NORTH OTAGO NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24945, 18 June 1942, Page 5

NORTH OTAGO NEWS

LIGHTING RESTRICTIONS DUTIES OF WARDENS INSPECTION OF ZONES That the zone wardens and traffic control officers would co-operate with each other in dealing with offences against the lighting regulations and headlight restrictions in a black-out trial or in the event of an emergency, was the view expressed by the chief warden (Mr■ R. E. Dimick) at a special meeting of wai - dens held on'Tuesday night. Mr Dimick asked the wardens to make a complete survey of their zones during Jhe remainder of this week, and intimated that he would commence an inspection of the whole area, zone bv zone, next week, and that piosecutions would follow for breaches of the regulations. . T „ An instructive talk was given by Inspector N. E. Colville. who explained that as OaXu was a headlight, restriction area, all vehicles must be driven in the town with headlights in a dipped position. . Motorists were allowed only pal Icing lights on the right-hand side, and a full beam dipped on the left-hand side. Humblr and Tyne streets were parking light streets, and motorists here must drive with parking lights and tail light* only. Parking was prohibited on the roadwav in these streets. During a blackout trial or emergency, vehicles would be allowed to proceed only with parking and tail lights, and these lights must be masked with the equivalent of two thicknesses of newspaper. The speed limit was 20 miles an hour. Bicycle lights also had to be masked, and in Humber and Tyne streets tail lights had to be brought into use. Materials for masking lights must be carried in vehicles at all times, with certain exceptions for essential services If not allowed to proceed during a trial or emergfiicv, motorists must park on the main thoroughfares, and it was not permissible to allow lights to be visible from the sea in parking streets, such as, for example, lower Wansbeck street. A vote of thanks was passed to the speaker. Members of the unit, who have been transferred to the Home Guard, took the opportunity of stating how much they had en.ioved their association with the unit and their fellow-wardens.

