In the News

Southland Times, Issue 25483, 2 October 1944, Page 4

In the News

Town Waste “I do not know why urban authorities in New Zealand do not pay more attention to the question of converting sewage and other town waste into fertilizer,” said Mr I. V. Wilson at the demonstration held by the Invercargill Humic Compost Club on Saturday afternoon. “One town in South Africa that has dealt with its waste in this way has realized more than enough to meet its rate requirements. The problem will have to be faced in New Zealand. It will not be a question of whether, we can afford to do it, but whether we can afford not to do it.” Loss of Sheep Dog

A sheep dog, Spong, which has been an attraction throughout Southland at club trials, was lost recently on the roadside through an accident with a motor-car. The animal, which was the property of Mr W. Hickey, of Moa Flat and formerly of Greenvale, won a number of trophies and showed promise of still further brilliant performances. Overseas Remittances The Minister of Finance, Mr Nash, announced on Saturday that arrangements similar to those of last year had been made for remittances to service personnel overseas for Christmas and New Year. The maximum amount would be £4O. He urged that the money be lodged at a bank before November 25.—(P.A.) Broadcasting Hours The periods of silence in broadcasting to operate from today until further notice on Mondays to Fridays inclusive will be from 11.30 a.m. to midday and from 5.15 pun. to 5.45 p.m. This was announced by the Minister of Munitions, Mr Sullivan, and the Minister of Broadcasting, Mr Jones, in a joint statement. They stated that the need for economizing in the use of electricity must continue to be emphasized, and although the demands were lighter during summer it was ’nevertheless necessary to husband as much of the coal stocks and water storage as possible in preparation ’ for meeting demands for next winter—P,A.

Taieri Air Station The Mayor of Dunedin (Mr D. C. Cameron) has received a telegram from the Minister of Defence (Mr Jones) advising that the Government does not intend to close the R.N.Z.A.F. station at Taieri. The telegram reads as follows: “You will be pleased to know that the Taieri air force station is not to be closed. It is being retained, but on a different basis.” Mr Cameron explained that the City Council had not made any protest against the closing of the station, and was in favour of retrenchment, as being justified by _ the improvement in the war situation. The council had, however, expressed the hope that the aerodrome at the Taieri would be kept open if this were at all possible under the Air Department’s reorganization plan. Claim Against Hospital A settlement has been made' out of Court by the payment of £4750, of which £4lOO has been paid by pie indemnifiers and £650 by the Hospital Board, in the claim of E. S. Bowie concerning alleged X-ray bums received at the Christchurch Hospital. This was reported by the finance committee to a meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital Board. The settlement had been made on the recommendation of the board’s solicitors, it was stated.' The chairman (Mr L. B. Evans) reported that the insurance cover held by the board provided for the meeting of claims up to £20,000 each year to the number of four. The board had been covered in this case, but the question of costs had still to be settled, and he personally was far from satisfied with the matter. The board’s solicitors were investigating the position. Manpower Conference A Dominion manpower conference will be held in Wellington on October 11 and 12. Manpower officers from many parts of New Zealand will attend for an exchange of views on various policy matters and to discuss many problems affecting the administration of the National Service Department. It is likely that the return of men from the Middle East for direction into industry will be discussed. Civil Aviation A giant British 125-seater airliner with a top speed o’f 325 miles an hour will be flying on British civil air routes after the war, stated Mr R. H. Dobson, of A. V. Roe and Co., the British aircraft firm which built the Lancaster bomber. “The plan has been put before us by the Brabazon Committee, said Mr Dobson. “We are now building the prototype. Besides seating 125, the plane will have ample accommodation for luggage and mails. It is to be built on similar lines to the Tudor Transport aircraft.” Mr Dobson added that the giant airliner would have a cruising speed of 250 miles an hour (approximately double that of existing civil aircraft).