General News

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23964, 3 June 1943, Page 4

General News

♦ ■ ■ Relicensing Motor Vehicles A total of 431 vehicles were relicensed in Christchurch on Tuesday, the first day on which transactions for the 1943-44 year were handled. The number compares with the small figure of 34 on the first day last year, and comprises about 120 private motor-cars and 300-odd commercial vehicles. Comforts for Forces To save patriotic council knitters the work of making comforts for Waacs, the National Patriotic Fund Board has approved the issue of khaki wool to the women so that they may do their own knitting. It is stated that with men coming out of camp, it is anticipated that there will be no difficulty in meeting the requirements of all male personnel. Tax on Winnings “If you are going to lax people’s winnings you will have to guarantee to meet their losses,” said the Mayor of Lyttelton (Mr F. E. Sutton) when the Canterbury Provincial Patriotic Council yesterday received a suggestion from a Timaru resident that percentages of totalisator winnings and art unions should arbitrarily be taxed for patriotic funds. Mr H. S. Feast said that the fund was receiving about £220,000 this year from taxes through a Government grant. The letter was received. A Champion of Progress The Lake Coleridge hydro-electric scheme, the Otira tunnel, and the electrification of the Lyttelton railway service were projects discussed by the league with the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates when he was Minister of Public Works in the Massey Government, it was stated at the meeting of the Canterbury Progress League last evening when a motion of sympathy with Mr Coates’s family was carried. “A distinguished champion of progress, ’ was the tribute paid by the chairman (Mr W. J. Walter). Jay-Walking “Though traffic is not so heavy as in normal times, pedestrians should, for their own safety and in fairness to motorists, avoid jay-walking.” said the Chief Traffic Inspector (Mr J. Bruorton) yesterday. He said that war conditions should not be made an excuse for carelessness. He appealed to pedestrians to use authorised crossings, and to walk directly and quickly across the streets. Some minor accidents had occurred in Cathedral square recently through the carelessness of pedestrians. * Canterbury Club in Auckland There is a Canterbury Club in Auckland whose members meet monthly to meet visitors from their home province, and to hear talks and reminiscences. This was told to the Canterbury Progress League last .evening by Mr J. H. Blackwell, a former president and foundation member of the league, who is visiting Christchurch. Mr Harry Frost, a former well-known Canterbury footballer, is president of the club. Exhibitions of Life-Saving “I would like to see demonstrations of life-saving given weekly by the Christchurch clubs,” said Mr E. S. Velvin, a member of the Canterbury Surf Life-Saving Association, at a meeting of the association held last evening. Mr Velvin said he felt that clubs could interest bathers in the association’s work by such displays, especially if thefy could be described and explained by a commentary through loudspeakers. Water Supply at Dobson In the process of inserting plugs in the tanks provided at the houses recently erected at Dobson and Taylorville for mine employees the tanks were emptied, and as no rain has fallen since the work was done two days ago water has had to be carried. Yesterday a lorry was used by the Mines Department to cart supplies of water for the houses. Post-war Relief The Canterbury Provincial Patriotic Council now has the following investments: Government stock, £37,500, City Council debentures, £19,800; Ashburton Borough Council debentures. £SOOO. These sums help to make up the £65,741 now accumulated for postwar service relief. Dogs OK the Leash New Brighton recently had its first enforcement of the city by-laws relating to dogs. Since the area came into the city some complaints have been received about stray days. City Council officers have now made a raid and impounded all dogs found off the leash in the shopping area. Attention to the by-laws is drawn by stamps on all dog registrations. Next Season’s Cropping The North Canterbury District Council of Primary Production decided yesterday to ask the National Council of Primary Production to announce the cropping programme for wheat, oats, and potatoes for the 194445 season as soon as possible. It was stated that if this was done farmers would be able to go ahead with their arrangements now. Cost of Road Works Some idea of the cost of financing road works out of loan money could be gained from the example of the £IO,OOO Otipua, Pleasant Point, and Claremont ridings’ loan, Mr R. G. Cleland told members of the Levels County Council at the annual meeting yesterday. The loan was raised in 1921 and 1922, and it would mature in 1957 and 1958, he said. By that time interest and principal payments would have amounted to nearly £20,000. The council had already paid £12,000 £BOOO in interest and £4OOO in principal. "That is an astonishing position,” commented Mr R. W. R. Munro. “We borrow £IO,OOO and pay back £20,000.” Essential War Workers Some recognition of workers engaged in essential work industries was suggested by Mr R. H. Webb at a meeting of the council of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association last evening. He said that if it was not for the men and girls producing munitions and foodstuffs the Army would not get very far. There should be some movement to see that those employed on essential war work received a badge, ribbon, or medal after the war in recognition of their services. During the discussion on Mr Webb’s proposal, members said that there were difficulties in introducing such a scheme as in many cases workers were engaged side by side in producing essential military and civilian goods. Finally, Messrs Webb and A. M. West were appointed as a sub-com-mittee to investigate the proposal. Air Training Corps Recruiting Advice that a representative of the Air Department had discussed with him the serious failing off of recruiting for the Air Training Corps was given by the secretary of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation (Mr D. I. Macdonald) in a letter received by the council of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association at its meeting last evening. Mr Macdonald said the Air Department representative had referred to the growing importance of the corps as the principal source of supply for personnel, particularly air crew, for the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The commandant of the corps had decided to send a personal letter and a pamphlet illustrating the work of the A.T.C., to manufacturers and other employers throughout New Zealand. Fur Seal in Bluff Hartfour For the last few days visitors to and residents of Bluff have found considerable interest in the antics of a small fur seal which has been enjoying a comfortable existence close lo the wharf, says the "Southland Daily News.” Experts describe it as "a last year’s pup,” and it plays about in the water just like a pup. Sometimes it walks up to the railway embankment and lies on the gravel. The highlights of the performance are the times it washes its face with its flippers and plays with a fish just as a cat does with a mouse. 1