NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26781, 26 May 1948, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Authority for Power House The latest issue of the New Zealand Gazette contains a formal notice authorising the Minister in Charge of the State Hydro-electricity Department to construct the Roxburgh Gorge power station and to use water from Lakes Wakatipu, Wanaka and Hawea and to harness the Clutha, Manuherikia, Kawarau, Hawea, Cardrona. Lindis, Nevis, Shotover, Fraser and Teviot Rivers for the undertaking. The Minister is also empowered to make use of their tributaries. He may. according to the notice, raise or lower the level of any of the lakes or rivers, impound or divert the water, make tunnels under aqueducts and flumes over private land, and erect power lines. Fat Drives in Otago The Dunedin Aid for Britain Committee decided last night that fat drives should be held in Otago early next month. The Fat Sub-committee was instructed to prepare plans for the drive. Valuable Work The valuable work being accomplished by the Disabled Servicemen's Re-establishment League was emphasised by Mr C. J. Hayward at a meeting of the Technical School Board of Managers yesterday. The speaker said the cost to the taxpayer would be enormous if the league were not functioning. Rapid Loading Rapid loading by five gangs of workers has made possible the sailing of the steamer Glenpark a day earlier than originally ercpected. She will leave this morning to finish at Lyttelton. Since she arrived at Dunedin last Thursday the Glenpark has taken aboard 13,000 bales of wool, 9000 bags of seeds, and a quantity of general cargo, all of which is for the United Kingdom. Their First Films

When sound films were shown for the first time at Glenorchy, at the head of Lake Wakatipu, on Saturdaynight, the audience included children aged 10 to 13 who had never before seen a film, either silent or talkie. The showing of pictures at Glenorchy has been made possible by the recent establishment of a power supply unit owned and operated by Mr L. I. Smith He has a 15-kilowatt generating plant near the township. Since it began operating, the hall, the store, the hotel, the post office, and several houses have been supplied with electric power. Poultry Census

An increase of 11.23 per cent, in the total number of poultry in New Zealand is recorded in the census of poultry taken on September 25, 1945, compared with the previous census, in 1936. Fowls had increased in the intercensal period by 582,167. or 16.69 per cent., but ducks, geese and turkeys had all decreased. In the case of turkeys, the decrease was 56.03 per cent Comparative figures from the two latest censuses, those of the 1936 census being given in parentheses, are:—Fowls. 4.070,683 (3,488,516); ducks, 319.918 (377,791): geese, 41,903 (66,667); turkeys, 37,862 (86,102). Queen Mary’s Birthday Queen Mary is 81 years of age to-day. She was born at Kensington Palace on May 26, 1867, and was the first child of the Duke of Teck and Princess Mary Adelaide. She. married the late King George V in 1893. and lived quietly for some years at York Cottage, where five of her six children were born. In 1901, as Duke and Duchess of York, the royal couple made an Empire tour, visiting among other countries Australia and New Zealand. In 1910 the sudden death of King Edward VII brought them to the Throne. Queen Mary has suffered the loss of two sons, Prince John, who died in 1919, anfi the Duke of Kent, who was killed on active service in 1942. Stern Faces -in Britain

“The British people for the most part are stern-faced; they see the continuation of the austerity years for an indefinite period, and the Russian situation palls on them. They are working hard, but they are tired of the monotony of their existence. In spite of it all they have faith in the ultimate outcome. They are a very sensible people, and they will tackle anything and keep at it until they come out on top—and no doubt they will come through with flying colours.” In these words Dr Ritchie Gilmour. who has spent 25 years in England, the last 15 in the pathological department of the London Hospital, summed up in an interview in Invercargill the position as he saw it when he left London six weeks ago.

Unauthorised, Voyage Fines and costs totalling £l4O have been imposed upon R. H. and N. Hammond, the former owners, and Henry Percy Stanaway, master, of the 291ton steamer Ruawai, in a reserved judgment issued by Mr J. Morling, S.M. Eighteen breaches of the Seamen's and Shipping Act on which the defendants were convicted on April 23 included sailing from Helensville on January 7, and from Opononi three days later, in defiance of Marine Department detention orders, failing to carry a certificated master, failing to carry a regulation crew, and failing to carry properly adjusted compasses and life-saving equipment. The magistrate held that the endangering of the lives of the crew and other major breaches were deliberate. However, certain features somewhat softened the gravity of the charges.

The drawing of the " One for Mum ” art union is to take place at the board room, second floor. Wellington Commercial Travellers’ Association Building, Customhouse quay, this morning, commencing at 9.25.

For rings, watches and jewellery, try Peter Dick, Jeweller. 36 Princes street, Dunedin.—Advt.