General News.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20491, 9 March 1932, Page 10

General News.

Arrangements have been made for embarking tlie first draft of the Royal Naval Volunteer Eeservc for sea training on board H.M.S. Wakakura on Saturday next. At the last meeting of the Cliristehurch Eotary Club's Board of Directors the treasurer's statement of accounts in connexion with the Christmas appeal, which was generously supported by the public, was presented and adopted. The club has always considered it essential that the public should be acquainted with how their money is expended, and accordingly a statement of receipts and disbursements is advertised on our front page this morning. The level of Lake Ellesmere is exceptionally low at the present time. The secretary of the Ellesmere Land Drainage Board (Mr J. Mackenzie) said yesterday that the settlers had now the advantage of being able to graze a great deal of land which would have been flooded if the lake was a foot higher. It was now possible for them to carry a lot of stock on the Lake "flat," close to the water. With the object of raising money for the Mayor's Belief Fund, another community dancing evening was held at Cranmer square yesterday. There was a large crowd present, arid many danced to music supplied by the Woolston Band. Miss G. Ferguson was in charge of the folk dancing, a popular feature of the programme. Although the results of the collection will not be available until this morning, it is anticipated that the fund will benefit greatly. In reply to an enquiry from the .New Zealand Builders' Federation for an opinion on what should be the rates r;f pay in the carpenters' and joiners' award, the Canterbury Master Builders' Association' decided last night that such a matter was one for the Arbitration Court rather than the Association. The president (jVlr R. C. Jamieson) agreed that the Association should not attack wages but leave the matter to the Court.

Two large rowing boats, relics of the Maori War, have been located by Mr T. Delaney, who has been engaged for some time in diving operations near the outlet of Lake Waikaremoana. The boats aro in about 40 feet of water. They were observed some years ago by the late Mr W. A. Nealo when the lake was very low, and now Mr Delaney has fixed the exact spot. Theso boat's were built on the spot to enablo Colonel Herrick and his expeditionary force to cross the lake in order to junction with Colonel Whitmore's force, which was advancing from the Galatea Bide. The meeting never eventuated, for Colonel Whitmore's Arawa contingent refused to advanco any further in the dreaded Urewera Country. Ono morning Colonel Herrick received orders from Wellington to abandon the expedition, and he sank the boats in the lake to prevent the Maoris from using them. "It is a real entertainment," said an Auckland motorist, "to drive down Queen street during the day .with your headlights switched on. The antics cut by some people to attract your attention would not be out of place on the screen." Few drivers who have found their cars charging too heavily and have kept their lights burning in the daytime will contradict this statement. It is natural enough for well-meaning pedestrians who notice headlights burning in broad daylight to endeavour to acquaint the driver of the fact, aiAthe different ways they attempt to aWract notice are highly amusing. Other motorists, too, frequently give a shout of "Lights!" or else play a tune on their horn or try a Morse message with their own switches. Small boys on trolleys will risk being run down and old ladies will wave umbrellas in their desire to inform a motorist that he is unnecessarily wasting his battery. The driver who is inclined to tell the urchin and the old lady alike to mind their o\yn business should remember that the informati6n is given with the best intention, and that there are occasions when lights are "switched on in mistake. According to a recent report to the Department concerned, native birds are increasing on the Little Barrier. "It is interesting to find the kiwis at night feeding silently, drawing their food up from the hard earth," states Mr Nelson, the caretaker. "Standing quietly beside them, I am able to place my lantern on their heads without disturbing them. When another kiwi calls, a little distance away, the bird by me will stand up- all attention and answer immediately. Each of the kiwis appears to have a different call, and occasionally they all get going at once. One evening two of these birds started fighting, and I had to step in and separate them. The red-fronted parakeet and the North Island robin are increasing, and native pigeons are much in evidence. The rare ' Stitch' birds seem to be maintaining their numbers. Many of the birds are tame, and tuis and bellbirds come into the houso and perch on the table during meals,"

