GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17985, 31 January 1924, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

Mr Laing, secretary of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers' Association, 'states that as the outcome of Sir Donald ileGavin's visit to England, a supply of duralimin artificial limbs for ex-soldiers will shortly be available. Both legs and arms are being made of duralimin, which is a metal like aluminium, but harder. The limbs will be supplied to the New Zealand Go\'ernment at the same price as is paid by tho British Ministry of Pensions.

Mr E. McCallum, ex-M.P., may know all about politics, but he Showed at Sunday's grass fire on the Wither run that his knowledge of fire control is more theoretical than practical (says the "Marlborough Express"). "I'll show you how to check a grass fire," lie declared. "You burn a fire break to prevent the main fire spreading." With this, Mr McCallum set fire to a tuft of grass, as -the beginning of his fire-break, but the wind caught the flames, and in ten seconds Mr McCallum and those near him were running for shelter. Later, however, the exmember for Wairau retrieved himself by putting in a lot of vigorous work beating out the fire with a wet sack. The Hon. D. Bnddo, M.P., has been notified by the Minister of Eailways (the Hon. J. G. Coates) that no through train service from Sheffield to Oxford will be commenced at the present time by the. Department, as the traffic does not warrant 'it. In October last the Minister heard a number of requests from North Canterbury, amongst which was one from the North. Canterbury Farmers' Union, which asked that the Department should carry a through train service from Sheffield to Oxford now that the West Coast was connected with Canterbury by rail The Minister also stated that the request of the residents of Cust to have their station electrically lighted would be complied with.

The electrical engineer and his assistant at the Chxistchurch Hospital have been able to construct a piece of mechanism for Dr. Fenwick, the consulting surgeon of the Hospital, which was unprocurable from any of the leading electrical firms in the Dominion. Recently the doctor had made enquiries and was told that he would have to wait until ha could import the article in question from Europe. The doctor required a small instrument which he could hold in his hand and which would reduce the electrical current down to one thousandth part. On being told of the doctor's requirements, and his inability to obtain the mechanism from any firm in the Dominion, the engineer and his assistant set themselves to work to make it from a, number of spare parts and an old electric bell. The instrument shown to a representative of "'The Press" yesterday is small and compact, and complete with an indicator. According to the doctor, it has proved quite satisfactory, and cost in shillings only a little more than it would in pounds had it been imported.

Mr Eudyard Kipling has been engaged in choosing names for the streets and other conspicuous features of the great city which is now taking shape at Wembley Park (writes our London correspondent, on December 20th). Reference is made in various journals to the task Mr Kipling has undertaken. "No one is. better fitted than the 'laureate of Empire,'" says the "Morning Post," for instance, "to apply appropriate nomenclature to the thoroughfares in this striking illustration of Imperial development, in which the Dominions, India, and the Colonies are all co-operating whole-heartedly with the Motherland." As our London correspondent has previously told us, the names by which New Zealand is represented are "Arawa," "Selwyn," and "Hobson," but these were chosen by Sir James Allen, and not by Mr Eudyard Kipling. Three names were certainly suggested by the latter, but most people would consider that they failed to represent any big idea or thing of common interest to all the peoxile of the Dominion. "Bluff avenue," for instance, and "Invereargill avenue," might be considered appropriate by a small and not unimportant community in the South, but would hardly be said to embody any idea of general interest. Possibly Mr Kipling had the Bluff firmly imprinted on his memory bocauso he may have found thore a refugo from tho tempestuous seas of Foveaux Strait. "Auck- ! land avenuo" was Mr Kipling'a other suggestion. However, Sir James's choice will doubtless bo more generally approved—Arawa representing the first canoo and a great and loyal tribe; Selwyn the first Bishop j and Hobson the first Governor, ' -- -- .

The Railway Department advertises the running on Saturday of an excursion from Christehurch "to Timaru at cheap fares. The trip will allow of a stay of 8} at Timaru. Hot water will be supplied free to excursionists and milk v.-ill also be available. "" '"

Two ratepayers have notified the Wellington City Council that thev intend to take legal proceedings to" test the legality of the Council's action in connexion with the tramway advertising contract. The matter has aroused considerable criticism in some quarters.

