General News.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20106, 9 December 1930, Page 10

General News.

The Post nnd Telegraph Department is calling for tenders for thecarriage of overseas mails between New Zealand and Canada, Now Zealand and the United States, and .New Zealand and Britain, via Panama. Appreciation of the expeditious manner in which the Tramway Board had rslaid the tracks in Colombo street south was expressed on behalf of Sydenham business people by Mr 10L. MeKeon, in a letter received by the Board at yesterday's meeting. Contending that all the support possible should be given to local industry. Mr W. Hay ward asked at yesterday's meetinrc of tho Christchurch Tramway Board whether instructions should bo issued to the suppers of uniforms that New Zealand materials should bo used. He said V did not wi'h to eau=e nnv hardships; but he would like to make srre that rcoods produced in the Dominion •rore utilised wherever possible. The General Manager (Mr Frank Thomp '•on) said he thought New Zealand materials were bein'T used now, but to make certain ho would have enquiries made. For some time Addington residents have been concerned at the unauthorised removal of seats and forms from the rotunda in the Jerrokl street reserve. The City Council, before whom '.he matter was placed by the Addington Burgesses' Association, suggested in a letter received by that body at its monthly meeting last, evening that a Vigilance Committee, composed of local residents, be fo;med to protect the public property. Doubts were raised by members, however, as to the standing that would be possessed by such a committee, and action was deferred pending tho receipt of information on the question.

"You ought to be hanged," was the remark addressed by Mr K. IX Mosley, S.M., to a defendant in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, who pleaded guilty to three charges of breaches ot tae by-laws, in that he rode his motorcycle at a dangerous speed, had n:> lights on it at night, and had not equipped it with a silencer. Defendant was taken aback for a moment until the Magistrate smiled, and the Court smiled with him. "It shows a lack of consideration for tlio public, ' said Mr Morley; "noisy exhausts create a distinct nuisance to residents, and you should be ashamed of yourself.'' Defendant was fined £3 10s ' n all. Much interest hi)a been aroused in the farming community in the meeting of farmers, convened by the president of the Canterbury A. and P. Association (Mr L. R. Macfarlnne), the president of the North Canterbury Executive of the New Zenlawl Farmers' Union (Mr C. Mcintosh), and tho pres'dent of the Canterbury Sheepowuers' Union (Mr It. M. D. Morten), to discuss the fall in the prices of Primary products with the view of making recommendations to the Government, financial authorities, and others likely to bo affected by the consequent reduction in tho country's income. The meeting i« to be held to-morrow in the A. and P. Association's rooms. According to a statement made to a renorter by one who is in touch with f he farming community, it seems likely that the Association's looms wll lie inadequate to accommodate the numbers likely to attend tho meeting. A letter has been received bv the City Council, from Mr E.' L. MeKcon, on * behalf of the shopkeepers in tho Sydenham shopping area, expressing thanks for the expeditious manner in which the ivork of relaying the road •urface has been carried out, and thanking the officers, workmen, an.l chairman of the Water Supply and V'orks Committee for tho consideration shown in doing everything possible to minimise the inconvenience of business rcople and residents. "It's very unusual to get a letter of this nature," remarked Cr. J. W. Beanland. "When ire began on the reconstruction of Colombo street the shopkeepers feared that tho roadway would be cut up and that this would interfere with Christmas v.cek traffic, but, by placing two shift o (ii we have been able to get the work done a good two' Weeks before Christmas."

The tender of Mr F. Williamson, of £3373 for the erection of a new bridge over the Heathcoto at Pr.nc-cs street, Woolston, was accepted at last night's meeting of the City Council, on the recommendation of the Water Supply and Works Committee. The Cliristcliurch City Council recently applied to the Cliristcliurch Drainage Board for a refund of the sum of £2989 Os lOd over-collected in rates for the year ended March 30tli, 19.10. At last night's meeting of the Council it was reported that a reply had been received to the effect that the application had been refused. It was deckled to receive the letter. The City Council decided last right, oil the iecoiiiniend.ition of the Town Planning, Housing, and Health Committee to inform the District Land Registrar that it recognised Navigation street, Woolston, as a public; street. Navigation street is the south-eastern boundary of the property taken by the the Council for the purpose of improving the northern approach to the lladley I; ridge. Quoits, which used to ho a popular game in Old Canterbury, is now seld im played, and the committee of the Canterbury Pilgrims' Association, which hopes to make quoits one of t'io attractions at the celebration of the anniversary of the province next '1 uesday, has been unsuccessful, so far, i l getting tho necessary quoits. Tbo Minister for Justice, the lion. .T. G. Cobbe, has advised the AdcV'igton Burgesses' Association, through Mr K. J. Howard, M.l'., that the necessity fir an all-night police patrol in Addington is not considered sufficiently pressing at the present time to justify the exjiendituro that would bo involved •if the request of the Association were u.'ceded to. Mr I). L. Thomas, organiser of the Makogai Leper Station Christmas Cheer"Campaign, acknowledges gratefully the re.oonse b.v Cliristcliurch people to tho appeal. In spite of the depression the shipment to the island this year will be ft record one, eompi ising a wide assortment of comforts and acceptable goods. Altogether Cliristcliurch people contributed £,'3G 10s to the fund. The City Council last night, on the recommendation of the By-laws, Finance, and Departmental Committee, adopted a regnlat'.on to the effect that the red reflector to be curried at the rear of a horse-drawn vehicle should not ho le=s than three inches in diameter, and a pattern similar to a sample on view in the City Traffic Inspectors" Department.

