General News

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24907, 21 June 1946, Page 6

General News

• Radon Plant for Cancer Relief Work on the design and construction of a radon production plant to supply the needs of the Dominion has begun, and should be completed shortly, said Sir Hugh Acland, chairman of the Canterbury division of the British Empire Cancer Campaign Society, at the annual meeting of the division yesterday. The radium salt from Which the radon would be obtained was that held by the Wellington Public Hospital and the society’s Wellington division, said the report. Auckland Coal Stocks Little improvement has yet been shown in coal stocks held by the railways in the Auckland province, although the Omana arrived yesterday with 900 tons of Westport coal, and unloading was started in the afternoon. It was stated by an official of the locomotive branch at the Auckland railway station that normal supplies coming from the Waikato were suuicion only to keep stocks at the main stations at less than half a day’s requirements. No relief in the shortage of domestic coal is seen by coal merchants. who said they were still well behind in meeting orders.—(P.A.) Building in Waimairi County Building permits to the value of £123,431. excluding State houses, were issued by the Waimairi County Council in May, Cr. H. Kitson announced last evening. This was a record for the

council. The county had been within the first four in New Zealand in recent months, and it was likely that it would top the Dominion for May in the value of permits. It showed the great expansion taking place. The council had been able to strike the same rates as last year, and its funds would benefit next year from the valuations on the new properties. All ridings would profit because building was so well spread. Commission on Property Sale When an application for the transfer of a property at £2OOO came before the Otago Land Sales Committee yesterday Mr V. M. Lousley, on behalf of the applicants, referred to an objection made by the committee because the contract stipulated that the purchaser was to pay commission amounting to £6O Counsel said that the salesman employed by the real estate agents who had negotiated the sale had explained to the purchaser that he would have tn pay commission. Counsel submitted that the Land Agents’ Act envisaged such a position, and he also quoted authorities to establish the legality of such action. The deputy-chairman. Mr W. M. Taylor, said the committee did hot question the legality of a purchaser paying commission, but said there was a danger that in such a case the commission would be “a disguised addition to the Brice.”8 rice.” Mr J. R. Hampton, for the rown, said a valuation of £1750 had been made on behalf of the Crown, but a price of £lBOO would not be opposed. The vendors were prepared to accept that figure. The committee reserved its decision.—(P S.S.) White Heron at School An unusual visitor at the Wataroa (West Coast) School, recently was a white heron. On the arrival of the children at school the heron was first noticed perched on the step of the senior pupils’ room, and as the children approached it moved out into the playground, where it remained for about an hour before taking its departure. The bird did not appear to be frightened of the children and would come up to within 15 feet to accept pieces of bread thrown to it. Next American Election “It is too early to say yet how the elections in America in November will go, but I think it will be a closte contest,” said Mr P. W. McDonough, a Democrat candidate for Congress, on his arrival in Auckland. “There are so many little things, that can affect an election that it is hard to tell what will happen, but the most it will go one way or the other will be 10,000 votes.” Mr McDonough, who is a Californian businessman, arrived by Pan American Airways’ clipper. Mr McDonough passed through Auckland at the end of last year on his way to Australia. He was then engaged on a mission for President Truman, carrying out a business survey.—(P.A.)

Warning to J Force Draft More than 1300 members of J Force, who are shortly to be sent on final leave before leaving for Japan, held a ceremonial parade at Papakura military camp yesterday afternoon. Before the march past, the men were inspected by Captain C. R. V. Pugh, naval officer in charge, Auckland, and Brigadier A. B. Williams, officer commanding the Northern Military District Addressing the men, Captain Pugh issued a warning to them to be on their guard against Japanese duplicity when they assumed their occupation duties in Japan. From what experience he had had of the Japanese, he said, he was of opinion that they were not trustworthy. They were a deceitful people, and he was sure the men of J Force would stand no nonsense from them.—(P A.)

Conservatism in Tree Planting “We are too conservative in our selection of trees,” said Cr. H. Kitson when it was proposed by the works committee of the Waimairi County Council last evening that more pinus msignis trees should be planted on certain reserves. “Douglas fir is a fine tree, and also the ponderosa,” said Cr. Kitson, “and Mariana will smother all your gorse and broom.” 'Die larger pines were worth twice as much in timber, took comparatively little longer to reach maturity, and were much more attractive, he said. The council agreed to adopt his suggestion. Protection for Servicemen Protection by regulation has now been extended to cover former servicemen who are experienced in the moving picture or cinematograph industry, and who wish to enter or resume business on their own account. Regulations were gazetted last night—the Cinematograph Films Emergency Regulations, 1946—t0 cover the issue of new licences to exhibitors, including itinerant exhibitors of films. Thev state that the licensing officer shall have regard to the desirability, in th? public interest, or re-establishing discharged servicemen in civil life. He is given authority to refuse licences to other than former servicemen when a former serviceman’s rehabilitation may be assisted by his obtaining a licence, especially where there is actually a former serviceman applicant.— (P.A.) Condemned by Japanese Condemned by Japanese martial law to 15 years’ imprisonment with hard labour for underground«activities in the Netherland E~st Indies. Dr. H A. Colyn, of The Hague, Holland, served three years of this term before Japan’s capitulation. Dr. Colyn (who tells of his experiences in a letter to a friend in Christchurch, which he has visited) had been reported missing, believed murdered, and his recent letter was the first news received here of his safety. In August, 1945, Dr. Colyn was transferred in almost dying condition to a hospital in Bandoeng and was later flown to Holland, where he was reunited with his two sons. Dr. Colyn states in his letter that his eldest brother died from exhaustion in an internment camp in south Sumatra, and that his youngest brother was decapitated by the Japanese in 1943 for underground activities.

Deaths from Cancer The total number of deaths from cancer reported to the Christchurch Hospital Consultation Committee during the last year was 135. This was fe'ported by the committee to the annual meeting of the Canterbury division of the British Empire Cancer Campaign Society in Christchurch yesterday. The

total number of malignant disease cases alive and still under observation was 1142. New cases seen at the clinic during the year totalled 383. Sale of Dutch Goods Advice of how stocks held in New Zealand by the Dutch Government will be liquidated has been received by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. U has been decided, states a letter from the Denartment of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands Indies Government to unload goods on the market vey gradually, and preferably for export only, at the present ruling market prices. This will be .done through the usual channels, with the exception of direct sales to official institutions.—(P.AJ