General News.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18096, 11 June 1924, Page 8

General News.

At Monday's meeting of the Westland Hospital Board a letter was received from the Inspector-General of Hospitals asking tho Board to consider the erection of a maternity annexe to Wcstland Hospital (telegraphs our correspondent) .

Superintendent C. C. Warner lias in hand the fire alarm extension in Papanui. He expects some delay in getting the boxes from the jnanufacturers, as special parts have to )be imported from Sydney under contract. The aerial wiring and oarch-pipmg is being put in in readiness for connecting up when the boxes arrive.

Captain T. F. Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades, after inspecting the Christchurch Brigade last month, reported that he was highly satisfied with the general appearance and efficiency of the staff, stations, and plant, and that the turn-oi>ts at the different stations were performed smartly and the stations and equipment were in good order and condition. Another sitting of the Mock Parliament organised by the Christchurch Parliamentary Association will be held in the Provincial Council Chamber tonight. Several new members have recently been admitted, anl it is likely that the present balance of power will be disturbed on a vote of no-confidence. A Bill to prevent unemployment will he introduced to-night, and is expected to lead to an interesting discussion.

At last night's meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Union it was reported that the annual Christ's College-Boys' High School match had been set down for Saturday, June 28th, on the College ground. Dissatisfaction was expressed at the date, and it was stated that the High School Old Boys had lodged a protest against the match being played on a Saturday on the ground that many old boys would be playing themselves, and thus be unable to see a match which was one of the features of the season.

Registrations of men out of employment piade at the Labour Department show a slight increase this week as compared with last week, the figures being 47 last week, 52 thjs week. The regulations include 37 labourers (all fit for heavy work), 5 cooks, 4 horse drivers, 2 clerks, and 1 each blacksmith, fitter, glass beveller, and shepherd. So fair there is no Information as to •work under the Public Works Department being available. It is anticipated that the freezing works will close down for the season at the end of/the present month. Twenty-five British boys who are coming out under the jsew Zealand Shipowners' Acknowledgment of Debt to British Seamen Fund will arrive at Auckland by tlio Remuera on 26th inst. They will be sent to the farm at Marton recently bought from Mr McKelvie, and after, six months' training they will be drafted to farms as cadets. The average age of the boys, all of whom are orphans of British seamen who lost their lives in the war, is about sixteen years. Fifteen English public school boys, who are coming out under the Taranaki Uh amber of Commerce scheme, will also arrive by the Remuera, and will be placed with fanners in the Taranaki district. Five other English public school boys will also arrive by the same steamer, to go to North Auckland farms. I An inspection of the lower reaches of the Avon made at the weekend by Mr B. B. Owen and Cr. 0. W. B. Anderson, who were accompanied by a photographer. Advantage waa taken of the opportunity to photograph the condition of the river in the vicinity of Burwood. Some parts presented a particularly desolate appearanco owing to the accumulations of silt and debris. In view of Cr. Anderson's notice, of motion on the subject of river improvement, copies of the photographs are to be circulated amongst members of the City Council. Mr R. B. Owen informed a reporter yesterday that in view of the necessity for improving the Avon and Heathcote it was suggested that a River Conservancy Board should be set up, with control over the rivers from source to sea, and with adequate ratin'g powers. A remedy for the centralisation of the population of New Zealand aroqnd tlie four main centres was suggested by a well-known Palmers ton North stock dealer the other day. "If a check could be put on the town borrowing and better facilities placed at the disposal of the men on the land for borrowing money," he declared, "that would.be the first step to stopping the drift to the towns. Another essential factor would be the improvement of the roads in the outlying districts." Borough debentures were more attractive' to investors to-day than first mortgages on land. This was due to the slump, and it was adversely affecting agricultural interests. The position which had arisen had resulted in the formation of a land vfliluers' association for the purpose of securing a uniform valuation among land valuers on sound and safe lines so that the confidence of investors might be re-established and first mortgages oh broad acres placed once more at the head of the list of gilt-edged securities. ,If this could be done it would be of material assistance to the farming community of this Dominion.

For some two or three years the Christ's College Old Boys' Association haa been considering the adoption oi club colours, and has been m negotiation with old boys in London. It appears (writes our London correspondent on May 6th) that a, pattern recently sent to Christchurch lias met witti the approval of the old boys there, and an order has been cabled to London for ties and blazers. In the tie the black and white diagonal stripe is retained, the black stripes somewhat wider than the jvhite.. In tho middle of the black stripe there are narrow gold and blue stripes. The blazer has the same stripes, except that the black is wider and the blue and gold are wider in proportion. Both the tie and the blazer are attractive and distinctive, and are much adniir-ed by old boys in England. The designera were Messrs Foster and Co., of Oxford and St. James square, the well-known club colour designers. It is understood that New Zealand old boys may obtain ties and blazers from the headquarters of the Association, or direct from the London branch of the firm. The old boys of England will be meeting for their annual dinner in London some time in July. Mr Hal Williams, refrigeration engineer, has undertaken tho duties oj fiecretary.

