NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25799, 21 March 1945, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

SENSATIONAL results have followed •O the intensive work of British scientists who began two years ago on a systematic survey and analysis of the types of sea-weed around the British coast. Since then, reports the Daily Telegraph, the collection and processing of sea-weed has grown almost to the dimensions of a national industry. One firm alone uses between 15,000 and 20.000 tons of sea-weed every year. The sea-wced that is in greatest demand is the common type. From it is extracted calcium alignate, a gelatinous substance, closely allied to cellulose. A bewildering variety of articles can be made from it. Calcium alignate goes into various kinds of foodstuffs. It makes surgical materials, non-inflam-mable or soluble textiles and medicines. It is used to make capsules of all kinds, and is employed in the preDaration of dried blood. In another form it is extensively used In brain and eye surgery. It is also used in the manufacture of paint and plastics.

The Equinox The equinox will occur-about noon to-day, and for the ensuing six months there will be a preponderance of sunshine in the northern hemisphere. Air Force Take* Over

The Royal New Zealand Air Force has taken over another five harvest camps in Canterbury, with a strength of about 250 men. It is now manning 13 of the 44 harvest camps in the South Island. The latest camps taken over by the air force are those at Leeston, Rangiora, Sheffield, St. Andrews, and Waimate. The other air force camps are in Southland and the Ashburton County.

Prosperity of Grocers “I believe that grocers are doing very well," said Mr I. R. Wilson, president of the Auckland Master Grocers’ Association, during a meeting when the question of post-war competition was being discussed. “ The president of our federation recently suggested that the Government should be approached to obtain a higher mark-up of prices, but he could not get one balance sheet from grocers throughout New Zealand to support his contention.”

Poisoning of Animals When the inspector (Mr J. J. Hinchcliff), in his report to the monthly meeting yesterday of the Otago Society for the Pievention of Cruelty to Animals, stated that a number of cases of cat poisoning had come under notice, the chairman (Mr R. Fountain) said it was almost impossible to obtain any information that would lead to the apprehension of the offenders, except from the unfortunate people who had lost their pets. Mr Fountain added that with a view to bringing the culprits to book, the society had offered a reward of £2O for information.

Regional Planning The establishment of a regional planning organisation for the Auckland regional area was approved at a conference of members of Parliament and delegates from Government departments, local bodies, and other organisations held yesterday. Endorsement was also given (says a Press Association telegram) to the principle of regional planning “ as the most practical means of promoting the economic development of the region." The decisions were made following an address by the Director of Town Planning, Mr J. W. Mawson.

Captain Upham, V.C. Since the Allied drive in Germany has over-run some of the areas in which prisoner-cf-war camps have been situated, speculation about the whereabouts and welfare of New Zealanders has been fairly general. News of one of the New Zealand prisoners of war, Captain Charles Upham, V.C., hag been received in Invercargill. In a letter to one of his former comrades in the Middle East, Captain Upham says that he and others have been transferred to Oflag 4C, a special camp for commandos and paratroopers. There are only three New Zealanders in the camp. Bridegroom Kept Waiting

The bridegroom and a large number of guests at a wedding in the Soldiers’ Memorial Church, Titirangi, were kept waiting for three-quarters of an hour on Saturday afternoon, when the bride's car was held up on the way to the ceremony by a tree which had fallen across the road. The car encountered the tree, which was a fairly large bluegum about one mile and a-half from the church. It had been cut down by a party of men, who had accidentally allowed it to faff on to the road, which was completely blocked. The tree had to be cut into sections with crosscut saws and axes before the bride and her entourage could continue on their way. News of the delay was sent to relieve the anxiety of those waiting at the church.

Land Sales Procedure The chairman of the Nelson Land Sales Committee, Mr P. Boys, said at a sitting in Westport yesterday (states a Press Association message) that there seemed to be a false impression that the committees were more - rigorous in assessing the basic values of residential properties in cases where the purchaser was a returned soldier, as compared with the case of an ordinary civilian buyer. The result was that there appeared to be an increasing tendency on the part of vendors not to deal with soldiers. The chairman said he therefore desired to bring before the notice of the public that there were no differential standards of value and no extraneous considerations relating to purchases which were a guide to the assessment of value. Warning to Air Force Driver*

“From one’s own observations air force drivers have a complete disregard for the ordinary rules of speed,” said Mr J. H. Luxford, S.M., when two traffic charges against air force drivers were being dealt with by him in the Police Court at Auckland. “If fines are not going to have any effect the court will not hesitate to impose imprisonment on such drivers. Charges of dangerous driving allow for imprisonment. There may be conditions of urgency which would entitle them on occasions to break speed regulations, but this is a warning to air force drivers that they must observe the speed limits.” The magistrate said the air force authorities should be informed of the position. It was a very bad thing from many points of view to have a certain section disregarding traffic rules.

Missing for 18 Months The first advice they have ha'd of their youngest son. Private R. Williams, since he escaped from an Italian prison camp in September, 1943, was received by Mr and Mrs W. E. Williams. of 34 Marsden avenue, Mount Eden, on Saturday, when a telegram from the Minister of Defence advised that he was now safe and would return to New Zealand shortly. Private Williams, who is aged 26, joined the army in January, 1941. In April of the same year he left New Zealand with a reinforcement draft and went to the Middle East. He was reported missing in January. 1942, and was later reported a prisoner of war in Italy. The vessel in which he was taken from North Africa was torpedoed near Greece. He escaped from Camp 107 at the time of the Italian capitulation in September, 1943.