General News

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 1 September 1945, Page 4

General News

War Anniversary To-day. Ist September, is the sixth anniversary of Hitler's attack on Poland, an act of wanton aggression that marked the beginning of World War 11. which lasted six years all but about a fortnight. On 3rd September. 1939. Britain and France declared war on Germany and Australia and New Zealand followed suit. Bitten by Alsatian Dog When he approached 100 close to a chained Alsatian dog, Howard Smith, aged nine, was severely bitten In a leg. He was taken to the Wanganui Public Hospital. The dog was kept by the proprietors of a sideshow and was chained to a caravan when the Incident occurred. Encounter with Bull A bull attacked members of the Westland Catchment Board who were inspecting erosion effects, on the Punakaiki River area last week, and there were some tense moments, states a Greymouth correspondent. One of the members, in making a hasty retreat, tripped over a broken fence and it appeared for a moment that the charging animal had fallen on top of him. However, the bull had himself become entangled in the broken fence. Leaving this member of the party, the animal then rushed at the Commissioner of Crown Lands Mr N. Clay, who grabbed the bull by the horns and. twisting its head, swung it clear of him. The animal subsequently retired from the scene Blenheim Stock Sale. There was practically no outside competition for the medium-sized yarding of fat sheep at this week’s Blenheim stock sale. Although the quality was not up to last week’s standard, practically everything was quitted at prices which were firm on those rulings at the previous market. There was a strong demand for ewes, which were in limited supply.

Vital Statistics The number of deaths in Nelson rim - ing August was nearly twice the total recorded in the corresponding month last year. The vital statistics for the month, with the figures for August, 1944, given in parentheses, were as follow: Births. 34 (28); deaths, 46 <24t; marriages, 11 (15).

Minor Flooding in City This Morning Following a heavy fall of rain this morning the stormwater chain in lower Rutherford street could not cope with the rush of water which Hooded out of the manholes, making half a dozen geysers along the street. The biggest one was at the Hardy street intersection where the water was lorced up about three feet. As a result flooding occurred across the street for some distance and also across the roadway near Messrs. Cock and Co.’s buildings. The flooding was of short duialion, the water subsiding as soon after the rain ceased. Scientific Crime Detection Assistance which the Dominion Laboratory has given the police in crime detection is referred to in the annual report of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Exhibits examined in connection with a fata! motor accident included glass fragments l'or identification and dust adhering to a car. The dust was identified as having come from a particular locality by the presence of spherical particles of molten slag from Ihe fly-ash of an adjacent power station chimney. In a shooting case, it was found possible [o calculate the approximate distance from which the shot was fired by the distribution of powder grains.

Fewer Earthquakes A general decline in earthquake activity in New Zealand during 1944 is commented upon by the acting-Director of the Dominion Observatory, Mr R. C. Hayes, in the annual report of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, which has been- presented to Parliament. No destructive shocks occurred during the year. Some concentration of activity in the region of Lake Taupo was reported, but many of the shocks originated at a considerable depth and were not perceptible. Of 95 earthquakes reported as being felt in 1944, only six were felt in both islands. Records which were obtained &n seismographs of explosions when a series of submarine mines were fired by the Navy Department in Wellington Harbour arc being studied for information regarding local structure and wave velocities which they are expected to provide.

Discipline in Industry That good working conditions and humane intentions without good supervision did not bring either efficiency or contentment had been shown by an investigation carried out in a factory where morale was poor, although working conditions were good, it is stated in the Industrial Psychology Division’s report contained in the annual report of the Department of Industrial and Scientific Research. Production was suffering in this case, it is stated, through lax control and weak discipline. Data collected during 32 weeks of investigation in other factories suggested that music and good seating were important factors for high output. Steamer in Difficulties

After clearing the moles at Lyttelton the overseas steamer Walter Wellman swung to starboard off her course, leaving the channel, and apparently touched the mud bottom with her bow. The vessel remained stationary for about half an hour and then, assisted by the tug and a rising tide, floated clear again and proceeded to sea. It is thought that the vessel failed to answer the helm when turning out of the moles.

Overseas Air Terminal. The Minister in Charge of Civil Aviation, Mr Jones, in acknowledging the Blenheim Borough Council representations regarding Blenheim’s claims lotselection as an overseas air terminal, advised that these would be given every consideration when the time came states "The Express." “The localities in which permanent commercial overseas airports will be developed have not yet been decided, but the Government has agreed that the existing R.N.Z.A.F. aerodromes at Whenuapai and Ohakea may be utilised temporarily for overseas commercial air services in the immediate post-war period.” stated the Minister. Gisborne-Auckland Railway. A date, September 19. has been fixed tentatively by the Minister of Works, Mr Semple, for the hearing of a deputation of representatives of local bodies to cbscuss the completion of the Gig-berne-Auckland railway. Chambers of Commerce at Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton. Matamata. Whakatane. Waihi, Opotiki. Te Puke. Rotorua. Morrinsville and Paerwa arc to be represented. Fishing at Southern Lakes. Anglers wishing to fish in the Southern Lakes acclimatisation district, which recently came under Government control, will have to get licenses from the Internal Affairs Department, as the ordinary licence will not operate there as from October 1. This was brought into effect by an amendment in the Gazette to the Quinnat Salmon Regulations. 1 r4O Parts of Otago, Southland and Westioiid are affected. Public Trust Office. Estates to the value of £766.984 were reported and accepted for administration by the Public Trustee during the month of July, 1945. The total value of estates and funds under administration by the Public Trustee on the 31st March, 1945. was £67.887.066, and the new business for the four months ended 31st July, was £2,481.659. Grants of administration made by the Court in favour of the Public Trustee numbered 224 for the month. During the month 610 new wills appointing the Public Trustee executor were prepared on behalf of testators and lodged for safe custody, and 446 existing wills were revised to provide for changes desired by testators. The total number of wills now held in the Public Trust Office on behalf of living persons -is 130,420.