General News.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19153, 9 November 1927, Page 10

General News.

That a fairly big trade ia being done with India in sporting goods is indicated by the large foreign mail received this week in Christchureh. India supplies tennis racquets and hockey sticks. Eight men, three of whom were married, registered as unemployed at the Employment Branch of the La,bour Department yesterday. Six were placed in private employment.

Through his left hand coming into contact with a circular saw yesterday morning, A. G. Harker, aged 14 years, icsiding at 46 Ely street, was admitted to the Christ church Hospital, one of the tendons in his hand being cut. Hie condition is not serious. Harker is an employee of C. Hunton, motor builder, Kilmore street. Replying to the Hon. Mr Buddo in the House of Representatives, the Prime Minister said that in view oi the recent numerous accidents, the Railway Department would consider the question of substituting "wigwags" for bells at the railway crossings in and around Christchurch. —Press Service.

Although summer lias not vet commenced, and autumn is still some months off, chrysanthemums—of a late autumn variety—may be seen in full bloom in Lyttelton at present. They will be found in the smoke room verandah in the liner Remuera, which arrived in port yesterday from London. The blooms are exceptionally fine, in spite of the voyage and change of season, and are much admired by visitors to the ship.

"I have no power to deal with the matter. You will have to see the ByLaws Committee," the Mayor (Mr. J. K. Archer) informed a deputation of four sandwichmen, which waited on him yesterday. They had been advised by the Chief Traffic Inspector that they could not follow their calling, the assumption being that the By-Laws Committee had not granted each individual permission to do so. The Mayor advised the old men to see the Town Clerk (Mr J. S. Neville) before noon to-day, and arrange with him for an interview with the By-Laws Committee.

The Postal Department has delayed till to-day the closing at Christchurch of the direct mail, which will carry newspapers to London in time for delivery before Christmas. If there are people who have not j[et posted to their friends abroad copies of the Christmas number of the "Weekly Press," they will be able to remedy the omission to-day. This splendidly illustrated annual is regarded as the best description of New Zealand life that has been published—an ideal gift to send to strangers with a view to advertising the Dominion. The cost of postage by direct mail is one penny, and copies of the Christmas aamber are on sale everywhere*

Excursionists by rail to Otira on Friday will benefit by daylight saving to the extent of an extra hour amidst the glorious scenery of the Southern Alps. In the past the stay at Otira has been limited to four hours, on Friday it will extend to five hours. For its motor buses and other vehicles, the Tramway Board uses 43.207 gallons of petrol a year, and if the petrol tax of 4d a gallon is imposed the additional cost will be £7iio per annum. or aii additional cost, in respect of buses, of .o-ld a bus mile.

A shipment of pipes for the extension of the high pressure water supplv to Papanui has come to hand, and" has been assembled in the district in readiness for the start of the work. Four direct shipments from Wanganui, comprising the remainder of the necessarv materia!, have been arranged-

Preparations for the N T avy League's annual appeal, to be made earlv next month, are being pushed forward and already, many of the arrangements have been completed. A vc-ry attractive programme has been settled upon for the garden and motor fete to be held in the grounds of Mrs P. J. Overton at Fendalton.

A deputation representing the North Island and the South Island Motor Unions is to wait on the Prime Minister on Thursday to make representations on behalf of motorists as to the basis of the petrol tax. Messrs H. C. Harley and F. W, Johnston were appointed at last week's meeting of the South Island Motor Union to represent that body in any representations made to the Government relating to the petrol tax.

Notice was given by Sir Robert Stout in the Legislative Council yesterday of his intention to move: ''That in the opinion of the Council, Cabinet should consider in the recess the need of remodelling our local government machinery in the direction of establishing district councils, with wide powers over large areas, so that centralised government and its growing cost may not be increased, but that real economy and efficient local self-government may be promoted and strengthened."— Press Service.

Those who have forgotten to post their Christmas cards and other greetings, or copies of Christmas annuals to friends in Great Britain, will have a final opportunity to do so to-day. The mail by direct steamer originally announced to close yesterday will" now close to-day. Thanks to those people who follow out the post office authorities' request to "post early," about 50 bags of Christmas mail, consisting of periodicals chiefly, were dispatched on Monday, and to-night between 50 and 60 bags will be forwarded. In addition there will be dispatched a Christmas parcel mail of about 50 bags. These bags will be shipped by the steamer Rotorua, which will go direct to England via the Panama Canal. It is probable that the voice of the Prince of Wales will be heard in Christchurch this week. The Prince will speak at the Eemembrance Festival in the Albert Hall, London, between 8 and 10 p.m. on Friday next, Armistice Day, and the British Broadcasting Corporation will attempt an Empire-wide broadcast, which will be heard in New Zealand from 8.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. on Saturday, re-broadcast by 3YA Christchurch. The New Zealand Company announces that it will make every effort to re-broadc.ast the programme from London, although conditions may prevent success. Owners of crystal sets in Christchurch will have an equal opportunity with owners of more powerful apparatus of participating in the unique occasion.

"To the average American, New Zealand is somewhere in the Pacific, good Government prevails there, it is the country where Canterbury lamb is grown, and good fishing is obtainable, the last-mentioned being mainly the result of Mr Zane Grey's visit to this Dominion." So stated Dr. E. G. Ferriday, who has spent four years in America, and who was in Gisborne on a visit to his brother, Mr J. M. Ferriday. Dr. Ferriday added that the Americans cannot bring themselves to accept statements that the New Zealand trout are as big as they are reported to be. To the American, trout was only a small fish, and when an American was told of the large ones that could be caught in New Zealand waters, he merely commented, "Tell me the next." The American was something of a teller of stories, and he naturally was sceptical of the other man's story.

"They're Off!" When the cry goes up you'll be able to see your fancy all thei way round the course with the aid of a pair of good binoculars. Indispensable if you want full enjoyment. Mason, Struthers can supply you with a good pair of Binoculars from as low as 90s. Call and test them out. ■—o

An opportunity was recently given a "Press" man to learn the number of "listeners-in'' using crystal sets and J.I.S. 2 stage amplifiers and so get loud-speaker strength. This information proved that the large majority of Amplifiers in use have been supplied by J. I. Smail, pioneer radio firm. —6

J. Johnston and Son, Merchants, Eangiora, established 1863, solicit North Canterbury farmers' orders for English Plough Shares, Oils, Grease, Plain and Barb Wire, Wire Netting, and all farm requisites. P.O. Box 1. 'Phone 4. —3

Threshing Machine Owners and Farmers are invited to inspect at our works our Improved Dunn Elevator Feeder and Band Cutter with jib crane and winch-raising gear. This attachment saves the New Zealand grain grower more labour than any single discovery made in the last forty years. P. and D. Duncan, Ltd., Tuam street. Christchurch. D 3322 C'hristchurch Show—lmportant notice to users of Holland's Claw Harrow! Make a point of calling at our stand. We have a development of interest, which makes the Claw Harrow better than ever. Booth, Macdonald and Co., Ltd. —6

Ransome's threshing mil] for farmers use —within the power of 17-28 tractors: This mil! is replete with latest refinements, and will efficiently thresh all varieties of wheat anil other cereals: It has every known attachis fitted with ball bearings, has built-in screen, long shakers, liummeller, 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 Ransome. 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; Electrio Milker—a marvel of laboursaving efficiency. Booth Double Drive top dresser, etc. Booth, Macdonald' and Co., Ltd. —0521

The Twin City Tractor blazes 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 popui laxity. See the Twin Citv at the Show. Booth. Macdonald, 'and Co.. L *"d. —0521