General News.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19158, 15 November 1927, Page 8

General News.

Last week the goods traffic through the Otira tunnel from the West Coast totalled 9446 tons, as compared with 2610 tons for the corresponding period of 192G, when the line was affected by wash-outs.

A collision between a tram-car and a light two-seater motor-car, with a woman driver, occurred at the corner of Colombo and Gloucester street yesterday afternoon. 'The motor-car was slightly damaged by the impact. "An exceptionally light week compared with other Carnival Weeks I can remember," said Sub-Inspector J. Mat-hew. referring to the activities of the Police Department during race time. ''There was no serious crime," he continued, "and even the offenders for drunkenness were not half as numerous as is usual at this period." Accidents reported to the Christchurch Tramway Board for October were as follows:—Collisions with motor-cars. 6; collisions with other motor vehicles, 3; collisions with cyclists, 4; collisions with pedestrians, 2; passengers alighting from car in motion, 9; miscellaneous, o; total. 32.

The suburbs in which the greatest activity is being shown by residents in making sewar connexions are St. Albans, Linwood, Spreydon, and, to a lesser extent, Eiccarton. Up to the present this month, the number being made is about equal to that for the same period of October, when the total was 151, as compared with about 120 in September. Forty-five men registered as unemployed yesterday at the office of the Labour Department, 35 of the applicants being married, and ten single. Two were placed in private employment, and twelve were selected for the Conway road, to leave to-day. The total number on the books yesterday was 242, as compared with 297 on the previous Monday. One death from tuberculosis and one from pneumonia occurred in the Canterbury health district last week. Notifications of cases of infectious diseases in the same period were as follows: Canterbury: scarlet fever 6, tuberculosis 13, pneumonia 5, pneumonio influenza 2, erysipelas 1, lethargio encephalitis 1; West Coast, scarlet fever 2, diphtheria 3.

The work of installing selective telephones arid other necessary mechanical aids on the sections between Wellington and Marton (116 miles) and between Christchurch and Oamaru (152 miles) is well advanced, and it is Hoped to be able to institute the latest traffic control system on these sections of the lines before this year is out.— iNew Zealand Railways Magazine." The recently issued volume of Departmental Reports of the Dunedin City Council contains an interesting report by Mr D. Tannock, Superintendent of Reserves. Among other planting projects his report refers to the successful afforestation of water catchment areas. At Waipori, over 500 acres were planted during the year, the species used being insignis pine,' ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, larch, Cupressus macrocarpa, poplar, elm, and beech, nearly 400,000 trees in all being planted. An unpleasant experience befell the Rev. Father Forrester, of Inglewood, while conducting the service in St. Joseph's Church, at Eltham. Approaching too near to an altar light behind him, the clergyman's surplice accidentally, and unknown to him, caught fire. But for the promptness of M. Sheehy, an altar boy, who assisted in tearing the blazing garment from his .shoulders, Father Forrester would probably have suffered injury. The occurrence created a commotion, and one lady in the congregation fainted. "The young people of Great Britain are essentially cheerful and lighthearted," said Bishop Sedgwick, of Waiapu, who returned to New Zealand by the Port Hardy, after a holiday of ten months abroad. He added that the changed public spirit was universally striking. During his visit to England in 1920, he had noticed an atmosphere of ' depression affecting even the younger generation. The optimistic outlook seemed to have returned. The churches were not crowded, but those who went regularly went in the best spirit, and going to church merely because it was done by one's neighbour had lost favour. Numerous railway excursions will take place within the.next few weeks. Those already arranged are as follows, the estimated number to travel being given in parentheses:—Avonside branch of the Girls' High School, to Lyttelton, November 19th (150); Oxford Oddfellows' Lodge, to Otira, November 23rd (750); Leeston Combined Friendly Societies, to Otira, November 26th (&50). In addition there will be three large excursions on December 2nd, those of the Addington School, to Ashburton, and Southbridge and Springston schools, to 'Christchurch, when a total of 1650 are expected to travel.

To discover in the basement of his house a well, 17ft deep and with 7ft of water in the bottom, was the startling experience of Mr W. S. Hooker, of Newmarket, Auckland. Mr Hooker was engaged in restoring the foundations of the house when he came upon a raised step, apparently of concrete. Doubting its solidarity. Mr Hooker started to dig it up. Suddenly a brick disappeared through a mysterious gap. A. second brick dropped through, fell some distance and splashed into water. Neither. Mr Hooker nor his predecessor, whose joint occupancy covered 16 years, knew of the existence of the well. The wrter was beautifully clear, and the well very neatly made.

The main Selwyn river has been very unproductive from the angler's point of view during the last two weeks, but excellent sport has been provided at the mouth of the No 2 Selwyn, near the edge of the lake. Several good bags were obtained last week. On Thursday. Mr E. Moss and party landed 25 fish, averaging 51b each, and Mr W. Berry secured 18 of the same weight. Other fishermen have had equal success. Anglers are meeting with good success in the lakes of the south. At Lake Alexandria, in the Mackenzie County, three rods secured 2o fish, ranging from 4slb to B*lb. Lake Lyndon, the principal haunt of anglers for rainbow trout, was well stocked last year, but so far this season unfavourable conditions have prevented an estimate of its potentialities Excellent fishing is reported from the Opihi, trout up to 31b being taken with the fly.

Readers of Thk Press will find a very interesting feature in this issue—the bargain list of Strange's November Specials, which commences to-day. This timely event enables customers to buy seasonable goods at a considerable saving, the clearance of fashion models being one of the principal attractions. —6

The Hotel Federal's new and up-to-date dining-room is now completed with accommodation for 200 guests, and specialising in casual luncheons from 12.30 to 2 p.m. Six courses (including grills), 2s 6d. 'Phone 1040 to reserve tables. —6

Ransome's Farmer's Threshing Mill awarded! Silver Medal at Christehurch Royal Show. Among the many mills exhibited there the Ransome stood supreme—alike in its completeness, efficiency, und sterling quality. Nevertheless it sells at a very reasonable figure. If you are considering a "home" thresher, you owe it to yourself to investigate the Ransome. 'Fullest particulars by return post. Write to-day. Booth, MacdonaJd and Cq., Ltd. 0521<