NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 289, 7 December 1939, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Xo (rood Hordes. "There must be good horses somewhere in America, but I saw none anywhere in California,” said Mr. C. H. Croker in the course of an address to the New Plymouth Rotary Club. He had kept his eye open for horseflesh, but even at riding schools and dude ranches had seen only very poor types of animals. American Public Opinion. The reactions of the audience to news films in a New York theatre were described by Mr. E. G. Jones, lecturer in science at the Auckland Training College, in an address at the Auckland Rotary Club luncheon on Monday. Mr. Jones said that pictures of Nazi storm-troopers were greeted with hisses from all sides, but photographs of the British Navy were welcomed with cheering. This showed the friendship and sympathy for Britain which he generally encountered in the United States. Accident at Putaruru. Severe injuries to the chest were suffered by Mr. Frederick William Henry Harris, aged 42. married, a farmer, of Waotu, Putaruru. when he was involved in an accident with a horse-drawn seed drill on his farm on Monday afternoon. After receiving attention from a doctor brought the 10 miles from Putaruru. Mr. Harris was taken to the Waikato Hospital by ambulance. His condition was reported to be fairly serious. Riuiw ty Duplication Work. With the completion of a further section of the railway track duplication between Auckland and Frankton Junction, the double line now extends 27 miles south from Auckland to Paerata. Work has also been completed on a 25-mile section between Frankton Junction and Ohinewai. As supplies of steel and electric signal fittings are held up because of the war. it. is uncertain when the other 22 miles will be finished, hut much of the preliminary work has been done. Payments for Imports. Reserve Bank permits for the payment of goods imported under the third period licences (January 1 to June 30 next), now being distributed to importers through the trading banks, reveal that in many cases the applicants have received a pleasant surprise. Though the issue is not yet wide enough to base a general opinion upon them, it is remarked that some of the permits provide for the remittances at the times sought in the applications. and in others the dates have actually been brought nearer. Some importers who applied for payments spread over six months have received authorisations for payments spread over the January-March period. It is believed that the bank is endeavouring to clear up many import commitments «n lhe early portion of the third term. The “Tail” of a Dog. A man who lives in Auckland tell a good story about his “fishing” exploits in Otago. Some years ago it was his habit to secure fish off a little frequented beach, employing illegal methods in the process. He used to prepare gelignite and fuse and throw it far out into the sea. Later, when the resultant explosion had done its work, he would row out and reap the fish harvest. One day, however, his plans went wrong, for his dog swam swiftly out to sea and retrieved the gelignite. The man was horrified Then the dog trotted towards him. All appeals to the dog to drop the gelignite failed. The “fisherman” thereupon set about putting as much distance between his pet and himself as >6ssible, but the faster he ran the faster ran the dog. Suddenly there was a terrific explosion, and the man, perspiring freely after his sharp sprint, looked round to discover that his dog had vanished—that is, all of th* animal except the tail.

f Respirators for Mine I se. Two types of respirators suitable for use in coalmines where carbon-monox-ide gas was known to be present were examined on Monday by the Royal Commission sitting at Huntly. The first, which resembled a military gas mask, was more suitable for rescue parties. The second, very much like a flat tin canister, measuring 7in. by Tin. by 2in. and weighing about 21b, is known as a “self-rescuer” and made for the miner to carry with him. The first has sufficient chemicals to last two hours, the second for about half an hour. Ship’s History in Faint. Paint on the blocks attached to the lifeboat davits on a ship now in Auckland record to some extent the vessel’s history and indicate her age. The blocks were sent ashore to be ! overhauled. Eight coats of white ’ paint were disclosed on a cross-section •of the blocks, and then followed a ■ coat of grey, which was applied when I the vessel was a troopship in the Great War. Following the strip of grey 42 layers of white paint, representing two coats a year for 21 years, were found. The final present coat of paint is grey. Tribute to Minister. "We have a wonderful Minister of Health in Mr. Fraser.” said Mr. A. J. Moody, chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, when speaking on Sunday at the opening of the addi- ! tions to the Whangarei Hospital. Dealing with officers of the Health Department, however, Mr. Moody said: "The only way to deal with them is to shoot them down with a gun. otherwise they will delay matters for months.” Hospital board chairmen were, however, becoming emboldened lately, he said, and were getting quite cheeky in their dealings with these officers. The Minister of Health was determined that hospital control should remain on a democratic basis, and not be placed in the hands of departmental officers. Heavy Lift on Railway. A difficult feat of engineering, in- ’ volving one of the heaviest lifts ati tempted on the West Coast, was car- ’ tied out when the 78-ton locomotive which, on November 23, left the railway line and fell down an embankment along the Arnold River between Kaimata and Aratika, was restored to the track. A work train hauled by two engines left Greymouth at 4 a.m. for the scene of the accident, where about 30 men began work. The two engines were used to anchor two cranes, each with a lifting capacity of 40 tons. The actual lift began at 10.30 a.m. There was a tense moment before it was seen that the preparations had proved effective, and about half an hour later the derailed engine was restored to the track. It was towed to Greymouth, where it is believed the necessary repairs can be done. The work was watched by a large crowd. When the accident ocI curred last month the engine driver. ‘ Mr. S. Horn, was killed.