Concrete State Houses.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 41, 17 January 1938, Page 6

Concrete State Houses.

The construction of the first allconcrete State houses has been started at Rangiora and Kampoi. the Government'intends to build 20 houses of this type in the two places. New Station for Christchurch. Work on the building of the new railway station at Christchurch will begin shortly. A sum of £75,000 is on the Public Works Kstimates for this year, to cover the year’s building programme for the new station, and for the rearrangement of yards and signal facilities. ’Plane Out of Petrol.

Through a shortage of petrol, one of the Hawke’s Pay and East Coast Aero Club’s ’planes was compelled to make a forced landing at about 9.30 yesterday morning. The machine was being flown by the club’s instructor, Mr E. F Harvie. When in the vicinity of Cornwall Park, Hastings, the engine began to splutter. The pilot, realising that his petrol was giving out, headed the ’piano away from the residential area and made a good landing in a paddock in Pakowhai Road. Buildings Painted Black. Nearly all the buildings in all the cities in China have been painted black or dark grey as a protectimi against air raids, according to M.iss Stella Purchas, a former resident of Christchurch, who has been teaching in Hangchow, China. “It is a very dismal sight,” she said. “The roofs were made of grey tiles in any case, and with the power turned off when aeroplanes were heard, the town became indistinguishable, and one dared not even light a cigarette. But there were not many night raids, except oq moonlit nights, anti then the . objectives were the aerodrome and aircraft factory, well out of the town, and the railway line.”

Linen Seeds at Lincoln. Au ‘ unobstrusive contribution to Imperial defence is being attempted by those in charge of the experimental plots of the Agronomy Division of the Department of Agriculture at Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln. Reporting to the executive of the North Canterbury district of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union on a recent visit to the plots, Mr R. G. Bishop said that an experiment was being made with the growing of Irish linen seeds, linen being useu in Britain for the wings of aeroplanes, and so on. Since Germany had prohibited the export of fibres used for this purpose, the Empire had had to depend upon its own product, and, as Ireland could not supply all the linen seeds required, a trial had been begun at Lincoln. Survey of Kermadecs. One of a Public Works survey party that was sent to Raoul, or Sunday Island, in the Kennadec Group, six months ago, Mr J. E. Anderson, assistant engineer of the Public Works Department at Stratford, has returned to Stratford. When interviewed by a reporter Mr Anderson said that he coulu not comment on the reason for the party’s visit to the Kermadecs. Any statement that was issued would be made by the Government. There was much conjecture when the party left New Zealand as to the reason for the visit, and it was felt in some quarters that Raoul Island, the largest of the group, was being surveyed as part of the defence scheme with a view to testing its possibilities for development as an outlying defensive base or for fortification to prevent its seizure in case of war by an enemy raiding squadron.

Theatre Destroyed. A tittle over half an hour after the audience left the Academy Theatre at Waihi on Saturday night a fire broke out and the building was totally destroyed. states a Press Association message. An old landmark in the town, the theatre was built of timber. A Miniature Geyser. When a water main burst at the corner of Church and Snelson Streets this morning there was a miniature geyser which attracted a good deal of attention. 'The water spouted for 15 feet in the air, until the valves were turned down, indicating the extent of the pressure in the locality. Heavy Traffic. Although the holiday period is now almost over, there are still a large number of people travelling. Such was the case last night, when the Railway Department were obliged to run a supplementary express to the Limited express from Auckland. Both trains reached Palmerston North on time.