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES A STATEMENT RESENTED WITHDRAWAL REQUESTED A statement made by Mr A. Mclnnes, a member of the Waitaki Hospital Board. at the monthly meeting o£ the board on Tuesday, which, it was contended, questioned the integrity of the Oamaru business people in quoting for hospital supplies, was trenchantly criticised at a special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday. Motions were carried asking Mr Mclnnes to withdraw the statement, and requesting the Hospital Board to give favourable opportunity to the retailers of Oamaru to tender for hospital supplies. The Hospital Board on the previous day rescinded a resolution to purchase, where obtainable, supplies and equipment in Oamaru, and a motion was carried that all supplies be purchased at the cheapest price consistent with quality. There were present at the Chamber o£ Commerce meeting Messrs E. D. Watts (president), B. B. Walton, A. Bain. R. Brown, H. C. Jeffery, M. Mirfin, H. B. Burton, M. J. Hanley, F. J. D. Blackgrove, and W. T. Sings. Mr Watts said he had called the meeting at the request of several members of the chamber to discuss a statement made at the meeting of the Hospital Board, questioning the integrity of the Oamaru business people in quoting for hospital requirements. He criticised the statement, and also the action of the chairman of the board and the majority of members in endorsing it. As a chamber it was their duty to challenge the statement. Mr Walton said he did not think Mr Mclnnes intended any reflection on the business men of the. town. He submitted that they could not take exception to the board's attitude in regard to purchasing its supplies at the cheapest price consistent with quality, provided they had the right to tender. The board's policy in purchasing supplies outside Oamaru when they could be purchased in the town was criticised by several members, who stated that they had found their business with the board to be so unsatisfactory that they did not bother with it. Finally a motion was carried that Mr Mclnnes be asked to withdraw the statement. Messrs Walton and Mirfin dissented. It was further decided that a letter be sent to the board requesting that favourable opportunity be given to the retailers of Oamaru for tendering for hospital supplies, and that arrangements be entered into as to the means by which the board would give everybody an. equal opportunity to tender. NO REFLECTION INTENDED In an interview with the Daily Times representative last night. Mr Jpmes Redman, chairman of the Hospital Board, refuted the remarks of Mr Watts, that Mr Mclnnes's statement was endorsed by the chairman and the majority of the board members. "Mr Watts is all wrong," Mr Rodman said. " I pulled Mr Mclnnes up and would not allow him to proceed." When communicated with last night, Mr Mclnnes said that no reflection on the integrity of the business men of Oamaru had been intended. " When Mr Familton challenged my statement." Mr Mclnnes said, " I replied that I did not intend such a meaning to be taken out of it, and I withdrew the statement. EMERGENCY HOSPITALS OTEKAIKE AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS As a result of information received from the Department of Health, the Waitaki Hospital Board has authorised its officers to make the necessary arrangements with the principal of the Otekaike Special School, for the use of that school as an emergency hospital in the event of actual invasion or severe damage to the town The department emphasised the desirability of proceeding with plans which would make the Middle School suitable for use in an emergency. The board decided to call tenders for sanitary fittings at the school. Mr James Rodman (chairman) stated that the board was indebted to the Minister of Health. Mr A. H. Nordmeyer, who had been very helpful in his negotiations with various Ministers in these matters. CAR RELICENSING CONFLICTING STATEMENTS The president of the North Otago Automobile Association (Mr James Gerrie). at the monthly meeting of the association on Tuesday night, referred to the conflicting statements made by Ministers oi' the Crown on the tyre and petrol position in relation to the re-registration of motor cars. Motorists still did not know what the position was going to be in the month immediately following the re-registration date. He referred to the views expressed bv the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser the Minister ,of Supply, Mr D. G. Sullivan, and the Minister of ■ Transport, Mr R. Sample, and said that, although all differed, the association was now asked by the South Island Motor Union to recommend members to re-register their vehicles. The executive, after a brief discussion decided to recommend members to reregister their cars. There were present at the meeting Messrs Gerrie (m the chair), I. Dalmer. W Gillies, H. J. Jenkins, D. L. Patterson, D. H. Thomson, G. Cartwright, and the secretary (Mr Henry Hay). One new member was elected. Grants of £2 2s and £1 Is were made to the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Board an« the Ngatuka Board respectively. It was reported that the Thames street railway crossing was again in bad order for motorists, and the secretary was instructed to" write drawing the attention of the department to the state of the crossing, PERSONAL Visitors to the Town Queen's Hotel.—Mr Duthie, Mr Hosicl, Mr S. Taylor, Mr Taylor, Mr W. Heffernan, Mr J. Gore, Mr and Mrs Tubman, Mrs N. Callender, Mr G. R. Reid, Mr E. W. Stewart. Mr T. McAllen, Dr and Mrs B. Cooke, Mr J. McGrath, Mr V. Raines, Mr M. Cherry, Mr L. Winefield, Mr F. R. Gill, Mr D. Chister, Mr Miller (Dunedin), Mr R. King, Mr and Mrs Newburgh, Mr E. Gibb, Mrs Rourke, Miss Robinson, Mr R. McGregor (Christchurch), Mr C. How (Rangiora), Miss Colyer (Timaru). A motion of sympathy with Mr C Hedges, a member of the Advisory Committee, in his illness was carried at the annual meeting of the Oamaru Plunket Society. AMUSEMENTS Majestic Theatre.—" The Great American Broadcast," from Metro-Goldwyn studios, will be shown to-night, with John Payne, Alice Faye, Jack Oakie, and a number of artists of American stage and radio fame. Opera House.—The double bill to be screened to-night will consist of the action picture; "Escape to Glory," with Pat O'Brien and Constance Bennett and the stirring drama, " Nobody s Children, with Edith Fellowes. Lois Wilson and Billie Lee.

SCHOOL EXTENSION CASA NOVA BUILDING As a result of a conference between Messrs N. H. Colquhoun and W. M. Cooper, members of the Otago Education Board, with the North School Committee, the committee has decided to draw up recommendations for an extension of the Casa Nova School to hold Standard I for submission to the board. Mr S. Symon (chairman) presided at the meeting. It was reported that, owing to the shortage of milk, the .supply at the school had decreased, but apples were still plentiful for the children. The Education Board wrote offering £l3 towards the cost of a piano, and a subcommittee was set up for the purpose ot raising the balance of the money required. The St. Paul's Tennis Club wrote thanking the committee for the use of the school courts, and a vote of thanks was passed to the club for its care of the courts and a contribution to the school funds. Messrs B. McGaw and B. Snell were appointed the Visiting Committee for the month. The headmaster (Mr W, E. Judkins) reported that the roll for the North School was 387 and for Casa Nova 73, a total of 460. SERVICES EULOGISED TRIBUTE TO MR J. RODMAN Upon Mr James Rodman's reappointment by the Waitaki Hospital Board as the board's representative on the Waipiata Sanatorium Committee, Mr L. J. K. Familton complimented him on his excellent work on the committee and the board over a period of many years. He also congratulated Mr Rodman on his re-elec-tion as chairman of the Waitaki County Council, and on his public work. Mrs Munro and Messrs Mclnnes and JefTery endorsed Mr Familton's remarks. Mr Rodman, in reply, stated that he enjoyed his public work. He had his ideas, he said, about a man's responsibilities as a citizen, and he tried to do his best. TRANSPCWnLYcENCES SITTING OF AUTHORITY

