General News.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18892, 6 January 1927, Page 6

General News.

A young man concealed himself on board the Royal Mail liner Aoraiigi at Vancouver and wat; discovered when tho vessel was at sea. On arrival at Auckland the man w.is landed over to the police. Three Chinese, who had stowed away on a steamer coming to New Zealand and were imprisoned, M-ere returned to Fiji by the Tofua, which left Auckland on Saturday.

The English oxperl in charge of the work of reconstructing tho Christchurch Cathedral organ is confident that the instrument will be ready for use by the time of the arrival in the 'City of the Duke and Duchess of York. The work is a littlo behindhand now, but the workmen are working against time and are making Strong endeavours to have the instrument ready, so that the City may employ the organ in the honouring of tho Royal gOcsts. The office of the Tourist Department advises that bookings for the various resorts have boen considerably heavier this year than last year. Traffic docs not usually begin until well after the Christmas holidays, but already a number of people from England, America, and Australia has made bookings. Mount Cook aud tho .Franz Josef Glacier have attracted a large number of people, and a good many have gone to Hanmer Springs. Before Mr H. F. Herbert, J.P., yesterday, Charles Neilson, alias Nelson, aged 36 years, was charged with drunkenness whilst in charge of a horse and cart, and Avith a breach of his prohibition order. Sub-Inspector Mathew said tho accused was a danger to himself and tho public. Mr Herbert: "I think this case is not one for a fine. The accused has had several previous convictions ' for similar offences. He will be sentenced to one month's imprisonment." A noticeable improvement was apparent yesterday in the observance of tho new motor regulation with regard to parking cars in streets. On Tuesday only a fow odd cars were to be seen parked at the requisite angle, but yesterday a large proportion was left this way. To-day, presumably, tho number will be considerably, augmented for yesterday two City Motor Inspectors spent some timo in the business area of the City giving instructions as to tho method which must bo followed.

The level of Lake Coleridge for the week ended on Sunday last was 1670.52 feet. The maximum load at the power-house was 11,660 k.w. (between 8.30 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Friday), and at the Addington sub-station 8720 k.w. (between 9.30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Friday). In addition 1000 k.w. were supplied by the Tramway Board's stand-by plant. The average inflow from the Harper river was 17 cuseea, representing what water leaked through the gates, which were closed.

Westport, as it stands to-day, dates back to 1872. The old town after an existenco of about eight years was in 1872 shot out to sea by a sudden diversion of the Euller river. In conversation with a Westport "News" representative last week, Mr T. A. H. Field, of Nelson, stated that he well recalled playing the "wag" from school to see many of the old bridges in Westport going out to sea in the great flood of 1872. Included was a hotel with all the lights lit up. Other houses were being jacked up on to rollers and taken up the street. As more of the land was washed away, houses were shifted further up on safer land. The bulk of the uniforms, costumes, fireworks, and effects for the New Zealand 1927 military tattoo arrived by the Jlahana at Auckland on December 2nd, and a further consignment by the Kotorua last week. The Auckland military tattoo will be held during the last week of the prosont month, the Wellington tattoo from March 3rd to Bth inclusive (thus including the dates of the Eoyal visit), and the Christchurch tattoo during the first week in April. The costumes coming by the lonic will thus be available for the Wellington and Christchurch displays only. The uniforms and effects are the same as those used at the Wembley military tattoo, which was one of the finest features of the Exhibition.

"Tlio continual disturbance of the City's carriageways and footways,'' states a report by the City Engineer, "is most disheartening to those whose duty and responsibility it is to maintain tbeir surfaces in proper order, and tho public arc apt to blame the high-' way authority almost invariably, through their engineer, for all defects through such cause when they see streets cut open and barricaded, with their concomitants of inconvenience, obstruction, and more or less danger to pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and the pecuniary loss and delay to business and tradespeople within the immediate vicinity, remembering only his responsibility for the maintenance of the surface, and unmindful or unaware that such officer has not the control of such openings a* he would like to have, or which from his point of view would appear desirable.''

Screenings at the new theatre of the Publicity Department at Wellington will commence on Monday next. The intention is to screen for an hour dailv, during the tourist season, views of the different- resorts and holiday attractions, with the object of encouraging visitors to extend their stay in tho Dominion.—Prem Service Th..- following paragraph is contained in the report of the City Engineer for the year ended March 31st. 1926: A bitumen sprayer was purchased early in 1026 at a coxt of £~>so. The machine consist* of a tank of ;JOO gallons i-apacity. which can bo heated either by oil n!- solid fuel. A small 'new way' petrol engine provides power for draucht for using oil fuel and for the pump which is used both for spraying on to the road and for pumping into tin? tank. The machine, with its twelve jets, sprays n. strip of 6ft 6in at a time, and ha.« been found entirely satisfactory in Use. both for tar and for bitumen, and considerably reduces the labour on surfacing roads." With flic experience that Aucklanders hay.' had of discoloured water in the past week, the inauguration of a filter system in the hills is regarded in Auckland as an event of some urgency. Excellent progress is being made in the erection of filters at Tiiirangi and Waitakerei. A considerable amount of filter apparatus has arrived from England and will be built into the concrete structures as the work proceeds. It is anticipated that tho plant will be working in about four months' time. Meanwhile, the water is always liable to |n> discoloured after heavy rain. Tiiirangi reservoir was supplying all the needs of the city hist. week, owing to a break in the Waitakerei pipe-line, but the breaks were repaired after live days' work, and Waitakerei water was again turned on last Friday afternoon.

According to a report recently published by the City Council, the area of the Citv is at present 10,580 acres. The total length of water-bound macadam and tar macadam streets is 31J miles, out of an aggregate of 241 miles. The report states:—"The present condition of the City streets will compare favourably with those of any of the large cities in the Dominion or Australia, but they are rapidly deteriorating under the wear and tear of modern traffic etc., for which ordinary macadam and tar-sealed macadam are quite unsuitable; especially does this apply to the busier thoroughfares, which should be laid with materials of a more permanent nature, it being in this respect thftt the City highways fail in such a comparison." "I have heard much about New Zealand for the past twenty years, and I have come (o sen it for myself," stated Gouverneur Morris, flic wellknown American writer, who arrived at Auckland by the Aorangi from Vancouver. MV Morris, who is accompanied by Mrs Morris, will remain in the Dominion about a month. He intends to fish for trout, and will probably go to Russell for swordfishing. He stated also that he was very keen to do the Milfoi'd track, having seen some wonderful photographs of it. "The United States is very much interested in New Zealand, especially your experimental legislation, which is ahead of ours," stated Mr Morris. "Moro is known about your country over thcrfi than you think." The tourist traffic will increase, but it is a long way-to come for fishing and sight-seeing. 'There- are probably million* who would pack up their trunks and make the journey, but they cannot afford the time or tho money." Mr Morris Stated ho would probably write some articles about New Zealand for American magazines.

As tho children's birthday party draws near, the prudent hostess looks for now ways of entertaining her young guests. There are presents to be bought, games to be arranged, and, of course, there must be ice-cream, without which no party is complete. Cooke's, the largest manufacturers of quality ice-cream, are ready to supply your needs for parties, picnics, and functions of all kinds. Write W. It. Cooko and Son, High Street, or 'phone 8610. -«

Don't hesitate a moment when considering moving your furniture. J. M. Heywood and Co., Ltd., are the people to do it for you. —6

Tho Wostland Wonderland just through Arthur's Pass is tho natural playground for Canterbury folk. Train to Hokitika. Motor-cars at. reasonable rates to all scenic resorts. —ll