The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 1

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1978 FIRST PUBUSHEO 1831 22 PAGES 13 CENTS EDITION Garden chart for January Pa ELEPHONE 2 0944 0. 43,699 BEGINS Of PACK PAGEJ Curb on COLD annacjk THE Domain footway is out of action agalu while the City Council waits for a couple, of new solenoids, electrical controls for the six electric motors which drive the footway belts. The' parts are. coming soon but don't be surprised if the footway stays idle until school holidays are over. Children playing on the footway, apart from risking injur', cause a Jot of heartburn for officials, who will probably reduce the temptation for them.

Children are also blamed for the frequent stopping of the Railway Square underpass Column 8 was told they "absolutely love" pressing the emergency stop buttons. Mr McQMCban Mr Todd Mr Atklm 1 1 McGeechan US i Bp jl talks angry IjhMM prisoners kH-WM back to. cells Wrj.i I By COLIN ALLISON The Commissioner for Corrective Services, Mr W. McGeechan, talked 120 angry maximum security prisoners back into their cells after a five-hour protest sit-in at Parramatta Jail yesterday afternoon. Prison officers praised Mr McGeechan, who firmly but coolly put his department's views as he stood face to face with yelling, gesticulating prisoners.

The warders, who watched tensely as Mr McGeechan talked to the prisoners, said the protest could have exploded into violence at any moment. The chairman of the Prison Officers' Branch of the NSW Public Service AssociationMr Barry Todd, forecast further, trouble in the State's jails, until his union's demands for more staff and' less crowding of prisoners were accepted by the State Government. Prison officers prepare to hand in their weapons after the. sit-in TOMORROW Rain brings but drought Mandrax urged by advisory body By PETER KENNEDY The Drug and Alcohol Authority has recommend ed that more stringent controls be placed on the drug Mandrax or that it should be banned altogether. Ihe authority acted alter hearing that the number of charges for the illegal taking and possession of the drug had been increasing, with 90 per cent of those charged last year being juveniles.

It has asked the NSW Minister for Health, Mr Stewart, to have the question of Ihe drug's availability reconsidered by the Poisons Advisory Committee. The committee advises the minister, who is responsible for administering the Poisons Act. The authority made its recommendation on the future of Mandrax at a meeting on Wednesday, but declined to give details until Mr Stewart, who is on leave, had been told. The use of Mandrax, prescribed medically as a sedative or tranquilliser, became a controversial issue last month when several students from the Pcndle Hill High School were admitted to hospital after taking the drug. The authority's recommendation was that the committee should "re-examine the place of mcthaqualonc (Mandrax) as a therapeutic substance and its classification Farquhar under the Poisons Act with a view to seriously considering whether the drug should be banned or, at the very least, placed in a Schedule 8 category." Schedule 8 of the Act covers drugs of addiction, and imposes additional restrictions on the prescribing and storage of the drugs.

It is understood that the authority was told by the makers of Mandrax sales of the drug were steadily declining. The sna'rman tne authority, Mr M. Farquhar, CSM, said yesterday that the authority's recommendation followed careful consideration of literature on the issue, experienced in the courts and also submissions on why no further action should be taken regarding the drug. The authority, which was set up laic last year, advises bolh the Minister for Health and the Government on matters relating to drugs and alcohol. Mr Stewart announced after the Pcndle.

Hill incident that he had accepted the advice of an urgent meeting of the Poisons Advisory Committee that all transactions involving the drug be entered in a register which would be inspected twice a year. This action would help keep a check on the quantity of Mandrax that was becoming available. Mr FarquTiar said last month that there was signifi cant evidence that it was no longer necessary to prescribe Mr Stewart could not be reached for comment, on the authority's recommendation Malcolm T. Elliott mi 1 mil wm Mr S2 i5N'l'v i More falls forecast MANY pensioners have not yet received this service (PMS) card, but they need not worry. The cards arc usually delivered by mid-November but a spokesman for the Depart ment ot Social Security told Column 8 that early pension payments processed for Christmas had created backlog.

