GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17060, 3 February 1921, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

All the Canterbury fishing streams were reported clear yesterday morning, tine weather conditions prevailing at them all. During the months of December 1920, and January of this year, 210 vessels, with a total net tonnage or 260,278 tons, entered the port of Lyttelton, as against 294 vessels, aggregating 200,794 tons, during the corresponding period of the average size of vessels thus increasing from 033 to 1239 tons j register. A party of travellers who were exploring the Upper Waitaki Valley a day or two ago made an extensive find of'moa bones in a valley on a far back sheep station there (telegraphs our Timaru correspondent). The largest bono found measured 2ft Gilt. Numerous little white gizzard stones were "found with the skeletons of the birds, and close by were tho well-defined remains of a Maori oven. Mr H. B. Sorenscn, chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, at the meeting of the Board yesterday said, with regard to tihe visit of the Minister oP Public Works and local bodies' representatives to Lake Coleridge on Saturday last, that it was interesting to learn that the Government was alive to the desirability of supplying electrio power throughout the Dominion, bub what they really wished to hear was that the Government intended to maintain the. necessary supplies to those bodies which had relied" on Lake Coleridge, on the understanding that the power required for their purposes would bo available. In this, Mr Sorensen was afraid they fliad reason to be disappointed. The chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, Mr H. B. Sorenscn, yesterday made some criticisms of tLie attitude of the Minister of Public Works last Saturday in replying to the representations made for the extension of hydro-electric power. He considered thn+. the Minister was vague in his remarks, and tlie impression Mr iSorensem had got was that tho hydro-electric Kiheme "should reach from Oamaru to Timbuctoo." Whenover Ministers were approached, generalities from the North Cape, to the -Bluff were talked about, but .Canterbury was left severely alone. The Hon. R. Moore defended tho Minister, who, he said, had spoken very fairly. Dr. Thacker said that Mr Coates ihad told him in the House that any promises, given by the Public Works Department would be carried out. "My experience of the Minister," said the Mayor, "as that he is a man who not only talks, but does things." An "outlaw" sheep, which had evaded capture for three years, and had been living on the sea coast at Point Mataia, Kaipara Harbour, was one of the interesting exhibits at the Helensville Show (says the Auckland "Herald"). The sheep, which was owned by Mr H. Mather, of Glorit, was missing from the flock at shearing-time three years ago. The flock was sold, and he refused to associate with the next lot, taking refuge among the_ ma.ngroves when chased by dogs. During tho next two seasons he was seen only at intervals,' arid evaded capture by clambering down a precipitous. cliff to the const. A few months ago Mr Mather and his companions waited for a spring tide, and went out with the dogs. The sheep ran for the mangroves, but was out off by the tide. The dogs cornered him, but could not get him bade up the cliff, and were obliged to swim him for a mile. The sheep was of tremendous size, the live weight being over 2001b, and the wool, which was clean and free from tangle or brambles, was pronounced a perfect fleece, weighing about 351b. In places it was 24in in length, and unbroken. Mr Mather presented the sheep to the Association, which held a ■ guessing competition' regarding the animal's weight. In discussing the Ministerial visit to Lake Coleridge, the. officials of the Progress League last "night struck an optimistio note—and they hinted that they had "inside information" for so doing. The chairman, Mr A. G. Henderson, said that while some people might be disappointed at the statement made by tho Minister of Public Works, on Saturday, the speaker found, on subsequent conversation, that Mr Coates was very much impressed with the desire of the people for. the completion of the hydro-power scheme. Tho .only thing which would delay him in going on. with the work was the financing of it, but the impression was gained from the Minister that even if it was necessary to curtail Public Works expenditure, the saving would not bo on hydropower development. Mr Henderson suggested that the League should deputationise the Prime Minister at the first opportunity, to urge the extension of electric- power scheme for Canterbury. Mi* Mc Alpine, vice-president, said