CHRISTCHURCH.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 62, 6 December 1907, Page 4

CHRISTCHURCH.

December 5. A new method of coping with the dust nuisance by means of a permanont street sprinkler has boon devised by a local firm, and was given an experimental trial in 'ho presence of several city councillors. The device consists of a water-pipe laid down tho

middle of the roadway, with spray jets at intervals of 20ft. The'jets aro simple in construction, consisting merely of a small 'hole, through which the water rushes, coining into contact with the point of a' screw. Tho result is a sprav which, under favourable circumstances, should cover a radius of about 30ft. At tho trial three jets were used, but, owing to tho wind, the test was not a fanone, and a further trial will be made under practical service conditions. The cost of laying a servico is estimated at from £164 to £200 per mile. The Weather and the Crops. Farm land in tho country west of Christchurch botween the city and the ranges is fooling the effect of tho dry weather, accompanied by nor'-westers, which has prevailed for some'weeks. Pastures are showing signs of drying off. The crops are looking well, but badly need rain. Oats are on the short side, and are coining into ear, and moisture is urgently required to lengthen tho straw. On some of the light land the ears show signs of sticking in the short blades, the result of absence of moisture. Two days' steady rain is badly needed at once. Some of the early-sown oat crops in Ashburton are being hastened towards maturity. Tho dry weather is felt most in the districts lying towards the sea. In the Longbeach district, whore the land is of a swampy character, the season has been exceptionally favourable. The majority of the late sown crops will bo extremely- short in the stalk unless rain comes shortly. In tho hills district, where periodic showers have fallen, both feed and crops . are all that could be desired. As a result of last autumn's drought, thq greater portion of the clover sown in grass pastures has (lied out, and-the feed is therefore not holding out as well as farmers desire. Dublin Exhibition. N Mr. J. R. Triggs, ex-Chairman of the Conciliation Board, who has just returned from a trip to the Old Country, says that New Zealand made but a poor display at tho Dublin Exhibition. Tho woollen industry was well represented, but nothing else was well shown. It would havo been much better to have left the whole • thing alone if something worthy of New Zealand could not be contrived. Canada, on tho other hand, made a truly magnificent show, far exceeding that at the New Zealand Exhibition in every detail. The Next Election. Mr. Henry Davis, Mayor of Ashburton, states that he will certainly be a candidate for Parliament at the next election as a "straightforward progressive Liberal." Police District. The Christchurch police district has been extended to include the Chatham Islands, and a police station has been established at the chief settlement there. On Saturday last Constable Matthews, with his wife and •family, left Christchurch to take charge of the now station. In addition to being police office in charge, he will be Postmaster, Clerk of the Court, etc. Tho residents of Chatham Islands havo the reputation of being a lawabiding community, so that his duties as a constable should not weigh too heavily on him. Polico duty has been done for somo time by a- special constable, but it is considered by the authorities that the time has come for a regular officer to take command. Seafaring Knowledge. Mr. John K. Davis, who is chief officer of tho Antarctic Nimrod, was chief officer of tho Port Jackson last year, when she camo out to Sydney with a hundred Warspite boys on board, the lads being sent to get practical experience by a marine society. In addition to the captain, throo mates, and a number of experienced able seamen, the Port Jackson carried special instructors for the boys, a chaplain, and a surgeon. Mr. Davis told a Press reporter that tho lads undoubtedly- derived material benefit from tho trip, both as regards health and tho seafaring knowledge which they acquired. So far as the physical aspect was concerned, a number of the youngsters gained over 301b. in weight, and ono boy as much as 401b. Tlwy wore all well and' hnppy, due to the good feeding and healthy lire thoy led throughout tho trip. They' were systematically instructed in tho duties of seamen, and all of them loarned to steer. It was ; of course, essontial to maintain strict discipline on board, and a systerii of-punishment - for boyish offences was absolutely necessary, biit there was no need for harshness, exuberance of animal spirit's and , youthful - mischief being tho only real ; faults, As it. was ; .there was only ono punishment recorded in the logbook. The results obtained by. sending tho 100 boys to sea were regarded with the greatest satisfaction by shipping peoplo at Homo, and every, one of the boys succeeded in getting employment in |he mercantile marino on their return, a number of tho chief shipping companies taking somo of them. Besses o , th' Barn. Tho Lancashire Society has received a latter from the Bosses o' th' Barn Band to the effect that the latter anticipate making another tour of the Colonies in the near fitturo. To show th'oir appreciation of tho kindness received while in Christchurch, thoy aro sonding an enlarged framed photograph of tho to the Lancashire Society. imported. Tho Harbour Board were discussing tho recommendation of the Engineer that a spare donkey-pump should bo ordered'from England for tho tug. A patriotic member of the Board, who is a partner in an engineering firm, wanted to know whether it could not be -mado here. "Well, it might be,"'replied the Engineer, " but the usual way is to import them. If get some from you, for instance, and they are all imported." The inquiring member subsided amid the laughter of Ins follow-members.