GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17111, 5 April 1921, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

All the Canterbury rivers were reported clear or nshable yesterday. Four of the municipal dwellings in Huxley street are to be completed by the end of the month, so the Mayor informed the City Council last night.

The City Council last night decided, on the motion of Cr. H. Hunter, to instruct the city inspectors to report to the By-laws Committee, through the Chief Inspector, instances of motor-cars being left standing in streets not parking places. The Canterbury Rugby League wrote to yesterday's of the Board; of Control of Lancaster Park, applying for the use of the park on one Saturday in each'month, and. for inter-provincial and inter-State matches. It was decided to reply that the Board could grant permission only with the sanction of the Rugby Union, and that the letter would therefore be referred to the latter body. The Mayor announced at the meeting' of the City' Council ,last night that four sets of plans had been received for th'e new administrative block, and a selection would be made before the present Council went out of office. Cr. Langley enquired if the plans provided for a hall. The Mayor said they did not, but after the design for the administrative block was accepted the question would arise whether a concert hall would be built alongside. Our Thmedin correspondent telegraphs: The committee of the Dunedin Public Subscriptions' Association has now practically completed its canvass. The sum 'subscribed to date is approximately £dOOO, or about half the amount appealed for. Considering the existing conditions of trade, the response by the business houses applied to has been generous. The allocation will probably meet the increased need of the various charitable and humanitarian organisations.

In giving judgment in a motor collision case, yesterday, Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M V said that tho" point, was frequently raised that the onus of taking extreme care to avoid an accident rested on those conducting traffic from a branch road on to a mam road, but, in his opinion, there was no such rule suggested, and the rule was that motor traffio on all public roads should be conducted- with extreme care. If a different standard of care was set up for the two classes of traffic the speed on main roads would be increased to such an extent as to become dangerous. There was no test in the Dominion to enable anyone to ascertain what were main and what were branch roads.

The difficulty experienced by aged and crippled folk in boarding tramcan was brought before the Tramway Board yesterday by a letter from the president of the Women's Civic Group, which asked whether the steps on the cars could not be lowered. The General Manager, Mr F. Thompson, said that as far as the existing cars were concerned, the steps could not be lowered, owing to the motor clearances required. In all new can, however, the steps would not' be more than 14 inches, which should not prove too high. The height of the present stops varied, but the average was about 16 inches Mr J. Wood said that it would help the old people if they were aware that they cotuJ enter by the rear steps of a car, which were several inches lower than the others. The General Manager was- instructed to reply in terms of the information stated.

Thirty-five separate claims have been made by linotype operators.and stone and bulk hands against their respective employers, the Christchurch Press Co., Ltd., and the Lyttelton' Times Co., Ltd., for balance of wages 'said to be duo for work done on New Year's l)ay and Anniversary Day. These claims came before the Magistrate's Court yesterday. There were 22 claims against the former company, and 13 against the latter, and the 'amounts sought to be recovered ranged from 9s 8d to £1 10s 2d. Mr W. J. Hunter appeared for all the plaintiffs, Mr P. Selig represented the Christchurch Press Co., and Mr A. G. Henderson the Lyttelton Times Co. Mr Henderson, in asking for an adjournment, said that tho matter was one which affected all the newspaper proprietors all over the Dominion, an? it was one dealing with the interpretation of an Arbitration Court award, and a test case should be made. The Magistrate, Mr McCarthy, granted leave to defend, and said he would adjourn the ease to April 18th, but he would allow 10s 6d costs to plaintiff in ev;ery case.

