NEWS of the DAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23352, 7 September 1950, Page 6

NEWS of the DAY

Rain Welcomed,

Never was rain more welcomed by the farming community than was the good downpour which fell in the Hamilton district a few days ago. The rain came at a critical time as far as the stock feed position was concerned, pasture growth throughout the district being very slow for this time of the year.

£GO Left in Telephone Booth. A woman visitor to Christchurch left her handbag, containing £6O in money, in a public telephone booth at the Christchurch Railway Station. She had gone a short distance along the station when she realised that l she had left the handbag in the booth, but when she returned for it it was not there.

20-Year Plan Approved A 20-year plan covering the likely development of the Wellington Public Hospital has been approved by the Wellington Hospit'al Board, in line with a request from the Health Department. Major projects envisaged within that period include new X-ray and pathology, chest, theatre, and outpatients' blocks, together with necessary services and staff accommodation. Moturoa Freezing Works Plans have nearly reached the blue print stage and probably within the next two months work on the new £105,000 building to be built by the Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works Company, will be started. As late as 1946, £96,000 was spent at the company's installation and since then another building has been repaired at a cost of about £3OOO. When the proposed new cool store block is completed another £15.000 will have to be spent to equip it. The extensions are being provided to cope with increased future production from South Taranaki.

Wanganui Discards Its Trams Wanganui is replacing Its tramway service with up-to-date buses. The occasion will be marked by an official opening. The celebrations will Include a procession. A quaint old steam locomotive which was used when the Gonvillc-Castlecliff section of the tram track was built about 3911 and which later hauled trailers during n breakdown has been resurrected and may run along the Victoria Avenue track during the procession. The locomotive has stood rusting in a corner of the j tramway barn for 30 years. Maori Footballer’s Voice I Although a keen appreciation of j melody and ability to sing naturally and pleasingly are associated with the Maori race, the voice of n Maori footi bailer not only surprised many but hushed more, at a Johnsonville function. This was when the popular air, "For Ever And Ever," was sung at the .Johnsonville Rugby Football Club’s jubilee smoke concert by H. W. (“Mick") Kenny, a one-time Johnsonville Rugby man and former New Zealand Maori representative full-back. • Without piano accompaniment, Kenny I sang with the confidence and smoothness of a much-trained vocalist. He could well follow in the footsteps of his famous compatriot and former All Black. George Nepia, whose accomplishments as a light tenor have re- ' ccived recognition.

30 Acres For School Farm

Final approval has been received by the Stratford Technical High School Board from the Education Department for the purchase of 30 acres of land from the Stratford Demonstration Farm Society to be used almost entirely for practical agricultural work by students. To Meet Flood Danger

Proposals by the Hawke’s Bay Rivers Board to stop-bank and realign the lower Tuki Tuki River and minimise the flood danger that occurs in that area during heavy rains have been approved bv the Government. At its meeting this month the board will consider apnlving to the Local Government Loans Board for permission to raise £42.000. the cost of the scheme.

Watersiders’ Fighting Fund The New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union's fighting fund has been increased by £15,000, it is believed, through a levy of £2 a head made on the 7500 members of the union. Although Wellington union officials have refused to comment on suggestions about this levy, it is understood that the £2 was payable in instalments of 51- a week over an eight-week period. Bread Not Fattening. "Every baker hates to hear that old plaint, 'Bread is so fattening,” says the “Australian Baker and Millers’ Journal." Every kind of food is fattening if you take too much of it, but bread actually is one of the least fattening types. The fact that people on extremely rigid medical diets, calculated down to the last calory a day, are nowadays advised to eat bread in quantities up to 12oz. and even more a day. is ample demonstration of the truth of the paradoxical advice, 'Slim by eating bread.’ ”

New Australian Stamp Issue. To celebrate the centenary of adhesive postage stamps in Australia, the Commonwealth Postmaster - General’s Department will issue this month two new red 2Jd stamps. In 1850 the young colonies of New South Wales and Victoria issued postage stamps and the design of one .stamp of each of these State's first issues has been used as a basis for the centennial issue. The first New South Wales' stamp was based mainly on the design of one of the Great Seals of the colony and shows early settlers landing at Sydney. The other stamp Incorporates a portrait of the young Queen Victoria holding the sceptre and orb. The stamps will be on sale in Australia on September 27. Processing of Seaweed.

For the first time supplies of agar seewced were insufficient to keep the agar processing factory at Christchurch fully employed for the whole of last year. The annual report of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for year ended March 31, says the quantities of seaweed fell off last year, particularly in the Bay of Plenty and North Auckland areas. Supplies from all districts have improved this autumn. As a result of investigations mad" in Australia last year, some seaweed has been imported from New South Wales. Local seaweed lias been supplemented with a small proportion of the Australian variety without lowering the grade of the finished agar.