General News.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19152, 8 November 1927, Page 8

General News.

Nominations of candidates for seats on the Tramway Board close at noon on Saturday next. Unsuitable weather conditions resulted in poor sgorfc for anglers durin the week-end, very few fish being caught. On the No. 2 Selwyn Mr W. Berry landed four fish averaging five pound, and from the Hals well Mr W. Hardy took seven fish averaging about the same weight. "Operations in connexion with tho Unemployment Relief Loan are proceeding satisfactorily," reported the Water Supply and Works Committee to the City Council last evening. ''A number of th© works included in schedule have "been completed, while others are in hand." Forgetful people travel oh the trams all the year round and leave in thecars almost every description _of article. Carnival Week is no exception to the rule, and the week-end list comprised a pair of field glasses, seven umbrellas, five pairs of gloves, four purses, four attache cases, lady s fur, boy's cap, school bag, a parcel of boots ana four books.

In the opinion of Mr D. Hope, Curator of the Christchurch Acclimatisation Gardens, if the gardens were properly stocked they would _ be a great source of education for children. Cost of upkeep would be greater, however, as a staff would be required to guard the birds. When the gardens were better stocked the birds suffered from an : noyance by irresponsible persons, being fed with noxious matter. The Canterbury branch of the Forestry League has erected a spacious pavilion on the Show Grounds in the form of a log cabin built of larch logs from the Hanmer plantations. The uprights are "Cupressus macrocarpa logs, and the roof, which is temporarily covered, will later be shingled. The staff of the School of Forestry and the local State Forest Service are cooperating with the Forestry League in the arrangements for a forestry exhibit during the Royal Show. A collection of samples of native work from the Solomon Islands has heen presented to the Canterbury Museum by Lieutenant-Command-er E. G. Rhodes. The collection includes pipes, baskets, and some excellent pieces of native craftsmanship. Notes issued _by the Confederate Government during the American Civil War have been presented by Mr W. E. Brittenden, and the Chinese tapestries, _ given to the Museum by Mrs Terris, are now on exhibition.

Infectious and other notifiable diseases reported in the Canterbury and * West Coast- Health Districts during the week ended noon yesterday totalled 46, as follows:—Canterbury: Scarlet fever 18, enteric fever 1, tuberculosis 14, pneumonia 1, pneumonic influenza 4, puerperal sepsis 1, lethargic encephalitis 2, hydatids 2.. West Coast: Scarlet fever 1, diphtheria 1, tuberculosis 1. Deaths in the Canterbury district were: —Scarlet fever 1. tuberculosis 3, pneumonic influenza 1, puerperal sepsis 1, and hydatids 1; total 7. A correspondent writes: JMay I draw the attention of the readers of your Garden Notes to the following quotation from "The Gardens of Good Hope," by Mrs Cran (page 177): "One never ce&es to learn in the garden world. It was only this year that I found out the easiest, surest, quickest way of killing green-fly. I used to toil with quassia chips and soft soap and water sprayed among the bushes evening after evening. And now Igo round once with a tin of Keating's Powder. In an hour or two the delicate shoots are perfectly clear!" An illustration of the graft that prevails in the United States of America was given by Dr. E. G. ITerriday, while on a visit to Gisborne, en route from New York to Singapore. He stated that there -were numerous traffic police, and on the slightest pretence officials held up motor-cars and charged the drivers with speeding, It was useless, if the officer could not be induced to leave the driver alone, to protest one's innocence in Court, for the police officer's word was accepted as correst. Every wise American carried with his driving license a fivedollar "bill." The motorist who was stopped for speeding usually denied that he was speeding, the traffic "cop"' then asking to see the driving license, and when this was handed over, the five-dollar note was removed by the police officer, the license handed back, and a warning issued to the "offending" motorist, who was thus saved the inconvenience of a prosecution, and the penalty of a fine. Mr W. Davidson's orchard, "Elvira," Harewood road, formerly the Government experimental orchard, was visited on Saturday afternoon by thirty W.E.A. students and their friends. Mr L. Paynter, Government Orchard Instructor, conducted the party round the orchard and explained the characteristics of the orchard, the varieties of trees, and the diseases and pests with which the orchardist has to contend, and the remedies in use to keep them in check. Mr Paynter also touched on the economic*. aspect of fruit-growing, and compared conditions in Canterbury with those in Hawke's Bay and Nelson, and showed that Canterbury was well favoured from the economic standpoint. Afternoon tea was provided by Mr Davidson, and the opportunity was taken to express the students' appreciation of Mr Paynter'B remarks, and of Mr Davidson's kindness in giving per- | mission to visit his orchard.

