NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26561, 9 September 1947, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Behaviour of Crowds In view of the approach of the centennial celebrations in Dunedin, the .chief traffic inspector, Mr E. H. Barrett, yesterday mentioned the necessity for the public to stay on the footpaths and to remain clear of the roadway during processions or other public functions. Recalling the arrival of the Fiery Cross in Dunedin, he said that traffic inspectors had been kept busy maintaining two traffic lanes through the crowd at the corner of Frederick and George streets. When the runner arrived bearing the Cross, the crowd had surged out from the footpaths, completely blocking the road and bringing the procession to a halt. It was imperative that the people should stay on the footpaths during such occasions, Mr Barrett added. This provision was enforced in northern cities, and by its observance in Dunedin in the future the public would be afforded a better view of proceedings as well as minimising the risk of accidents and the obstruction of traffic. House Broken Into A house in Musselburgh rise was broken into some'time between August 28 and September 6, during the absence of the owner, and articles to the value of about £3O were taken. The police are making inquiries. Soldiers’ Housing Loans

It was reported to the Auckland Rehabilitation Committee yesterday that the question of extending interest-free building loans beyond £ISOO to servicemen whose families required largei houses would be investigated by the Minister of Rehabilitation, Mr Skinnei. Tenders Accepted

Tenders accepted by the City Council last night were those by Otago Motors. Ltd., for two motor truck chassis (a total of £1414) and by Keith Ramsay Ltd., for 32 37ft hardwood poles for the trolley bus system (£329 12s).

Preventing Punctures The trailer magnet operated by the Main Highways Board in the South Island to clear main highways of iron and steel puncture-producing articles cleared 4977 miles of road last year, and picked up 79831 b of material. The average yield for each mffe highway was 1.6041 b, compared with 0.4841 b in the previous year. Animal Friends Mr C. J. Cutler, curator of the Wellington Zoo, has decided not to accept the directorship of the Melbourne Zoo, which was offered to him last month. He said that he and Mrs Cutler fen settled in their home at the Zoological Gardens. Leaving it and the animals, many of whom they regarded as close friends, would be too much ot a wrench. Wool Board Bursaries Two. bursaries of £SOO (N.Z.) a year, tenable for two years at a selected university in the United Kingdom aie being awarded this year by the New Zealand Wool Board. The board proposes to award the bursaries to suitably qualified students for the study of subjects that will help them to undertake research into sheep and wool problems in New Zealand. District Electors’ List The district electors’ list for the city of Dunedin has been compiled in preparation for the municipal elections in November, the town clerk, Mr K. A. Johnston, reported to a meeting of the City Council last night. The list contained 48.258 names, compared with a total of 44,222 names on the district list and the supplementary list for the last elections. Work was beginning on the preparation of the supplementary roll The elections would be held on November 19, and nomination day was October 29. he said. Gorse Control Gorse-seed weevils, liberated in various parts of New Zealand by the Cawthron Institute, Nelson, are reported to be checking the spread of gorse. The weevils (Apion ulicis) have established themselves firmly at all point's where liberated, and are spreading. They do not attack the gorse itself, but eat the seeds in the pods, thus preventing the spreading of new plants. A gorse bush which nas been infested with the weevil will be found to have normally developed seed pods, but when they ' are opened they contain numerous small, spidery insects and no seeds. In the last year the institute liberated some 6500 weevils, mainly in Westland and' the Pelorus district, where the insect had not apparently established itself. Inebriate Takes to Water

Although the story of an unusual apprehension of a drunk man was told in typically curt police language in the Wellington Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, it caused a considerable amount of mirth. The policeman who told the story (says a Press Association telegram) was called to the waterfront on Saturday evening to deal with a drunk man who was making a nuisance of himself. When the policeman reached the waterfront at 10 p.m. the man was seen to be swimming in the boat harbour. When the policeman tried to apprehend him, he swam away and had to be followed by a boat to a launch which hq had boarded. The magistrate, in convicting the man and discharging him, said with a smile, “It must have been very cold for him.” N.Z. Pianist’s Success

If she can obtain transport and an assurance of sufficient support, Miss Janetta McStay, former Invercargill pianist, intends to visit New Zealand next year with a small ensemble o. Spanish artists. In the meantime, the company is making a tour of Britain under the auspices of the Arts Council and is having a very successful season It is more than 12 years since Miss McStay left to begin her studies at the Royal Academy of Music. London. Since then she has won many medals and scholarships, taken part in classical concerts in Holland, France, Belgium, and Germany, and has given many broadcasts in the Home and overseas services of the 8.8. C. Her ability as a pianist is considerable, and recent newspaper comment indicates that she has reached a high standard of performance. West Coast Derailment The derailment of a mixed train on the Greymouth-Otira line near Te Kinga on Saturday morning caused long delays to both the east-bound and west-bound expresses, and to the Greymouth-Christchurch railcar. Some of the passengers had a wait of nearly 12 hours at Otira. The train which was derailed was the usual Grey-mouth-Otira slow passenger and goods train It left Greymouth at 7.40 a.m. It comprised 17 coal-laden wagons, a carriage and guard’s van. The tram carried four but none was injured. The derailment occurred at 10 a.m. about two miles and a-half on the Otira side of Te Kinga and in an isolated and swampy locality. The wagons came to rest at all angles, and completely blocked the permanent way. Greymouth taxis and buses had a busy time throughout Saturday afternoon and night in coping with the unusual demand for their services.