NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27042, 29 March 1949, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Mushrooms in the Octagon The growth of mushrooms on the Octagon reserve is being keenly watched by the proprietor of a nearby establishment. He told the Daily Times that in past years he had derived some excellent meals from that source. The present cold weather was retarding their growth, he said, and though some two dozen were to be seen yesterday, they were of small size. If the morning dew were followed by some warm sunshine they would soon sprout up, he added. In city shops mushrooms are selling up to 4s 6d a lb and are finding a ready market.

Shops Entered Three shops in Caversham and Mornington were broken into during the week-end but nothing of value was taken. Tender for Vans

The City Council last night accepted the sole tender of Commercial Motors. Ltd., for the supply of three lOcwt Bradford delivery vans at a total cost of £1899 13s. less £435 for three tradein vehicles. Charter for Golf Tournament

For the first time in the history of the Hanmer Springs Golf Club a charter, under the new Licensing Act, was obtained for the tournament held at the club links on Saturday. Two bars were operated by the licensee of a Waikari hotel, and did good business. Bus Services

A suggestion that the bus terminal at Corstorphine should be extended a quarter of a mile further into the settlement, which had grown for a similar- distance, was made to the Transport Committee of the City Council last night by Cr Barnes. He said that this extension would bring the bus to the middle of the housing area. Cr E. J. Anderson replied that he would give instructions for buses to begin running there to-day as a trial which would determine the future policy of the department. Canine Interest

A small dog owned by a family in Forbury crescent finds some fascination in the chimes introducing a popular recipe session which is broadcast at 9 o’clock every morning during the week. No matter what the dog is doing at the time, if he heafs the chimes he bounds away to the radio and, throwing back his head, emits a long howl. As soon as the announcer’s voice comes on to the air, the dog relaxes and trots away, apparently satisfied with the morning’s work.

Rubbish Collection Whether it was because the height of the vehicles made the lifting of rubbish receptacles difficult, he had noticed that city streets had become littered with rubbish when collections were made when the slightest of breezes was blowing, said Cr E. J. Anderson, at a meeting of the City Council last night. He suggested that the position could be investigated by the Works Committee. Cr Armitage, for the chairman. Cr Ireland, said that the matter would be investigated by the department. Sowing Seed from the Air

Six hundred acres of land at Wither Hills, Marlborough, were sown from the air with subterranean clover and trefoil last week. The trial was carried out on land which had been spelled for a year, said Mr D. A. Campbell, chief soil conservator, Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council. He estimated that the work was done at about one-third the cost of ordinary sowing methods. It was completed in about an hour and a-half. The object of the work, Mr Campbell said, was to improve the pasture and to control erosion. Territorial Service Leave

In response to requests from employees wishing to join the territorial forces, the Finance Committee had agreed to grant leave to employees who wished to attend training camps and refresher courses, stated a recommendation to the City Council last night. Cr Sidev objected to the wording of a part of the recommendation, which, he said, inferred that if an employee received more pay from his territorial service than his normal salary, he would hand over the difference to the council. It was decided to refer the clause back to the Finance Committee.

Councils Agree The members of the Dunedin City Council and the St. Kilda Borough Council sat together in the Council Chambers last night. They were in full accord. The occasion was the election of a combined representative of the two councils on the Ocean Beach Domain Board. A member of the St. Kilda Council nominated the Mayor of St. Kilda, Mr W. Rutherford, who was elected unopposed. Later the City council appointed Crs E. J. Anderson and Wright to replace Messrs M. Silverstone and F. Wilkinson, whose terms as members of the Ocean Beach Domain Board as the council’s representatives will expire on March 31.

Radio-active lodine For the first time in New Zealand medical history, a woman patient is now being treated in the Christchurch Public Hospital with a radio-active isotope, a by-product of atomic energy piles. The isotope being used is radioactive iodine, a consignment of which was recently received by air from the United States Atomic Energy Commission's laboratories at Oak Ridge. The aim of the treatment is to destroy abnormal thyroid tissue. The patient had earlier been treated surgically, but without success. The case is a very rare one, but similar treatment has been given in Australia for the complaint. In the United States the technique has been in use for upwards of five years. South Island Interests

Three suggestions to advance the interests of the South Island as a whole will be forwarded from the Southland County Council to the South Island Local Bodies’ Association. They are: The production of brown coal from Mataura, a progressive policy for the sealing of State and main highways, and the establishment of a power supply station in the Doubtful Sound or Lakes area. A letter was received from the association at a meeting of the council last week asking for suggestions, as the association proposed to formulate a schedule of important works to submit to the Government as being its endorsed plan for development. Waitaki Bridge “In view of the age and condition of the Waitaki bridge and the danger to it from the risk of flooding which might necessitate its closing involving road and rail travellers in serious inconvenience. the Government be urged to give immediate priority to the duplication of the present bridge.” This was the text of a remit passed at the half-yearly meeting of the South Island Motor Union last week. It was further agreed to ask the Railways Department and the Main Highways Board to raise, if practicable the decking of the bridge to the level of the top of the rail in two or three places to facilitate the easier passing of wide vehicles. The bridge was 73 years old. and if it had existed in the North Island it would have been removed long ago, said Mr J. C. Kirkness, the North Otago delegate.