NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26693, 12 February 1948, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Freight by Air A large proportion of the 20,0001 b weight of space available for freight to and from Dunedin in the ordinary passenger planes is not being used, according to advice received from the National Airways Corporation by the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce. The commencing charge for goods sent by the projected air freight service will be approximately 2s 6d per ton mile, and investigations are at present being made in Dunedin to ascertain the probable support for the service. The quickness of delivery, the decreased amount of packing required and the smaller amount of handling are factors expected to appeal to local business houses.

Pipe Band Contest The late entry of the Ruahine Pipe Band for the New Zealand Championship Contest at Easter has raised the number of bands taking part to 30— by far the largest entry received since the contests were commenced in 1936. No overseas unit will now be taking part in the 1948 contest, the New South Wales Police Band having advised that it has another engagement at Easter. Greenstone Axe Found A Maori greenstone axe was recently found in the Cape Foulwind area by a Westport resident. It is perhaps one of the finest pieces of Maori art yet discovered in this area. The axe is about 10 inches long with a face of about 4 inches. Previously, a number of Maori relics had been found in the. Cape Foulwind-Tauranga Bay area, but this latest find is one of the finest.

Altered Opinions “When I first started work as a grocery assistant. I feared all capitalists as a pack of rogues,” said Mr D. Cunningham (Auckland' at the annual conference of the New Zealand Master Grocers’ Federation last night. “As you can no doubt imagine, however, my opinions altered considerably when I first came to own my own business, he continued, to the amusement of his brother delegates.

Writing and Spelling "I have not noticed a deterioration in the standard of .writing; it has never been good,” said the principal of the Christchurch Technical College (Dr D. E. Hansen) at a meeting of the board of governors of the college, when asked by Mr R. T. Thompson whether he had noticed any decline in the standard of writing and spelling. “As for spelling, I have noticed that many university graduates, when applying for positions, have spelt many words incorrectly,” he added. New Cargo Ships Orders for the construction qf three 17-knot ships of the Corinthic class were to have been placed in Britain at the end of last month, said Captain R. S. Lewis, marine superintendent of the Shaw Savill and Albion Line, at Auckland. Captain Lewis, who has returned from a five months' visit to Britain, said that, unlike the Corinthic, Athenic Gothic and Ceramic, the new ships would not carry any passengers. Delivery was not expected before early in 1950. The Gothic and Ceramic would be in service as passenger liners in the second half of this year.

Going Back to Moscow It is authoritatively stated that the New Zealand Minister to Moscow, Mr C. W. Boswell, will return to Moscow when he completes his leave early next month. Colour to a suggestion that New Zealand would not resume its diplomatic representation in Moscow was given by the cqntinued silence of the Russian Legation in Wellington about thh successor to Mr Ziabkin, the first Soviet Minister to New Zealand, who was recalled last October. A high Government source, however, said on Tuesday night that there had been no change in the Government’s policy towards representation in Russia. Price Tribunal Criticised

Criticism of the policy of the Price Tribunal in allowing wages and material price increases without having regard to increasing overhead charges was made by Mr R. A. Moore at the annual conference of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation when supporting an Auckland remit which expressed the conference's objection to the practice. Mr Moore said the manufacturer’s incentive to produce more was destroyed. Small industries could not afford to accept .extra expenses without a chance of recovery. No allowances were being made for salesmen’s commissions and discounts and if these were cut to conserve expenses, salesmen would not be prepared to carry on. The remit was referred to the council for action.

Caravan Holiday A green-painted horse-drawn caravan which passed through the Geraldine County recently recalled methods of travel in earlier days. Its occupants an elderly couple from Christchurch, are convinced that they have found the ideal way of seeing New Zealand. They left Christchurch a week ago, and intend to visit Dunedin. There is no hurry, and Jimmy, the stout bay horse, which pulls the caravan, proceeds in a leisurely fashion about 15 to 20 miles a day. The caravan is not unlike the covered wagons of Western fame, being a four-wheeled brake with a top of heavy canvas. There is a petrol cooker, folding beds, and ample cupboard and safe space inside the vehicle. “I’ve covered all of this country by car. but not until I drove a horse over the same routes did I really see it,” said the driver.