GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17123, 19 April 1921, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

As sales of concession tickets on public holidays and on Saturday afternoons are so much below normal, the Tramway Board has decided to close the office at these times.

Tho City Council Reserves Committee lias decided that the_ cemeteries shall bo closed to the public at 5 p.m. in May. June, and July, and at 5.30 p.m. during tho remaining months of tho year. Funerals are only permitted between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Tho Works and Traffic Committee reported to the Tramway Board yesterday that tho new valuation for rating purposes of t'ho property recently acquired from Manning and Co. w«is in tho opinion of the committee considerably in excess of market value. It was proposed, therefore, to ask for a review' by the Assessment Court.

The Abattoir Committee has considered the question of the carriage of meat from the abattoir in a more hygienic manner, which was referred to it by the City Council, and has decided that it should be held over and referred to the committee that will be appointed after the forthcoming elections.

On the land acquired from Manning and Co. for new repair shops tlhero stands a two-storey house of nine rooms with large • garden. This property will not be "required for tramway purposes for some time. It is proposed to let the building, but in view of the shortage of four and five-roomed houses, «ho Tramway Board is considering the question of making the building available for two families, one upstair*,, the other down.

Our Hanmer Springs correspondent writes: Messrs W. T. Rush, C. A. Lahinert, and Randall McKay returned at the week-end from a deer-stalking trip in the Boyle country, 30 miles from the head of the "Waiau m a southerly direction towards Glyn "Wye. They experienced a fortnight of excellent weather, and report the deer as being plentiful. Twenty-five stags were shot, but the bag contained only three shapely heads —a royal, a 14-pointer, and a 16pointer. It was noticed that keas were exceedingly numerous on unoccupied Crown lands in the locality, including the JBoyle and Lewis tops, lying out towards the.Maruia country. ■-<

The University College Council has decided to apply to the Senate to permit the holding of a capping ceremony this year. An Auckland telegram states that pursuit of the escaped prisoner Keys still continues. The escapee was sighted on Sunday, but he got away in some dense scrub.

As the Returning Officer asks lor the services of practically the whole of the Citv Council's office staff on municipal election day, it has been decided to close the offices on that day so that the staff will be at liberty to assist at the elections. Bv order of the Supreme Court the Official Assignee has been pppointed administrator of the estate of the Manvers B. Edwards, hotelkeeper, Ne.* Brighton. A meeting of creditors wi« be held at the office of the Official Assignee on Tuesday, April 26th.

Several cases of breaches of the regulations have recently been reported to the Electricity Committee of the City Council, in which consumers were detected using heating apparatus from the lighting circuit. Authority was given to disconnect such consumers, and in future to deal similarly with all such breaches of the regulations.

Regarding the dislocation of traffic on tUie Sumner line which took place i few davs ago owing to an abnormally high tide washing shingle on to the tram track at Mount Pleasant, tho "WotUs Committee reported to the Tramway Board yesterday that consideration was being given to laying tar macadam between rail and sea wa'.l, instead of loose shingle, but the matter was not yet finally settled. A hitch occurred recently in tho settlement of tho Mt. Pisa run in Otago by returned soldiers, owing to the terms of the purchase by the Government making it necessary for the soldiors to wait until next year before they pot full possession of their sections. The Minister of Lands stated yestord.iy that arrangements had now been completed for taking over the property as a running concern, with stock and water rights. The settlement of discharged soldiers on the sections would proceed with as little delay aa possible.

The Rev. W. Ready commenced his second year's ministry in Durham street Methodist Church on Sunday under very favourable conditions. There were good congregations, especially in the evening, when the beautiful and spacious church was full. Mr Ready planned in the morning on "The Plant of Renown," and in tdio evening he spoke from thtf words, "Sing unto the Lord a new song." Tho musical jrortion of the service, conducted by Mr E. Firth, was greatly appreciated, and Miss Gladys Verona sang "With Verdure Clad" and "0, Divine Redeemer."

