NEWS OF THE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26633, 2 December 1947, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Lesson in Lassoing The audible scepticism of the onlookers was changed to open-mouthed admiration when it became necessary for a fireman to lasso a chimney after fire had gutted a bakehouse at Sawyers’ Bay late yesterday afternoon. The chimneys were considered to be dangerous and the brigade decided to lower them. The only feasible means was by using a rope, and as a fireman coiled'it and prepared to throw, the comments of bystanders left little doubt as to their opinion of his ability. This apparently put the ropethrower on his mettle, and with a nonchalance which might have been envied by Tom Mix in his prime, he roped the chimney at his first attempt.

Union and Labour Party Disaffiliation from the New Zealand Labour Party will be discussed at the quarterly meeting of the Christchurch Storemen, Packers and Warehouse Employees’ Union this week. Notice of a motion for disaffiliation has been given. Not Dead

One heard grumblings in Britain about the shortages, and the people had reason to grumble, said Mr D. I. Macdonald to a meeting of members of the Otago-Southland Manufacturers’ Association last night. It was not vicious grumbling, however, hut the kind one heard everywhere, and it showed .that the people were “ neither dormant nor dead.”

Christmas Rations

The Otago Trades Council resolved last night to congratulate the Minister of Supply, Mr Nordmeyer, on his determination to grant extra rations of lamb and butter for Christmas. “ We urge the Minister and the Government to consider favourably the relaxation of restrictions on all foodstuffs at the earliest opportunity,” concludes the resolution.

Land for State Forests Several areas of Crown land have been set apart as permanent State forests, according to notices in the Gazette. They consist of 20 acres m the Grey County. Westland, two acres and a-half in the Tuapeka County. Otago, 325 acres in the Waimea County, Nelson, and 407 acres in North Auckland. An area of 114 acres in toe Marlborough County has been set apart as a provisional State forest. Use of Physiotherapy Pool

“It seems as if the Health Department may object to the letting of these baths, and that it would be better to refer this matter back to the committee,” said the chairman, Dr A. S. Moody, at last night’s meeting of the Otago Hospital Board, when a recommendation was made by the Hospital Committee regarding the appointment of an additional attendant at the swimming baths in the physiotherapy department. It was decided to refer the clause back to the committee

First Port of Call The Norman Star, which is expected this evening from Suez, is the third overseas ship to arrive in the last three weeks, making Port Chalmers her first port of call in New Zealand. She has a quantity of bitumen to unload and will later finish discharge at northern ports. The other two merchantmen to call first at Port Chalmers were the Mahana, which arrived on November 15 'direct from London and Suva, and the phosphate ship Marabank. which came from Ocean and Nauru Islands. Price of Matches Increased Increases of Id a box on some brands of wax matches, and £d a box on others are authorised in a new price order published in the Gazette. A well-known brand of wax matches in round boxes will now be retailed at Hd instead of the previous price of Id, but the price of the small slide boxes, l£d, is unchanged. A tin box of wax matches, previously sold at 4£ti, will now cost '5Jd, and increases of |d tire made on other brands of vestas sold in slide boxes, bringing their price to 3d. The retail charge for wooden safety matches is unchanged.

Tribute to Cripps To implement the proposals made to meet Britain’s crisis were needed inspiration and leadership by the Government. This had been lacking for some time but now that Sir Stafford Cripps had assumed greater authority the leadership would be forthcoming, Mr D. I. Macdonald told members of the Otago-Southland Manufacturers’ Association last night, Cripps was one of the men who understood the financial position and would insist that any line of action adopted be followed. He had the mind and approach which would hold the Cabinet together and would give the leadership the people required.

Too Much Thieving “ There is a distressing amount of thieving and disregard for other people’s property at the present time, and too many of the younger people have little regard for the other fellow’s property,” said the magistrate, Mr R. C. Abernethy, in the Invercargill Police Court when fining two men for converting bicycles to their own use. He told the defendants that they were old enough to know where this disregard for property would lead them. It was not use saying, ‘‘l was drunk and did not know what I was doing ” and then repeating the offence. A sharp fine would remind them that other people’s property should be left alone. One man was fined £lO and the other £7. Much Like Texans “ New Zealanders and Texans have much in common. They both like talking about their countries. In the few days I have been in New Zealand I have seen the 10 best cities of the world, the two best harbours in the world, the 20 longest, deepest and most beautiful rivers in the world in which there is the sweetest, purest, freshest Water in the world, and the tallest mountain in the world. It certainly is a pleasure to be down here where the people talk the way they do in Texas,” said Mr Taylor Cole, president of Junior Chamber International, when he addressed members of the Wellington Junior Chamber of Commerce Gore Hotel to Close Mainly because of the difficulty ol obtaining sufficient staff, the Southland Hotel, one of the best-known boarding establishments at Gore, will close down as an accommodation house at the end of this week. No decision has yet been reached about the use to which the building will be put, although it is possible that the site may be used for another purpose. Recently a 'decision was made to sell the Club Hotel, one of the oldest buildings in Gore, to Reid and Gray, Ltd., who will use the site for the erection of a shop and showrooms. The site of another boarding establishment, the Carrington Hotel, has been mentioned as that which may be taken lor the new post office. If this is acquired, the accommodation problem, already serious, will be further accentuated.