! The Christchurch Fire Board, at its meeting last night, decided to hold a special meeting on March 22nd to con--1 sider the estimates for 1932-33. One definite case of infantile paralysis was reported yesterday, the second case this week. Notifications of suspected cases are not so numerous as they were a week or so ago. Tho Waimakariri River Trust jg building a bridge over the new cut in the river at Dunn's Bank. Hitherto boats have been used at this spot by anglers, and although the bridge Has not been built for fishing purposes, the convenience will no doubt be used by fishermen. "We use a New Zealand football almost right through tho season, and found it very satisfactory," stated Mr A J. Marshall, secretary to the Sunnyside Rugby Football Club, at its annual meeting last*>evening. "As a matter of fact," he added, "we won every game" we played with this ball." "You want sand* shovellers," remarked the secretary of the Christchurch Fire Board last mghb when its members were discussing the question of fire protection in the sandy localities of the Bromley riding of the Heathcote County, and the question of water supply was raised. Flame burst out in the driver's compartment of a Clyde road truin about 2.30 p.m. yesterday just as the car ran on to tho doubk lines at the corner of Montreal street and Oxford terrace. Tho driver ran into the grounds ot St. Michael's Church, got a buckot ot water, and quickly extinguished tho fire. The outbreak, which was confined to the motorman's controller, was due to a short circuit. Tho tram was not badly damaged. Apparently some people are not aware of the difference between countv and municipal rates. At any rate, a Christchurch City ratepayer has forwarded a cheque for his rates after deducting per cent. It is only county and road board rates that are subject to a refund of 12$ per cent, and in the instance cited the ratepayer, unless lie makes up the deficiency within the prescribed time, will have the penalty of 10 per cent, imposed. Years ago an effort was made to establish oysters in Evans Bay, Wellington, on a commercial basis, but the promises were not fulfilled. Evidence that the oysters still survive, and have spread to a small extent, is given by the fact that divers from time to time secure a few oysters some distance from the spot where they were first installed. The spawn has evidently travelled with the tides. Tho presence of foreign matter in the bays round Wellington makes it advisable that locally-taken shellfish should not be eaten raw. A record amount for one day for this year was collected in City rates yesterday., the approximate total being £5620. The previous highest collection in one day was £4760 3s last Friday. The proportion of rates levied to rates collected to yesterday's date, is 35.37 per cent., as compared with 35.35 per cent, on tho corresponding day last year. The actual amount collected on Monday was £3GI3 17s lOd, the proportion being 33.69 per cent., as compared with 33.86 per cent, last year. Ten days and two half days will elapse beforo the 10 per cent, penalty is imposed. The New Zealand Builders' Federation wrote to last night's meeting of the Canterbury Master Builders' Association asking for information regarding work carried out by local bodies by c'.av labour, with a comparison of the estimated costs under this system and under private contracts, such information to be forwarded to the Economy Commission. Mr J. W. Graham remarked that repair work to school buildings could be done better and more economically by, local builders, and the Association decided to refer tho mattor to its committee. "Any chance of getting the money?" asked the chairman (Mr T. M. Charters) of the Fire Board last night, when tho secretary (Mr C. J. Treleaven) reported that £7 10s still was owing by a man whose house was outside the Board's district, by a fire which had been attended by the Brigade. "Not a hope," was the reply. Another case was that of a boy who had been fined £5 and had paid £3 10s and who was now in the Borstal Institution. "There's no use applying there for it," remarked the chairman. The necessary motion was agreed to, authorising the writing-off of tho amounts mentioned. If Andrew Charlton, the Australian ' swimmer, accepts the invitation of the Waitcinata Swimming Club to visit New Zealand, there is a chance that Christchurch swimmers may be able to sec him in action, for the Canterbury C'cntro of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association decided last evening to get in contact with the Waitemata Club to see what could be done about arranging an extended tour. Mr M. E. Lyons pointed out that the whole position'at present was very indefinite, as, though the invitation had been extended, no reply had been received from Australia. The chairman (Mr S. Hollander) said ho thought that it would bo unwise to let the opportunity slip. Ex-choristers—men and boys of Holy Trinity, Avonside, wishing to tako part in the 75th anniversary celebrations, are asked to communicate as soon as possible with the choirmaster, Mr Arthur Lilly, Mr R. S. Ward (North Avon road), or the choir secretary, Mr Arthur Bassett, 183 River road, Avonside. An apology is extended to all Railway passengers from the staff of the Gold Band Taxis for not being able to send a taxi over to the station, when hailed, as the By-laws make it compulsory for all passengers to go over to our garage opposite the station, and wo also thank tho large numbers who patronise us. Lowest fare Is. —3 John Johnston, Ltd., merchants, established 1863. Direct importers of British and American hardware and Uangiora. . 1 Wo supply parts for every sort and size of plough, made; wheels and axles; circular and bar coulters; mouldboards —l6 varieties; bridles; steering rods; racks; riding gear; tractor'lifts; beams; legs; drawbars; and frames. Repairs done to any make in quick time. As prices are high, get the old ones repaired and made better than when new. P. and D. Duncan, Limited, 196 Tuam street, Christchurch, and at Ashburton. —6 There is no doubt which are the most popular taxis in Christchurch as you will see Gold Band Taxis in every street you go into. It is the largest fleet, two shifts of drivers, best cabs and best service, and every driver is an escort, and the fares are the lowest bo why pay more. 'Phones 34075 or 35572. Garages opposite the Railway Station ' and Tuam street. Thank you. —2