A review of area licences was made by the No. 4 Transport Licensing Authority (Mr V. Raines), at a sitting in Oamaru on Tuesday, to give effect to the appeal authority's recent decision. • Buckley Bros. (Christchurch) applied for a new goods service licence in the Oamaru, Hakataramea. and Timaru districts.—The application was granted, the district to be defined on the issue of the licence. Decision was reserved in the application of W. A. Webb for the transfer of a taxi-cab licence to P. Greaney. The goods service licence of the New Zealand Express Company was amended by deleting from it the exemption of household removals from Regulations 4 (9). unjustweFoSplaints CARE OF ANIMALS IN EMERGENCY Inspector F.. Flett reported to the monthly meeting of the North Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals that he had investigated complaints about a bull and about underfed horses, finding that neither complaint was justified. Inspector Stock reported that he had destroyed six dogs and four cats in the lethal chamber. There were present at the meeting Mr Henry Hay (president), Mesdames Williams, Corlett, and Hart, Miss StockleyJones, Mr H. R. Domigan, and Inspectors Flett and Stock. It was reported that no replies had been received to the request for 44-40 ammunition. Members expressed a hope that some sportsman might be able to supply such ammunition. Several members are to be attested with the E.P.S. in capacities which will enable them to give care to animals in the case of an emergency. The appointments were held over until the next meeting. WAIAREKA SALE There were medium yardings of fat cattle and fat sheep, and a small yarding of .store sheep at the Waiareka sale on Tuesday. Prices.~Fat cattle: Best steers £8 7s 6d to £lO, medium £8 2s 6d to £7 ss, best heifers £8 to £lO 15s, medium £6 5s to £7. best cows £6 to £B. medium £4 to £5 ss. Fat sheep: Best wethers 29s to 31s, medium 26s 3d to 28s, light down to 21s 9d, best ewes 21s 3d to 235, medium 18s to 20s 6d, light 16s 3d to 17s. Store sheep: A pen of ewe hoggets sold for 23s 4d, wether hoggets 16s 4d to 16s 7d, a line of mixed sex hoggets sold for 16s 2d, old ewes 4s 3d to 6s 6d. Dairy cow: A Shorthorn cow in profit brought £lO. Pigs: Best 21s to 245, medium down to 17s 6d. items~otlinterest Soldiers' Rest Room.—The trustees ot the Centennial Memorial Building agreed, at a meeting of the committee on Tuesday afternoon, to allow the early settlers' room to be used as a soldiers' rest room. Tides.— To-day at Oamaru high tides will be at 6.14 a.m. and. 6.39 p.m. " Log Cabin."—To-morrow the theati es will be in charge of the Log Cabin, which will be situated in the empty shop in the Globe Buildings. The shop will be opened at 8.30 a.m. for contributions, and open for selling goods at about 10 o'clock. Waste Paper.—lndicating the extent of the voluntary work being undertaken at the waste paper depot, no fewer than 32 bales of this material were forwarded yesterday to the Mataura Mills. The bales average between 6001 b and 7001 b in weight. Bomb Disposal.—St. Paul's Hall was filled to capacity for the screening of sound pictures showing the method of dealing with incendiary bombs, the training of the R.A.F., views of the East Indies oilfields, and of the intensive preparations for the defence of Australia. The pictures were instructive arid interesting, and the composition of incendiary bombs and the destructive qualities of these and high-explosive bombs were explained by Mr D. G. Lister, of the Vacuum Oil Company. Mr A. R. Tait (Deputy Mayor) introduced Mr Lister to the audience, and Mr R, E. Dimick (chief warden) proposed a vote of thanks at the conclusion of the programme. i Early Photographs.—The family of the late Mr W. H. S. Roberts has presented to the Early Settlers' Association an album, of photographs of early Oamaru and pioneer settlers. The album was compiled by Mr Roberts. The photographs depict the progress of Oamaru to the beginning of this century.

Military Camp Concert.—Excellent entertainment was provided at a military camp on Tuesday night by the Savage Club Concert Party, the programme being contributed by Savages J. Hinton, A. Monteath (songs), H. Macdonnell (electric guitar), E. J. McNulty (recitations), J. MacMillan, A. Baxter, J. Hinton, K Spooner, A. Nuttall, W. Naylor, and J. Jackson (orchestral numbers), Mis', Dorothy Middlemass (song and tap dance), and Miss Iris Dibson (Irish jig). Cr G. Mitchell, representing the Mayor, accompanied the party. Major M. H. R. Jones and Captain J. T. Kibblewhite expressed appreciation of the party's visit.