NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25800, 22 March 1945, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

rpHE contention that the reserves J- department of the Christchurch City Council provided for citizens from the cradle to the grave was advanced by the superintendent of parks and reserves (Mr M. J. Barnett) at a meeting sponsored by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce and associated bodies in Christchurch. The reserves departmant started off with children’s playgrounds, said Mr Barnett; then there were sports grounds for older people, tennis courts and golf courses for the more energetic, and bowling greens and croquet lawns for the older people. “We even provide shady nooks and sheltered walks for happy lovers,” he continued, “ and at long last we provide a resting place for the citizens.” He added that in recent years the department had tried to provide a more fitting setting for the resting place of citizens, and the Ruru Lawn Cemetery was a rather different place from the old-fashioned, somewhat morbid cemeteries, with their tombstones and cold grave kerbings. Meat Ration Cut Predicted

“You have had a cut in your sugar supply and I would not be surprised if the meat ration were to be reduced soon,” said Mr J. Thorn, M.P. for Thames, speaking to local supporters. “U.N.R.R.A. is getting into its stride, and who among us could complain? ” Spectacular Gas Fire A spectacular but short-lived fire occurred at Rewanui, Westland, when gas from a bore drilled by the State Mines Department near Spark and party’s mine burst into flames presumably as a result of contact with a naked light. The gas, which had been exuding with considerable force, sent flames leaping six feet into the air from a three-inch pipe bore and equipment in the vicinity was blown over. The fire was quickly sealed off and the explosion of a few plugs of gelignite dispersed the remaining gas. Spread of Urban Areas

“This urban spreading has got to stop,” said the Director of Town Planning, Mr ,T. W. Mawson, when addressing a regional planning conference in Auckland. He said that it had been estimated that the use of 200,000 acres of land within the boroughs of the Dominion had been lost to production through the uneconomic spreading of urban populations. This population, numbering about 900,000, could be housed on sections of one-fifth of an acre and provided with parks, streets, and other facilities in an area within a radius of six miles and a-quarter. Meat Subsidy and Prices The difference between its application to the Price Tribunal for an increase in retail prices and its request to the Government for a subsidy was made clear in a statement issued by the Master Butchers’ Association at New Plymouth yesterday. It was stated (says a Press Association mesage) that the application to the Price Tribunal was to cover increases that had taken place in general costs, including material used by the butchers, while the subsidy was to cover the increased purchasing price paid to the farmer, no change being made in the retail selling price.

More Carriers Needed “ it seems clear that there Is a need for extra vehicle authorities in Dunedin.” said Mr V. Raines, the No. 4 Transport Licensing Authority, at a sitting of the Authority yesterday, “ and that the whole position requires to be reviewed. Local carriers should realise that they have a partial monopoly in this industry. They must play their part in providing rehabilitation for returned men and must not regard the business as a ‘closed’ industry.” Mr Raines added that assistance in rehabilitation was not a reward for service in the armed forces; it was intended for the purpose of giving returned men a chance of overcoming the handicap that resulted from their going overseas.

Interest-free Money Replying to a resolution from the Matamata County Council in support of the issue of interest-free money for development purposes, the Minister of Finance (Mr W. Nash) stated that the Government was anxious to ensure that such money was provided at the lowest possible cost so long as inflation was avoided. He asked the council to help him by suggesting some of the safeguards which could be taken against inflation. Mr E. D. White (chairman) commented that it was a vital issue which affected the country acutely to-day. He suggested that the council hold the matter over until the nett; meeting, when members might be able to send a communication of us»* to the Minister. The council agreed to this course. Paper Collars

“ The Americans are very ’ paperminded ’ and, in addition, if they could have saved the use of any tin in their, canning, they would have done so, even before the war,” remarked Squadron Leader L. A. Furness, son of Mr and Mrs A. J. Furness, of Palmerston North, in an interview. He instanced a dozen white collars ir> a folder. Made of paper, with a finish exactly similar to starched linen collars, they could hardly be distinguished from the latter without a close inspection. Costing about Id each, they offered great possibilities to men who required a clean white collar all the time. The collars did not become untidy under hot weather conditions, and were cheap enough to allow of frequent changing, being merely discarded when soiled.

“ Hit-and-run ” Builders A decision to track down and prosecute what were described as “hit and run ” builders was made by the Mount Eden Borough Council. Reporting to the council, the borough building inspector, Mr F. J. Pearce, said there was a certain type of workman who dealt with unsuspecting women and invariably did bad work. “These ‘ hit-and-run ’ builders are the cause of much unsatisfactory accommodation being occupied hy sub-tenants,” stated Mr Pearce. He drew the council’s attention to an instance where a new partition with a door had been erected in a house in Esplanade road without a permit being issued. The partition was built so that part of the house could be sub-let, and was “ a disgraceful piece of work.” The council adopted a recommendation from its Town Planning Committee that such builders should be located and prosecuted. Municipal Organ Recital

Mr H L Goddard, organist at the Waitaki Boys’ High Schpol, will give an after-church recital in the Town Hall on Sunday evening, when a varied and interesting programme will be presented. The following compositions will be performed:—Allegro from the “Firework Music” (Handel), Adagio from Clarinet Concert (Mozart), Prelude and Fugue in C minor (Bach), Pastorale in F (Quef), “Elegie” (Vierne), Variations and Fugue on the National Anthem (Reger), “Before the Image of a Saint” (Karg Elert), “ Serenata ” (Nolck), “Aubade ” (Oliver King), and Christmas Suite (Siciliana, Minuet, Fughetta, and Bourree, by Rowley). The following tunes are used in this suite:—" The Holly and the Ivy,” “ The Cherry Tree Carol,” “ The Little Room,” " On Christmas Night,” and “The Moon Shines Bright.” The programme will conclude with a Nuptial March by Duncan. There will be no charge for admission. 1,500,000 Buttons Required

This week householders in all towns throughout New Zealand will be approached by teams of boys and girls belonging to the local Junior Red Cross Society, Girl Guides and Boy Scouts. The “ drive ” is for buttons. One million of one size 11/16 inch trouser type) and half a million of a second size (15/16 flat, men’s overcoat type) are being sought. They are required for military clothing which is in need of reconditioning and is being given by the Government for relief in Greece and other liberated countries. The clothing will be dyed when necessary. Women’s organisations will repair rents, and certain manufacturers have volunteered to sew on button replacements. Householders are asked to have buttons ready when the col•paiejs si ‘sjnoToo nv tibd sjopaj will be acceptable, but the buttons must have four holes and be of the types stated, since other sizes cannot be handled by the buttoning machines. ’ .