At present there is an optional stop for in-bound Sumner and Woolston cars at Tuam street. The next stop—a compulsory one—is midway between Cashel street and Lichfield street, which is an improvement so far as vehicular traffic is concerned, from the practice formerly obtaining. It is yound, however, that undue danger takes place through the crossing at speed of the junction of Lichfield street and High street. The Tramway Board therefore 1 has decided to make a compulsory stoo for in-bound cars opposite Graham, Wlkon, and Smellie's, and to cut out tho optional stop at Tuam street.

The Finance Committee of the City Council has written to Mr M. Woodfield, Town Clerk of the late borough of Spreydon, informing him of its inability to find a position for him on the city staff under present conditions, and that'after the. wind-up of the Spreydon borough business and completion of the balance-sheet, which it is expected will be carried out by the end of tli6 month, he will be given formal notice that his services will not'be required after May 31st next. Tho committee recommended that he be granted three months' leave of absence on full pay. atr from the latter date The Council last night endorsed the recommendation.

The Tariff Commission opened its sittings in this city yesterday, in the room itt the New Government Buildings 'formerly occupied by the Valuation Department. There were present: Messrs W. B. Montgomery, Comptroller of Customs (chairman), W. G. McDonald (chairman of the Board of Trade), M. P. Cameron (Customs Hardware Expert), and J. Davies, and R. J. Gray (secretary). The proceedings were not open to the Press. The taking of evidence in this city, it is anticipated, will last till the middle ,of next week. To-morrow, Thursday, and PriWay will be devoted to visits to industrial establishments in the city and suburbs. On leaving Christchurch the Commission will next Bit at, Auckland, and afterwards, probably, at Napier.

In taking down the south wall in connexion with the extension to the underground conveniences at the junction of High and Cashel streets, the workmen discovered a spring of water which riseß to within three ieet of < the surface. In designing the original conveniences at this spot, provision was made against water right up to the surface, but when excavations were made no water was met with within seven feet of the surface, and the City Surveyor thought it would be miite safe to omit the water-proof wall in the extensions. As the .water has been met at a much higher level in dry weather, it will be necessary to make the water-tight wall up to the surface. The Works Committee recommended the City Council last night that the work bo "done, the additional cost being £llß.

The propensity of small boys to climb has been rocognisod and defended by the dignified United States Circuit Court of Appeals by awarding an eight-year-old child £2OOO damages for injuries sustained while climbing a railway trestle in an endeavour to capture a bird's nest. The judge directed the jury to find the railway guilty if they believed that the company had erected a trestle work which might entice children to climb it and had not taken measures to- povent climbing. "Any composition ofmatter," said the Court, "which lures or attracts the confiding ignorance of childhood to its own harm must be safeguarded against, and troublesome boys are entitled to be protected against themselves." The injured boy had climbed to the trestle of a bridge over the railway to Bocure a bird's nest, when he noticed a pigeon on a wire near by. The wire was charged with high-voltage electricity, used for operating the trains below, and when the youngster touched it his arm was so badly burned that it was necessary to have it amputated. An interesting and valuable collection of articles manufactured by Morions is a recent acquisition at the Canterbury Museum, having been presented by Mrs Chudleigh, of the Chatham Islands, on behalf of her husband, the late Mr E. R. Chudleigh. Amongst the articles comprising the collection are: — A 'flute and whistle made out of bone—the instruments, though small, give evidence of skilful workmanship; there are several fishhooks and ornaments made from bone, several spear-heads, several pendants, some of greenstone and others of bone—two remarkable pendants of bone have each cut out on them human faces noteworthy from the fact that the features resemble more those of Hawaiian faces than the features of faces carved by the Maoriß. A series of implements show the manner in which the Morioris adapted the adze and developed the axe. Two "pounders," apparently flax pounders, are included in the collection, which also contains various shark's, whale's, and porpoise's teeth. There is also a string of beads, representing the "trade" by means of which those on the vessels which visited the Chathams in the early days effected the exchange of commodities with the Morioris. The collection, though not extensive, is of considerable importance from an ethnological point of view. **

The Waimakariri north and Opihi rivers were reported clear yesterdar morning, the Waitaki being fishable and the Wainiakariri South and Rakaia discoloured. About 3 p.m. yesterday a motor-car, driven by Mr Skeenan, collided with a horse and cart in Papanui road, near May's road. The radiator of the car was damaged, but no injury was suffered by either the driver of the car or that of the cart.

