General News

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 228, 26 September 1945, Page 4

General News

Southerly Gale. A southerly gale was blowing in the Cook Strait area yesterday and seas were heavy. In Wanganui there was a strong south-easterly wind and a considerable swell at Castlecliff. The day was bleak and overcast with rain in the morning. The afternoon was line but temperatures were lower and conditions wete more in keeping with mid-winter than mid-spring. At 4 p.m., however, the barometer was rising slowly at 29.75in5. Because of thi gale in Cook Strait it was expected that some delays to costal shipping might occur.

Railway Vocabulary. If he ever decided to compile a list of the words most commonly used in. the Railways Department, one of the first that, would come to his mind would be “practicable,” remarked Mr. J. S. Berry, representing the Am algamater Soc ; ety of Railway Servants, at a sitting of the Railways Industrial Tribunal “Economically practicable?" suggested the Government representative on the tribunal, Mr. E. Casey, with a smile. “Yes,” replied Mr. Berry. “‘Exigencies’ would be the next word, and ‘but’ would be the third. The regulations are full of ‘buts’.”

Wasp Immigrant. Considerable public interest was aroused, states the annual report of the Cawthron Institute, bv the discovery in a beehive in the Hamilton district of a wasp Vespa gerxASffica, irom the Northern Hemisphere. “Although, in this particular case, it is not anticipated that the wasp will prove harmful,” the report adds, “its presence in New Zealand is suggestive of the danger which exists oi insect pests being introduced into New Zealand by aeroplane, army equipment, souvenirs and fabrics unless very stringent measures are taken for inspection and control of alien insects.

Tyre Position Improving? A forecast that within a few 7 months restrictions on the purchase of motor tyres for civilian use may be lifted, was given by the chairman of the National Council for the Reclamation of Waste Materials, Mr. J. W. Collins (Wellington) at. a gathering in Wanganui last, night. Giving his reasons why local committees for the reclamation of waste were being disbanded, Mr. Collijis said that the auhorities were awaiting reports as to the crude rubber available in countries previously occupied by the Japanese. In Singapore 8000 tons of crude rubber were discovered, and if similar quantities were found in other places it may be possible to buy civilian tyres within a few months. “If that occurs there will be no further need for controls or collections of waste rubber,” Mr. Collinfi added.

Coastal Shipping. With general cargo from Lyttelton and Wellington, the Canterbury Company’s coastal motor-ship Storm arrived at Wanganui on the morning tide yesterday and began discharge at the Town Wharf early in the afternoon. The Storm is expected to sail to-day on her return to Wellington and Lyttelton. Further southern cargo is expected this morning by the m.v. Holmdale, which loaded at Dunedin and Oamaru last week, completing at Wellington. After discharge at the Town Wharf the Holmdale sails to-morrow for Wellington and Dunedin. After being delayed in port on Monday night by rain, the Northern Company’s a.m.v. Hauturu was to have completed discharge of her Onehunga cargo at the Town Wharf yesterday. Further southern cargo is expected to arrive at Wanganui on Saturday by the m.v. Gale, which is coming from Dunedin and Lyttelton, via Wellington.

Dredging Continued. Good progress is* being made with dredging operations at Castlecliff, and the Wanganui Harbour Board’s suc-tion-hopper dredge Kaione is responsible for improving the depths in the berthages, it was stated at a recent meeting of the board that the vessel would continue with its work while coal was available. The hope has also been expressed that now the tug Kahunui is back at Wanganui overseas ships may again use the port. There is sufficient water on the bar and representations are being made to the British Phosphate Commission, for a resumption of trade with Wanganui. The possibility of intercolonial vessels using the port also is not being overlooked. Before the war overseas liners called regularly in the Wanganui roadstead and loaded frozen meat, wool and dairy produce. In addition phosphate and sulphur ships berthed at Castlecliff and discharged thousands of tons annually. Union Company steamers brought coa|, hardwood poles and general merchandise from Australian ports