General News

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21411, 1 March 1935, Page 12

General News

$ Heathcote Railway Station For some time past the necessity for better shelter at the south passenger platform at the Heathcote railway station has been apparent, especially in the winter months, when the rain beats on passengers waiting to be conveyed to stations between Heathcote and Christchurch. Early last year Mr C. Flavell, chairman of • the Heathcote County Council, made representations on the subject to the railway authorities. A letter from Mr G. H. Mackley, general manager of the New Zealand railways, stated that arrangements are being made for the platform to be boarded in as suggested by Mr Flavell, and that the work will be put in hand as soon as possible after April 1. so that it can be completed before the winter months. "Land of IMilk and Honey" Although the drought which was general in most of New Zealand until recently caused a great deal of damage to farmers, they have apparently not suffered to anything like the same extent as have farmers in Australia. Speaking to a reporter of "The Press" last night, Mr C. B. Hcarn. a prominent Melbourne business man, who has been touring the Dominion, said he understood that in the North Island there had been a drought, but compared with large areas in Australia the country seemed to be a "land of milk and honey." Mr Hearn was particularly impressed with the scenery, saying that it had thoroughly exceeded his most sanguine expectations.

Australia and New Zealand "Geographically, nationally, and commercially, Australia and New Zealand are closely linked, and it will be a calamity if their interests ever diverge," said Mr A. V. Winchester, who is retiring from the management of the Bank of Australasia, at a farewell gathering yesterday. When economic troubles first reached New Zealand a great deal of blame was attached to Australia, he said, and the word Australasia, as used by his bank, became un popular. Yet Australia's part in the war, though there had been no conscription, had been outstanding. New Zealand should not be praised at the expense of other countries. She had once been a colony of New South Wales, many of her banks had been founded from there, and in her history Australian men had played a prominent part. Incidentally, too, Australian bank-notes bnre a portrait of the King and the Prince of Wales in their design, those of New Zealand a native chief and a native bird. The latter emblems were artistic in their place, but this was not their place, said Mr Winchester.

New Zealand s Roads The work of the Main Highways Board in improving the roads of the Dominion has drawn a good deal of praise from overseas visitors recently. A further expression of appreciation was made yesterday by a Melbourne visitor. Mr C. B. Hearn who is manager of the Colonial Life Assurance Society, Ltd. In an interview Mr Hearn said he had travelled only on the main roads •hrnugh the North and South Islands •ind he knew nothing about the less important roads, but he felt the authorities should be congratulated on the attention they had given to the roads. They had been excellent all the way, he said. Tribute to Lord Galway When speaking at the civic farewell yesterday Lord Bledisloe paid New Zealand's Governor-General-elect, Lord Galway, a warm tribute. "I hope that you will extend tn Lord Galway and his wife the same measure of goodwill, confidence and personal friendliness which you have shown us," his Excellency said. "Lord Galway is a good and gallant soldier, a man of the highest integrity and public spirit, and well versed in public affairs. He and his wife are much respected and it may interest many here to know that he was in the past a Commissioner of the boy sc aits. Lord Galway is also a Freemason of great eminence and distinction." Frost at Mount Somer* One of the first frosts of the yeai was recorded at Mount Somers on Tuesday morning, when the temperature fell as low as 26 degrees Fahrenheit. The usual bright, sunny day, however, did not follow, as £<J points of rain had fallen by the evening. Within the last week more than two and a quarter inches of rain has fallen in the district.' The Unlocked Safe For years a large safe stood neglected in an Auckland office. Nobody remembered when it was last open, and the key had been lost. A day or two ago it was decided the safe was needed, and an order was given for it to be opened. An expert was summoned and he tried dozens of keys in an effort to open the door, but all attempts failed. At last it was decided that more violent methods must be adopted. After an examination, experts announced that it would be necessary to cut a hole in the door to open it and make a new key. Men were sent to move the safe to a place where suitable tools were available, and they had begun to lift it to place it on a truck when the door, which had merely been jammed, dropped open. Glasgow Leases "I think these Glasgow leare sections are absolutely useless. Private people have got them, they are scattered all over the place, and they have no permanent tenure," said Mr D. Weir at the Papakura Town Board meeting this week. He said the board should get authority to sell its Glasgow leases. The Auckland City Council properties were once "white elephants," said the chairman, Mr H. McEntee, but they were not so regarded to-day. Papakura would reap the benefit in the future, if not to-day. In the leases there should have been a building clause which would have improved the position a good deal. When times got better, the board's endowment sections would be valuable. £IOO CHALLENGE to anyone who can prove otherwise that the fares by the GOLD BAND TAXIS PRIVATE HIRE CARS are not half the price of other Taxis for five passengers, and that we are the only firm who is fighting against the New Council fares so as to keep the fares down so that the workers can use Taxis. 'Phone 33-477 and ask for a Private Hire Car. —4 For the convenience of our patrons we have a number of PRIVATE CARS which do not bear trade signs. These are particularly suitable for Weddings, or private hire at taxi rates. BLUE STAR TAXI SERVICE. 'Phones 35-228, 35-229. —2