General News

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24898, 11 June 1946, Page 4

General News

North Island Power Supply The power supply position in the North Island* is running close to the point at which further and inore frequent disconnexions may be necessary. It was reported by the State Hydro-Electric Department yesterday that the level of Lake Taupo, with no rain of consequence in the catchment area, was lower than ever, and the position at Lake Waikaremoana was as bad as it had ever been, a rapid drop in the level having occurred recently. —(P.A.) Back Saturday Work in Mines

The two miners’ unions in the Grey district whidh declined to accede to the request of the Mining Controller (Mr C. H. Benney) to work on “back” Saturdays have received a personal request from the Minister of Transport (the Hon. J. O’Brien) to reconsider their decisions. The Dobson Miners’ Union met at the end of last week to reconsider the proposal, but the original decision was not altered. The Runanga State Miners’ Union, covering the Liverpool and Strongman State mines, will reconsider the request at meetings to be held this morning. High Regard for “Kiwis” A copy of a recent book by FieldMarshal Lord Montgomery, which is being privately circulated among the services, was recently received by air by Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park. “‘Monty’ had a very high regard for the Kiwis,” he said. “There are many references to the 2nd New Zealand Division in the book, all of them full of praise.” Food Problem in Crete The food and clothing problem in Crete is acute, according to a letter received by Mr R. Dunbier, ,of Governor’s Bay, from a friend on the island. Mr Dunbier, who was captured at the close of the Crete campaign, escaped soon after and was sheltered in a village for seven weeks until he was recaptured. Later he escaped again and revisited the village, but would not accept any food from the inhabitants because even then a number of them were starving. However, he left his address with his friends, and last week he received a letter from them asking for help. These people are very proud, Mr Dunbier said, and would not ask for help unless it was absolutely necessary. In addition to food and clothing they probably required stock, for all their sheep and goats, which provided them with milk, had been killed by the enemy.

Weir as Bottle Collector An explanation of the fascination that the Dallington weir seems to hold for youngsters has been offered by the foreman carpenter of the City Council employees who have just completed the construction of safety fences on each bank. In a report to the City Council last evening the reserves committee said that the foreman had suggested that the considerable number of empty beer bottles which floated down the river and collected at the obstruction appeared to be the main inducement for venturesome children to go out on the weir. Wellington Potato Supplies

In spite of the reported accumulation of stocks in . the South Island, supplies of potatoes for Wellington are only just keeping ahead of demand, and merchants are unable to hold their usual reserves. Inquiries yesterday showed that the shortage of shipping from the South Island has made the position so bad that if shipments ceased altogether present stocks would last only a few days. Emergency shipping at double freight has been undertaken by some merchants, and they are preventing the position from becoming really serious. To avoid running out of supplies, several merchants are railing potatoes from Christchurch to Picton, and so maintaining a supply just sufficient to meet their demands. Although the Government has taken steps to overcome the problem by chartering overseas vessels for the coastal trade, merchants expressed the opinion that smaller ships with a quicker turnround would be more suitable to handle a situation that at any time could become an emergency.— (P.A.) History of R.A.F. Considerable work in checking the official history of the Royal Air Force in the war has been done recently'■by Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park. Volumes dealing with the Air Force’s part at Dunkirk, in the Battle of Britain, and at Malta and elsewhere had been forwarded to him recently for checking, he said. They were prepared by the historical section of the force. It would be essential, he said, that volumes should be compiled to cover the work of Empire pilots, and particularly the Empire training scheme, which had worked so well. Electoral Boundaries

The final report of the Electoral Representation Commission on electoral boundaries for the Dominion’s 76 European electorates is not expected to be gazetted now until next week. It was thought about a week ago that it might have been possible to proclaim it this week, but it was ascertained yesterday that this will not be practicable. The boundaries as determined in the commission’s report will have the force of law after they have been proclaimed, but will not come into effect until the expiry of the present Parliament.— (P.A.) Subscription to R.S.A. A petition signed by 2000 men urging that the decision to increase the subscription to the Returned Servicemen’s Association from 10s to 12s 6d, made at the annual general meeting, be rescinded, came before the Christchurch executive of the association last evening. It was stated that under the constitution either the association had to call a special meeting to discuss the petition, or the organisers of the petition themselves could. It was decided that the meeting should be called soon. Removal of Band Rotundas The baths and entertainment committee reported to the Christchurch City Council last evening that consideration is being given to the removal of the band rotundas on the Sydenham, Linwood, and Woolston Parks and the Jerrold street reserve. The committee pointed out that some years ago band concerts were given from all the suburban rotundas, but more recently only tne Edmonds rotunda and the New Brighton rotunda have been used. The maintenance of the others has become an increasing burden, and it was felt that rather than being an asset to the reserves they occupied valuable space and interfered with sports. The Sydenhm rotunda was in bad condition and would cost more than £3OO to put in order; the others would all require an expenditure of between £5O and £7O.