NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26776, 20 May 1948, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Mr Semple’s Book A notice appeared on the board at the Dunedin Tramsheds yesterday advertising Mr Semple’s book on why he fights Communism. Soon afterwards, another notice appeared above the first. “In thoughtless mood, I purchased 15,000 copies of Simple Robert’s book,” the unsigned notice read.' “Now, realising that there will be no sale for them, I am prepared to exchange them for a broody hen. If you cannot procure a copy, then read Mein Kampf—there is no difference.” Fruit for Britain New Zealand thus far this season has exported to the United Kingdom 526,230 cases of apples and 22,000 cases of pears. With further shipments during this month and next. New Zealand’s total export of fruit for the season will be 1,036.000 cases. Food Parcels Arrive The vessel Perim, which left Bluff on March 26 with 7167 parcels for Britain on board, arrived in the United Kingdom on May 4. This consignment, which represented 67,9371 b of parcels, was made up from postings in all parts of the Soiith Island, except Nelson, between March 10 and March 21. Little Work on Wharves Little work has been available on the Dunedin wharves during the past few days, in sharp contrast with the busy period at the beginning of the month. After the Coptic and Kopua had sailed yesterday for northern ports, only one coastal trader, the Kairanga, was left in port. Several vessels, however, are set down for arrival to-day and tomorrow.

Training of Teachers An important change in the training of teachers is proposed in a motion, notice of which was given to the Otago Education Board at its monthly meeting yesterday by Mr N. H. Colquhoun. His motion was: “ That the board should consider the advisability of candidates entering the teaching profession being required to serve a probationary period before being accepted as students %t the Training College." The motion will be discussed at the next meeting of the board. Growing Air Service

Claiming to be “ the first airline in the world to exceed 100,000,000 dollars in annual passenger and air freight revenue,” Pan-American Airways’ annual report states that the gross revenue for 1947 was 142.362,000 dollars gnd the estimated net earnings 2,960,000 dollars. Passenger miles increased during the year by over 43 per cent., and air freight ton miles increased by 126 per cent. An analysis of the revenue showed that, for every dollar earned, 14.9 cents were contributed by mail payments. Young Farmers’ Enterprise

A motorist passing through Clyclevale yesterday would probably have conceived the idea that the Automobile Association had temporarily adopted a new form of signposting. At conspicuous points along the road from Clydevale to Waipahi board signs appeared saying: “To the ploughing match.” The Clutha Valley Young Farmers’ Club was responsible for the innovation. With commendable enterprise, it had endeavoured to make certain that no one had any difficulty in finding the way to the first ploughing match in the district. Elderly Sisters Reunited Reunited for the first time for 58 years, five sisters whose ages ranged from 73 to 37 met in Wellington on Tuesday. They are the daughters of the Rev. John Crump and Mrs Crump, of the Methodist Church, and granddaughters of the Rev. Thomas Buddie and Mrs Buddie, who reached New Zealand in 1840. The gathering was brought about by the return in the Wahine from Australia of Miss Mabel Crump, who has spent many years abroad. The other sisters were Mrs George Webber, of French Pass. Mrs T. R. Hodder, of Palmerston North, Miss S. L. Crump and Miss E. W. Crump. School Year of Two Terms

A suggestion that the school year be divided into two terms —February to June and July to December—received from the School Committees’ Association will be referred by the Auckland Education Board to the Education Department with the request that the whole question of holidays be reviewed. Reasons supporting the suggestion include one that dairy farmers take their holidays and changes of sharemilkers are made in June and school examinations are held halfyearly. Short school breaks at Easter and the Labour Day wfek-end are suggested. and also the extension of holidays into the heat of February.

Weather Forecasts Criticised Much criticism of the forecasts issued by the Meteorological Office has been made by settlers in the flooded areas of Poberty Bay since the week-end Reports issued on Monday evening and on Tuesday were described as an effori to catch lip on a situation which had developed without adequate warning A broadcast warning on Monday night of heavy rain in the back country and stressing the possibility of renewed flooding caused a number of settlers to evacuate their homes again on Tuesday for the second time in three days. The highest point to which the Waipaoa River rose on Tuesday as a result of the rain was 8 feet, compared with 31 feet in the spill-over last week-end. Competitive Services

The need for two Tasman air services was urged by Mr F. W. Doidge, M.P. for Tauranga, who returned to New Zealand from Australia by air on Tuesday. Mr Doidge said that as soon as the parliamentary session opened he intended to introduce the question to the House. Australian National Airways, a private company, was very anxious to have a permanent service between Australia and New Zealand. The firm had assisted New Zealand at the present time when the flyingboats of Tasman Empire Airways were out of commission, but was not permitled more than a monthly contract at charter rates. The huge waiting lists were evidence of the need for more than one service, Mr Doidge said. If permitted, the Australian company would operate a service from Sydney to Auckland and-another from Sydney to Christchurch. In addition to carrying more passengers and freight than the flying-boats, the Skymasters of the company made the journey in faster time.

New Awards for War Service Two distinguished New Zealand soldiers who served together in both world wars received further decorations at an investiture by Sir Bernard Freyberg at Government House yesterday. Major-general H. E. Barrowclough received the insignia of Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath and also a bar to his Distinguished Service , Order. The former honour was for outstanding leadership while commanding the Third New Zealand Division during operations in the Pacific and the latter for conspicuous bravery and brilliant leadership as brigade commander during the advance of the Second New Zealand Division at the capture of Sidi Rezegh. Major Kenrick was made Commander of the Order of the Bath. He was responsible for the New Zealand medical services in the Middle East and Italy and displayed untiring energy and organising ability. Fortythree officers and men also received awards for distinguished service in Europe, the Pacific, Burma, the Middle East, Greece, Italy and Britain.