On the recommendation of the Bylaws, Finance, and Departmental Committee, the City Council decided Inst night to grant its employees a holiday on January 31st next, the date fixed for flic annual picnic. The committee further recommended that only those employees who attended the picnic be given the holiday, those not desiring to attend being expected to carry out their duties as usual in the morning. The By-laws Committee of the City Council has already refused permission for a oyclinL' mooting to be held at English l'ark on Christinas cwnins, but Cr. K. H. Andrews assured the Council last night that permission bad granted twice befoi e for suc h a meeting. The Council fben j.greed to let the Bv-laws Committee reconsider the application at tin's afternoon's meeting. Trees may constitute a very real danger from the point of view of Irnftic, as v. a.s pointed out at the meeting of tho Adclington Burgesses' Association last evening:. Members remarked that trees at the intersection of Park road and Church square were soriouslv obstructing the view, and it was decided to request the City Council to have the branches lopped to Mich an extent as the exigencies of traffic required. "'Your Worship has had a very difficult time during the six years you have held office, dealing with unemployment and other problem:?,' said Cr. T. H. Butterfield, addressing the Mayor at last night's meeting of tho City Council. "I should also like to congratulate Cr. C. 10. Jones- the Mayor-elect 1" Cr. Butterrield's remark, coming unexpectedly when new business was called for, caus?d considerable mirth amongst Councillors. For tho week ending noon yesterday, the inloctions and other notifiable diseases reported in tbo Canterbury health district .showed a decrease, a.s innpared with the previous week, of 15, and an increase of one in tbo West Coast health district. There were ten cases in Canterbury: Scarlet lover, 6: tuberculosis, 2; pneumonia, 1 ; erysipelas, 1. There were two deaths, one from tuberculosis and one from pneumonia. AVest Coast: Diphtheria, 2; tuberculosis, 1.

Numerous letters and a petition signed by several hundred persons have boon received by the Minister for Justice seeking the release of Abraham S'laman. an Indian herbalist, who was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment for the manslaughter of a boy. Meetings have tieen held in various districts at which poojile have stated that they were deriving great benefit from the treatment given them by Salaman. Consideration of the requests made for the Indian's release is being given by the Minister. —Press Association.

Statements have been made from time to time that with tlio importation of C'ook Island tomatoes there is a danger of the introduction of the Rarotonga fruit fly (Dncus Me'anotus) into the Dominion. The authorities contend that this fly has never been known to attack tomatoes during tlio 1G years this fruit has been grown in the group, nor has it ever been known to live for anv length of time in a temperate climate. A recent report, that eggs of the Dactis Melanotus were found in an Auckland auction room in Cook Inland tomatoes has been investigated by the Minister for the Cook Islands (Sir Apiratia Ngata), who stated yesterdny that the eggs have been hatched out by the Department of Agriculture, and are definitely identified not as Dncus Melanotus but as Museum Stabulans. a commnn species which breeds freely m vegetable matter.—Press Service. Gramophones for a pound! At Livingstone and Co.'s Auction Rooms, to-day. Fifty Portable and Cabinet Gramophones will b© sold without reserve. G Shoes play an important part in pro.ent-day fashions. Lovely designs in Coloured Suedes, Kids, and Reptile Slices now selling at low cost. Smart Brown and Black Suede Courts from 19s lid. James Shoe Stores 148 Armagh street. ' —g Farmers, when you come to town »n Wednesdays, remember it will only cost you half the price to go to the Saleyards if you 'phone for a Gold Band J axi. so why pay more'" 1 'Phones 34-075 and 35-572. Thank von. This Xmas you know someone who would treasure a portrait of yourself Make sure it is a reallv good one—in foot—the kind made by Steffano Webb Pools the appointment to-day, 'phone 3"-457. Steffano \\ ebb. Photographer L> >2 High street (Petersen's Buildings) —(i Every bride, who has engaged a ".old Band Cai lias met with good fortunu ; and is living a happy life. n<> separations or divorces, so if you are superstitious, book up with us and enjoy the rest of vour life. Phone" 34-075 and 35-572.