General News.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18488, 16 September 1925, Page 8

General News.

Tho Mavor stated yesterday that a poor woman had sent him, anonymously a gold ring, to be disposed of and the proceeds applied to the Coal and Blanket Fund. A clear sky and sunshine wore welcomed by everyone in Christchurch yesterday,'from farmer to office hoy. In the country the wind had a undency to the nor'-west rnd the roads were dried up considerably. The air was chilly when the sun went down. As showing the durability of puriri wood, the piles of a building being demolished to make way for new premises in -New Plymouth, have been unearthed sound. They had been in the ground for about 70 years, the old structtrxv having been erected in the early 'fifties. A bundle of letters, all torn open, was found in a vacant sect ion iu Dewsbury lafie, Sydenham, by some children. It is considered likely that they were stolen from the pillar-box a.t the corner of Battersea and Colombo streets, which was broken open last week. The thief, finding that the letters contained nothing of value, had probably flung them into the section. At its meeting last night the Christchurch Drainage Board decided to call a conference of local bo:lk;s to consider the matter of subsoil drainage in and around the City. The date of the conference was left in tho hands of the chairman, Mr H. J. Otley. It was also decided to refer the question of subdivisions of residential areas to the conference. The Auckland Harbour Board decided yesterday to consider a proposal to instal a wireless plant on the tog To Awhina for use in ease-of emergency, and also to instal a wireless tolephonio service lietween the Tiritiri and King's wharf signal stations to facilitate the reporting of shipping. Negotiations will be necessary with the Government before tho proposals can be effected. A deputation waited on the Hon. G. J. Anderson,. Minister of Mines, to urge tho abolition of centre props in State coal mines, which the men con6idered to bo dangerous. The Minister quoted expert opinion which was in favour of centre props. His instructions to'inspectors and managers were that the safety of tho men should be tho first consideration. The question would be considered further, he said, and he would then give- a reply. His idea wat> to set up a eommitteo to enquire into the subject.

Tho indications aro that there will be a. large and representative attendance of delegates from different parts of Canterbury at tho quarterly meeting of tho Council of the Canterbury Progress League, which is to be held to-day. The agenda paper has upon it for discussion the operation of the main highways schome in Canterbury, and tho improvement of rail communication between Christchureh and Lyttelton, 'both matters which have been the subject of recent reports to tho executive of the League. Although she did not call at Australia, the steamer Sussex, which arrived at Auckland from Calcutta late on Thursday night, was affected 1 by the strike, there. A pilot was taken on board at Thursday Island to bring the vessel through the Barrier Reef, but mi arriving off Cape Moreton five days later it was discovered that the Brisbane pilot boat's crew had gone out on strike. In consequence the Sussex had to launch a .boat and land the pilot-at Cape Moreton lighthouse, and from there he travelled the 60 miles to Brisbane by a fishing launch. Some very valuable additions have beon made to various collections at the Auckland Museum within the last month. Two Maori articles recently presented were of very great ethno-. logical interest. A workman engaged on a drainage excavation discovered at a depth of 4ffc Gin an elaborately and curiously carved stone figure of unique type, exhibiting rectilinear ornamentation, combined - with single spirals. That most valuable and interesting specimen was secured by Mr H. E. Vaile and presented by him to the Museum. Mr Vaile also presented the other article, a very old spiral "manaia" charm in greenstone. Those charms aro extremely rare. The matter of bringing more Scotch immigrants to New Zealand was referred to by several speakers at the Wellington Caledonian Society's . banquet on Saturday evening. Mr G. ' Mitchell said so far as New Zealand was concerned the early Scotch immigrants were the best the country ever had. They had wonderful characterisj tics, and they always -clung together. This, he said, was very forcibly demonstrated during the Great "War. He trusted that more Scotch people such as the country had received in the past would come out and make their homes in New Zealand. Chieftain Hamilton Nimmo said that one of the tasks ahead of the Wellington Caledonian Society was to deal with the immigration problem. "We must show, thesfe immigrants," said the chieftain, "that there is a real bit of Scotland in Wellington and that it is not all in Dunedin."

The vagaries of the weather this year arc causing many colds. You may be the next to suffer. There's no need to worry if you have "Stop It" in the houso. Buy a bottle of this wonderful remedy to-day—it acts like lightning. "Stop It" is perfectly harmless for young or old. Of all chemists and stores. Large size 2s Gd, small size Is Cd. The larger size is the cheaper. —5 Ladies are taking an unusual interest in Armstrong's special display of early Spring Millinery. Tho very latest styles from Paris, London and NewYork are being shown. These beautiful "hats were carefully selected by our Borne buyers, and embody the latest style ideas. Exclusive models-—ana smart ready-to-wears, all at Armstrongs' famous low prices. We would advise an early inspection of these beautiful hats as they are selling very rapidly.

J. Johnston and Son, Merchants, Rangiora, Established 18G3. Sole agents for North Canterbury District for famous Massey-Harris Canadian Farm Implements. Catalogues and Prices on application. P.O. Box 1 • 'Phone 4. _Zf

"Reid and Gray" Tractor Ploughs, new Drill, Lime Sower, all best Farm Implements, and spare'parts, consult Mr Harry Anderson, 193 Cashel street Christchurch, and Reid and Gray, Ltd! Ashburton. __2

From August Ist P. and D. Duncan, Ltd., are introducing a new system of selling agricultural implements, dispensing with both agents and travellers and dealing direct with the farmers For direct farmers' orders they are allowing 10 per cent, discount for cash with order. Full particulars with order forms free on application. P. and D. Duncan, Ltd., 196 Tuam street, Christchurch. D 2817

Isitt's bargain sale of books and stationery continues for a few more days. Travel and biography, drama and poetry, the latest novels, children's books, all heavily reduced. I7undreds of 6s novels at 3s 6d, 4s and 4s 9d each—a great opportunity for public libraries. Wonderful values in writing blocks and envelopes. See the bargain tables of books, up to los each, sale price Is each. Ladies' bags, boxed stationery, etc., half-price. Isitt's, 112 Cashel street. —6