The Fire Brigade* received thirtyone calls during the month from May Bth to June oth. Seven of those were malicious false alarms, one was a false alarm given mth good ir.tent, three were calls to rubbish fires, five to chimney fires, and fifteen to actual limes. The estimated fire loss was £2249, insurances on properties affected amounted to £B6OO, and the properties' were valued at £15,310. Local wine and spirit merchants are suffering from the attentions of a burglar or burglars, A few weeks ago Warre, Hockley and Company's bond store was broken into, and last Thursday night a quantity of brandy and whisky was stolen from Quill, Morris and Co. In the second instance, the thief broke the lock on an iron gate which bars the entrance to the back premises, and evidently forced open a sliding dcor with a jemmy. Captain T. F. Hugo, in a report to tlie Christchurch Fire Board, dated May 22nd, called attention to the necessity for early action in regard to a new sub-station in Sydenham. Tlie present accommodation, he stated, waa quite inadequate, and was unhealthy, particularly in the auxiliary men's quarters, where two men slept in an insufficiently ventilated loom 15 feet by 18 feet, with storage batteries standing on open shelving at one end of tlie room. Mr A. Williams, chairman of the Fire Board, at last night's meeting of the Board, said that the Sydenham station was not up to the requirements of a fire district like Christchurch, or of a thickly populated district like Sydenham. It was necessary to increase the accommodation or erect a new station. He hoped that steps would be taken in that direction soon. He was sure that members agreed as to the necessity For doing something at Sydenham. Don't wait until that small cough has got a big hold. Take McArthur's "Stop-it" instantly, and rout it from your lungs. "Stop-it" is wonderfully effective in treating coughs and colds, and can be 'given to children with perfect safety. Sold at chemists and stores at Is 9d bottle, double size 3s, or at McArthur's, Ltd., Chemists, opp. Ballantyne's. 1 D'uring the past few months big alterations and much estra selling spa,ce have been added to many of the departments at Armstrong's and their Mighty Expansion Sale, which coaumeiices to-day (Wednesday) at 9.80 a.m., will , prove a revelation in the drastic price cutting. It will pay shoppers to take special notice of the prices quoted in tno sale bill, which is circulated in this morning's papers, and huge sewings can be made by shopping during this great sale at .Armstrong's two shops—Colombo and High streets. A 2713-3080 Fruit trees of pedigree strains, including apricots, certificated by Teviot Bud Selection Committee. Early bookings necessary. Ivory's Nurseries, Rangiora, or 21 Manchester street, Christchurch. T4141-5174 J. Johnston and Son, Merchants, Rangiora. (Estd. 1863) Solicit Farmers' orders for Plough Shares, Plough Chains, Plough Lines, Leather and Balata Belting, Engine Packing, Seaming Twine, Lubricating Oil, Bluestone and Wheat Protector. P.O. Box 1. 'phone 4. * 4 Pilkington's motors run twice daily between Chfistchurch and Akaroa. —0 "The Garden's Glory."—Bradbury's Sweet Peas have quite won the front place throughput New Zealand. The agents, Messrs Has tie. Bull and Pickering, Ltd., send the seeds all over the Dominion. They have a full selection now offering and the seeds should be at once planted. Catalogues free. H 6479-278

Although implement making and repairing is our principal line, we havo the best complete plant in; New Zealand for malting and repairing every class of machinery from Traction Engines to Bicycles, also for making bridge and Other ironwork, overhead electric line iron work, bolts, stays, turnbuicldes, shoes, eto. P. and- D. Duncan, Ltd., Box 124, Christchurch. D3571-SO9&

A GOOD PRICE ALLOWED FOR YOUR USED CAR. IF YOU PURCHASE ONE OF THE NEW PARISIAN RED "SPECIAL SIX" STUDEBAKERS. To popularise the latest and most remarkable Studebaker creation, the superb new 50 h.p. "Special Six" with its distinctive and exclusive Parisian red finish, Adams, Ltd., havo decided to allow a good price on any used oar l taken in part payment. To see the new "Special Six" is to desire it. It is a car giving the impression of high power and a capacity for great speed, being designed on semi-sporting linee. Certainly it has ample power and climbs hills with surprising ease, but comfort has been in no degree sacrificed to speed and appearance. In beauty of appearance, luxury and completeness of equipment, and high mechanical quality this 'new Studebaker has no superior at any price. It looks as if it cost £looo—and so it would if it were not made in vast numbers —but the New 'Zealand price is only £525. Magnificent value for the money, as everyone agrees, and the car-owner also benefits by «. generous allowance on his used ear. Ring 'Phone 2561 for a demonstration run. Adams, Ltd., N.Z. Agents for Studebaker Motors; Showrooms. 152-154 High strwt. A 2661-2943