NEWS OF THE DAY

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 82, 7 April 1938, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Without discussion on the proposal, the Manawatu provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday defeated, by seven votes to four, a proposal moved by Mr. J. T. Kent (Waikanae) mat the Government be asked to institute a State lottery to relieve the burden of hospital maintenance.

As astounding example of the capabilities of the white butterfly “on the wing” was observed by a party of New Plymouth fishormen recently, for while they were fishing about 12 miles out at sea the unexpected visitor appeared. After briefly circling the fishermen’s launch the butterfly flew off and was eventually lost from sight.

A reminder that motor-car drivers of seventy years and over would, under the traffic regulations, have to pass their driving test over again to qualify for the 1935-39 licences was issued by the Christchurch chief traffic inspector, Mr. J. Bruorton. Mr. Bruorton pointed out that last year the provision for compulsory examination annually by drivers of seventy and over was introduced.

Steps have been taken to prevent the pollution of streams in the Hawke’s Bay province by sawdust from mills, according to a report made to the Hawke’s Bay Acclimatisation Society by the Inspector of Fisheries, Mr. A. 0 Kaberry, who recently visited Hawke’s Bay to look into the matter. It was stated in the report that old dumps rather than new sawdust were causing the trouble.

A blow-out that occurred on the largest of the silica terraces at OrakeiKorako, near Rotorua, last Thursday night, has resulted in the appearance of another geyser. On Friday and Saturday the geyser was playing to n height of 10ft. at three-minute intervals, but until further observations are made it will not be know T n whether this regularity will continue, or whether the activity will decline when the force of the original blow-out is expended.

“The power charges of the Mana-watu-Oroua Power Board are much too high and should be the same as Rangitikei or less. We were told, when Palmerston North came under the board, that a considerable reduction could be made.” This was a remit that came before the Manawatu provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday from the Rangiotu branch. The meeting decided that the secretary should make inquiries. Extensive practice in formation flying was carried out by members of the Wellington Territorial Cook Strait Reconnaissance Squadron under the instruction of Squadron-Leader E. M. Grundy during last week-end. Conditions for flying were excellent. These manoeuvres will be carried out each week-end that conditions permit until June (i, when a display will be giveu by the Royal New Zealand Air Force in conjunction with other branches of the defence forces. It will be atended by the Governor-General, Lord Galway. Gunners, cameramen and observers took part in the flights and the pilots were [the pilot officers of the squadron.