General News.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19176, 6 December 1927, Page 10

General News.

C. Lukey, the New Zealand representative in the Colac to Melbourne cycle race, returned to Wellington yesterday. —Press Association.

The Hororata arrived at Auckland from Southampton at 9 p.m. yesterday with 123 immigrants, of whom 36 are for Auckland and 51 for Wellington.— Press Association.

Matriculation examinations, the bane of secondary school pupils, both boys and girls, are in progress at Canterbury College. There are a largo number of candidates this year.

The cadets in training at Sockburn aerodrome are making good progress and are becoming more familiar with the fplanes. The weather of the past few days has been ideal for flying.

Members of the New Zealand permanent staff and staff corps in the Southern Command went into camp at Burnham yesterday, under Major Eow. They will remain in camp till the 16th inst. Motorists are warned by Mr J. S. Hawkes not to attempt to make the Selwyn river crossing. Mr Hawkes visited the river on Sunday and found that there was a heavy volume of water in, it, and saw one car in difficulty. A Tauranga settler recently sold an excellent line of 72 fat bullocks to an export firm. The Veturns show that the freezing weights worked out at an average of 9871b, which is said to be an Auckland weight record for such a line of freezers.

A return presented to Parliament yesterday shows that there were 398 railway accidents in New Zealand within the last ten years, and 167 within the last three years. This return refers to accidents and derailments to running trains only.—Press Service.

Last week 8919 tons of goodls were railed through the Otira tunnel, as compared with 12,81,5 tons for the corresponding period of 1926. The large total last year was caused by the rush of traffic, following upon the restoration of the line, which was damaged by wash-outs.'

Two or three alternative sites have been considered for the Acclimatisation Society's Fish Hatchery, at present situated in the Gardens, in case of a forced vacation, owing to the site being needed for the new Nurses' Home. No decision has been reached on the latter question so far, and the decision rests with Parliament.

Amongst the applications to the City Council for loans for -workers' dwellings are several which have been passed over from time to time on account of the age of the applications or for other reasons. The Housing Committee has therefore authorised the sub-committee which has been dealing with applications to consider all those in hand, and advise unsuitable applicants that they are not eligible for a loan. Writing to a lady in Palmerston North, a Sydney resident stated that another collision in the harbour was narrowly averted recently. On this occasion it was a ferry boat from Circular quay to Manly and a small steamer which were involved. The passengers, who received a great fright, rushed for the lifebelts with which ferry steamers are plentifully supplied, but fortunately they were not required.

Infectious and other notifiable diseases reported in the Canterbury and West Coast Health Districts during the week ended noon yesterday totalled 25, as follows: —Canterbury: Scarlet fever, 6; tuberculosis, 7; pneumonia, 3; pneumonic influenza, 4; puerperal sepsis,l; erysipelas, 1; opthalmic neonatorum, 1. West Coast: Scarlet fever, 1; diphtheria, 1. There were two deaths from tuberculosis in the Canterbury Health district. A warm four-rooined house with essential conveniences is portrayed in the "New Zealand Smallholder" to cost within £l3O for all materiallabour extra. The sketch plans which the magazine publishes show that the total floor space is 20ft bv 20ft, and the four rooms average 10ft by BJft — a little extra for the living-room. A kitchen range is provided, a bathroom with bath, a copper boiler, tubs, and tank for 1200 gallons of water. The house is lined with draught-proof "wallboard," and the partitions and ceiling are of the same material. The cost is based on country timber-mill prices delivered to nearest station It is stipulated that the building shall be free of by-law restrictions, but guarantee® a good "substantial dwelling."

The Christchurch Competitions Society has applied for and been granted the use of the new Concert Hall from May oth to 26th next, both dates inclusive, at a rental to be arranged. At a meeting of the New Brighton Borough Council last evening reference was made to the proposed scheme for widening Page's road. _ A sub-commit-tee was set up to go into the matter and to report back to the Council. In order not to clash with the Lyttelton Harbour Board's Jubilee celebrations on December 16th, an endeavour is being made to arrange for the opening of the new Selwyn traffic bridge on December 15th.

The Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) stated at last night's .meeting of the City Council that Section 29H of the Local Legislation Bill authorised the Counincrease its contribution towards the cost of the bridge over the Avon at New Brighton, and to raise a loan of £4777 by Special Order. An elderly man named Thomas Hawley, a retired farmer, residing at Percival street, Eangiora, slipped and fell heavily on a concrete path at his son's residence yesterday, fracturing his leg. He was admitted to the Christchurch Hospital yesterday, and his condition is satisfactory.

At last night's meeting of the City Council the following notice of motion was given by Cr. M. E. Lyons: "That all bras* bandfe in the City be grantwi permission to give one concert each in Victoria square during the summer months and to take up a subscription for the band funds."

