General News

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24900, 13 June 1946, Page 4

General News

Auckland Harbour Commission “I think ft was a saying of Confucius that idle promises are like the chattering of monkeys, and all I can promise is that we will give the most complete care and thought in the consideration of what you have placed before us, and in making our report,” said the chairman (Sir Francis Frazer) at the conclusion of the sittings in Auckland of the Royal Commission into transharbour facilities. Sir Francis Frazer said the commission hoped to make its report by July 31, the date set Since May 15, in 17 working days, the Royal Commission recorded about 1250 foolscap pages of typed evidence apd submissions from 69 persons.—(P.A.) Soldiers Return by Air Three Canterbury soldiers from the Middle East, who returned to New Zealand by Catalina flying-»boat on Tuesday after being stranded in Sydney for some weeks, arrived in Christchurch ”yesterday by air from Auckland. They were Lance-Corporal Olds (Ashburton) and Signalman J. K. Mclvor and Private M. G. McKay (both of Christchurch). Date of Agricultural Show The annual show of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association will be held on Thursday and Friday, November 7 and 8. This decision was made by the general committee of the association yesterday, after a suggestion that the show be held on November 14 and 15 had been considered. Population Committee The Parliamentary Select Commitr tee on Dominion Population concluded its public hearing yesterday after evidence had been submitted by the Rehabilitation Department and the Lands and Survey Department. The chairman, Mr J. Thorn, said they would now go into committee to consider evidence submitted and draft recommendations to be placed before the Government.—(P.A.) • Sowing of Spring Wheat To discuss schemes to encourage increased Rowing of spring wheat, a conference was held yesterday between representatives of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce and Federated Farmers. • No decision was but a joint committee was appointed to report to another meeting later this week. Motor Registrations in City About 900 more vehicles have been registered so far this month than in the corresponding month last year. The increased volume, probably reflecting the easing of the petrol supply position, has meant a busy time for the counter clerks at the Hereford Street Post Office. In spite of the volume of registrations, very flew motorists in the city have yet gone to the trouble of fitting the new plates, which do not require to be affixed until July 1. Support for Government The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) and the secretary - of the New Zealand Labour Party (Mr M. Moohan) attended the usual monthly stopwork meeting of Wellington waterside workers yesterday morning. After the meeting Mr Fraser said they had been received most cordially. The meeting concluded with tumultous applause, and each man pledged himself with upraised hand to work industrially and politically for the Labour Government, and the maintenance and support of the fabric of social justice created by the Labour Government.— (P.A.)' Cyclists in Danger As the first step in a new campaign to educate and discipline cyclists, the City Council traffic department will send its loud-speaker van to Ferry road during busy periods in the next few days. Announcing this yesterday, Mr C. S. Nicholson, Chief City Traffic Inspector, said it was noticeable that cyclists on this busy theroughfare were, to their own danger, riding more than two abreast and failing to keep as close as practicable to the left of the road. On foggy evenings, particularly, this was a sprious hazard Offenders would be called to order by the loud-speaker and by patrols for a reasonable period, and if the offences continued after, that prosecutions would have to be considered. Movements of the Matai Bad weather dogged the Government steamer Matai both ways across the Tasman. She berthed in Wellington at 8 o’clock yesterday morning, one and a half days behind schedule, after a trip in mostly stormy seas and only one fine day. There were 28 passengers on the trip, including Army and Naval personnel. The Matai is to make a trip to Norfolk Island to load R.N.Z.A.F. equipment for New Zealand, and will then tow another trawler to Sydney.—(P.A.) Natural Gas Supply Reference to a possible source of natural gas for supplementing the borough gas supply was made by the chairman (Mr N. Shallcrass) at a meeting of the Greymouth Ratepayers’ and Citizens’ Association. He said he had been informed that a bore put down by the Mines Department had struck gas at Rewanui and that the pressure had been sufficient to fill a six-inch pipe and keep it full all the time, giving enough gas to keep Greymouth going for more than 20 years. It was stated that the gas could be piped to Greymouth at a cost of £lOO a mile, or a total of £6OOO, and would give a supply for all time. All that the gas required was “scrubbing” to make it fit for use'in the ordinary way.' Medical Services The Minister of Health (the Hon. A, H. Nordmeyer) commenting on the statement by the British Medical Association published yesterday, said that a good medical service did not necessarily imply “a system of private practice and close personal relationship between doctor and patient.” The Minister added that on the other hand there was sbme ground for believing that the close, personal relationship between doctor and patient was liable to be injured by the monetary considerations which intervened in some cases.— (P.A.) Famine Relief Depot In addition to the receiving depot of the Famine Emergency Committee at 202 Hereford street, Christchurch, another depot is soon to be opened in Cathedral square. This will be in the former information bureau, next to the tram shelter. It will be staffed by members of the Red Cross Society and will be open for the receipt of fat, gift foods and coupons. It is expected to open next week. Patriotic and Canteen Funds * Until representatives of the Returned Services’ Association, the Canteen Fund Board, and the National Patriotic Fund Board have met in a conference to be called, the National Patriotic Fund Board intends to take no further steps in regard to the proposal to amalgamate the patriotic and canteen funds, or in the ultimate scheme of the administration of these moneys. This decision was reached after a prolonged discussion yesterday morning at a meeting of the Patriotic Fund Board. Regret was expressed at the misunderstanding that had arisen after the publication of the board’s original proposal, and it was stated that many resolutions had ( been passed by interested bodies based on misconceptions. The amalgamation proposal was put forward with the intention of serving the best interests of former servicemen and women.— (P.A.) Child Delinquency “If both parents were ranged in the dock with the child and made to share the conviction in the full sense of the word, it would go a long way towards stamping out most of the trouble.” said the annual report of the retiring president, Mr S. H. Clothier, at the annua) meeting last night of the Canterbury School Committees’ Association. Mr Clothier’s report dealt with child delinquency, which, he said, was still very much in evidence. “In these days of depleted staffs, principals and teachers cannot be held wholly responsible for the discipline of the children.” added Mr Clothier’s report, which was adopted without comment. Closing Down The Anal phases in the working life of the oil fuel section of the Christchurch Post Office—a few weeks ago an important and always busy part of the Post Office—are now being completed. What is left of the staff is now on the routine process of closing the books, and checking and balancing the returns for May of coupons and licences.