General News.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18902, 18 January 1927, Page 6

General News.

A uazette notice states that the appointment of the Dunsandel Public Library Board has been revoked.

About 1000 tons of coal and timber ■was transported through the Otira tunnel from the West Coast yesterday.

The Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) will accord thi visiting New South Wales lawn tennis team a civic reception at noon to-morrow.

On Sunday the number of passengers by rail to Lyttelton was a record for this summer. Standing rOom only was the order on the train at 9 a.m., the officials being taken unawares by the extraordinary rush, On the reebmmendation of the Standing Committee the New Brighton Borough Council agreed last night that the Chairman of Works be authorised to continue the sea wall, North Beach, to tho extent of funds available.

"Pillion riding is becoming a serious thing," commented Mr E. D. Mosloy, S.M., in the Traffic Court yesterday morning. "Yes," agreed Chief Traffic Inspector H. Macintosh, "we thought we were getting ahead of it too, but I find there are a number of cases yet to come."

Sea fishermen spent a busy week-end, good hauls of herrings and flounders boing secured at Sumner and New Brighton. A rough sea at Taylor's Mistnke affected the fishing, but it was reported that an exceptionally large groper was caught there. Herrings and "guffie" provided good fishing for Lyttelton ruig.crs.

The ten-roomed house in Antigua street, which wa< found to be on fire at 1.45 a.m. on Sunday, was owned and occupied by Mrs Mary McNab, and was divided into furnished flats, none of which was occupied at the time of the outbreak. The building was insured for £I2OO, and the contents for £4OO, with the Standard Office. Ab the result of a letter received from the New Brighton Surf Bathing and Life-Saving Club, it was decided at last night's meeting of the New Brighton Borough Council to remove a pipe which juts up in the sea within the bathing area along the beach. "I understand that some bathers have cut their legs and arms on it," Cr. F. H. Shaw remarked.

"The Salvation Army have decided to open barracks in New Brighton. . . . . They consider that when a place has reached that stage when it has a population of 5000 people the Army should step in It is the first time that an -outlying borough has been so provided."—Tho Mayor (Mr J. Gamble) at last night's meeting of the New Brighton Borough Council.

A party of sightseers who visited White Island a few days ago were astounded with the awe-inspiring scenes. Tho blow holes were very active, although no steam could be seen from the mainland. The main blow hole has altered in appearance and steam and gas now issue from three apertures, states a Press Service message trom Auckland.

In attempting to cross in front of an electric lorry coming out of. Wardell's right-of-way early yesterday afternoon, a young woman fell in front of the vehicle. Onlookers say that the girl, as soon as she saw that she could not pass the vaii, threw up her hands, screamed, and fell on the pavement. The girl was not injured, and was taken away by a friend. So far flying and photographic, conditions have been quite unsuitable for the qarrying out of the aerial survey of the forest lands in the Hanmer district, projected by Wigram Aerodrome pilots. A suitable day is now being awaited, and if the survey is success* ful, pilots and camera men will carry cut extensive survey operations on behalf of the Forestry Department. For the week ended at noon yesterday tho following cases of notifiable diseases were reported to the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. T. F. Telford):—West Coast: Diphtheria one; T.B. one (one death). Canterbury: Scarlet fever six, diphtheria seven, T.B. eleven (three deaths), pneumonia two, puerperal sepsis three, lethargic encephalitis one, food poisoning one, enteric fever two.

The health of the Auckland Province SO far this summer has been particularly good. There have been occasional Cases Of the more serious diseases, such as diphtheria and scarlet fever, but this is only to be expected at all times of the year. Only one case of infantile paralysis has been reported, states a Pwtss Service message from Auckland.

Kecettt acquisitions to the Canterbury Museum are samples of flint flakes from Suffolk, prosontod by Miss Jessio Hope, flint adzes and arrow points, found m New Jersey, havo been presented by Mr J. A. Manley, and paper money of various countries has como from Mr E. Goodman. An exhibit of particular interest to anglers is a case of specimens of different insects upon which trout feod. . There is a possibility of an American shooting enthusiastWmg-a team of gun-men to compete in New Zealana pigeon-shooting matches In a report to tho Christchurch Gun Club, on his recent visit to Australia as a New Zoaland representative m tho worms Championship shooting match at Melbourne Mr R. S. Taylor mentioned the American entrant's enthusiasm, and his anxiety that the United States slioula bo ably represented in a Dominion shoot.

The Australian desire to lay a wager on any form of sport is evinced in Mr R. S. Taylor's report to the Christchurch Gun Club on his visit to Melbourne for the shooting championships. In all Australian shooting matches a system of loading is practised which is much slower than that in use in New Zealand. This system is adhered to on account of tho betting which is carried on. "Every shot is an event for betting," said Mr Taylor, "and as the club charges each bookmaker £25 for tho right to operate for the week, it receives a good return from about twenty bookmakers."

Becently a Chukor partridge, introduced from India, was found dead at Mount Hutt. It was apparently one of a hatch obtained by Mr E. C. Todhnnter, for his station at Mount Somers. The bird was in excellent condition, and has been added to the exhibits in the Canterbury Museum. The partridge is a female nud is light buff in colour. It has a reddish blush on the back and shoulders and is pale cream under the throat and on the neck. The back is striped with cream and dark bars edged with a crimson hue on the flanks. Another addition to the foreign bird collection is a sparrow with an abnormal lower mandible, two inches long ard curved downwards. The upper mandible is normal and rests on the groove of the malformed one. A whimbrel, found at Ellesmere, is another acquisition. This is a shore bird and was probably blown across the Tasman Sea from Australia. A red-tailed tropic bird has been brought from Walpole Island by Mr A. M. Wright, and this has also been added to the Museum collection. No one can get better service than that given by J. Heywood and Co.. Ltd., either as furniture removers, Custom House Agents, or Genera,] Carriers. _^3

Westiand is dotted with Nature's bpecial Beauty spots. Gems in Lake 6cenery; Beauty in the Bash; Arrestmg grandeur m the Mountains; Exclusive glory m the Glaciers —l4