General News

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21414, 5 March 1935, Page 10

General News

O _ Cruelty to Ducks Cruel treatment of ducks on the Avon was alleged in a letter received at a meeting of the committee of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals last evening. It was stated that persons had been seen near the river with hook and line tackle which was obviously not intended for fishing; presumably these persons intended to catch ducks. Members of the committee expressed indignaticn at this form of cruelty, Mr H. F. Herbert stating that he had found two birds near his property with hooks in their beaks. It was decided to. take steps to interest school children in the protection of the ducks through the Junior League of the society, and to bring the matter to the notice of the Acclimatisation Society. Demand for Non-Fiction Literature "There is an increased demand to-day for books of a non-fiction type," said Mr A. A. Britton, president of the Waltham Public Library Committee, at the annual meeting of the subscribers last night. This view was supported by representatives of other suburban libraries, and it was suggested that during the last few years readers had sought to learn the conditions that were responsible for the depression. Trees in Suburban Streets The- planting of trees in suburban streets was advocated by Mr Irving Sladen at a meeting last night of the Christchurch Beautifying Association. Mr Sladen said he had recently been impressed by the beautiful aspect of Rugby street with its two rows of trees, which hid unsightly poles and wires; but Heaton street, for example, with its charming homes and gardens, was not nearly so attractive, simply

because it lacked trees, fie quote ! Pasadena, California, as the ideal of a garden city, and said that much could oc done to improve the appearance of Christchurch if suitable trees were planted m many of its streets. The chairman, Mr ►' B. Owen, said there were many considerations to be weighed, and though he was a great lover of trees he felt that there were disadvantages. Ft was a; I ,reed to \vr",e to the Christchurch City Council commending the practice of planting suitable trees in suburban streets. Cruel to be Kkul Rough treatment of two lighting dogs, which might well be said to beon the border-line between cruelty and kindness, was reported by the inspector of the Society fur the Prevention of Crueltv to Animal.;, Mr D. J. White, at the meeting of the committee of the society last evening. "A collie dog set upon an aged spaniel in the street," Mr White

stated. "Both dogs fought for some minutes and lacerated one . nother. The owner of the spaniel tried to separate the dogs, but being unable to do so she called out to her lodger, who ripped a three by one picket from off the fence and used it to stop the fight." An l T nusual lixcuse "I tore it up; I thought it was a bill for .CI," was the explanation offered by the secretary of the Christ church Beaut if y i tig Association (Mr If. Tillman) at a meeting' last night, for th ■■ absence from the list of correspondence of a letter from the North Bead) Progressive and Beautifying Association inviting to its annual meeting members of th; Christchurch body. The letter was recovered from the waste-paper basket and read, after Mr Tillman had offered it to the delegate from the North. Beach Association for inspection and remarked that he had some cause for his action. Children's Long [Sours "I regret to say that at one of the schools visited we found that there was a ca.se of two children in one family being compelled to rise at 3.30 each dav and assist in the milking, and afterwards walk three miles to school,"' stated Mr P. F. Hemingway, chairman of the Wanganui Education Board, in his report tabled at the board's monthly meeting. He added: "Needless to

say, the attendance of these children is not good, and when they do arrive at school they are too tired to do their lessons." Mr Hemingway said it was shocking, and remarked that the board had taken immediate steps to have the matter investigated. Definition of Schoolboy What is a schoolboy? The question for the purpose of athletic contests was put to the council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association recently. The council ruled that an age limit did not apply, and that a bchoolboy was one who attended a primary or secondary school. The Wellington Amateur Athletic Centre saw in this ruling an opening for abuse, and the council had before it last wee!-, a letter from the centre on the subject. The centre :i 'gued that the bald definition would be open to abuse, inasmuch as it wa.> possible for a boy to attend a secondary school part time while engaged in earning his living. It suggested thai the ruling given by the Director of Education should be incorporated, and with this the council agreed. The ruling given by the Director of Education was as follows: 'A schoolboy is one who is in full-time at-

tendance at a recognised primary, intermediate, secondary, technical, or district high school. Recognised schools include registered private schools. No boy can be regarded as a schoolboy who is permanently engaged in any occupation which precludes his full-time attendance at school." Giant Sunflower A Nelson resident, Mr K. Livick, has entered a competition for the largest sunflower in the Dominion. His plant is lift 3in in height, carries 99 flowers and (Jit stalk is B.',in in circumference. Several Nelson gardeners have provided details of plants, but Mr Livick's is the largest yet reported. BRIDAL CARS of the very latest and with no trade marks are those of the Gold Band Taxis Thev are also (he most popular and largest fleet with a record of 21 weddings in one day. and are b<?\"", h-irkcd up full ahenH cor Paster Wcdd'nTs. so' lot us book pd vours now Our charges are also the lowest, so why pay more? 'Phone 33-477. Thank you. —2

Actual tests have proved that land nloughed with a McCormick-Deering Tractor Plough yields easily three extra bushels to the acre. This proves that this plough does better work and leaves the ground in a state to take full advantage of the rain, wind, frost, and sun. These ploughs are stronger, built with morp clearance, easier to adjust, and 25 per cent, lighter in draft. International Harvester Company of New Zealand, Ltd., Christchurch. —1