General News

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 48, 26 February 1941, Page 4

General News

Electricity Charges In Taihapc, At the recent meeting of the Taihape Borough Council the Electricity Committee reported that a letter had been received from the Price Fixation Tribunal advising that the council’s application for permission to increase the electricity charges in the Borough of Taihape, had been refused.

Farmers Who Do Shearing. A question was asked at a meeting of the Wellington Central Executive of the New Zealand Farmer's Union, in Marton, yesterday, whether farmers who assisted their neighbours would have to join the shearers’ union. The secretary, Mr. K. Little, Feilding, reported that this was not necessary.

Welcome Chocolate. Chocdlate has been one of the most welcome gifts received by a New Plymouth soldier, whose address at the time of writing was “Western Desert.” He describes chocolate as being a very handy and useful stand-by when troops are engaged in long journeys and regular meals are delayed or put I off.

Rubbish Receptacles. Consideration to the question of rubbish receptacles being provided in Victoria Avenue has been given by the Works Committee of the Wanganui City Council, which recommended at the council meeting last night that the Wanganui Retailers' Association be approached with a view to the council having sufficient of these bins installed at suitable locations.

Emergency Plant. Authority for the city engineer, Mr. L. F. Row, to purchase sufficient equipment necessary for the works section of the Wanganui Emergency Precautions Scheme was granted by the Wanganui City Council last night. Mr. Row was also authorised to obtain four bucket pumps. It was stated that this equipment, when purchased, will be the property of the council and stored at the depot.

Grading of Lamb Carcases. A statement that the grading ot lamb carcases was inconsistent, was made by Mr. J. B. S. Dudding at the meeting of the Wellington Central Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmer's Union, in Marton, yesterday. Mr. L. Hammond explained that Meat Board inspectors visited meat works to see that a uniform and fair system of grading was maintained.

Band Complimented. “The bandmaster, Lieutenant A. Ramsay, has reason to be proutj of his success, this being the first time the band has attended a contest,” stated the annual report of the citizens' committee of the Wellington West Coast Regimental Band. The band was placed first in the C grade selection and second m the quickstep at the Dominion contest. The committee complimented the band on its success.

Naming New Streets. The question of naming new streets, formed recently in Wanganui East where Government houses have been erected, has been considered by the Works Committee of the Wanganui City Council, which recommended at a meeting of the council last night that where streets have been continued the whole length be j known by the existing name, as in the case of Millward and Clapham Streets. Thg naming of two ne’wlyformed streets of short length is to be left in abeyance in the meantime.

Camps for Rural Territorials. A decision Io take steps to attempt to have military camps for soldiers from rural areas start after March, was made at A meeting of the Wellington Central Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, in Marton, yesterday. Members considered the training could be carried out just as efficiently in winter as in summer, and it was pointed out that in peace-time many Territorial camps were held after March. It would be to the benefit of farmers and production if this could be continued in wartime, members said.

Tar-sealing of Streets. On the recommendation of the Works Committee, the Wanganui City Council, at its meeting last night, decided that the tar-sealing of Nixon Street, Wanganui East, be deferred till the programme for the next financial year is under review. The hope was expressed by Cr. J. J. Scotl that it would be done before the next .wool season. A petition for tarsealing was received from ratepayers and residents in Nixon Street. The question of tar-sealing the roadway between Liverpool and Glasgow Streets has also been deferred till the programme for the next financial year is under review. A similar decision was made in respect of a request for concrete slab footpaths in Godwin Crescent. Pramettes on Trams.

“The committee recommends that the running staff use discretionary power, consistent with the convenience. of other passengers and in the interests of public safety,” stated a report from the Tramway Committee, received by the Wanganui City Council last night, on the question of pramettes being carried on trams. The committee also decided that in future prams containing parcels ■ be not carried on trams. The subject was raised by the Wanganui branch of the Tramways’ Union at a previous meeting of the council, when it was stated that there was no provision for carrying pramettes, which were becoming very popular, on Wanganui trams. It was also stated that complaints had been received of pramettes being overloaded with groceries and other articles. Labour Disputes. There were 56 industrial disputes involving a stoppage of work in New Zealand last year. This number was 10 less than in 1939, but was above the average of the past 16 years and the fifth highest number in that period. The current "Abstract of Statistics” shows the number of workers affected at 10,399, compared with 15,682 in 1939. The loss of wages to the workers was £28,062 for the actual period of the disputes, no allowances being made for the fact that the work not performed at the time might have been carried out subsequently, either wholly or in part. The greatest number of disputes occurred in shipping and cargo working, with 17, the number of workers concerned being 3145. There were 14 disputes in the coal mining industry, 12 in meat freezing works land five among gold miners.