NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26176, 12 June 1946, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Acquisition of Coal Mines A report is current in the city that negotiations are proceeding with a view to the Government acquiring the Star and Black Diamond mines in thc t Ohai coalfield. Black Diamond is a semi-bright coal and Star a bright coal. Should the Government purchase these mines, Birchwood, Kaitangata and Linton will then be the only large privately-owned mines in Otago and Southland.

Postmen’s Drive for C.0.R.5.0.

A drive organised by the Wellington postmen on Saturday to raise funds for C.0.R.5.0. has so far resulted in the sum of £3628 being realised.

Shipment of Cement Included in the cai’go for Dunedin brought by the Samythian. now at the wharf, are 300 tons of cement. The cement is for Dunedin and Christchurch and will help to tide over the present shortage. The Samythian is also unloading 100 tons of plastic from Sydney, and 500 tons of Indian goods, including coir mats, tea and cinnamon quills transhipped at Sydney.

Aero Club Planes The possibility of the club acquiring machines a little faster than Tiger Moths was mentioned by Mr H. I. Sinclair at the annual meeting of the Otago Aero Club last night. “We have five Tiger Moths on order,” Mr Sinclair said, “ and although we are not making any promises, we hope to have something a little faster, and some news should be available on the subject within the next few days.” Cheapest Farming Land

In the course of his evidence in a case which was heard before the Otago Land Sales Committee yesterday, Mr G. G. Black, of Messrs Dalgety and Co., Ltd., expressed the opinion that Central Otago as a fattening proposition was still the cheapest farming land in the Dominion. Mr Black made particular reference to the Ida Valley district, explaining that in arriving at such a conclusion he had taken into consideration irs comparative isolation. Resumption of Production

"As a result of the excellent work of the Ohai rescue squad and our own staff, very little coal in the section will be lost,” said the chairman of directors (Mr T. Espie). in referring at the annual meeting of the Kaitangata Coal Company, Ltd., to the reopening of the fire area at the mine. Mr Espie said that when the area was reopened some weeks ago the stoppings had been pushed back to nearer the seat of the fire. It was hoped to resume production in the area within a few weeks.

The Difference ' “A banker begins by knowing verylittle about a great deal, and keeps on knowing more and more about less and less until he finally knows almost everything about nothing,” explained Mr W. Rowan, when talking about the lighter side of banking at an R.S A. lunch in Napier. “He differs from an economist in that an economist starts by knowing a great deal about a verylittle, and keeps on knowing less and less about more and more until at last he knows practically nothing about everything.” he added. His Word Was His Bond Rather than break his word that he would be back at his job promptly after being given a day off to go to the races, a 70-year-old farm hand in the Hangaroa district walked 32 miles, through the night and over hilly country, to his home. Re had a good day at the races and backed the winner of Ihe last race. By the time that he had collected his dividend his bus had gone and he decied to walk home. He arrived here about 7 a.m. next day somewhat distressed, but. after a rest in the morning, he was able to milk his employer’s cows in the afternoon.

A Tip to Motorists “We are to have new registration plates this year, and that may cause some minor trouble to many motorists,” said the chairman of the Automobile Association (Otago), Mr H. S. Reid, at the monthly meeting of the executive of the association last night. It would be found in many instances that the removal of the old plates would be a difficult job. “I would advise motorists not to wait until July I to think about changing their plates," Mr Reid said. “If they do, they may be put to some inconvenience. The wise plan will be to ‘ be prepared.' ” '

Praise for Aero Clubs " I was mixed up with the air forces of all the Allied nations during the war,” said Wing Commander W. Kofoed, addressing the annual meeting of the Otago Aero Club last night, “and I can say that, for efficiency, serviceability of aircraft, freedom from accidents. and number of flying hours, none were as good as the Royal New Zealand Air Force. For that we are indebted to the aero clubs before »the war. If it had not been for them, and the type of men they trained—men who later became instructors the R.N.Z.A.F. would not have been the brilliant organisation 't undoubtedly was.

Otago Motor Cycle Club The Motor Cycle Section ol the Automobile Association (Otago) was formally disbanded as the result of a resolution confirmed at the monthly meeting of the Executive Committee of the association last night, and a newlyconstituted organisation, the Otago Motor Cycle Club, came into existence. The changed status ot the motor cyclists’ organisation makes it possible to undertake sports activities which were restricted while it was constituted as a section of the association. The association executive last night adopted the necessary resolutions to give effect to the severance

Lamp of Remembrance A suggestion by Mrs R. S. Ferens that a “ Lamp of Remembrance ” should be placed at the top of the flagpole on the Municipal Chambers, to continuously “ as a constant and silent reminder of the debt we owe to those from the city who gave their lives in the war,” was contained in a letter which was considered by the Executive Committee of the Dunedin Returned Services’ Association at a,meeting last night. Mrs Ferens said that she had discussed the matter with the Mayor, Mr D. C. Cameron, who, she said, had thought it an excellent idea. The president. Mr S. P. Cameron, said that a memorial of the nature had been erected at Timaru. After some discussion, the matter was referred to the General Committee, the chairman remarking that the association had decided not to have memorials like those of the 1914-18 war built again, but the suggestion made by Mrs Ferens was a worthy one

The Boy With the Shanghai The distinguished soldier—or was it airman?—was paying a visit to his borne town and recalling memories as he moved among the scenes of his boyhood days. He looked up at the old home, and as he watched a particular window on the top floor he smiled to himself. It looked over the adjacent street. The man who drove his horse and cart past this house daily could never understand why his horse played up every time it passed the house, but one morning he saw a boy at the window and the mystery was on the way to being solved. The driver of the vehicle informed the police of his troubles, and they called at the house. The adult occupants were asked if they had a boy who liked to station himself at the top window in the mornings. They said that they had, and the boy was called in to be questioned. “Have you a shanghai? ” he was asked, and he reluctantly admitted that he had. “Are you in the habit of taking pot shots with it at a horse and cart that goes past your house? ” Again a reluctant affirmative. “ Well you give up the shanghai,” said the policeman, who inquired as it was handed over, “ Have you another? ” “ Yes,” said the boy. “ Well you can keep that one, but if there is any more rearing up of that horse you will hear from us again.” The accuracy of the shooting of this young rascal no doubt stood him in good stead years after, when his target was much more important than a horse and cart.