So far, of the half million recipients in' NSW, only 270,000 had received, their cards. The other 230,000, we were assured, will be in the post by tomorrow. Meanwhile pensioners will be allowed to use last year's card until they get their 1978 issue. THE Australian lag will he unfurled on many a letter In the next jew weeks as an Australia Day commemoration stamp. The 37.5mm 25mm stamp (helow), designed by the Melbourne company Cato Hibberil, is Australia Post's first release for 1978.

it will he available from philatelic counters mini January 26 and from post offices for the following fortnight, slocks permitting. I AustraVa SPR TOCi THE Queen's Jubilee present from Australia, a horse by Without Fear, soon to be foaled in South Australia, has an historical precedent. William James, of Erming-ton, writes to say that at Gosford 55 years ago the then Prince of Wales, later Edward VIII, was presented with a foal. The prince named it Kinlark and later rode it in England. Mr James's grandfather was the owner of the sire, Kincum-hcr.

He asks if readers can help with the details of the presentation who gave the horse to the prince, when and where? If you know please write to Column 8. FORT DEN1SON: High 6.25 am (1.7 metres), 6.57 pm (1.3 metres). Low 12.57 pm (0.3 metres). SUN: Rises 5.51, sets 8.11. MOON: 2.50 am, sets 4.52 Arts 4 Births, Deaths, etc.

11 Comics, Crosswords 15 Exams 11 Finance 9, 10 Gardening 8 15 8 13 15 Law Notices Look! Lotteries (596, 1242) Mails Radio 4 15 14, 15, 19. 20 4 8 15 Shipping Television Travel Weather Turn behind the Financial news for Personal notices: P1 1 Including summary of death notices Classified index: P1 1 DIAL 2 0944 FOR ADVERTISING no violence. Violence is not an acceptable management technique. I simply talked to them, heard out their side and gave them my ideas." Mr McGeechan said there had been no threats used against the inmates, and no prisoners would be removed as a result of the incident. One prison guard who stood near the commissioner during the confrontation said, he had "been scared stiff'' all the while.

"I felt tense, ready for violence at any moment. The place was charged with electricity. You could almost taste the venom being spat at us." Mr Ray Atkins, vice-chairman of the Parramatta branch of the Prison Officers' Association, was visibly shaken when he emerged from behind the four bleak walls. "I'm damned angry," he told waiting reporters. "Prisoners arc demanding more and more concessions.

Who runs these jails? It's got to the stage where prisoners are, taking over, i "I think if the public knew what was going on they wouldn't stand for it." The spokesman for Mr Haigh, explaining the complaints, said: "Prison officers pulled out bunches of television leads in the cells because of the danger of starting a fire. They were bits of improvised Dollar moves upward The Australian dollar strengthened significantly against sterling in London last night in moves which followed the US Government's decision to protect its currency. The Australian dollar firmed to to the pound, compared with 1.717 en the previous day. It moved up with the dollar against all other major currencies after the Carter Administration announced that it wa's committing million to underpin the United States dollar. This triggered a sharp increase in the US dollar's foreign exchange value in European foreign exchange markets.

The US dollar firmed from 1.964 to 1.905 to the pound, and firmed hy a similar percentage against the German mark, the Swiss franc and other European currencies. "Australian banks in London decided to maintain a virtually steady rate of 1.141 US dollars to.each Australian dollar, compared with the rate of 1.138 on the previous day. As a result, the Australian dollar firmed along with the US dollar. Details in Finance, front page, Section 2. Editorial, Page 6 TODAY'S WEATHER Metropolitan: Showery Mild and humid.

Max Temps: City 23, Liverpool 25. NSW: Rain or showers over much of State. Very warm west. Mild and humid cast. (Details, Page IS) Late news Arrests in Pakistan ISLAMABAD, Thursday.

Police have arrested 180 people in two district oi Pakistan's north-west border province for stirring up public unrest, official sourcw AAP The rain which lias brought relief to many areas of the State is expected to continue into the weekend. However, agricultural spokes men said the rain had not broken the drought and follow- up rains were needed. Jn Sydney a Weather Bureau spokesman said that the upper air disturbance responsible for the rain was moving slowly. For today, the Weather Bureau has forecast rain periods or showers over much of NSW, more particularly in the east with local afternoon thunderstorms. Some showers arc forecast for Sydney.

