General News.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18430, 10 July 1925, Page 8

General News.

Mr J. S. Hawkes> secretary of the C.A.A., has been informed that the light punt which has been obtained to replace tho old puut. at the Clarence River, which was washed out to sea during the recent floods, is expected to bo in commission by the beginning of next week. Advice has been received from the Tawera County Council that the West Coast road bad suffered severely during the recent floods, and it would be impossible for traffic to get through tor some time. Tho worst r>art was on the east side of Porter's Pass, where portions of the road had been washed away by the Kowai River. The bridge across tho Kowai on tho Ivowai Bush, road also suffered tho loss of a Get of piles, but communication would bo restored on the road as soon as the river went down and it w r as possible to make a temporary crossing. "Racial Mixtures in America," was the subject of an address given bv Milt. A. ivenner, general secretary oTthe Y.M.C.A., last night. There was a fair attendance. The speaker said that the negros were rapidly migrating from the Southern States to the northern industrial districts. Owing to tnT.s migration tho housing question was becoming very acuto in some of the industrial centres. Mr Kenner said the negroß were n simple, carefree people, and many of them were very intelligent. The only way, in his opinion, to solvo the negro problem, was by goodwill and an endeavour towards a better .understanding between the white and the coloured peoples.

Our "Wellington correspondent telegraphs that a deputation is to wait on the Minister of Marine this morning regarding the ferry steamer Mararoa.

The Woolston Band will give a concert in the Botanic Gardens on Sunday afternoon,, weather permitting. A collection in aid of the Mayor's Coal and Blanket Fund will be taken.

Since the heavy floods on the Peninsula last week the road through to Akaroa has been blocked by slips, but these were sufficiently cleared yesterday to allow through motor traffic to pass.

The work of renewing the Victoria street tram line is now well in hand, and yesterday morning work was commenced laying the Neuchatel preparation, which will serve as a bearer under the rails.

At a meeting held earlier in tho week tho Amalgamated Engineering Union, by a unanimous vote, decided to affiliate with the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council. It is probable that the Trades and Labour Council, at its meeting to-morrow night will discuss the proposal to affiliate with the Alliance of Labour.

Although hy no means a record for the present winter, there was a particularly heavy frost yesterday morning, the thermometer falling as low as 20.1 degrees, or, in other words, registering 11.9 degrees of frost. The morning broke brilliantly fine, but as tho day wore on the sky became overcast, and right throughout the air retained its chill.

The City Council is requesting citizens to conduct a campaign for the suppression of rats and mice. Tho Mayor said yesterday that the District Health Officer had asked that a vigorous campaign should be pursued in order to avert the possibility of the spread of disease by the vermin. Householders were requested to take immediate steps to destroy rat* and mice by setting traps and laying poison, also to keep dust tins covered. Poison was procurable at the Council offices.

To relievo unemployment in Cliristcliurch it lias been suggested to Mr R. B. Owen that an endeavour should be mado to recommence the River Improvement TJnemploj ment Fund, whereby work has hitherto been provided for a number of the unemployed. Mr Owen stated yesterday that there was still a great deal of scope for beatification work in and around Christchurch. A special meeting of the Christchureh Beautifying Association ■will bo held to-day to consider the matter and a definite announcement will bo made next week.

The maximum load recorded at the Lake Coleridge powerhouse during tho week ended the sth inst. was 13,969 lew., between 4 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. on the Ist; the previous week it was 13,420 k.w. At tho Adlington substation last week 11,600 k.w. were recorded on Jitno 29th, between 8.30 p.m. and 9 p.m.; the previous week the maximum load was 11.520 k.w. Tho lake level was at 1670 feet, as compared with 1670.05 foot the previous week; and tho inflow from tho Harper rh-er averaged 177 cusecs, as compared with 233 cusecs the previous week.

