in progress at the Egmont Oil Wells Ltd., No. 2 derrick on Ngamotu Beach. New Plymouth. The cause was a small pocket of gas. Though it was encountered earlier than expected it is invariably met with during drilling and is no Indication whether oil will he struck. For the short time that it was playing, however, it provided a spectacular sight. Thoroughbred Unconscious humour was Provided by a Maori who tried to sell him a horse, said Sir John McKenzie, addressing the Christchurch Rotary Club members at their luncheon. “It’s a very good horse, and will win you lots of money.” the Maori had urged. Sir John told him he was not very keen to buv the animal, but he asked about its pedigree. “I don’t know what pedigree means,” said the Maori. "Well, who is it by, and what is it out of”" asked Sir John. “He is by himself, out in the paddock.” the Maori had replied.

Hastings Rates Up Resulting from the recent revaluation of the Borough of Hastings, rates this year have increased almost 5 per cent. The Mayor, Mr. R. D. Brown, said that ratepayers will have to find £80,770, compared with £76,905 last year, representing an overall increase of 4.66 per cent. Unusual Drink Recently the Napier_ Public Hospital has treated several children who have drunk unusual and poisonous substances —and survived. Last week a distracted parent rushed to the hospital a two-year-old boy who had drunk a bpttle of mercurocrome. The child was in great pain when admitted, but soon responded to treatment. Country Girls’ Conference

Girls from all over New Zealand are to gather at Paraparaumu Beach this week for the second annual conference of tb - Federation of Country Girls' Clubs. Formed in August, 1948, the federation is a sister body to die organisation catering for young farmers._ It aims to give country-women—particu-larly those in isolated areas—new interests and a better knowledge of how to tackle everyday problems. Radio Telephones Tested

Tests to find whether mobile two-way radio telephones would be suitable in New Plymouth have been carried out by the Post and Telegraph engineers’ radio inspector. _ The radio telephones were found to give a suitable coverage with a radius of about 10 miles. The telegraph engineer at New Plymouth has had numerous inquiries from taxi firms and other interested bodies about the use of radio telephones in New Plymouth. Insurance of Blood Donors,

When blood donors give their blood at the Christchurch Hospital they are covered by an insurance policy taken out by the North Canterbury Hospital Board. The policy covers any accident or mishap which might arise from the transfusion, although there has never been an accident in Christchurch or, it is believed, in New Zealand. The board decided to increase its insurance cover in respect to any one donor to a limit of £2500. The increased premium involved will be £ls a year. "Flying Saucer" in Australia

Two pilots of the Governmentoperated Trans-Australia Airlines reported today that when near Canberra on the Brisbane to Melbourne flight, they saw what appeared to be a "flying saucer." On reconsideration, one of them, a former group captain, Gordon Savage, who has had' 5000 hours’ flying experience, says that what he saw might have been the plant Venus rising. When (lying a freight aeroplane he sighted a powerful white light which alternated at 15-second intervals to red. The aeroplane was then at 3000 feet. The light appeared to be proceeding in the same direction as the aeroplane but much faster. The aeroplane climbed to 5000 feet, but the object appeared to draw away and disapoear at logn speed.—Melbourne, May 28.