LOCAL AND GENERAL

Chronicle (Levin), 5 December 1947, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Price of Superphosphate An investigation will be made by the Manawatu provincial executive of Federated Farmers into the i'ecent aaditional rise of about £6 : per ton in the cost of superphosphate, with a view to establishing the specific cause of the price rise. i Big Fireworks Display ' The display of fireworks planned for February 28 as part of Otago's centennial celebrations will be the ■ biggest ever given south of the Equator, said Mr. C. I. Brock, a 1 member of a well-known British fireworks manufacturing firm, who has arrived in Dunedin to supervise arrangements. .... Broadcast of Fight The Joe Louis-Joe Walcott boxing match — for the world heavyweight title — will be broadcast in its entirety by the commercial radio stations in New Zealand. It is expected that tfie commentary will scart coming vtfirough at 3 p.m. tomorrow (New' Zealand) time — but the du'ratioh of the' fighr cannot be forecast. Stations 2ZB and 2ZA will supply the news to the Wellington and Manawatu listeners. Another sports service much appreciated by listeners. Operation at Sea Because of the illness of oue of her ratings, the cruiser H.M.N.Z.S. Bellona arrived at Aotea Quay Wellington, at 3.45 p.m. yesterday, more than two hours earlier than the time announced. The sick man is leading seaman W. J. Douglas, Waihi. He fell ill yesterday morning and Surgeon-Lieutenant Commander I. Broadfoot, R.N.Z.N.V.R., operated for an abdominal complaint. The corvette H.M.N.Z.S Arbutus drew in astern of the Bellona at 4.30 p.m. By that time ratings and officers from the first ship were on their way up to thc city on leave. Arbutus will leave for Sydney on Sunday. Committed for Sentence Pleading guilty t'O t.he theft of a motor car, valued at £450, the property of V. M. Greer, at Marton on September 20, and breaking and entering into the shop of F. J. Murphy at Sanson on October 13, and stealing therefrom two motor car tyres, a cheque book, a motor car number plate, a tin of motor oil and 30s in money, john Donne Collins, alias Gordon William Powell, labourer, aged 37 years, of Hamilton, »was committed to the Supreme Court at Wellington for sentence when he appeared before Messrs. R. B. Robertson and W. C. Cannon in the Magistfate's Court at Palmerston North yesterday Baby Wool and Flannel White baby wool and white flannel supplies being far short of Dominion requirements, the New Zealand Retailers' FederatiOn has worked out and is recommending to its members a scheme for ensuring that expectant mothers wilL get first call on what is available The secretary * of the federation, Mr. G. L. Riley> said last nighs that retailers were .being recommended to give priority Tor these goods to customers presenting, special ration cards fof extra eggs' and butter which are issuable to all expectant mothers and which, in general, are valid for a total of 15 months, Maori ^and Negleciecl Nearly every blpck of land which had been farmed imder long lease before coming .under the admihistration of the. Soard of Maori Affairs had been allowed to deteriorate, the improvemeiits had become derelict, and, , with some farms, the unimproved value haa depreciated because of lieglect to control gorse, Mr. A. F. Blackburn, chief supervisor of ihe Maori' Department, said yesterday in Palmerston North, giving evidence to the Royal Commlssiori on the Sheep Industry. There had been further losses, too, because lessees had used temporary . materials only for making improvements.