General News.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19159, 16 November 1927, Page 8

General News.

A complaint that a voluntary fire brigade in one of Auckland's residential areas was not giving as much protection as the residents would wish, was made at a local body meeting. "In fact, I am informed that on a recent occasion, if another brigade from outside the district had not arrived to put out a fire, the voluntary brigade would have lost their reel of hose in the flames," added the member making the complaint, amid laughter. Eulogistic reference to New Zealand's attitudte towards naval affairs was made by the Right Hon. E. Shortt, K.C., at the second annual reunion of Wellington district members of the Wellington Regiment, N.Z.E.P. Mr Shortt stated that he deeply appreciated the Dominion's desire to help the navy, and above all he appreciated what New Zealand- was doing for Singapore. He was pleased to see that New Zealand was prepared to put her hand in her pocket to take part in the protection of the Empire. The voyage from London to Auckland took light toll of the large consignment of mallard duck which arrived by the Port Hardy for delivery to the Auckland Acclimatisation Society. Only seven of the batch of 400 died. The duck were in charge of a son of the proprietor of the game farm from which they were supplied. He attributes the low. mortality rate to the freedom given the birds by placing them in a walled-off section of the deck instead of keeping then, in the small crates in which they were delivered to the vessel. The duck were fed on mixed corn throughout the voyage, over one ton of the grain being used. An unusual method of overcoming the trouble caused by willows overgrowing river banks was disclosed by a member of the Clifton County Council when the discussion centred on the matter of checking the growth on the banks of the Mokau river. The willows were forming snags and impeding the passage of vessels past the coal mine wharf. The solution offered by a councillor was that if nails were driven in the willows it would be found the willows would die. "You will need to drive a few thousand nails," said the chairman. The member averred that he had met with great success by using the methods he had mentioned,

There is a large amount of influenza present in Christchureh just now, the changeable weather, no doubt, accounting for chills and colds.

"The frigid gloom of a New Zealand summer day," was Dean Camngton's description of cliriiatic conditions in Christchureh yesterday afternoon, when addressing a Mothers' Union annual meeting. The Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee was to have met in Wellington on Friday to make this year's selections, but owing to the "indisposition of the Governor-General (the chairman) the meeting has been postponed for a week.—Press Association. A petition from Alex C. A. Woodhead, of Christchureh, praying for relief in regard to the confiscation of lands in the Taranaki district, has been referred by the Petitions Committee to the Government for consideration, states a Pkess Service mesage from Wellington.

Examinations for the Public Service Entrance and Senior National Scholarships begin to-day, when candidates will commence their papers in the Caledonian and Choral Hails. There have lieen 232 entrants for the former and 80 for the second. The supervisors will be Mr B. W. Brock and Miss A. Ritchie.

The annual conference of the New Zealand Sanitary Inspectors' Association is to be held at Napier from January 23rd to 27th next year. Owing to the large amount of work before the Drainage Board's inspectors, the Board at its meeting l ast night decided that it regretted it could not give any of its inspectors leave of absence to attend tne conference.

At last night's meeting of the Christchurch Fire Board, the Superintendent reported that some months ago the Board decided to extend the street fire alarm system in Spreydon, and a sum of &Ido 'was placed on the estimates for the purpose. He recommended that the present circuit be rearranged to take the additional five boxes, also that three more boxes be erected in Beekenham as previously agreed upon. The report was adopted.

The Otago Education Board, in a memorandum to the Minister for Education, says the Board views with grave concern what appears to be the continuance of the insidious policy of the Department to centralise all educational authority and administration in Welling, ton, and to curtail the activities and responsibilities of the Boards and regards the proposal to take from the Boards the control of training colleges, as vexatious, unwarranted, and inadvisable—Press Association.

The City Council on Monday night next will sit as the Omnibus Licensing Authority and will consider the applications from the Tramway Board to extend its existing service between Burwood and Park road to the Esplanade, North Beach; and to establish a bus service between North Beach and Christchurch via Wainoni road, not stopping to pick up passengers on that road. At the same meeting the Licensing Authority will give its decision regarding the Inter-City Motor Service, Ltd., for permission to run two additional buses between Cathedral squares and North Beach.

Mr A. Williams stated at last night's meeting of the Christchurch Fire Board that the Board might have to erect sub-stations at Richmond, Fendalton, and other places. In order to avoid an increase in the levy he suggested that the Board should establish a plant and general extension fund on which it could draw for <--hat purpose. It would then be. in a position, he said, to find the money without levying for several thousands in one year. Mr Williams gave notice to move at the next meeting that Board should consider the advisability of establishing the fund. On the suggestion of the Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) the Board decided to enquire from other centres as to whether there were funcfe of that* nature there.

A suggestion was made recently to the Minister-in-Charge of Publicity, Mr Anderson, by Mr Allan Bell, M.P., that the Publicity Department should arrange for the production of a film depicting the arrival of the missionary pioneers at the Bay of Islands in 1814, the lives of some of the later missionaries in the North Auckland district, the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, and the arrival of the first settlers in other parts of New Zealand. Such a picture, it was stated, could be shown with prido in all parts of the world, and would at the same time be an inspiration to the young people. In his reply, the Minister states that the Publicity Office photographer will not bo free for some months yet. Mr Anderson agrees that the subject should be discussed with the Secretary for.the Dominions! Mr L. S. Amery.

The practice adopted by the Government in obtaining samples of various classes of artificial limbs for the use of maimed ex-soldiers was outlined by the Minister for Defense, the Hon. Mr Rolleston, in the House of Representatives yesterday. The Minister stated that some time ago the Government decided to try out the different types of artificial limbs, but it had' not ordered any specific number of any particular type of limb. The practice was that when application was made for a limb the measurements were taken and cabled to England and the limb was experimented with on its arrival. It was considered that this was more satisfactory than ordering stocks of Umbs which might turn out to be useless stock. It was expected that limbs so ordered would be available within three months of the measurements being taken.—Press Service.

The Alfa Steel Churn saves time both in churning and cleaning. It makes better buttar because there is an entire absence of the smell which is attached to wooden churns. Prices' 51b, 555; 101b, 70s; 151b, 85s; 201b 955; 301b, 1655. Mason, Struthers and Co., Ltd. g To North Canterbury Farmers We are now booking orders for Sutton's Celebrated Farm and Garden Seeds. J. Johnston and Son, Merchants, Kangiora. P.O. Box 1. 'Phone 4. —4 Heavy Hay Crops.—Specially Strong English Mowers will be required this year. The British "Bamlett" Mower shown at the recent Royal Show created considerable interest, and is recognised as the finest value obtainable. This is a genuine British production. Enquiries regarding prices and terms, etc., are invited. Andrews and Beaven, Ltd. Moorhouse avenue. ' g 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. — Q Record Awards, Royal Show, 1927. Two exhibits for special mention. Gold Medal for one, Elevator Feeder and Band Cutter; Silver Medal for the other, a Potato Planter. The two best inventions on the ground. P. and D. Duncan, Ltd., 196 Tuam street, Christchurch. —g

Twin City Tractors are winning their way to the front in the estimation of discriminating farmers—especially those farmers who have had experience in tractor farming. They, particularly, realise the advantages offering in the Twin City—the ample power, the accessibility of important parts, the up-to-date equipment, and the renewable cylinder walls, etc. Fullest particulars post free. Booth, Macdonald and Co., Ltd.' 0521