General News.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19174, 3 December 1927, Page 14

General News.

The auction advertisements of Ford and Hadlfield; Ltd., Tonks, Norton and Co., Ltd., Wallace, Wade Co., Ltd., Commissioner Crown Lands, P. S. Nicholls and Co., Ltd., H. Matson and Co., New Zealand Farmers' Co-op. Assn., Ltd., McKenaie and Willis, and H. B. Sorcnsen appear on page 23 of this issue. "There is every hope that Fiji will rival Honolulu as a pineapple growing centre," said a prominent resident of Suva, who arrived from the islands by the Tofua. He added that a Canadian company was prepared to invest a large sum of money in developing the industry provided they were encouraged by the results of pineapple growing. Representatives of the company were already at Fiji, and were closely watching the results of this year's crop. Work has been put in hand by the City Council on Kerr's road, a boundary road between the City and the Heathcote County Council. A 20 feet strip is being dealt with and already the western half has been scarified and metalled. When the eastern half is done it will be some time before the whole is consolidated sufficiently to permit of tar sealing operations being undertaken. It is hoped to have the work done by the end of the year. Regarding the sandwich men at present employed in Christcliurch, the Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) told a reporter yesterday that" it has been decided to issue licenses to them, the license being conditional upon the matter displayed on their boards from time to time meeting with the approval of the Town Clerk. As to others who may desire to take up the occupation later, their applications will be dealt with on their merits as they came before the By-laws Committee. The Lyttelton Harbour Board has' issued, in connexion with its jubilee celebrations, an interesting and attractively got-up booklet containing matter of historical interest and details of the Board's activities from year to year. There are a number of illustrations, which record the growth and development of the harbour from the days of The First Four Ships to the present. The chairman of the Board (Mr Robert Galbraith) contributes a foreword in which he records the credit due to Mr W. W. Dunsterville (at one time of The Pkess« literary staff) for writing the booklet and to the actingsecretary, Mr C. H. Clibborn. under whose supervision the whole work was done. Acknowledgment is also made to Thb Press for supplying photographs and data for the publication.

A memorial to the late Mr Malcolm Niccol, of Auckland, who was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand Freemasons *in 1892-93, and Grand Secretary from 1900 to 1921, has just been erected over his grave in Hillsborough Cemetery, in pursuance of the resolution passed by the Grand Lodge last, year. Forty years ago Mr Niccol was one of the leading shipowners in Auckland, largely concerned in the Islands trade. For many years he was Mayor of Devon port, and at another period chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board. He was one of the founders of the Masonic Grand Lodge, and its second Grand Master, and in his career as Grand Secretary aid much for the advancement of the institution. The monument takes the form of an obelisk of Scottish granite, and bears a suitable inscription surmounted by a Masonic symbol.

Last week, at Crown Hill, Devon, England, a silver statuette of a Maori warrior was presented on behalf of the Ist Battalion of the Wellington-West Coast Regiment to the 2nd Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment. The 2nd Hampshires formed part of the 29th British Division, alongside whom the Wellington Regiment, N.Z.E.F., fought early in May, 1915, in the attack on Krithia, Gallipoli, and it was for this reason that the W.-W.O. Regiment asked to be allied to the Hampshires when the former allied regiment (the 18th Royal Irish) was disbanded in 1923. To commemorate the alliance the Wellington-West Coast Regiment had two statuettes made, one of a New Zealand soldier in fighting kit, and one <of a Maori warrior, the former for presentation to the Ist Hampshires stationed in India, and the other for the 2nd Hampshires at Home. Lieut.Colonel W. F. Narbey, who in 1916 commanded the W.-W.C. company of the Ist Battalion of the Wellington Regiment in France, presented the statuette to the 2nd Hampshires, and special cable messages of greeting were exchanged between the two regiments. ■The historic Kemp's Pole, situated at Kaorikia on the Wanganui river, was the subject of a discussion at a recent meeting of the Wanganui Eiver Trust. It was stated that the area surrounding the pole was in a bid state. The trust had spent considerable sums in keeping the area in a tidy condition, but all to no purpose, owing to Natives letting stock wander there. A suggestion was made that the pole should be transferred to the Museum, but it was finally decided to leave the matter in the hands of the supervisor. The following history regarding the pole was related: In the year 1880, the late Major Kemp saw that the lands of his people were fast being lost, and conceived the idea of forming the whole of the Wanganui Native land into one big trust, to be managed by a council elected or selected by the people. A large number of Natives signed a document, but as means of communication were at that time bad, and a very large number of signatures was required, the people got dissatisfied and out of hand, and unfortunately for the Wanganui Natives the scheme fell through. The lands included in the trust were defined by erecting a carved post at each of the four corners, and Kemp's Pole, as it is known, wai one ff these land aaika* .. .