During March last 25 building permits were issued in the city, representing a building value of £14,110. For March 1920, the permits were 74 and the building value £66,243. In consequence of a complaint being lodged of overcrowding at one of the picture theatres in the city, the Bylaws Committee of the Council has informed all licensees of theatres that it is intended to strictly enforce the bylaws relating to theatres, to prevent overcrowding. An apneal again'ft an Onehunga borough bv"l'aw prohibiting the location of John Bovd's Zoo, was heird by Mr Justice Stringer, at Auckland, yesterday. The appeal was made on the contention that there were no reasonable grounds on which the Council based their opinion that the animals were likely to cause a nuisance, and that if the said grounds existed, it was unreasonable to prohibit instead of regulating the keeping of such animals. His Honour dismissed the appeal. '

In consequence of _ numerous enquiries yesterday we wish to state that tho carpets and rugs to be sold by auction this dav at 2 o'clock in Mr Charles Clark's* Rooms, 109 Hereford street, are guaranteed genuine Indian hand-made all-wool Carpet; and Rugs, not Japanese. They are dyed with native colours, and will give 2-5 years' wear. This is a chance of a life-time, as every rug must be sold. Tonks, Norton, and' Co., Ltd., Auctioneers. 6 Cr. C. P. Agar urged at the meeting of the City Council last night that the practice of "long shanking" at the abattoir should be discontinued. The practice, he said, was not followed by the freezing companies, and its adoption meant that a portion of the bone was left which should be removed. The abolition of the practice also would lead to greater efficiency at the works in the way of dealing with a greater number of "carcases daily. He moved that the matter be referred to the Abattoir Committee for consideration and report. Cr. A. McKellar said the Council could only carrv out the orders of the butchers in the matter of cutting up the meat. The motion was carried. The Woolston Borough Council commenced its meeting with a little "breeze" last night. It was mentioned in the minutes that tho action, of the Mayor in altering the date of a. committee meeting was approved by tho Council. Crs. lladcliffe and Mclt.ae objected to the insertion of this minute, and the latter was proceeding to say that the Mayor did not have any righr. to alter the date of the meeting, when he was ijulled up by the Mayor, who said he would not allow discussion along such a line. This ruling was objected to, and Cr. Mcßae moved an amendment that the minutes ; as read be not adopted. This amendment was lost on the voices, and the meeting then proceeded with, the business before it.

The City Council last night decided to refer to the new Council the matter of the control of the river Avon. Tlie New Brighton Borough Council wrote stating that at a meeting of representatives held to consider the necessity for improvements being made to the river Avon resolutions were passed urging the formation of a Board of Control to deal with the management and improvements of the river from its source to the sea if necessary. Cr. J. A. Flesher moved that the matter be referred to the new Council. This was seconded by Cr. H. Hunter, who said he objected to the creation of new bodies. One of the existing bodies should be deputed to take over the control of the river, the other bodies to assist financially. The motion was carried. ,

