NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26958, 18 December 1948, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Big Crowds in City The city's shopping centres were thronged yesterday with the largest crowds seen in Dunedin since the centennial celebrations. With the breakup of the primary schools on the previous day, it was only to be expected that children would predominate, and although the showery weather probably kept many of their younger brothers and sisters away, this year’s well-stocked toy counters proved an irresistible lure for thousands.

Maori Street Day The Maori street appeal yesterday for funds to complete the Otakou Memorial met with a fairly generous response fi;om the Dunedin public, but it will not be known until Monday whether the day’s target of £IOOO was reached. Up till 10 o’clock the sum of £240 had been collected by a small army of workers in the city and suburbs, but the money taken after that time was banked without being counted.

Appeal for Flowers An appeal for cut flowers suitable for Christmas decorations for the Seacliff Mental Hospital has been made by the matron of that institution. Any such gifts may be left at the office of the Patients and Prisoners’ Aid Society on Wednesday. \

Limited Holiday Accommodation Many people, at their wits’ end to obtain accommodation,-over the holidays, have approached the local office of the Government Tourist Department in the last few days, seeking assistance in solving their problem. Unfortunately, said the district manager, Mr R. G. Sincock, yesterday, accommodation was at a premium throughout the Dominion, but through unforeseen circumstances, there was now a limited amount of accommodation available at Lawrence.

Wanton Damage Heavy loss and damage were suffered by Colonel and Mrs T. Durrant, of Tirau, near Hamilton, on Wednesday afternoon when the.ir house was entered during their absence. On returning they found that a pair of binoculars valued at £SO and other property had been stolen, while # fur coat valued at £SOOO, the property of Mrs Durrant, had been slashed and ruined. The coat was insured for £350. Valuable carpets, curtains, and other furnishings also had been slashed. A neighbouring cottage had also been entered and £46 stolen.

Museum Gift “ I do not think it is boasting to say that this offer will mean we will have the best collection in New Zealand, and that means the world,” said the director, Mr R. S. Duff, when he informed a meeting of the Canterbury Museum Trust Board that Mr Edgar F. Stead had offered the board his collection of New Zealand bird study skins and eggs. The board decided to accept the offer, to thank Mr Stead, and to suggest that the collection be named after him. “This extraordinarily generous offer is the material result of a lifetime’s work,” said Mr Duff-

Emphasis on Health “During the past seven years the task of educating the public in the fundamental principles of health and health living has grown in importance, ’ states the Minister of Health, Miss Howard, in a foreword in the first issue of Health, tne official bulletin of the Department of Health. The aim of the publication was to meet the increasing demand for knowledge about health, adds the Minister- After outlining the various aspects of health work the magazine will cover, the Minister states: “The extent and value of the work of the department’s skilled officers are not well understood, and it is intended from time to time to explain their activities.”

Canadian Exports “We feel that your Government is making a great mistake in virtually banning imports from Canada,” wrote the export sales manager of a Canadian firm, Provincial Paper, Ltd., Mr R. A. Rawsthorn. in a letter read to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. A lot of ill-feeling had been aroused in Canada, he added. It was felt that Australia and New Zealand should at least permit token shipments similar to those from the United Kingdom. The writer understood that the Department of Trade and Commerce at Ottawa intended pressing the matter further. Mr Rawsthorn said the Canadian Exporters’ Association held very strong views on the subject. He hoped the New Zealand Licensing Department would be more lenient and grant licences for more Canadian goods. Warning to Airmen

The magnetic survey of New Zealand revealed that there were certain localities where abnormal variations of the compass occurred, and where absolute reliance should not be placed on compass readings, states a notice to airmen issued by the Director of Civil Aviation, Mr E. A. Gibson. They are on the Hokianga River, at Tauranga, the East Cape, Rotorua, Lake Taupo, New Plymouth, Waitotara, Cape Egmont, Nelson, Oamaru, Riverton, Bluff Harbour, Foveaux Strait, Paterson Inlet, the Chatham Islands, off Macaulay and Curtis Islands, in the. Kermadec Group, and Adams Strait, in the Auckland Islands. Pending further investigations, caution was advised in the calibration of compasses on the aerodromes at Invercargill, Taupo, Tophouse, and Oamaru, and on the beaches on the West Coast where iron sands were found.