DOMINION NEWS

Grey River Argus, 10 August 1931, Page 8

DOMINION NEWS

(Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, August 8.

The Heathcote County Council has given notice to Mr H. G. Ell to withdraw all men engaged by him on council roads on the grounds that the work which he has done is not only causing damage to the roads, but constitutes a danger to the public. A persistent rumour that .the police had recently paid a visit to the Economics Library at Canterbury College, with the object of censoring the books, and particularly to see if any Communistic literature was on the shelves, was denied .this morning by both the college authorities and the police. WfiANGAREI, August 8.

The Whangarei Chamber of Commerce last night overwhelmingly voted against a motion in favour of the fusion of the political parties in New Zealand, only the mover and the seconder supporting the proposal. WELLINGTON, August 8.

Mr G. McNamara (Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department) stated at the Wellington Post and Telegraph Association reunion that a now issue of postal notes—sixpenny rises—had been decided on for September Ist. At present, if a person wants a postal note for an odd amount like 8s 6d, he has to buy three—ss 2s 6d. and Is—the poundage upon which is 4d. Under .the new system he will receive one no*e, the poundage upon which is 3d. The new issue will be suitable for broken amounts which at present mean very often that more than one note has to be purchased. The new scheme gives seven increases in poundage and fifteen decreases. Under the present system eighty’ notes are used, while under the new scheme only thirty-nine will be necessary. An alteration is also to bo made in the colour scheme. At present nine colours are in use, while the new system provides for a separate colour for each claps of poundage. The poundage is Id, 2d 3d, and 4d. so there- will be only four colours. The decision would mean that 1,200.000 fewer postal notes would be handled each year, which represented a saving of approximately £4OOO per annum. "Why didn’t wo think of .this before,” asked Mr McNamara at the Post and Telegraph reunion. "Why I didn ,i you?” asked someone. "As a matter of fact, I am a little in the picture.’ replied Mr McNamara. "I have been hammering at this for years. ” CHRISTCHURCH GAS EXPLOSION. CHRISTCHURCH, August 8. Workmen who were busy on the Gas Company’s stand at 4 he Winter Show, had a narrow escape from serious injury when the gas in an exposed pipe .* exploded. Ono man was thrown into the air by the force of the blast. Though not injured, he was dazed. The stand was wrecked, and neighbouring stands were damaged. Appliances were being connected up with the gas supply when someone nearby lighted a match. The gas became ignited, causing a terrific explosion. People in the immediate vicinity were in danger from flying pieces of pipe and fittings, but no one was Struck. LIVE PIGEON SHOOTING CONTEST CHRISTCHURCH, August 8. The South Island live pigeon shooting championship was decided at Rangiora to-day, with a sweepstake of 21 ; birds. There were 17 competitors. C. j Jamieson (Christchurch), shot all his birds, and won the championship. W. G. Gerard (Snowden) and A. N. Turner (Christchurch), with one miss each, divided second and third prizes.