the impression he had got from Mr Coates's questions and investigations was- that he was very keen on the completion of the Lake Coleridge scheme, but he appeared to be the most careful Minister whom they had ever had to deal with. He was tied up with the Finance Minister, but he left the feeling that he would do all in his power to forward the scheme. He had made tho most careful enquiries from all phases, and from his inspectors and engineers in the matter. It was resolved that a deputation from tho League should wait on tho Prime Minister on the first opportunity. The comparatively small number of registered plumbers in Christchurch was "the extenuating circumstances" which AVilliam Dean advanced when pleading guilty yesterday, before Mr V. G. Day, ii. Ml., to a charge of having knowingly employed an unregistered plumber to do certain sanitary plumbing work—fixing a waste pipe to a bath. Dean said that in Wellington, Dunedin, and Auckland practically all the plumbers were licensed; in Christchurch there were about twenty licensed plumbers to do all the work, and if the Health authorities forced strict compliance with the law, all the work could not bo done. Mr Day said that the position disclosed by defendant's remarks had been pointed out «t Timaru, some years ago, as likely to arise owing to the supply of apprentices not being kept up. Mr M. Kershaw, sanitary inspector, said that there appeared to be a, number of apprentices and improvers m Christchurch who would not give up their time to qualify for licenses, and comparatively few sat for the examinations conducted by the Plumbers' Registration Board. Probably owing to the laxity of the Department in not enforcing tho Plumbers Act, a good deal of sanitary plumbing work was done by unlicensed plumbers, but the Departmnet waa now calling a halt. Mr Day: "It is a bad position. AVas this particular bit of work properly done?" Mr Kershaw said that they made, no complaint on. that score; but the inspector had reported that he had had a certain amount of trouble with Dean. It was also found difficult to "drop .on" work being done by unlicensed plumbers, and the assistance of the Court was sought to check the ' non-compliance with the law. Dean explained that he was doing his best to get licensed plumbers. He was fined ten shillings, and ordered to pay costs.

Regarding the railway dispute, the | Prime Minister stated at- Wellington yesterday that a decision on the matter by the Wages Board was nearinrr a conclusion, but he was not sure whether he , would be in a position to make an announcement this week. "What impressed me most was the sporting spirit of Mr Coates," said Mr j McAlpine, vice-president of th© Progress League, in discussing the visit organised by the Progress League to Lake Coleridge last Saturday. ''He was put in the front seat where he got all the water, and ho laughed at any idea of turning back from the storm." Speaking at Takaka yesterday, the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. G. J. Anderson) said he hoped to increase verv considerably the vote for scientific research. He referred to the Cawthron Institute of Scientific liesearch as the pride of Now Zealand, and a credit to the man who endowed it. Fishing near the mouth of the Rakaia river on Tuesday evening, Mr R. Carney, of Rakaia, landed a trout weighing 22Jlb. It was 34 inches in length, and 21 inches in girth, and was caught with a "Gold Devon" minnow. The fisli was on exhibition yesterday in the window of Messrs C. A. C. Hardy and Cb.'s store, Rakaia, and caused a great deal of interest. It is said to be the record trout for the Ilakaia river. : The Stipendiary Magistrate (Mr &■ | T>. Mosley) dealt at Asuburton yesterday with a case (said to be the first of its kind in the Dominion) under the Rent Fixinc Act of last session. The tenant of the house was paying 20s per week. The owner asked power to increase the rent. The Magistrate found that the capital value of the place was £IOOO. The owner was entitled to 7 per cent, on that amount, plus £2O a year for rates, taxes, repairs, and insurance, totalling £9O per year. Last evening's meeting of the Christchurch Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade took the form of a "visitors' night." A large number of business men and artisans met to confer with Mr E. G. Grey (superintendent of the Division) and Mr W. W. McKinney (assistant commissioner) regarding the formation of a class in first aid. It was decided that a class should be started on Thursday. February 17th, under the direction of' Dr. W. Bates. Dr. Bates subsequently gave a lecture tn the Division on "Venereal Disease," emphasising the grave consequence&_resulting