NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26272, 2 October 1946, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Free-for-all Discussion The rules of debate have for years past been something to be treated very lightly at meetings of the committee of the Otago Cricket Association, but last night’s proceedings surely constituted a record in that respect when the subject of the number of senior teams was under discussion. The question was certainly an important one. but when no control whatever was exercised as to the number of times a member was allowed to speak all method and system went by the board. One member was on his feet fully a dozen times, another followed closely with about 10 innings, and these two practically held a pro and con contest between themselves. Finally, after a period extending well over an hour, during which a great many ideas, new and old. were expressed. a decision was reached.

Oyster Season Ends The' oyster season, which is now closed, is reported to have been successful. The nine boats operating from Bluff averaged 90 sacks daily, each containing about 60 dozen oysters. The total for the season is estimated at 90.000 sacks, or 5,400,000 dozen oysters. The closed season extends from October 1 to February 14.

Building Figures Eighty-two building permits, of a total value of £43,774, were issued during September by the city engineer’s office. Seven of these were for new dwellings, valued at £14,234. The balance were for alterations to dwellings and business premises. Permits issued in September. 1945, totalled 116. the value being £48,894. For the sixmonthly period ended on September 30. 608 permits, of .a total value of £544.869, were issued.

Hospitality Appreciated Appreciation of Dunedin’s hospitality was expressed in a letter to the Mayor, Mr Cameron, from the manager of the Australian Rugby football team, Dr W. H. Ward, and the assistant manager, Mr H. Crow. “Please accept Cor yourself and convey to the citizens of Dunedin the sincere thanks of our team for the'warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to us*in your city,” the letter stated. “We all felt thoroughly at home in Dunedin, and wherever we went little acts of kindness were shown to us."

Gold Export Duty The removal of the gold export duty will operate as from August 16, the date in the Budget announcement. Uncertainty about the date on which the reduction of tax became effective re-' suited in unwillingness on the part of West Coast gold dredging companies to export their production during the past month or six weeks. As the reduction makes a difference of 11s lOd an ounce in their returns, representatives of dredging concerns waited upon the Acting Minister of Mines, Mr O’Brien, and were advised of the position.

Factory Breaches Inspections of factories made during the year ended March 31 last totalled 7338, and 928 breaches of the Factories Act were found, states the annual report of the Department of Labour to Parliament. Prosecutions were instituted in 18 cases and warnings given in 591. No action was considered necessary in the remaining cas'es. Complaints were received respecting 415 alleged breaches of the Act. which, on investigation, resulted in eight prosecutions and 277 warnings. In 64 cases it was found that no breach had been committed. Convictions were secured in all the 26 prosecutions. The fines totalled £57 2s.

New Butter Processes The new butter-making plants would be thoroughly tested against the present methods of butter-making in New Zealand, said the Assistantdirector of Agriculture: Mr R. B. Tennent, commenting on the report that trial equipment for two new Swedish and Swiss butter-making processes is coming to New Zealand. It was probable that they would be placed in one of the large modern butter factories in the Waikato. “We regard the new methods with considerable interest,” he said. “ but it must not be assumed that ffiey will supersede the processes which already produce a very high grade butter in New Zealand. The test will be a competitive one."

In Search of a Word During a discussion at a meeting of the Presbytery of Dunedin last night on a question raised by the Rev. H. O. Bowman concerning the assembly's Youth Committee Mr Bowman said that he had consulted the clerk of the presbytery, the Rev. A. M. Elliffe. and on his advice he had found himself “ stonkered.’’ if he were permitted to use that word. The moderator (the Rev. H. A. Mitchell) replied amidst laughter that Mr Bowman must not use such a word. Mr Bowman said that he could not think of another appropriate word, when a member helped him by saying, “ Stumped.” The moderator added that Mr Bowman might perhaps use the word “stultified." The presbytery, however, appeared to understand what Mr Bowman wished to convey.

Colton Mill 4 Project The acting president of the Federated Farmers of New Zealand, Mr W. N. Perry, in his address at the annual conference in Wellington yesterday, while speaking on economic questions, made reference to the project for the establishment of cotton mills in the Dominion. “ I was ashamed.” he said. ■’ to see that there is a proposal to promote a cotton milling industry in New Zealand, and I was also surprised to learn that this apparently has the support of the Government. When one realises the difficulties of the cotton industry in England, and one remembers that a special committee, the Evershed Committee, was set up to report on it. and that the committee recommended that, in view of the conditions obtaining and the difficulties of the industry, that it should retain a 48hour week, then we should feel ashamed of ourselves for trying to take more trade away from a threatened industry in the United Kingdom.”

For rings’: watches, and jewellery try Peter Dick, jewellers. 59 Princes street. Duredin.—Advt. i