General News

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 21 April 1945, Page 4

General News

Report on Coast Harbours During his recent visit to Westpoyt the Hon. J. O'Brien (Minister of Marine) said that with a view of having an engineer sent out to New Zealand to report on the West Coast harbours. he had been in touch with the Sir Benjamin Gibbs and Sir John Goode companies in England. He added that he was not quite convinced that, the erection of a groyne at Tauranga Bay as suggested in Mr F. W. Furkert’s report, would serve the purpose sought—the diverting of the drift of silt and other debris up Ihc coast. Any, harbour scheme, he said, must take into consideration the quick and efficient handling of coal and timber, and must be of a comprehensive nature. Taxi Fares Two Interesting points relating to th-i control of taxis are contained in an amendment to the Transport Licensing Passenger Regulations gazetted this week. »One of these stipulates that it shall be a condition' of every license to carry on a taxi-cab service that in the computation of the number of passengers for the purpose of assessing fares: (1) a child under the age of four in care of a person of the age of 15 or over shall not be counted; (2) any other child under 15 shall not be counted except that every two children under 15, and not in the care of a person of 15 or over, shall be counted as one passenger. The other point, deals with the engagement of taxis by telephone, and the general effect will enable responsibility to be attached to taxi firms which fail to adhere to a telephone contract made for a taxi. Affiliation Impossible The question of the affiliation of the New Zealand Rugby Union with the Council of Sport was raised at the annual meeting of the union this week by Mr D. Jolly (Otago), who said he thought the position should be finalised, in respect of the union, its affiliated unions, and their clubs. At the conclusion of a long discussion the presi dent. Mr E. V. Phillips, who had said that the rules of the union precluded its affiliation to a body which was not solely engaged in the management of Rugby and which was also associated with Rugby League, which came under the rules of professionalism of the English Rugby Football Union, refused to accept a motion that the council obtain a legal opinion. He explained that two legal opinions supported his ruling. It was painted out that this ruling in regard to the New Zealand Union applied also to any of its affiliated unions or clubs. Satisfactory Talks Satisfaction with the result of their mission to New Zealand was expressed by Sir Datar Singh. F.R.S., Kt.. and Mr Neville N. Wadia. members of the Indian Trade Delegation, when interviewed on the eve of their departure. Their purpose was to bring friendship and good will from India and to discuss how best reciprocal trade could be built up betweeen India and New Zealand. Sir Datar said that a multitude of subjects had been discussed with the Acting-Prime Minister and other Ministers, and the delegation felt assured that its representations would be studied with sympathy and understanding. and that the maximum, results would aCcrue. “A Paradise” ‘•New Zealand is a paradise and it is wonderful to meet people who are so kind and of such a fine character,” said Dr. S. Sambursky, of Jerusalem, at the Wellington Rotary Club. In Palestine he said there were four meatless days. He had tasted his first butter for a long time when he reached Perth. "We have margarine,” he said, "but it is not as good as butter.” While Palestine had not suffered as much as many countries in the British Empire the war had been close to the land and the situation for a long time had not been an easy one. Dr. Sambursky mentioned some of the ways in which Palestine had assisted in the war effort—by supplying potash from the Dead Sea. helping feed the armies in the Middle East, with tank repair shops, and by supplying men. There were 30.000 Palestinians in the forces, he said. After the war it was hoped to obtain large quantities of magnesium from the Dead Sea. j Firemen Overcome by Smoke Two firemen were overcome by smoke and a member of the school staff was lescued only just in time when fire broke out in the two-storeyed building known as the laundry block at King’s School in Remuera road shortly after 5 p.m. The fire was confined to the drying room, a small lumber room immediately above it. and a portion of the roof. Some of the boys’ clothes were destroyed. At the time of the outbreak the boys were in the main building, and the laundry block was unoccupied.

Strike at Westport-Stockton Mine A strike ocurred at Westport-Stock-ton (Slate) mine to-day. idling between 200 and 300 men producing between 500 and 600 tons of coal daily. The Coal Council agreed to a deduction of 8d per day from miners’ pay for transport from Stockton to the loop where they entrain in tubs for the mine. The miners objected to the deduction and state they will not resume until the payment is reinstated.