from failure to notify infection. He also exhibited a number of interesting X-ray photographs of various types of fractures. The person who enquires of a land agent nowadays if he has a- house to let is generally received with a smilo or amusement, and the-reply that houses to let are scarce, but houses to buy plentiful (telegraphs our Dunedin correspondent). The general opinion among thoso in the business is that there is no immodiate prospect of any relief, and tlhat the position will continue to be acute for a long time. A solution of the problem is difficult to find, it being realised that while the price of building material remains high, so will prices and rents of 'houses. Further, the slight financial stringency at the present time makes it noi an easy task for the prospective buyer, who has little capital, to find finance. In giving a roport of the Ministerial tour to Arthur's Pass, the president of the Progress League, Mr A. G. Henderson, at tlie meeting of the League last night, said that he was assured that the difficulty through the cement shortage at Otira tunnel would soon be overcome, as about 2000 tons would be on hand soon. The concreting of the tunnel would, it was anticipated, bo finished in about months, and six months after that the lines would be laid. A commencement had already been made with the clearing of a. site for the power-house, which should be installed in six months' time. Henderson considered that the League's organiser, should closely follow the tunnel construction, and should enquire into the work at least once a month. "All things going well, there is no reason why the wheels should not be humming through to the West Coast within 15 months," concluded the speaker. As soon as you suspect either cough or cold, take a dose of "Stop-It." The tremendous demand for this remedy is ample proof of its efficiency. Wise people always keep a bottle of "Stop-It" in their houses—they know the virtue of both the medicine and prompt treatment. Obtainable at all chemists and stores, Is 9d, 3s, and 5s 6d. Loasby and Co., chemists (opp. Ballantyne's). 6 Once you have learned tho economy and tasted the flavour of Sharpe Bros.' famous Gold Seal Cordials, you will have discovered your perfect refreshing drink during summer months. It is most delicious and quenching, particularly., the super-cordial, price 3s, which goes nearly twice as far as the 2s cordial. Ask for Sharpe Bros.' Cordials from your frocer or ring up Sharpe Bros. 276 rmagh street. Phono 1761. 58849-7507 Ladies and gentlemen, whenever or wherever you find a storekeeper doing his utmost to satisfy all demands for the famous, "No Rubbing Laundry Help," load him with your best wishes. H 5414-6797 When you trust your goods to us you are certain that they will °o carefully handled. Shipping—moving—storage; we do them all, and do them well. J. M. Heywood and Co., Ltd. H 4943 A motorist requires to keep his battery finely tempered up to tho mark—it means better service and longer life for it. Step into our service station a few minutes every month, and lec our experts look over your battery. Our charge is a trifling one, but it will probably save you many pounds. Christchurch Battery Co., 86 Kilmore street (three doors east of Victoria street). C 2932-7419 Fruitgrowers are complaining tlhat codlin moth is unusually troublesome. this season. Fortunately, a largo ship-' nient of Bean Spraying Outfits has just arrived in timo to bo of use in saving this season's, crop. These high-grade-Californian outfits we sell at prices and on terms bringing them within reach of every grower. Catalogues free on application to Ivory's, Ltd., 21 Manchester street. 15382-7791 i MAGNIFICENT RECORD OF STUDEBAKERS IN NEW ZEALAND. No motor-car ever brought on to the New Zealand market has a better reputation than the Studebaker. There are nearly 4000 Studebaker owners in this country, and wo can safely say that every one of them is more than satisfied with his investment. But the principal tribute to Studebaker good qualities is tho fact that it is universally a favourite for hire service. Thero are nearly 100 Studebakers on the taxi ranks in this province alone. They are there because of their capacity for standing any amount of hard work without wasting time in the repair shop; because of their petrol economy and lightness on tyres, and on the allround solid ground of reliability. This reputation is more than sustained by the latest StudebaScr creation—the Economy Light Six —a magnificently finished six-cylinder car, weighing only 24001b, and selling at £67v5, less than many four-cylinder cars. The best argument .in favour of Studebakers is that they give satisfaction. Adams,