In Town And Out

Southland Times, Issue 23888, 5 August 1939, Page 8

In Town And Out

Spout of Flame in Sky

Preceded by a blue and green flash which floodlit the countryside, a spout of flame appeared yesterday morning at 3.20 o’clock in the eastern sky at Hastings. Lasting approximately two seconds, tire brilliance of the light paled even advertising signs and street lights. It was apparently caused by a meteor; although it is curious that a flash, almost like sheet lightning, was seen first. The trail of flame sprang into existence almost instantaneously, apparently .in a vertical direction. —Press Association. Transport of Nurses

The cost of transporting nurses from Kew to the Dee street hospital and Lome Farm will, it is now estimated, be less than £2O a week. The previous estimate of £4O to £5O a week was based on a hurried calculation and was subsequently found to be more than double what will be required.

School Dental Clinic Permission to build a dental clinic on the grounds of the North Invercargill school was granted at yesterday’s meeting of the Southland Education Board. The chairman (Mr S. Rice) said the site would be allotted and the clinic would be built under the supervision of the board’s architect (Mr J. J. Gough).

Hospital Fire “That this executive representing the farmers of Southland records its appreciation of the fine efforts made by the staff and public at the Kew Hospital fire and tenders its appreciation for their services in what might have been a major calamity but for such prompt efforts.” This resolution was passed by the Southland provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday. Several members of the Riverton Returned Soldiers’ Association expressed appreciation of the wonderful discipline and courage shown by the hospital staff during the fire and the secretary was instructed to forward a letter expressing the sub-associations feelings. One member stated that the devotion to duty and courage shown by the Invercargill staff was reminiscent of that shown by nurses and doctors on active service.

Special Permits Unlikely Indications that there is little likelihood of special permits being granted racing and trotting clubs to raise funds for local centennial celebrations were given yesterday by the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry), when replying to a local deputation. “It seems a bit over the fence, said Mr Parry, “and it is up to the business community to make their contributions towards the celebrations.” Press Association. Galvanized Iron Supplies Discussing the price of galvanized iron at the annual meeting of the Riverton Bowling Club, Mr H. Jenks stated that there was reason to believe that it would be practically unprocurable in three months’ time. Another member said that the price was going up “day by day.” America’s Place in War The firm belief that in the event of war America would not be drawn in was expressed by Dr Rosco Pound, world-famous jurist, formerly dean of the law school at Harvard University, who arrived at Auckland by the Monterey. Dr Pound does not believe that war is inevitable. “In fact,” he said, “I have a feeling that it will not happen at all.” He said that no country could foot the bill. He thought the people did not want war and the dictators must consider the feelings of their people. He thought, too, that he could detect the beginning of a change towards saner thought.—Press Association. Sky-watchers Disappointed Watchers of the skies last night scanning the inter-planetary spaces for a deluge of shooting stars were disappointed in Wellington. The few odd meteors which were seen were not part of the shower expected to whirl into the atmosphere from the wake of a wandering comet. At a late hour, nothing had happened.—Press Asspciation. New School at Pembroke An application to the Education Department for a grant for a new school at Pembroke is to be made by the Southland Education Board. At yesterday’s meeting of the board the architect (Mr J. J. Gough) reported that the present school was of two class rooms and a corridor. It was of old-fashioned design and its orientation did not admit of north lighting in the class rooms. The plan of the building was such that remodelling, to bring about desired lighting conditions, was practically impossible. The school was erected in 1880. It was therefore an old building and much the worse for wear. He was of the opinion that it should be replaced by a modern structure. The present school site was very limited in area and in the event of a new school being erected a new site of suitable size should be procured. Coal as Motor Fuel The char obtained by low temperature carbonization of Waikato coal at Rotowaro had been used in producer gas engines and had proved to be an entirely satisfactory fuel, stated a letter from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research received by the Southland provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union yesterday. Similar char could be obtained from Linton and Ohai coal in the Southland district. The department was keeping a close watch on the position, particularly on the possibilities of the utilization of producer gas in the event of war breaking out. There was no doubt that motor-vehicles could be run more economically on producer gas than on petrol, although with producer gas there was the inconvenience of installing the producer and attending to it at intervals.

Brass Bands Display A massed brass bands display will bts held on the show grounds tomorrow afternoon. Two visiting bands, the Kaikorai Band (Dunedin) and the Gore Municipal Band, will join the five Invercargill bands in a procession to the show grounds, beginning from the post office at 1.45. The Invercargill bands will be the Civic, Battalion, Battalion Boys’, Caledonian Pipe and the Drum, Trumpet and Bugle Band of the Southland Boys’ High School. A massed brass bands display is an unusual occurrence in Invercargill and there should be a big attendance at the show grounds. Tomorrow morning, the bands will attend the church service in the Civic Theatre.