The Tramway Board resumed the running of its observation bus yesterday, and the first trip was well patronised. The meeting of the creditors of Joseph George Garrett, sawmiller, Kaikoura, has been set down for the 21st of this month, at 11 a.m., at Kaikoura. There were eighteen registrations of unemployed at the Employment Bureau of the Labour Department yesterday. Of the total six were married men. Mild influenza usually is in evidence at this period of the year, and its appearance in the City and in Ashburton is reported. The City Council issued permits for buildings " aggregating £73,612 In value in October, as compared with £88,626 in the same month of 1926. The electric interlocking system constructed at Addington by the Signal Department has been taken over by the Traffic branch of the Railway department. "What is being done regarding the keeping of horses on small sections?" asked Cr. J. W. Rol>erts at the City Council meeting last evening. The Mayor said the question had been before the By-laws Committee last week, and careful enquiry was being made. Cr. Carr signified his inability to act as chairman of the Health Week Committee at last night's meeting of the City Council, and Cr. R. M. Macfarlan© was nominated to take his place. He declined the position, however, and the Mayor closed the meeting amidst laughter.

At the City Council meeting lastevening Cr. G. It. Hunter asked whether some action oould not be taken to clean up some of the dilapidated houses and sections in the City. Some of the fences, lie said, were a disgrace. Something should be done to relievo Cliristchurch of these eyesores. Cr. Carr: "Hear, hear. It would he far better if you spent your time on that than on hoardings." The question was referred to the By-laws Committee. That the public should be given some indication of the business to como before the Council previous to the meeting, was a suggestion made by Cr. P. W, Sharpe at last evening's, meeting of the City Council. "I don't make this suggestion," he said, "because I want a full gallery behind me at every meeting." He said the practice was quite common in other cities. The proposal was referred to the By-law Committee for consideration.

In its report to the City Council last evening, the Finance Committee advised that a deputation from the Cholmondeley Memorial Home authorities waited upon it recently with regard to a grant from the Council towards the funds of the home. Members of the committee had since paid a visit of inspection to the home, and, in view of the excellent work being carried on there, it recommended that the sum of £SO be granted for the purpose. The clauso was adopted. The direct mail for London closing at Christchurch to-day will be delivered in Great Britain and Ireland and on the Continent just before Christmas. This is the best opportunity of sending copies of the "Weekly Press" Christmas Number to friends abroad, for the cost of postage by this mail is only one penny. "Life in New Zealand," as the Christmas Number is entitled, has been characterised by a Wellington resident as "the best number descriptive of New Zealand that we have seen." Such a publication should prove an impressive advertisement for the Dominion .

When the Beckenham School was erected provision was made for a playground, but owing to the proximity of Beckenham Park the land acquired for the purpose has not been laid out, the children using the Park as a playground. The Reserves Committee reported to the City Council last night that it was of opinion that the land intended for use as a playground could be very well utilised in connexion with the Park, and it recommended that the Education Department be approached with a view to having it thrown into the Park, so that it could bo laid out as a general playing area. The report was adopted. The By-laws, Finance, and Departmental Committee reported to the City Council last night that owing to the large amount of traffic in tho vicinity, the committee had decided that only two taxi-cabs would be allowed to occupy the stand at the Clock Tower, and that a feeder stand for three vehicles be appointed in Bedford Row, adjoining tlie music warehouse at the corner of Manchester street. There was* already a feeder for this stand in Lichfield street, and steps were being taken to abolish it. The report was adopted. Messrs W. Strange and Co., Ltd., announce that their retail warehouse will be open until 9 p.m. on Thursday, November 10th, and will be closed all day Friday (Show Day) and from 12.45 p.m. on Saturday.

The Hotel Federal's new and up-to-date dining-room is now completed with accommodation for 200 guests, and specialising in casual luncneons from 12.30 to 2 p.m. Six courses (including grills), 2s 6d. 'Phone 1040 to reserve tables. —6 Christchurch Show—lmportant notice to users of Holland's Claw Harrowl Make a point of calling at our stand. We have a development of interest, which makes the Chain Harrow better than ever. Booth, Macdonald and Co., Ltd. —6 Ransome's threshing mill for farmers use—within the power of 17-28 tractors : This mill is replete with latest refinements, and will efficiently thresh all varieties of wheat and other cereals: It has every known attachis fitted with ball bearings, has built-in screen, long shakers, hummeller, everything in fact that best British makers supply, and the price is very reasonable. You owe it to yourself not to commit yourself until you have investigated the Ranfome. See it at the Royal Show.' Booth, Macdonald, and Co., Ltd. 6 _ Dairy farmers will find the following interesting lines on our stand at the Show: Vega cream separators—none better, but plenty dearer! Wearn's Automatic Drive—the world's best • Electric ]\lilker—a marvel of laboursaving efficiency. Booth Double Drive top dresser, etc. Booth, Macdonald! and Co., Ltd. 052j The Twin City Tractor blaces a new trail in achievement. It possesses all refinements found on the better class tractors, and several not procurable elsewhere. Twin City owners are the most enthusiastic of all tractor users, which accounts for its increasing popul larity. See the Twin Citv at the Show. Booth. Macdonald, and Co., Ltd. —0521