CHRISTCHURCH DAY BY DAY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8820, 17 March 1914, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH DAY BY DAY.

Mr E. Howard, secretary of the Canterbury General Labourers' Union, reported yesterday that about 200 men are out of work in the city. Most of I these are general labourers, many of whom have come from the country districts. With the object of driving street hawkers out of the city, the By-laws Committee recommended the City Council last night to prohibit hawkers from plying their trade in a-certain area. /fhe report was adopted without discussion. Oh the recommendation of the Bylaws Committee, the Christchurch City Council decided last night that the red reflector to be visible from the rear of motor-cars and motor-cycle sidecars is to be not less'vthan one inch and a half in diameter. : It is stated that a company has been formed for the erection of another continuous picture theatre in the vicinity j of Cathedral Square. One of the.pro-j motors is understood to be a gentleman closely connected with the film business in Australia. . Recently Mr G. W. Russell, M.P.,: was reported to have made statements concerning Lyttelton's quota of representation on the Lyttelton Harbour Board. The Lyttelton Borough Coun-* cil took exception to the statement, with the result, that'Mr J.,R. Webb, Mayor of Lyttelton, yesterday forwarded a. very strong protest to tbe Hon. F. M, B, Fisher, "Minister of Marine. At present a local body has no power to allow discount on rates paid promptly, but only to add a percentage to ( all overdue rates. This disadvantage from a business point of view has had the consideration of the Woolston Borough Council, which last night resolved, on the recommendation of the Finance Committee, to forward a remit to the Municipal Conference _ urging that legislation'be passed allowing,public bodies the power desired, as it was considered that such a system woxild bo of great assistance to their finances. ' The City Council's selection of Victoria Square for a Christchurch Town Hall was warmly advocated by a large deputation from the Citizens' Association, which waited on the Council last night. The deputation went further, and submitted to the Council a detailed plan of a fine triangular building, commencing from a spot well back towards the band rotunda; and extending right.over the river. Councillor W. H. Cooper moved that the matter should be referred to the Hall Committee, and the motion was carried.A letter was received by the Christchurch City Council last night from the [Town Clerk, Greymouth,' respecting the urgency of establishing a daily mail service between Christchurch and the West Coast^ and asking for the Council's support in urging the matter on the Government. The Mayor said that the matter affected Ghristchurch, and the Council should do something _to assist in the matter. On the motion of Councillor J. R. Hayward, seconded by. Councillor W. Miller, it was decidede to co-operate with the Greymouth Borough Council in the matter. ■ '■■'.■■'■-.■■ ■ : ;■' i The question of who called for special constables during the recent strike and appointed Colonel Chaffey to the command was debated hotly in the, City Council last night, when,,there' was a distinct party cleavage. ;The_ discussion was caused by the receipt of a letter from Mr E. F. Shadbolt, stating that the District Council of the Secial Democratic Party wished to know who was responsible for the enrolment of special constables and the appointment of Colonel Chaffey during the recent industrial crisis. After a very heated discussion, it was agreed that the letter be allowed to He on the table.