NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26200, 10 July 1946, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Track for Cyclists

“ I think that is a most unsatisfactory reply," said the president, Mr H. S. Reid, at a meeting of the executive of the Automobile Association (Otago) last night, when a letter was received from the City Council stating that the cycle track in Cumberland street could not be restored as funds were not available for the work. “ The track is there," Mr Reid said. “All they have to do is let the cyclists use it." Mr P. W. Breen said he had walked over the track that day, and there was not a pothole in it. The association's proposal was a safety measure for the benefit of cyclists, and the track was in beautiful order, so there seemed no reason why the cyclists could not use it. A letter was received from the Otago Drivers’ Union stating that it unanimously approved the proposal for a cycle track in Cumberland street.

Infectious Diseases During the past week the Public Health Department in Dunedin received notification of one case of infantile paralysis, one of scarlet fever, and one of tuberculosis. “ Tattersalls ” Prizes

Several of the major prizes in the latest Tattersalls “ consultation ” were won by New Zealand ticket holders. These are as follows:—First prize of £IO.OOO. No. 187022. Miss L. D., Manaia; fifth prize of £750, No. 90551, Five Seas 25,” Auckland: eighth prize of £250, No. 146093. "Squib." St. Heliers. Auckland.

Interim Army A moderate number of inquiries regarding service with the interim army are being received at the Dunedin office of the Army Department. The enlistments, a Daily Times reporter was told yesterday, are not keeping pace with the inquiries, although a small number have been received. It was stated that few returned servicemen had so far shown a desire to enlist.

Factory Now Operating The branch factory of Messrs H. C. Urlwin, Ltd., which has been established in Victoria and Fuller Halls, has now commenced operations. The factory is employing seven girls and rive men, but .this number will be substantially increased in the next two or three months, and it is expected the employees will then total nearly 100. Only seven girls applied for positions, but applications from male factory workers totalled nearly 100

Lighting of Ships in Port Arising from the dispute in Wellington regarding the lighting and heating of accommodation while ships are in port, a Daily Times reporter inquired from the secretary of the Otago Harbour Board (Mr J. Renton) as to the procedure adopted in Otago. “So far as the port of Otago is concerned,” Mr Renton replied, "during the last 12 months the board has been able to supply all the power asked for by ships." Skating Championships

Ice skaters at Alexandra have enjoyed excellent conditions at the Manorburn dam since June 8. At present, the entire dam is covered with ice varying in thickness from four to eight inches. If present conditions continue the Alexandra Winter Sports Club will hold the New Zealand speed championships under the auspices of the New Zealand Ice Skating Association on Saturday afternoon, as well as local figure and pairs skating championships.

United Kingdom Travel Many New Zealanders intending to visit Britain shortly will be affected by the serious outward shipping situation revealed by the Minister of Internal Affairs. Mr W. E. Parry, at the week-end. Mr Parry stated that more than 8000 people were awaiting passages from Britain to the Dominion and that some New Zealanders wanting return voyages might have to wait more than three years. It is estimated that about 1800 require shipping from New Zealand to England.

Mayor’s Small Visitors The Mayor (Mr D. C. Cameron) was an informal host to some very youthful visitors to the Town Hall yesterday morning, when a party of pupils from the Abbotsford Kindergarten was brought by the director of the kindergarten (Miss M. D. Smith) to see how the Town Hall clock operated. After the inspection had taken place, the Mayor invited the children to his room where each was presented with a bar of chocolate and given a glimpse of the mayoral robes.

Model of Bridge Reference was recently made in these columns to the model of the Edith Cavell Memorial Bridge which has been placed in the board room of the Lake County Council. It was stated that the model was the work of Mr T. G. Beck, now assistant commissioner of works, but in a letter which has just been received Mr Beck advises that it was made by Mr Hugh Sutherland, of the Dominion Manufacturing Company. Ltd., who was formerly chief draftsman at the Public Works Department. Dunedin.

Municipal Organ Recital The city organist. Dr V. E. Galway, will give an after-church recital in the Town Hall on Sunday evening, when the following programme of organ music will be presented:—“Fanfare” (Charles Waters), “Ave Maria” (Arcadelt, sixteenth century). Fugue in D minor (the Dorian,” Bach), two pieces. “A Child's Dream” and “Concert Study” (Josef Bonnet), Sonata in D minor, choral and variations, Fugue and Andante (Mendelssohn), “Sea Surge” (Nesbitt) “Prize Sing” from “Tthe Meistersingers” (Wagner) and Finale in B flat i Wolstenholme). There will be no charge for admission. Substance That Bends Light A demonstration of the way in which perspex, the new transparent plastic widely used in aeroplane construction, will "bend” light rays was given by Mr H. L. Lewis, an Auckland business man, in an address to Auckland Rotarians on Monday. After pointing out that light rays will not follow turns in glass and similar substances, the speaker took a perspex rod about four feet long and bent it at an angle of 45deg. When an electric torch was pressed against one end the light glowed at the other end of the rod Mr Lewis mentioned that this new substance would have a great many uses in shop window lighting.

Land Sales’ Headquarters The Otago Land Sales Committee, which has used a room on the first floor of the Chief Post Office building since its inception in October, 1943, for the hearing of cases, yesterday moved into room 215, on the second floor. The new room was previously used by the engineering staff of the Post and Telegraph Department, and is more commodious than the old one, and has also the great advantage of being far enough removed from the sounds of passing tramcars and motor vehicles in Princes street to enable the proceedings to be followed without undue strain. In the old room it was often difficult for counsel or the press to understand a word spoken by a witness for fairly long periods owing to the tumult from the street.