Four tenders were received for felling trees at Reserve No. 209, Shirley, and the Reserves Committee of the City Council accepted that of Mr Alf. Cooper at Is 6d per 100 ft for felling and cutting the trees into logs, and 12s per cord for cutting and stacking the firewood".

A severe thunderstorm was experienced at Ashburton yesterday afternoon and last night 'Brilliant flnshes of lightning and loud claps of thunder occurred at brief intervals of a couple of hours, followed by a heavy downpour of rain at five o'clock, the rain continuing for over a couple of hours. Tho rain was badly needed for the land, and it will have a most beneficial effect. The Mayor announced at the meeting of the City Council last night that six replies had been received to the proposal for the issue of £5 debentures by municipalities. Palmerston North, Gisboine, and Ashburton favoured the proposal, while Wellington, New Plymouth, and Timaru were against it. The State. Advances Department had advised that the proposal would receive consideration when the Local Bodies Loans Act was amended.

"How ninny children have, you to support?" asked Mr W. J. Hunter, counsel for a judgment creditor of a witness in a case heard yesterday in tho Magistrate's Court, "three," was fho answer. "What are their ages?" enquired Mr Hunter. "Three and eight," was the reply. "That only accounts for two of Dliem," said Mr Hunter. "What about the third?" "Oh, two of them are twins," said tho witness, amidst laughter. It was proposed at a recent meeting of the City Council that the method of dressing sheep known as "long-shank-ing" should be adopted at the abattoir. The proposal was referred to the Abattoir Committee, who, in a report presented to the Council last night, recommended that no change be made at present, ns the committee saw no reason for departing from the usual dressing required by retail butchers. The Council agreed.

"Tho committee regrets," stated a report presented to the Tramway Board yesterday, "that on Wednesday last two interruptions of traffic took place in the city, both affecting the 'business" traffic, the first at 9 a.m. and the second between 1 and 2 p.m. Tho committee recognise that the first was unavoidable, but. believe that the second could have been prevented if the Public Works Engineers had asked the Board to put 1000 k.w. under steam instead of 500 only. The matter is being taken up with the Department." During the past week about twentyfive men have registered at the local bureau of the Labour Department seeking work. There is, however, not mulfh work of the kind suitablo for the applicants available at present. Approximately about one-third of the applicants are immigrants who have been unable to date to get billets. Of the total the majority are general labourers; there are a few farm labourers. The Department is placing men wherever an opening of a suitablo character presents itself. A contract for the supply of one million pairs or boots has ]u»t, been se« cured by a firm of English boot manufacturers through one of their agents abroad (says the London "Daily Telegraph"). The order was obtained by a young Englishman who is still m hi& twenties. It is this sort of business that is wanted in England to-day to do away with the unemployment problem. Tlie order will, it may be anticipated, greatly improve the outlook or employment in the boot trade during the next few weeks.

■ Representing the Victorian Police Association, Mr G. Bt. Carter interviewed the Premier (Mr Lawson) recently. He said that the Railways Classification Board had raised the minimum wage of railway employees from lis 9d to 13s 6'd a day, and the Police Association was strongly of opinion that at least a similar rate should be paid to the police. Mr Lawson said that it was impossible to make further provision in regard to pay for the present financial year, but when the Estimates were being framed the matter would be considered, and the decision of the Cabinet would be governed by the financial conditions. Rifleman Vennell, champion rifle shot of ihe Dominion, who is about to leave for England to represent the Dominion at Bisley, was farewelled at a representative gathering at Wellington last night. Brigadier-General Richardson said Vennell was going Home entirely on merit. He saiu ho was entirely in sympathy with the rifle clubs movement. He did nqt want rifle clubs to be separated from the Defence Department, but he wanted to see them with their own status and their own executive committees. He would like to Bee rifle clubs established all overthe Dominion; and. Territorials admitted as mombers. Mr W. Jones, chairman of the Elm« wood School Committee, explained to last night's meeting of householders why the City Council has not made the new road from Leinstor road to Heaton street in order to give school children access to Etmwood Park. "It has been shortage of cement only that has prevented the Council from going on with the work," he said. "The chairman of the Works Committee told me so last week. The Mayor, Dr. Thacker, at the unveiling ceremony in the school grounds a few weeks ago, referred to the road, and said, that it would be made. It practically has been obtained for the school; when there is a suitable supplv of cement for thekerbin" and channeling the road will be made. -Let us hope that it will be soon."