Since June 28tli, {here have been about ten burglaries in Christchureh, and it ia believed that they are tho work otf a gang. Large quantities of tobacco, cigarettes, etc., have been stolen, besides money,from tills, and a number of fountain pens, valued at £25. Entry to the various premises which hare been broken into has been gained, almost without exception, by forcing the locks on the doors -with some instrument and in several instances there has been evidence that thieves have been disturbed at their work. Most of the burglaries have taken place in the main thoroughfares of tho city, although a number of houses have been broken into in the suburbs. Our Wellington correspondent telegraphs:—The address presented to Sir George Gilford By the llacing and Hunt Clubs of 3Sew Zealand was on view at .the meeting of the New Zealand Kacing Conference on and was greatly admired by the dolegates. The address, which is the work of tho Christchureh Press Conip'ajjy's artist, is a beautiful example of the illuminator's art. Its colour scheme is attractive in its richness, Sir Georgg's colours (blue and gold) predominating. It is surmounted by Sir Georgo's coat of arms in colour, and in panels are the names of some of the prominent winning horses. "Hie signatures of ninety-five presidents of Itacing and Hunt Clubs Biako tho address altogether unique. "When proposing tho re-election of Sir George Clifford as President of the New Zealand llacing Conference on Wednesday evening, Mr \V. E. Bidwill mado some interesting references to the early days, in the Wairarapa (telegraphs our Wellington correspondent). He said that in 1844 Sjr George Clifford's father and his (Mr Bidwill's) father had a race to see who should get thrbugh to the Wairarapa first with some isheep that they had imported, and which, he believed, were almost the first sheep brought to New Zealand. Sir George's father got there first. Ho had heard Sir George say on Tuesday that he had been present at a race meeting held at Burnham Water in 1857, and Mr Bidwill mentioned that though his father had never raced a horse, he had bought froin Mr James Watt, sonje ten years earlier, the horse Figaro, the first thoroughbred ever brought to New Zealand. "NoW,** added Mr Bidwill, smilingly, "here are the sons of those two old pioners, 81 years after, working away and perhaps sponding money in the wrong direction." Sir George Clifford, in his reply thanking the delegates for his reelection, said he had been much interested in Mr Bidwill's ancestral reminiscences. As a matter of fact, the sheep referred to by Mr Bidwill were, ho believed, tho very first sheep brought to New Zealand for pastoral purposes.

During last winter the hardest frost recorded in Christchurch was 15.3 degrees. After such an unusual spell of stormy weather as we have just experienced, last year's record frost bids fair to be frequently beaten this winter. Everyone will be well advised to keep a bottle of "Stop-It"—the famous Cough Cure —on hand to ward off the effects of the cold.weather. Sold everywhere. Large size 2s 6d, small size IS" Od. —6

At Armstrongs' Final Half-Price day to-day of their Great Forge-Ahead Sale, some wonderful Half-Price Bargains are offering in the fancy section, for example:—Genuiuo Maltese Collars, usually 3s lid to 14s (3d, Half-Prico Is lid to 7s 3d. Oriental Choker scarves, 12 x 57, usually 4s lid, Half-Price 2s 6d, Cambric Handkerchiefs, Jin hem, HalfPrice *6 for 6d. oin Cluny Lace and Insertions, in bold designs, usually Is, Half-Price 6d. 27in Embroidery, in good quality Cambric, in dainty designs, usually 3s lid, Half-Price Is lid. Manufacturers' Lots of Assorted Handkerchiefs, in half-dozens, usually 4s 6d, Half-Price 2s 3d. Nightdress top 3 aud Camisole lengths, in flue Cambric, Swiss embroidered, usually 5s lid, HalfPrice 2s lid. . A292S

"Reid and dray'-' Tractor Ploughs, new Drill, Lime Sower, all best Farm Implements, and spare parts, consult Mr Harry Anderson, 193 Oashel street, Christchurch, and Reid and Gray, Ltd. Ashburton. —2 Mr A. W. Martin, the well-known Rupture Specialist from Dunedin, is now on his twentieth annual visit to the centres of New Zealand. Ho is now at the White Hart Hotel, High street. Christchurch, and may bo con« suited there until July iSth. Consultations are free. Hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Send for free booklet-. —o>