NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27043, 30 March 1949, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Lake Level Rises The level of Lake. Mahinerangi continues to rise. It had reached 87ft 2in yesterday—an increase of seven inches in a day and 2ft 2in during the past week. The water can rise to 100 feet before it begins to flow over the spillway. The lake is now 9ft 2in higher than it was at the beginning of last winter—an increase of 20ft llin since September 28 last, when the lake reached its lowest level. Sugar Arrives The freighter Kairanga arrived at Dunedin yesterday from Auckland with 660 tons of sugar. City grocers said that their share of the shipment should be available to the public at the end of this week or early next It would be only enough to maintain the present ration, they added.

Another Fire A call to another fire at Donaghy’s Rope Works in South Dunedin was answered yesterday by machines of the Central Fire Station. At 1.27 p.m. they were called to a fire caused by friction of the drums of a scutching machine at the works. No damage was done to the machine. Sales Tax Exemption

Electrical amplifying equipment to be used in an educational institution has been exempted from sales tax, provided the principal of a school, college or university declares that the equipment will not be used except for educational purposes, and that it will not be removed without payment of sales tax. Gas Supply in Dunedin

“We are still just on the verge,” the chairman of the City Council Gas Committee, Cr R. F. Barr, commented yesterday when inquiries were made about the gas supply in Dunedin. On Monday- ne said that the demand had increased to such an extent that the Gas Department had been on the verge of being forced to shut down. Cr Barr added yesterday that no decision to shut down had yet been made. Gift from Dr Thomas Burns The library at Knox College was originated from a gift by Dr Thomas Burns, and was actually older than the Theological Hall, said the Rev. H. J. Ryburn at the annual meeting of the Presbyterian Synod of Otago and Southland yesterday. He added that when he began a research into the history of the library, some valuable old books were found stored in a wooden shed at the college. Some of the books were extremely rare. More Ministers

In the area under the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Synod of Otago and Southland there are more ministers in proportion to the population than in the north, .but, on the other hand, the average stipend appears to be smaller, South of the Waitaki 66 per cent, of the ministers are on the minimum stipend of £375 per annum, but north of the Waitaki only 58 per cent are in that position. These statistics were presented to the synod at its annual meeting yesterday. Another £IO,OOO Prize For the third week in succession, the major prize of £IO,OOO in Tattersall’s cash consultation has come to New Zealand. It has been won by a ticket holder in Hamilton, using the nom-de-plume of “ Old Bill.” Six of the 10 main prizes in this particular consultation have been won by New Zealand titket holders. The third prize (£1250) went to Napier, the fourth prize (£1000) to Masterton, the fifth prize (£750) to Hastings, the sixth prize (£500) to Auckland, and the tenth prize (£245) to Hokitika.

Certificates for Trucks A recent amendment to the transport regulations, which is apparently not widely known, provides that with the exception of those owned by farmers and local bodies, all motor trucks which require H plates must also have certificates of fitness issued by the Transport Department. Previously ancillary users (that is, people wbo carried their own goods) needed only a warrant of fitness, which could be issued at any motor garage or testing station, and only licensed transnort operators required a departmental certificate.

Small Aircraft Load

Only four passengers- were carried by the Pan-American Airways clipper Ocean Rover, which arrived at Whenuapai on Monday afternoon from Seattle. The clippers, which have a passenger capacity of 44, carry a crew of seven, a pilot, co-pilot, pilot navigation officer, engineer, radio operator and two stewardesses. Two trips a week are made from Seattle. A British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines DC6, which arrived on Sunday afternoon on its weekly flight, carried two passengers and a crew of hine. The DC6 has day accommodation for 48 passengers. Evacuation of School

Although yesterday was officially a holiday for pupils of the 70-year-old Normal School, many of them assisted in the removal of furniture and equipment from the condemned building. Most of the pupils will be housed at the George Street School and the Dunedin North Intermediate School until alternative accommodation can be arranged. The demolition of the old school, which has been condemned for the last 10 years, has been ordered and will shortly be carried out. There was a large crack in the building from one side to the other, and two of the rooms had been unfit for use for two vears. The school was built on an old creek bed. South Island Power

The possibilities of enormous supplies of electricity being generated in Southland were emphasised by Mr W H. Fortune. M.P.. chairman of the Public Relations Committee of the Auckland Electric Power Board, in an address to the Auckland Creditmen s Club. Mr Fortune said he had recently returned from a few months’ visit to the South Island, where he had been impressed with the great potentialities for the generation of electricity in the Milford area. _ Unfortunately. there was a paucity of population in Southland but it was claimed that if this supply _of water were harnessed for electricity the population would automatically increase.