NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26289, 22 October 1946, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Additional Airport The need for an alternative airport for Dunedin is discussed in the annual report of the Otago Expansion League. “The benefit of an alternative landing ground in case of fog needs no stressing.’’ the report states. “ Other factors, such as the growth of aviation and the definite indication of air-mindedness prevailing, indicate colossal growth to be expected in the very near future. The wisdom of providing for every class of air traffic, whether it is for defence purposes, regular air services, air taxi service, club or private flying, should be evident. In these circumstances it is doubtful if the Taieri aerodrome alone can meet all the requirements of those who will desire to use it in the not-too-distant future." Infectious Diseases For the week ended yesterday the Health Department in Dunedin was notified of seven cases of tuberculosis and one of scarlet fever. High School Science Block Advice has been received by Mr P. G. Connolly, M.P., that Cabinet has approved a grant for the remodelling of the science building at the Otago Boys’ High School. The work is being undertaken in order to provide for classes in advanced magnetism, electricity, and biology. “ England Expects. .

Lord Nelson’s famous signal—“ Eng - land expected that every man will da his duty,”—was flown again in Auckland yesterday. Marking the 141st anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. Eight hoists of flags from the yard of the foremast of H.M.N.Z.S. Black Prince at Devonport, says a Press Association telegram, repeated the signal in the same code that was used by the fleet in 1805 when the French and Spanish navies were defeated and Britain was relieved of the threat cf invasion by Napoleon. Methodist Youth Camp

An area of approximately 213 acres at the foothills of the Maungatua Range, near Berwick, has been purchased by the Methodist District Youth Council for use as a youth camp. The property, which possesses many natural advantages, including a good water supply, will be provided with buildings as soon as possible. The camp will be controlled by a Management Committee and a Board of Trustees. The Methodist Church has followed the lead of the Presbyterian Church, which has established a camp at Tirohanga.

New Zealand’s Naval Vessels “We were proud of the part the Achilles played in the River Plate battle but we would have been prouder still if we could have said it belonged to us and had been paid for by us,” said Mr James Begg at the annual meeting of the Otago branch of the Navy League last night. “The time will come,” Mr Begg said, “ when we will have to face these matters, and we would be prouder still of the Royal New Zealand Navy if the two ships belonged to the people of the Dominion instead of being lent to them.

Aerial Fire Patrol The R.N.Z.A.F. has begun operating its Are patrol service in the RotoruaKiangaroa area. This operation, says a Press Association message rrom Wellington. is a seasonal one carried out in co-operation with the State Forestry Service during the months when the fire danger is most prevalent. The patrol will continue until April of next year. A flight has to be constantly on call for observing and locating fires, and it will also carry out communication flights for State Forestry officials. The aircraft normally used will be two D.H. Tiger JVlotns and one D.H. Fox Moth.

Steeplejack Deterred An attempt by a man to climb pw 210 ft smokestack at the Wellington Public Hospital on Friday last was stopped by the hospital engineer. “ There is a place for people who attempt to do foolhardy things of this nature,” said the engineer lam not going to have a mans life on m> hands.” The man who was to have made the attempt is reported to have scaled half-way up the 710 ft 2Y v wireless mast. With the stiff p -°i thwesterly wind blowing on Friday, tin. would-be steenlejack would have had a hard struggle to retain his balance on the iron rungs up the side of ir., smokestack. Exhibition of War Paintings

“A collection of more than paintings by Mr Norman Wilkinson, 0.8. L., P.R.1., of the war at sea, will be exhibited in Dunedin next week,” said the president, Mr J. Sutherland Ross at the annual meeting of the Otago Branch of the Navy League last night. Mr Ross said that a few months ago he had been informed by the office of the United Kingdom High Commissioner in New Zealand, Sir Pa tuck Duff, that this collection of war paintings was being exhibited in Australia, and they were offered to the Navy League for exhibition throughout New Zealand., The collection reached Dunedin last/ week, and the pictures were at present being hung in the Art Gallery.

Red Cross’s Task The tremendous task undertaken by the International Committee of the Red Cross in caring for prisoners oi war and in establishing the cential agency for their relief, was outlined by Mr C. G. White, speaking at a meeting in Wellington on the work of the Red Cross, as it was reported at two conferences he recently attended at Geneva and Oxford as New Zealand’s delegate. A total ol 27,000,000 index cards were kept. 23 583.000 civilian messages were dealt with and 6,600.000 letters were torwarded, to mention but a few of the colossal figures quoted by Mr White. The organisation developed from a very small beginning, he said, when the Swiss Government advanced £IO,OOO in 1939. From then till 1941 the Swiss people found 75 per cent, of the cost of this undertaking, and in addition provided thousands of voluntary workers. Costs, however, rocketed, and yet from 1939-45 the Swiss people found 55 per cent, of the total comributions —a noble effort.

The Taranaki Mystery An explanation of the mysterious deaths of 35 eight-weeks-old lambs on the Hawera golf course one night recently has been offered by Mr L. Brocherie. of Auckland, who has had 25 years' experience in sheep farming in both the North and South Islands. He said he believed the deaths were caused by a dog that just killed the animals and left them without worrying them. About 15 years ago on a station at Gisborne. Mr Brochcrie said. 70 lambs had been found dead with similar wounds in the course of a few davs. The deaths had been positively traced to a collie dog on the property which was seen to chase ana attack the sheep at the back of the neck and then leave them. Although it has been suggested that the lambs were attacked by a flock of migratory birds Mr E. G. Turbott, ornithologist at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, said that he considered this was very unlikely. The only birds likely to attack sheep were blackbacked gulls, which were known to come inland from the coast during the lambing season. These birds, however. usually attacked the animals' eyes and if they had been responsible they would have been seen in the locality during the day.