At Condobolin on the Central West Plains, tanks overflowed yesterday for the first time in months. The district agronomist at Condobolin, Mr John Hindle, said that up to 50mm had fallen over the district, replenishing surface tanks on properties where graziers had been carting water for livestock." regional director of agricultural extension at VVagga, Mr George Ranee, said the rain was a "mixed bag" which would assist lucerne, the early planting of oats and replenish tank water Carter visits PARIS, Thursday. President Carter made a pilgrimage today to the beaches of Normandy to visit the graves of American servicemen who died in the D-Day landing in 1944. Mr Carter and President Giscard d'Estaing laid wreaths at the foot of a huge bronze memorial near Omaha Beach. relief, stays 41.

Barmcdman (south-west slopes) 27, Guyra (northern-tablelands) 34, Sugarloaf Point (mid-north coast) 136, Dungog (Hunter) 81 and Robertson (lllawarra) 45. In the Hunter Valley, the Maitland Pastures' Protection Board district is 'likely to remain a declared drought-stricken area until the end of February, despite good falls in the Lower Hunter. The highest rainfall in the metropolitan area in the 24 hours to 9 am yesterday was 94mm at Pymblc. Yesterday's, heavy rain caused the cancellation of several Festival of Sydney events. All the outdoor activities at the Festival Village, the Martin Place concert and the Rock concert at the Opera House forecourt.

Gosford races yesterday afternoon, last night's trotting meeting at Gosford and greyhound races at Dapto were abandoned. In Queensland, the rain pattern was similar to NSW's with several centres recording good falls, but not enough to break the drought. Most of yesterdays ram came from thunderstorms. Good falls were recorded on the Darling at Stan-thorpe 79 mm, Rivcrton 42 mm and Dalvccn 25 rrfm. Other falls included Hughen-den 23, Toowoomba 12, Boulia 1 1, Goondiwindi 5, and Mount Isa 4 mm.

It even rained as far west as Birdsvillc, one of the driest places in Australia, where the township recorded 2 mm yesterday. Elliott originally joined 2UW in 1973. His madcap style took him to second in the ratings in less than a year. After a stormy career at UW, the station sacked him early -in 1976 when police complained about his on-air remarks about a court case. But Elliott had already agreed to join 2GB's "mellow rock" team.

He left last June. The sit-in follows the riot by about 150 prisoners at Long Bay Jail on Christmas Day and an attack on a warder at Parramatta Jail on New Year's Day. Warders throughout insw voted yesterday to lift their ninc-day-old ban on accepting new prisoners into jails which was imposed after the Long Bay riot. (Report. Page 3.) A spokesman tor the Minister for Services, Mr Haigh, said the Parramatta protest centred on three com plaints the removal ot what he termed "dangerous" TV leads in prison cells, lack of fresh fruit, and a demand for award wages.

The sit-in took place in the exercise yards ot the jail shortly before lunch. rearing possioie violence, prison warders locked up 240 other prisoners who wished to be dissociated from the protesters. At 1 pm, when there were fears that the angry prisoners could start a riot or a the prison authorities put local police, ambulance, fire brigade and hospital emergency teams on standby alert. Pledge to talk on wages Guards armed with .223 semi-automatic rifles and 12-gauge shotguns patrolled the high stone walls and stood, poised expectantly, behind the bullet-proof glass of watch-towers as; the prisoners yelled abuse and shouted for their demands to be met. Special Project officers from other prisons, as well as heavily armed detectives from the Police Special Operations (Riot) Squad, stood ready for an emergency.

