General News.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18903, 19 January 1927, Page 10

General News.

Trams are now running on the new, set of rails in Barbadoes street, and the old rails are being torn up. The Heuthcoto County Council's loan poll for electrical extensions at Mount Pleasant will be taken to-day. In his report to the Drainage Board last evening tho chairman, Mr H. J. Oti-'v said "that up to July 31st, lft]G, in connexion with the sewerage loan of £709 000, 892 chains of main sewers had lieen laid, 597 chains of reticulation sewers, and -156 chains of rising mains.

At 9.13 o'clock last evening the City Fire Brigade received a call to extinguish a lire which had broken out in some packing cases in front of the old Coli-eum building in Gloucester street. The outbreak was suppressed Iwfore any damage was done. "I am sun-' that before long wo shall have the Christehurch Regatta on the Avon,'' said Mr \V. Duggan at last night's meeting of the Canterbury Riming Association. Mr R. J. Hobbs said that there was a goo:! depth of water in the river at present, and if it could lie maintained a suitable course could be prepared.

"Therc're five of us living in a lockup shop. . . . Tt's in my wife's name : she runs a second-hand business. . . .If that's the way we've (rot to continue living in New Zealand, I'd sooner be dead than alive!" —a very worried, middle-aged little man in the Civil Court, yesterday morning, when answering a lawyer who sharply questioned him as to his means,

An Auckland man lias taken his courage in both hands and set about initiating dress reform in that city. He paraded Karangahape road, picturesquely and suitably attired for the muggy heat of the afternoon. He was short of figure, broad, and of weather-beaten aspect, and he wore neat fitting shorts, cricket blazer, and a shirt open at the front.

In the opinion of experienced surfbathers, the Brighton beach, from North Beach down to Pleasant Point, is safer for bathers than it has been for some- years past. When a nor - wester is blowing, however, the winds scour the current from the \\aimakariri towards the pier, and there is a danger of bathers being swept against the piles.

Fire broke out in the semi-detached wash-house at the residence of Mrs Cecilia Dentite, 507 Cashel street, Litiwood, yesterday morning. Ihe Oyty Fire Brigade, however, soon extinguished ' the blaze. 'J'ho house- and wash-house are insured in the Victoria Office for £I2OO, while the furniture and . effects are insured with the Phoenix Office for £BOO.

A thorough investigation of traffic and transport conditions in English and foreign centres has been made by Mr A. E. Ford, general manager of the Auckland City Corporation Tramways, who returned yesterday on the Marama after seven and a half months abroad. He stated that he had seen a groat deal since he left Auckland last June, but he preferred to keep his "story" for the City Council. He was preparing a comprehensive report dealing with all phases of and transport .problems.— Service message.

Tho High Commissioner (says our London correspondent, writing on December 15th) has presented to the Royal Colonial Institute a beautiful album of views of New Zealand, which was recently forwarded by the New Zealand Government for the Institute's "Album of the Empire" competition. Mr G. M. Boughey (secretary of the Royal Colonial Institute) has written to the High Commissioner's private secretary, asking, on behalf of the Council of the Institute, that their thanks should bo conveyed to the New Zealand Government for tho "very beautiful album. We are most grateful for this splendid presentation, an' it will undoubtedly be greatly treasured by the school 'which is fortunate enough to win it." Two young men, anxious to go to one of the Dominions of tho Crown, wrote to the "Daily Express" to ask for advice. Mr T. B. Hurley, J.P., ot Broadwater, Sussex, answers their enquiry by suggesting New Zealand. ", Hurley tells them (says our London correspondent, writing on December loth) that "class distinction is practically unknown; there are eight working hours a day—with the exception of agriculturists—averaging for the working man about £4 per week, and housing conditions are much more up-to-date than in England. There is one work which means success in New Zealand and that is adaptability. The intending settler must make up his mind to take any employment that offers, and to submit to the superior knowledge of tho man on the spot." An artist, who resides at Devonport, is also an amateur gardener. Latterly he has been aggravated by the depredations of quail, which scratched up and ate his seed as soon as it was sown. "I've tried- everything, from scarecrows to a gatling gun," he told a friend hopelessly. "What can I do to get rid of the blighters?" he asked. "Now, I'll tell you what," said his friend, "you get some wheat and—" "Oh, no, I will not lay poisoned wheat," declared the other; "there are fowls about." " That 'sail right,'' the friend advised, "I don't want you to poison the wheat—just soak it in whisky or rum." 'fOh, that's great," said the amateur gardener brightly. "Then, when they pick it up, I can call in the police and have them arrested for drunkenness."

The extraordinary growth of grass this year is causing owners of lawns to work like slaves, pushing the lawn mower. Why be content to do this, when machinery will do it for you? We are agents for the "Shanks," the best English motor mower, and will gladly send a machine and demonstrate, it without obligation. Mason Struthers, and Co., Ltd. —6

It is noticed that a crystal sot of English make can now be had from hs low as 9s 6d at J. I. Smail, of Carey's Buildings, Colombo street. We believe that this is exceptional value. —6

Armstrong's phenomenal offer of "Sylvan" knitting silks in 4oz hanks in twelve different shades of colour. This silk is usually sold at 3s 6d per hank, but for the nest ten days we are going to quit it at the exceptional price of Is 3d per hank. —6 For stripping grass seed from pasture land our Strippers are the most durable and effective. Made in two styles, old pattern front drum and our new pattern Brooker rear drum, both £35. less 5 per cent., railage paid. P. and D. Duncan, Ltd.. Tuam street, Christchurch. —6

As the children 1 s birthday party draws near, the prudent hostess looks for new 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 jour needs for parties, picnics, and functions of all kind. Write W. 11. Cooke and Son, High street, 'or 'phone 8610. _$

J. Johnston and Son, Merchants, Rangiora, established 1863, solicit North Canterbury fanners' orders for English Plough Shares, Oils, Grease, Plain and Barb Wire, Wire Netting, and all farm requisites. P.O. Box 1 'Phone 4. __3