The Christchurch Unemployment Committee has forwarded a letter to the City Council stating that at the last meeting of the committee a resolution was carried asking the City Council again to urge the Government to convene a Dominion conference to consider unemployment. It was agreed to support the request. At last night's meeting of the City Council, a letter was received from the Buller Progress League asking support for the following resolution:—That this League communicate with County and Borough Councils, Chambers of Commerce and Progress Leagues, asking them to move in the matter of urging the Government to reduce the rental charge on telephones. _ It was decided to support the resolution. The breath of summer which came during the week-end meant much to anglers, and good fishing is reported, particularly in the Selwyn. In number two stream, H. Thompson anil partner landed twenty-one good fish, T. Whitmore nine, and five. In the Selwyn proper, J. Sparrow caught ten, and E. Ford nine. The average weight of the fish cauglit is about four pounds.

Part of a shell, aeroplane darts, and a portion of a historic Zeppelin, all of which came down at West Hartlepool (England) during the war, are among the latest gifts to tTie Canterbury Museum. They were given by Mr T. P Sewell (St. Albans). Other novelties recency acquired are specimens of hermit crabs and sea cucumbers presented by Mr J v Odie (Lyttelton), and two cabinets and specimens of eggs given by Mrs Leicester Matson. An impudent theft was committed in Chertsey on Saturday afternoon. Mr L. Gould, left his Ford car outside Mr D. Lynch's residence on the Main South road, and on returning found the car had disappeared, while a oleyele had been left in its place. The police in' Ashburton and Rakaia were notified, and it was discovered that the bicycle had been stolen from Mr S. Larriman, Rakaia. Up to the present no trace of the car has been found.

The By-laws Committee advised the City Council last night that the Local Government Loans Board had sanctioned the taking of a poll for the raising of a loan of £7140 for the acquisition of the old Richmond school site, and the alterations to the buildings situated on it. Tho Town Clerk has been instructed to take the necessary steps to take a poll of the ratepayers in the special rating area in connexion with the matter.

"We are going to be Oliver Twist and ask for more; moreover we are going to bite hard," said Mr F. W. Freeman at last night's meeting of the Canterbury Automobile Association when speaking of the report that was being prepared on main highways by a representative committee, of which he was a member. He added that the report would shortly be presented before a meeting of the Progress League. The committee intended to make certain definite proposals regarding the treatment and classification, of certain roads in the province. In the House of Eepresentatives yesterday, Mr Forbes mentioned that the legislation promised regarding sections at Hanmer Springs had not been brought down this session. He asked the Minister for Lands if anything could be done during the recess in the direction indicated by a deputation that had waited upon him at Hanmer. The Hon. Mr McLeod said he regretted that there had been no opportunity of dealing with it during the present session. Whether the Committee of Enquiry that had been set up under the Act could go ahead in anticipation of legislation to be passed next session, and adjust the position, he could not say, but he would look into the matter.

Mention of the Akarana Maori Association's proposal to build a model pa on Mount Eden Mr P. E. Clieal, a veteran surveyor, of Auckland, to express a doubt whether it will last as long as some of the oldtime forts of the Maoris, who were thoroughly well up in fortification engineering, and had names for glacis, abbatis, and all the other technicalities. Mr Cheal said that some of the posts of the Ruapekapeka pa, where Rawiti made his last stand in Heke's War away back in the 'forties, are still standing, though they are over one hundred years old. These long-lived posts are of manoao, a particularly durable native timber. Its botanical name is Dacrydium colensoi, and it is a close relation of the rimu. Manoao is not a common tree, being confined to several distinct localities in the North Island.

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

The old-time custom of conveying our Christmas and New Year Greetings through the medium of suitable gifts still retains its subtle charm, and the question of "what to give" is readily met by Messrs L. M. Isitt, Ltd., in their advertisement appearing in this issue. Turn over, and you will be amazed at the attractive varieties offering in Stationery, Books, and Leather Goods —all will make appropriate gifts. —1

Major H. H. S. Westmacott, 0.8. E., Ist Battalion, Canterbury Regiment, has been transferred to the Waikato Regiment. Mr R S. Kent, Divisional Superintendent, New Zealand Railways, who is at present on the West Coast, returns to Christchurch on Thursday.

Professor E. J. Iddings, Dean of Agriculture and Director of the Agricultural Experimental Station of the University of Idaho. U.S.A., who is touring New Zealand on an investigation of farming research, is at present in Christchurch. and staying at the Clarendon Hotel.

Asked yesterday whether he was accepting an appointment to the Supreme Court Bench, as forecasted in some quarters, Mr J. B. Callan said that the rumours connecting his name with such an appointment were quite without foundation.—Dunedin message.