Mr McGeechan, in his Sydney office, was kept in touch with all aspects of the operation and arrived to talk with prisoners at 3.15 pm. When he emerged from behind the blue-painted gate of the prison at about 5.30 pm, Mr McGeechan, looking unruffled and fresh in a light striped grey suit, promised to do whatever he could "within the limits of his department's financial capacity," to resolve the issue of wages. Together with the jail's acting superintendent, Mr W. Thompson, he would further discuss the financial aspects of the prisoners' claims with them today. Asked if force had been necessary to get the men back behind bars, Mr McGeechan smiled and laid: "There was WILD BLUE YONDER Expatriate writer Jill Neville revisits the Blue Mountains to find that despite developers, the magic lingers.

Strange patriots Helen Frizell on the filming of the Battle of Broken Hill. Cult heroes Jill Sykes on Reg Livermore and his new play, Ned Kelly. Plus A guide to the fashionable names of 1977; and book reviews, arts news and features, all in 1 The Good Weekend TODAY Plight of private schools Alan Gill continues his report on the plight of the private schools. Page 7. HERALD TRAVEL looks at the problems of the passport, Page 8.

Malcolm By LINDSAY SCOTT, Showsccnc Reporter Malcolm T. Elliott, the zany broadcaster who left Sydney radio six months ago, will return next month to 2UW a station which previously sacked him. His return is expected to hasten the departure of 2UW's program manager, Mr Ken Sparkcs, who has disagreed supplies, but would standine drv feed. damage The regional director of agriculture at Dubbo, Mr Brian Clinton, said falls of up to 25mm had been recorded in the district, but more was needed. "The rain will help summer crops and permit fallowing for the coming season's wheat crop." Narrabri, on the North-Wcst Plains, had its best rain since May.

The district agronomist, Mr Rodney Browne, said the district had averaged about 25mm which would allow summer crops, including sorghum and sunflower, to be planted. The rain had not been heavy enough to damage the cotton crop which was in excellent condition and due to be harvested in April. Bourkc had 22mm of rain yesterday, described as useful for replenishing tank supplies. Good falls recorded in the 24 hours to 9 am yesterday included Narrabri West (north-west plains) 54mm, Yalgogrin North (central-west plains) 111, Booligal (Rivcrina) 83, Rankin Springs (Rivcrina) Normandy In a speech at the foot of the memorial Mr Carter said, "We are determined with our noble allies here that European freedom will never again be in danger." (AAP) PAGE 5: Carter's agenda for democracy. PAGE 6: Editorial.

is believed to be $40,000 a year. Elliott's return is a major move in 2UV's bid to boost its flagging ratings. In the most recenf survey the station ran fourth. 2UW's general manager, Mr Frank Jcffcoat, said yesterday that Elliott's return was based on his previous good performance at the station. leads hooked into electricity SOCKCIS.

"We were worried about the wiring in the 100-year-old iail When they were taken away it was on the understanding that proper leans would be provided. I "On the second point, lack of fresh fruit, we say that's rubbish, Prisoners arc given varied 'fruit diets of oranges. apples and bananas. ineir third complaint is clearly ridiculous. The prisoners want award wages You can just see it: go to iail for murder and get paid award wages.

Can you imagine the public outcry if we conceded to that demand? It already costs S32 a day to keep each prisoner behind bars. The spokesman said non workers in Parramatta Jail now paid $1.50 a week and manual labourers were paid $2.50. More trusted prisoners, those approaching their release dates, received SI4 to $15 a week for work ing on the prison linen service. The sit-in prisoners sought a blanket weekly wage of about $130, an amount currently paid to work-release prisoners T. returns to Sydney radio with some of the station's policies for several months.

He is believed to be strongly opposed to Elliott's signing. Elliott resigned yesterday from SKA. Adelaide, where he has conducted the breakfast session since August. He will do his last show next Friday. He will return to his old breakfast program on 2UW wilh his former Sydney off-sidcr, Peter Shanahan.

His fee Print Mi and published by John FUrfitt and Sons Ltd, of jonn Street, troed. way. Poital adtfrcii: Box S06. GPO, Svdntv. 2001.

Register for DMttno newspaper Category C. Rtcom mended and maximum ark tnty, inMr itatt by air extra. at the Silverwatcr complex. 1 I I tt I i ill t. i I- a i i..