The construction of the new purifiers at the Christehurch Gas Company's Works, W 7 altham road, has now b-een completed. Into these chambers the gas supplied to the SO.CCiO consumers of Christehurch is passed for purification and the cost of building them is between £2S.COO and £29.000"! All the castings have been made !>y Andereon's, Ltd., while the Gas Company's staff erected the structures. "Before a man cornea to Court and complains of his wife's drinking habits, he should first set her a good example by giving up drink himself." remarked Mr H. Y. Widdowson during the hearing of a maintenance case at Lyttelton yesterday. "When you're digaing coal out of a ship all day iit~~hoi weather a pint at five o'clock is very nioe," retorted the witness, a wharf labourer. "Yes, I know, I am not a teetotaler myself." remarked the Magistrate, mildly, "I was only suggesting it to you." '"

The following letter has been received by Mr H. P. Bridge, American Consular Agent in Christehurch, from tho editor of the National Geographic Society's journal, published in Washington, reading as follows:—"Ydur letter of recent date, enclosing an illustrated Christmas number of the New Zealand 'Weekly' Press' to hand, and on behalf of the society I desire to thank you for your kindness' in sending this interesting publication. Wa lappreciate the .courtesy wlijich prompted tlie presentation of this number."

A few yards from the Cranford street tramway terminus, St. Albans, is a valuable reserve of 6J acres, which was vested in th© Christehurch City Council in 1922 by the Church Property Trustees. The value of the •area, is over £SOOO, and adjoining it is another vacant space of approximately seven acres bounded by Rutland street, Malvern street and Innes road. The trustees have entered into an agreement under which the City Council is to have the first option of purchasing this land at a price to be named by the trustees. Together the areas would make a reserve of 13 J acres, which co aid quite simply be converted into a park—an asset which would be greatly appreciated in this populous portion of St. Albans.

"They tell me at Home that I am the best advertising agent that New Zealand possesses," said the Priirie Minister at the civic reception tendered to him at Wellington on Monday, "but I think that is only a bit of flattery when my health is being proposed." He referred to the very cordial reception given himself and his party in Canada. The Canadian Government and the Canadian railways had done everything possible for their comfort; and ho had invited those concerned to pay a return visit to New Zealand. (Applause.) He was glad to say that Canada and New Zealand were very good neighbours; and he hoped that all the countries of the Empire would always remain very good neighbours. (Applause.) There has beeri quite an epidemic, of burglaries and thieving in Christchurch of late ; the intruders meeting with varying success. On Sunday evening the premises of Butterworth (Brothers, warehousemen, Lichfield street, were broken into, and 8s 9d in monev, two suit cases, and a quantity of "shirts stolen. The Pet-one Buildings, Lichfield street, occupied by Van Staveren Brothers warehousemen, were also entered, and £l3 in money and a number or cheqes were stolen from the cash box. Cigarettes and tobacco to the value of £ll were stolen from the shop of Mr Bollington, tobacconist, Colombo street, on Monday night, while on Tuesday evening, Jtr G. Jefford, fruiterer, 344 Madras street, interrupted a burglar operating on the till of his shop, but was unable to prevent Ms escape. But the thieves have not confined their attention solely to the city, and on Tuesday night stole from the towlrun of Mr C. Foster, 137 Tancred street, Lirnvood, some 50 White Leghorn pullets. In treating children suffering from Whooping Cough it is found that the greatest relief is obtained with "Stopit," the well-known cough remedy. i: Stop-It" relieves the coughing, lessens the paroxysms, and enables tho child to sleep at night. "Stop-It," from all chemists and stores, Is 9d and 3s a bottle. McArthur's, Ltd., Chemists (opp. Ballantynes). 6 When you have to move, give the work to J. M. Heywood and Co., Ltd. They will send you careful and reliable men, used to handling Furniture. Telephones 250, 259, 1241. —6 ADAMS, LTD. USED CAR ' BARGAINS. A "SPACE NEEDED" CLEARING SALE. In a. few days' time Messrs Adams, Ltd., will have to find room in their garage and showrooms for a very large shipment of new Studeb'aker motorcars. It therefore becomes necessary to clear out all used cars in the establishment, and with this end in view all used cars in stock are being offered at prices a good 15 to 20 per cent. Below their real market value. Here as a few selections from the current list:—

£75 buys a Hupmobile (Model 20), 3-seater, with electric lights. £125 buys an "A.C." light car (English,) thi-ee-seater, complete with electric lights, five detachable wheels, etc. Nicely finished, with plated radiator. Will run about 35 miles to the gallon. £l5O buys a Dodge 5-seater, newiyfinished, equipped with electric lights and starter. Good car for commercial use or week-end trips. £275 buys a Studebaker "Special Six" beautifully finished in carmine. An absolutely modern high-qualitv touring car, with electric lights and starter, and luxurious equipment. £3OO buys a new-looking Hupmobile 5-seat-er, with electric lights and starter.

£450 buys a newly-finished Studebaker "Big Sis'" Sedan, a high-powered luxurious car of the latest type with electric lights, starter, etc., yet not at all expensive to run.

Ring up 'phone 220 or 2561 for a demonstration of any of these cars. Adams, Ltd. Showrooms: 152-154 High street; garage, 219 Tuam street