In an address at Wynnum, the Treasurer of Queensland (Mr Fihelly), referring to the financial situation, said the State would "pull through" comfortably, provided "that luxuries wens "cut out," and the Government, local authorities, and individuals "put their shoulder.} to tho wheel." The Ministry was now cutting down expenditure by' approximately £2.000,000 a year. That was a very fine achievement, as it was being done without seriously dislocating any avenues of industry. He did not think that the London "money market would be open to Queensland for two years, and the State would have to relv on itself. In Mav next £1.000,000 in interest was due, but tho Ministry had the money and a little over. In spite of the decline in th« pricej of wool and metal, he considered the outlook not to bo gloomy. Tliero would be no crash.

"Here was stopped the rush of the barbarian's." This is the notice which will appear on landmarks to be erected along the whole of the battle line from the Nord to the Vosgea—that line which Bet a limit to the advance of the German armies "nach Paris," and against which French and British heroism prevailed (says the Paris correspondent of the London "Daily Telegraph"). It has now been decided to perpetuate this line so that generations yet unborn, guided by these landmarks, may have a comprehensive idea of the greatest war in history. It ; s tho Touring Club of France who will erect these landmarks, tho model of which has been prepared by the sculpi tor, Paul Mcreau-Vaultier. They will be of a simple character, pyramidal in form, crowned by tho helmet of a poilu placed flat on a large wreath of laurels. I Theso landmarks, covering so vast n I line, will be numerous. The exact j number and the places where they will be erected will shortly be fixed by j Marshal Petain. ,

To-dnv is Primrose Day in England, established in memory of the famous Prime Minister, Lord Beaconsfield, who died in London forty years ago to-day.

It wa3 stated at the Wharenui School meeting last night that this school, with a comparatively small attendance, was well into its "second thousand pounds" collected and raised for school improvement.

At the meeting of the householders of the Papanui School district last night, a flag, presented by Mr Alan Nicholls in memory of his rather, Ulr William Nicholls, "was unveiled, and it was proposed that on each Anzac Day it should be saluted br the'school children in honour of the New Zealand soldiers.

"Tho New Zealand forest is one of the most beautiful in the world." stated Mr P. M. Page, of the Forest Service, in Masterton last week. "Not only is it beautiful, but it has some of tho finest trees in the world, particularly the Kauri. Nothing can touch it."

The Canadian-American author, Mr Raymond Fayette Stover, of New York Citv, is at present in Dunedin. He told a "Star" reporter that a difficulty which beset him on arrival was to find a name for the story, of.which ho is in search, but since landing and viewing the pristine freshness of everything in this country, ho concluded that "Dawning" was the 1 inevitable word for tho grandeur New Zealand had at her door. The American visitor expressed himself as impressed with the advanced business methods of tho Dominion.

At the Wharenui householders' meeting last night a resolution was carried, without dissension, asking that in future it should be possible to secure Saturday excursion trains for school picnics, and invoking the assistance of other similar organisations. It was pointed out that, owinc; to tho ricid rule of the Rnilwav Department locally, that Saturdays must be reserved for trndo picnics, it was impossiMo for many parents to join in tho children's festivities, the parents beinpr engaged in business. Again, old pupils now attending secondary schools were similarly debarred. Tlie opinion was expressed that school children and their parents were just as much entitled to tho excursion privilege as any other section of the community.