Shortage of Houses. House hunting is reported to be almost a pastime for a number of people in Gisborne. In the borough dwellings are at an absolute premium. The number of houses and flats becoming vacant is alnjost negligible and land agents rarely have one on their hooks for more than a day or two at the most. A serious feature is that the position is growing steadily more acute. Bothers in Danger. A narrow escape from drowning was experienced at Foxton Beach on Saturday afternoon by two bathers, Miss Hately, aged about 16 of Mangere, and Mr B. Lange, aged about 20, of Shannon. The tide was at its ebb and both were carried for some distance into deep water, Mr Lange reaching the shore with difficulty. Miss Hately was fortunately swept into shallow water by a high wave. Frozen Strawberries Imported, Packed in tins, each of which contained from 61b to 101 b of fruit, frozen strawberries have been brought to Auckland in small quantities from Vancouver this season. It was stated in the city markets that several hundred tins had been shipped to New Zealand, the fruit being purchased at prices competitive with the rates for locally grown produce and used to a large extent for jam-making. Good Tomato Season. Tomato growers are enjoying one of the best seasons for several years, as far as production is concerned, and buyers are at present reaping the benefit of large crops and fairly low prices, says an Auckland report. The prolonged" dry weather has resulted in the fruit ripening well, and blight is comparatively scarce. Tomatoes are in keen demand not only for salads, but also for the making of sauce and other condiments. Premier’s Engagements. The celebration at Wellington on February 22 of the bi-centenary of Methodism is to be attended by the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage), who will represent the Gov-, ernment. At the celebration of the centenary of the establishment of the Roman Catholic Church in New Zealand the Government is also to be represented by Mr Savage, who will attend two functions at Auckland on February 28.—Press Association. High Barometer Reading. The highest barometer reading in Auckland since August 4, 1936, was obtained at 10 o’clock on Friday morning when the registration was 30.50 in. Since midnight on the previous Sunday, when 29.76 in was recorded, the barometer had shown a steadily rising tendency, 30.30 in being reached on Wednesday and 30.46 in on Thursday. Following the exceptionally high reading on Friday morning, there was a slight fall in pressure in the afternoon. Embarrassing Situations. A considerable , . amount of petty thieving has been going . on in that portion of the Esplanade . which is used by bathers. Several bathers have returned from the water to find parts of their wearing apparel missing, and apart from the actual loss much inconvenience is caused. One man last week was left with only his bowler hat and his shoes and with these embellishing his swimming suit he was forced to set out for a nearby house to borrow a pair of trousers. Medical Service Ended. Increasing difficulty in collecting money for the salary of the resident doctor at Kawliia has prompted the Kawliia Medical Association to discontinue the medical service it provides in the Kawliia County. The association was formed about 20 years ago, and in the past has contributed from £IOO to £SO per annum toward the resident doctor’s salary these funds being made available from yearly subscriptions from members, supplemented by various social activities. Dangerous Grass Fire. A grass fire broke out close to Porangahau. Road. Waipukurau, yesterday and swept over about 20 acres of pastures, threatening the house of Mr J. L. Roberts. The fire was outside the borough, but a willing body of workers fought for some hours and prevented it spreading. A haystack was lost, a sheepdog burnt to death, and a considerable amount of fencing destroyed. Considering that the whole countryside is as dry as tinder it was fortunate that the fire was confined to such a small area. Herbert Smith Trust.

The bequest of £IO,OOO made by the late Mr 'Herbert Smith, of Wellington, about 10 years ago, to be spent in prizes for athletic competition among the children of New Zealand between tlie ages of nine and 15 years, is now nearly exhausted and will probably be completely expended this year. The late Mr Smith’s object was to stimulate enthusiasm by the giving of additional prizes, and so “help toward developing the youth of New Zealand into hardy and characterful men and women.”

The Rangitikei Seat. Four nominations have been received for the National Political Party candidate for the Rangitikei electorate at the general election in November this year. The nominees are Messrs Alex Stuart (Marton), E. B. Gordon (Marton), T. C. Lowry (Taihape) and W. J. Crawford (Palmerston North). Mr Stuart was formerly M.P. for Rangitikei, which seat Mr Crawford contested in the interests of the Democrat Party at the last election. Messrs Gordon and Lowr.y are attempting their first entry into politics.

Shortage of Tradesmen. “Ten thousand more tradesmen could be absorbed in the Government’s housing scheme, and another 20,000 in allied trades, if the men were available,” said Hon. P. C. Webb (Minister of Mines), when addressing a meeting of Labour supporters at Runanga. Lack of skilled tradesmen was a big factor in holding up the building of State houses, said the Minister. It was true that State houses were going up in more than 40 towns in New Zealand, that tenders had been called in 70 towns and that 2600 men were being employed in the erection of the buildings; but even so, the rate of progress on the job was nothing to wliat it might be provided skilled labour was available in the Dominion.