On the whole, it is considered that the. work of the Government Housing Department has progressed smoothly and steadily throughout the Dominion (says the "Post"). Any trouble that has developed is almost invariably found to be with the small contractor, who has not sufficient means or backing to carry through the work. The DeEartment is stdted to have been forearing and generous in cases of difficulty. Specially good progress is noted in Wanganui, while in New Plymouth the rate of building has Keen slower. Out at Petone the scheme has not yet made great headway, but better progress is expected now that certain difficulties have been removed. The cost of materials and labour, while ' some items have decreased in cost and others risen, remains substantially the same, and cheaper houses are not anticipated just yet." The Department has not had. much trouble with the purchasers of the dwellings completed, though there have been instances where the. occupier has not carried out his obligations satisfactorily. In cases of genuine distress, no attempt is made to. harass the tenant undulv, but in one or two instances, it is said, the tenant has not dealt fairly with the Department, Any temporary slackening in the pace of building is not regarded "bv some people as altogether an evil, ns 'it is realised that conditions may change in the near future, and the demand for housing diminish substantially. In such an event the policy of "hasten slowly" would be found to have paid. The continuation of the payment of Vtt as a bonus to Council employees was again mentioned at the meeting of the Woolston Borough Council last night. Cr L. Hart, in accordance with notice, moved: "That the minute on the minute book authorising the payment of the 9s bonus be rescinded, and that tha Council's employees be brought into lino with the awards of t'he Arbitration Court." Cr. Harfc said that the Council could not afford to pay the oxtra 6s a week. It had an income of approximately £SOOO a year, and the Us bonus was running the Council into a lot of money. If outside firms could not afford to pny the 9s, how was tho Council to do it? Most of the (houses in the borough were owned by working men, and they should nob pay out in rates for a, bonus to the Council employees which other workers were not receiving. In four or five months the paying out of the 9s bonus ran tlhu Council into about £39 extra expense Cr. C T. Owen asked if the motion was in -order. It had been considered bofore, and no fresh evidence had- Deen brought forward that night. The Mayor said that he could not allow the motion to be brought up time after time. Cr. Hart explained that wiicn the matter was previously dealt with by tho Council he was in tlie hospital, and he got Cr. White to bring the motion before the Council. He considered that under the circumstances he was entitled to bring tho,matter up again. The Mayor would not allow further discussion, and the motion lapsed. On Sunday flight, at Trinity Methodist Church, Dunedin, the Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt conducted a service in memory of the late Mr Daniel Haynes, who had been for over fifty years a trustee of the church and a liberal supporter of its work. The service opened with Chopin's "Funeral March," after which the choir sang "Now the Labourer's Task is O'er." The Rev. M. A. Rugbv_ Pratt read a brief memorial sketch which made passing reference to the discipline of hardship, -amidst austere conditions, in which Mr Haynes had spent his early life. Tlie deceased gentleman had, upon his arrival in Dunedin sixty years ago., associated himself with a group of Methodists, who, in the absence of a resident minister, held meetings in a private house at Pelichet Bay, and in the home of a Mr Howell in Filleul street. When the Rev. Isaac Harding came to Dunedin in 1862, Mr Haynes became' his loyal helper, and supported him in church expansion work throughout the province. In 1864 the Rev. John Aldred had united Mr Haynes in marriage to the lady who has since shared his trials and his triumphs. The interests of Mr Haynes had been mainly concentrated in his home, his business, and his church. Fulsome words would be out, of place in regard to one who was impatient of praise, and who was conscious of his own limitations, but justice demanded the acknowledgment that by his foresight and generous gifts he had well served the cause_ of his church in Dunedin and its environs;

A deputation, including representatives of athletic bodies, waited on Mr B. J. McKenna and asked him to allow himself to be nominated for a seat on the New Brighton Borough Council. Mr Melvenna promised to consider the matter and reply during the week. The sum of £235 os Id was taken at the Tepid Baths during February, as against £205 lis lid for the corresponding month last year. The takings from April Ist, 1920. amount to £I7OS lis 7d, being £436 lis 9d more than those for the corresponding period last year. The winter classes in the Y.M.C.A. gymnasium were commenced yesterday with record first-of-season -attendances. The newly-appointed physical director, Mr <i. Spencer Green, received a cordial welcome at each i-lass, and his methods were favourably commented on. Since last season the gymnasium has Itccn extensively Tenovattd and new equipment added.

The Baths Committee of the City Council has considered a petition referred to it by the Council, suggesting that the time has arrived when the question of erecting municipal Turkish baths should be gone into. In view of the present financial position being so unsatisfactory, the committee decided to hold the matter over and refer it to the new committee which will be appointed after the forthcoming election 1 of councillors. A Chinaman who was leaving Auckland by the Maheno for Sydney, en route to China, on Thursday evening, was found to be in possession of £7O in gold when examined by a Customs officer. The money was contained in a belt concealed underneath the Chinaman's clothing. As it is an offence to take gold out of tho country, the money was confiscated, but the Chinaman was allowed to proceed on his voyage.