A protest against tho site proposed for the new school at West Christchurch was made at the householders' meeting last night. It was decided to forward to the Education Department a furthen resolution protesting against placing the now building intlie centre of the playground, and asking that it it bo erected upon a site further removed from the road. Tho matter was brought up by a paragraph in the report of the retiring School Committee, and which read as follows-.—"The putstanding problem before the committee was the erection of the new school. Strenuous efforts had been made to persuade tho Department to rebuild, and tho committee received strong support from the Board of Education. The Hon. Mr Parr, Minister of Education, was persuaded to visit the school) and the position explained to him. He consented to treat the matter as one of urgency. The Departmental Architect also visited the school, and recognised the necessity for rebuilding, with tho result that the plans have been drawn up, but tho site chosen is not, in the opinion of the committee, the best, and a protest was sent to the Board of Education, and has been forwarded on to tho Department."

Sir William Robertson Nicoll, writing in the "British Weekly," says: Mr Will Crooks, ex-M.P., has always been a booklover. BUb earliest reading was the ''British Workman'' and the "Boyi of England" penny series. When he was about 10 or 11 the "Sunday at Homo" was started. His mother could not read or write, but she and her friends used to make the boya come in and read for them chapters from the stories. The first large book he read was Eugene Sue's "Wandering Jew." Other favourite* of his youth were Fielding's "Tom "Jones/' some - of Dickens's novels, and some by Dumas, including ''The Three Musketeers." Mr Crooks has often said that there were £wo great literary events in his career. 'One was the reading in an old Scotch magaaine of a fascinating criticiam of "Ivanhoe." Through this he was not only led to Sir Walter Scott, but developed a passion for reading. Tho other event was the puohase for,twopence from a bookstall of a copy of Homer's "Iliad." This opened to him a now world. Air through his life he had been a novel reader, and a book buyer to the extent of his powers. First a Bniff—then a sneeze—neglect it, and probably you will be plagued with a cough and cold all the winter. Banish all risk by taking "Stop-It," the successful remedy, at once. Is 9d, 3s. and 5s 6d. All chemists and stores. Loasby and Co., chemists (opp. Ballantyne's). . 6 The Port Cbristchurch League decided at its last meeting to support Dr. H. T. J. Thacker for the Mayoralty, and also to support Messrs Geo. Scott, H. B. Sorensen, E. J. Howard, and Dr. H. T. J. Thacker, wUio are, candidates to represent the city on the Lj ttolton Harbour Board. If you consider Christchurch should be provided with bettor transport facilities to compete'with tho other seaports for trade and oommercoi vote for the Port Ohristnhurch Candidates, and you will promote your own interests. (S

Tho Labour Party are staunch supporters of "No ilubbing" Laundry Help, owing to its wonderful laboursaving and perfect cleansing qualities. "And so say all of us." Cnristchurch grocers. ' 6042

A small expenditure in spare parts will often save the expense of a now Potato-Digger. ,Wo stock spares for Aspinwall, Ileuthcr, Jacks, and Champion Diggers. Ivorys, Ltd., 21 ManChester street. 15332

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

ESSEX ROADSTER: SALE PRICE £650. This beautifully finished 4-cylind«r. 3-seater Essex Roadster has born used by Mr G. G. Aitken, of 94 Hereford street, and according to the speedometer has run 4232 miles. We allowed Mr Aitken £550 on this car, in part payment for a new Studebaker Economy light Six, 3-seater Roadster. The Essex is f rushed in a mauve-grey shade, has i\. .• :ic lights and twlfstarter, fivo wire wheels, etc., and is practically new. Mr Aitken will bo glad to give any information. His 'phono is 2265. We suggest this «ti as a good investment for a commercial firm overstocked with goods, and needing to send a traveller to remote country districts where business is still good. (1067). Adams, Ltd., Showrooms 152-154 High street. Garage, 219 Tuam street. DODGE TOURING CAR: SALE PRICE £2OO. We took this up-to-dato Dodgo car from Mr Clements, of Hokitika, allow* ing him £2OO on it in part payment for a new Studebaker Big Six. The Dodgo requires repairs and adjustments, but we want to clear it quickly, so offer it at net trade price. Any motor mechanic, engineer, or handy man can make money by buying this car, which has electric light and self-starter, and fivo nearly new Michelin tyres, and making it good at very small cost. (1065.) Adams, Ltd., Showrooms, 152-154 High street. Garage, 219 Tuam street. 8