NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26540, 15 August 1947, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Training College Admissions The Otago Education Board has been informed by the Education Department that it may accept applications for admission to the Training College from candidates who are sitting the school certificate or University entrance examinations this year. Such applications, however, will be considered only if there are not sufficient suitable candidates from among those already holding school certificate or a higher qualification. The board hopes to receive a number of applications from those sitting the examinations this year, as it seems likely that some cf them will have to be admitted in order to secure the number of entrants required for 1948. Applications will dose with the board on September 1. Result of Vandalism Vandals recently removed the whole of the electrical fittings from a public convenience in the city, leaving the wires bare, and an employee of the City Council, who entered the convenience in the early hours of the morning, received an electric shock. The General Committee of the council states in its report that investigations are being made by the police. Change of Wording Legal difficulties which had arisen over the fact that the function of the “Marinoto” property had been referred to as a “ temporary ” nurses’ home necessitated a special meeting of the Otago Hospital Board yesterday afternoon, when the required amendment to the wording of the board’s original motion was made and the amended motion referring to the taking over of the property was carried. Paralysis Warning “The last infantile paralysis epidemic was in 1935; before that the usual period between epidemics was about five years,” said the, president (Dr J. Leslie Will) at the annual meeting of the Canterbury and Westland branch of the Crippled Children Society. “It is well for those of us who are responsible for the care of children to keep in mind the distinct possibility of the recurrence of this scourge,” he added.

Immigrants for We«£ Coast Six young single men, who will arrive from Great Britain shortly, will take up work in the Grey district coal mines and sawmills. They will be ths district’s quota from a large group of selected immigrants, and are expected to arrive in Greymouth about August 25. Four of the men will be placed in sawmilling and the other two in one of the State collieries. It is expected that other men will be arriving from Britain to work in the Grey district shorfiry. Sales Tax on Tennis Balls A request for the removal of sales tax on tennis balls as soon as possible with a view to encouraging youth in healthy physical recreation was made by Mr W. H. Fortune (Oppn., Eden) in giving notice of % question to the Minister of Finance, Mr Nash, in the House of Representatives, on Wednesday. Mr Fortune pointed out that tennis clubs now paid £2 5s a dozen for balls, as against 18s 6d before the war. Teachers Seek Extra Holiday

A request from the New Zealand Educational Institute for a school holiday to enable all teachers to attend annual meetings of district branches, sent to the Canterbury School Committees’ Association for information by the Canterbury Education Board, met with a blunt .refusal. “They will be striking next,” said a member. “They have to have a ballot first,” interjected another. Without further discussion, it was unanimously decided to oppose the suggestion. Stevenson’s Tomb The tomb of Robert Louis Stevenson on Mount Vaea, behind Apia, is being made into what the Pacific Islands Monthly describes as “ a thing of real beauty,” after being more or less neglected in the 60 years since Stevenson died. Under instructions from the Administrator of Western Samoa (Colonel F. W. Voelcker), the path which leads from the Vailima road to the tomb is being planted with selected varieties of tropical shrubs and trees. A local botanist (Mr Charles Reed) is planting hibiscus and other shrubs in the tomb itself.

Drainage for Tahuna Park The Works Committee of the Drainage and Sewerage Board has authorised the extension of the sewer in Alfred street, St. Kilda. for a distance of 45 feet along Auld street into Tahuna road for the purpose of providing drainage facilities to the grand? stand and other motor camp accommodation being provided by the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society at Tahuna Park. The cost of this extension will be £773. The proposed accommodation being made in the society’s premises will be of a permanent nature.

Cotton Mill Site t Further steps towards the establishment in Christchurch of a £1,000,000 cotton manufacturing industry have been taken, the Cotton and Textiles Corporation of New Zealand, Ltd., having entered into an agreement with Messrs G. R. Hunter. M.L.C., and P. C. Webb to purchase their block of 28 acres on Burnside road as a mill site The area of land which Messrs Hunter and Webb have agreed to sell is 28 acres. It lies between Ilam and Greer’s roads. It was purchased by them about 10 years ago as a stud farm and horse training property. The original plan of the cotton company, as outlined bv Mr Edward Williamson, was to build two mills, one at Christchurch and the other at Auckland. The employment of 800 men and women at Christchurch and about 400 at Auckland was contemplated.

Air Photography A “ preview ” of a collection of magnificent coloured photographs taken from the air was given to members of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce at their annual meeting last evening. The group on display included lowlevel shots of the centre of Dunedin and suburban areas, together with provincial centres and points of interest. The photographs are of considerable dimensions, and the standard of photography and tinting is'extremely high. Apart from their interest value, such photographs would be of great use to civic planning and publicity organisations. The photographs comprise part of a collection covering the whole of New Zealand which has been compiled by an Auckland firm, and arrangements are being made for their public display locally within the next week.

Vicar Approves Sunday Sport Sunday sport is approved by the vicar of Waerengaahika, near Gisborne, the Rev. J. G. B. Talbot, and the church’s own courts are open to tennis players on Sundays. His views are that Sunday is a day. set aside for the recreation of man—in body, soul and mind. “It is also a happy festival commemorating our Lord’s Resurrection, and is not a gloomy day as puritans would have us believe," he said, addressing his parishioners. “ I am glad to see that some of our sports people feel the need for recreating the soul as well as the body, and attend church before or after their sports. In these days when so many people seek passive entertainment in the form of talkies, for instance, it is necessary for the Church to foster active forms of sport. I urge all parishioners, and especially the younger people, to take an active interest in district, clubs.”

For rings, watches and jewellery, try Peter Dick, jewellers, 30 Princes street, Dunedin.—Advt.