'.'lt is this Association's wish that captains, secretaries, and playing members of clubs should attend our meetings and let us have their complaints," said Mr P. H. Goodeir, president of the Canterbury Rugby Union Eeferees' Association, at the annual meeting of that body last evening. "If clubs and and players want our national winter pastime "to keep the high standard it enjoys in this province, and also .wish the general public interested in club as well as interprovincial games, there must be a closer relationship between players and referees than at present. riy players, secretaries, captains, etc., attending our meetings, we think much could be done which is at present left undone."

Attempts by the German communists to disrupt the trade union movement through the forming of "cpmmunist cells''* within the unions and agitating for their affiliation with the Council of International Trade Unions of Moscow have met with several serious setbacks recently. In the election of the administrative board of the Metal Workers' Union in Greater Berlin, reported in the Freiheit of December 22nd, the Reds were defeated by a vote of 31,453 to 30,083; at about the same time the General Committee of the -General German Trade Union League passed a resolution reaffirming its adhesion to the moderate International Federation of Trade Unions of Amsterdam and warning its some 8,000,000 members against agitating for the Moscow programme under pain.of explusion, and a few days before the Advisorv Board of the German Clothing Workers' Association, by fi vote of 34 to 3, expressed is confidence in the Amsterdam organisation and condemned the Moscow tactics. On December 2lst it was reported in Berlin that the Executive Committee of the Third International, disregarding the protest of the Communist Party ot Germany, had accepted the affiliation of the German Communist Labour Party, a small group of extremists who consider the Communist Party too tame, as a "sympathising party," with a voice, but no vote on the committee. An impoverished condition of the blood is generally responsible for unexplainable lack of energy, lassitude, etc. The remedy is to strengthen your blood with Loasby's Nerve Tonic and Blood Enricher—it makes rich, red blood. 3s 6d and 6s 6d a bottle, all chemists,, or from Loasby and Co., Chemists (opp. Ballantyne's). ° A small expenditure in spare parts will often save the expense of a new Potato-Digger. We stock spares for Aspinwall, Reuther, Jacks, and Champion Diggers. Ivorys, Ltd., 21 Manchester street. • 15382

Our men understand the necessity for care, and "safety first" is our rule in regard to your property. For. moving, storage, or distribution, come to us first. J. M. Heywood and Co. Ltd. H 4943

For the weekly family wash use six ounces of the pure Golden Rule Cocoanut Oil Soap with one small .packet of the famous "No Rubbing Laundry Help." H 5414-6797,

IDEAL DOCTOR'S CAR FOR £425. This is" a full 3-seater Rover, 20 h.p., one of the best-known of British pars. It is in splendid running order, equipped witJh electric light and 5 Sankey detachable wheels. Finish, light, cream, with plated fittings, and light green upholstery. Price for quick sale, £425. Adams, Ltd., Garage, 219 Tuain street.

GOOD-AS-NEW STUMBAKEIt FOlt f £4So, Latest 4-eyl. Btudebaker—"Liyhfc Four." Just "rcfinished in cnnnirio. Absolutely up to date; elecLric 'light, selfstarter, etc., 5 cord tyres. Sumo guarantee as with new car. £405. Adams, Ltd., Garage, 219 Tuani street. NEARLY NEW OLDSMOEILE FOi?, £SOO. ' Wo have reduced tilio rrice of thin beautiful 3-sc;iter Oldsmobile by £25. It has only run 3000 miles, and hu.H every modern improvement. Trice £SOO. Adams. Ltd., Garage, 219 Tuam street. A VERY SOUND INVESTMENT. Clement-Bayard chassis, in sound condition, with, good tyres. Would make fine little delivery van for suburban storekeeper or greengrocer. A gift at £l4O. Adams, Ltd., 219 Tuam street.

A VERY CHEAP STUDEBAKEIt. Popular 1917 model, 5-seater, 4-cyl. Studebaker, e.l. and s.s. In .splendid order. Any trial given. Would suit farmer. £323. Adams, Ltd.., Garage, 219 Tuam street. C