Norman Hope, a single man, aged 22, residing at 39 Dyer's Pass road, Cashmere, suffered injuries to his eyes and shock yesterday through his motorcycle skidding and overturning on the tram-line. Great hopes are entertained for the success of the newly-established beet canning industry in Fiji. Residents of Suva, who arrived from the islands by the Tofua, said the promoters of the venture had adequate herds to draw upon. An interesting feature about this embryo industry was that it was found necessary to employ a Mohammedan butcher because the natives of that faith would not eat the product unless its preparation was supervised by one of tneir own faith. The Railway Department is running another of its popular day excursions to Arthur's Pass to-morrow, and indications are that a large number of alpine enthusiasts will avail themselves of the opportunity of visiting this increasingly popular mountain resort. The Otira Gorge is looking at its best now, and on the summit of the pass the mountain lilies and alpine primroses are in full bloom. It will also be possible for the more vigorous and enterprising excursionists to visit the Bealey Glacier. A conference, suggested by the City Council as the licensing authority, regarding the North Beach buses, was held yesterday afternoon. The licensing authority was represented, also the Tramway Board and the Inter-City Motor Service. The object of the conference was to see if some understanding could be arrived at between the tramway authorities and the Inter-City Motor Service. Replying to a reporter's enquiry last night the Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) said that the proceedings yesterday had been inconclusive, but he hoped that ultimately some agreement would be reached.

At last night's meeting held under the auspices of the Citizens' Association, the chairman (Mr W. J. Sim) congratulated the Association on its recent successes at the Tramway Board's poll, stating that out of candidates nominated all were returned. This satisfactory position was due to the energetic efforts of the committee, backed up by the loyal co-operation of its supporters within and without the Association. Another matter for congratulation was the fact that 97 new members had been elected, which showed that the Association was going ahead with encouraging vigour. No doubt there were various matters upon which the Association was in agreement with the Council as well as others where there could be no agreement. There was ample work for such an Association. The plans of Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., have been badly upset by the prolongation of the session, states a Press Service message from Wellington. In conjunction with the Hon. Mr Anderson, Minister for Marine, Mr Sullivan was to have opened the new South New Brighton bridge to-day, but both the Minister and the member found it impossible to leave Wellington. Mr Sullivan in particular made the most strenuous endeavours, all day negotiating with the Government on behalf of his Party on the Arbitration Bill to effect a settlement that would enable the Minister and himself to keep their engagement. Mr Sullivan fame very near to success, but the negotiations failed to finalise in time and he had very reluctantly to cancel the arrangement to go south. Artesian wells are common enough in New Zealand, but one successfully just put down by Messrs Thomson, Lewis, and Co., of Tory street, is believed to be the first sunk in Wellington city. Twenty-five years ago the firm drilled to a depth of 250 ft in another spot on the premises, but though the water when it was struck deluged everybody round about, it ceased to run almost immediately 'afterwards, and the attempt was abandoned for a time. Three and a half months ago drilling was again commenced at another spot, and yesterday, at 500 feet, a good and satisfactory flow was struck, and appears to be permanent. The water, which is of exceptional purity, and emerges at a very low temperature, rises to over 20 feet from the ground. The drilling was a lengthy business, only six inches a day being made when extra hard rock was struck, but the pressure of water for a considerable time before the last hard cap was reached encouraged perseverance. The soundness anrl sturdy character of the world-famed "Omega" watch still appeals to the public by right of merit and service. As a timekeeper, it has been found equal to all tests, and the manner in which it withstands hard usage has earned its world-wide reputation. "An 'Omega' watch will never let you down." —Manufactured in sizes and styles to suit all tastes and requirements. Ashbv, Bergh, and Co., Ltd., High street. —6

Mowers, rakes, and threshers, and duplicate parts thereof held in stock at reasonable prices. *T. and S. Morrin and Fenwick, Ltd., 377 Moorhouse avenue, Christehurch and Auckland. —6 Johnston's N.C. Motor Co., Ltd., Cen tral Garage, Rangiora. Complete plant and staff for repairs in motor-cars and tractors. Tyres, Petrol, and all accessories in stock. Garage 'Phone 87. G. Ecroyd, Travelling Rep.; W. C. Wilson, Travelling Rep.;, A. Prestney, Manager. Private 'Phone 88. —1 Before buying a Hay Sweep be sure you see our improved rear hitch folding pattern, reducible in two minutes from thirteen and a half feet to nine feet. The only important improvement made in hay sweeps in the last twenty years. P. and D. Duncan, Ltd., Tuam street, Christehurch. —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 Twin City Tractors must go up in price early next year! They are about 25 to 40 per cent, lower now than the.v should be, so the moral is obvious—get in now, if you want the best tractor on the_ New Zealand market at an "introduction" price. Every "Twin City" owner is a Twin City "booster." Catalogues and fullest particulars by return post. Booth, Macdonald, and Co., Ltd. 0-521