General News.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19161, 18 November 1927, Page 10

General News.

It is fully anticipated that the Selwyn bridge will be opened for traffic on December 16th.

Extra goods trains have had to be run on the north line to cope with the extra traffic, some of which is due to the transfer of the wool clip to Christekurch.

The use of smokeless fuel at the Linwood engine shed is to be extended to the sheds at Timaru, and an officer has been lent to Timaru to give instructions in the use of the fuel. ''That this Association admits as club members, on the payment of a subscription, men who have served,in New Zealand and who have received a military discharge," was a motion discussed and carried at a general meeting? of members at the Returned Soldiers' Association last night. "It seems ridiculous that during the summer time period, the idea of which is to give more time for games, the Board should meet at 7.30 p.m.,'' remarked Mr C. P. Agar, at last night's meeting of the Victory Park Hoard. It was decided to meet at 8 o'clock during the operation of summer time. Through the assistance of Earl Jellicoe, some oak and copper panels from the remains of H.M.S. New Zealand are to be used in connexion with the Whakatane School war memorial. Earl Jellicoe lias replied to a communication that was sent to him on behaif of the school, and has stated that the panels would be sent to the High Commissioner for transmission to Whakatane.

The river which runs through Lincoln to Lake Ellesmere is to be inspected by a party, under the auspices of the Progress League, consisting of members of the Springs County Council and of the Lincoln Drainage Committee, and Mr R. T. Stewart, of Dunedin. The object is to ascertain if the river can be deepened by the use of a river-sweeper. The inspection is to take place on Monday. The sub-committee of the Highways Committee of the Progress League meets on Tuesday evening to consider further the recent traffic tallies, with the view of advising local bodies as to the class of road necessary for each particular section, the density of traffic as disclosed by the tallies, being the basis on which recommendations will be made.

"Something on those lines should be done here —not to penalise anybody, but in order that there should be proper supervision" was the opinion of the Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) when the bylaw of the Hutt Borough Council, prohibiting the erection of wireless masts without a permit -was brought under his notice. At Lower Hutt no fee will be charged for the permit, but 5s will be charged for investigating the plan of construction.

Asked yesterday regarding the position of things concerning the Cathedral square improvement scheme, the Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) said that the City Council was awaiting authority from the Board of Health to raise a loan for the conveniences. At the latest meeting of the Board there was some misunderstanding regarding this loan, but that has been removed and it is expected that the Board at its next meeting will give its approval.

"No one can tell the life of a bus," said Mr H. M. Mason, an engineer, in giving evidence afc a Compensation Court at Auckland. "It all depends on the manner in which it is maintained, the use to which it has been put, the roads on which it has been run, and the mileage. Twenty per cent, is a bookkeeping calculation of depreciation rather than a practical calculation. In some cases there may be no residual value in a bus ..after three or four years, in other cases you may even double the bookkeeping life of five yenrs." 1

The official statement that it is contrary to the regulations for a joint circular to be sent out by two or more business firms as a halfpenny letter was made in a communication from the Postal Department recently received by the Waitemata Chamber of Commerce. "It seems a rather shortsighted policy on the part of the Post Office people, who are continually asking for more revenue," said the chairman at a recent meeting. It was decided to make a request for information as to the exact section of the Postal Act under which the prohibition is enforced.

The wet weather of the early part of the week will affect the employment of general labourers who usually are employed at this time of the year in wool sheds. If the weather keeps fine it will be possible to resume shearing to-morrow, but a week will have been lost, and while, in ordinary circumstances, large quantities of wool would be coming in next week, there will not be that volume of traffic. This loss of time owing to the weather is rather important to growers, as at the first wool sale of the season there is no limitation of the number of bales that may be offered.

The number of articles left in the City trams during Carnival Week this year was close upon 150, about 30 in excess of the total during the same week last year. An indication of the unsettled weather experienced this year is given by the fact that no fewer than 31 umbrellas were left in the cars. Attache cases, suit cases, and bags provide the next highest number, totalling 19. Of gloves and purses, twelve of each were found. Four tennis racquets and two pairs of tennis shoes, a pillow, a motor tyre, a camera, eight books (including > a copy of the Bible, and of the Praye'r Book) were amongst the other articles left behind by ab-sent-minded passengers.

A remarkable coincidence was recorded at the unveiling of the cross of sacrifice, the gift of Mr and Mrs C. H. Burgess, of New Plymouth, which has been erected in the soldiers' plot at the Te Henui cemetery, in memory of fallen soldiers who took part in the Great War. The ceremony was performed by Major-General R. Young, General Officer Commandng the New Zealand Forces. During the inspection of the returned soldiers on parade he noticed one man wearing a Military Medal, and asked him where he won the decoration. The ex-soldier replied. "At Messines, for carrying you out, sir."

At least one farming comjnunifcy near Auckland has refused to adhere to summer time, and, by the clock, is an hour behind its neighbouring districts. Three members of the Waitcmata Power Board visited Taupaki to explain the Board's loan proposals to the ratepayers. They arrived in tho evening at eight o'clock, and were greeted at the hall by a note stating that, as "the residents of _ the district had no intention of observing summer time' members of the Board would have to wait for them. This the three gentlemen were forced to do, and the meeting did not commence until the hour of nine o'clock by their watches.

The Alfa Steel Churn saves time both in churning and cleaning. It makes better butter because there is an entire absence of the 6mell which is attached to wooden churns. Prices: 51b, oos; 101b, 70s; 151b, 80s; 201b, 9os; 301b, 105s. Mason, Struthers and Co., Ltd. —6

Ransome's Farmer's Threshing Mill awarded Silver Medal at Christchureh Royal Show. Among the many mills exhibited there the Raasome stood supreme—alike in its completeness, efficiency, »nd sterling qnality. 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-dav. Booth, Macdonald and Co., Tid_" 0521