General News.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19063, 27 July 1927, Page 8

General News.

It is reported by the Clutha "Leader',' that the Electoral Boundaries Commissioners are likely to agree to the request that Clinton should be restored to the Clutha electorate.

A junipr teacher in one of the Auckland schools was giving a reading lesson, and the subject was the story of Robin Hood. "What is an abbot?" was a question put to the class. "Please, Miss," said one bright boy, "an 'abit is a hard thing to get out of."

In view of the proposed reorganisa-tion-of the Lyttelton railway yards, which includes the erection of a new station, the engineers' branch of the Department has been instructed to submit a report on the traffic question. Between 4.30 p.m. and 5 p.m. yesterday the maximum load at the Lake Coleridge power station was 19,060 k.w., and at the Addington sub-station, 14,980 k.w. The records for high maximum loads put up last month have not been exceeded yet. The Postal Department last week dealt with 618 bags of mails from Australia,- England, and America. Last, Thursday 264 bags of English and American mails, via Vancouver, and 152 bags of English and Australian mails were dealt with.

When the work of renewing the Fendalton tramway track, which is nearing completion, is finished, it is proposed to improve the track at the corner of Colombo street and Edgaware road. Work on the new track at Monck's Bay will be finished by the end of next month.

The ferry steamers at Lyttelton are handicapped at present in that' they cannot defer loading in wet weather, being compelled to adhere to their timetables. As a result of a conference between the Lyttelton Harbour Board, the Eailway Department, and the Union Steam Ship Co., Ltd., it is intended to extend the verandah and awning covering the ferry wharf so as to permit the loading of perishable and other goods during rainy weather. Mr R. J. Barton, who applied to the Scenery Preservation Board on behalf of the Whakataki Natives to have the Wharepouris Mark on Whakataki beach protected, has received a reply from the Board to the effect that the spot is not considered of sufficient historical interest to justify its protection, states a Masterton Press Association message. The Wharepouris mark is a sandstone pillar erected m 1842 to signify peace between the Mokau Natives, who were then in possession of. Wellington, and who had invaded Wairarapa, and tribes of the East Coast, who had been driven to seek the protection of the Hawke s Bay tribes. "The machine is an old hack that is used by everybody in the shop, 15 said a defendant who was charged in the Hamilton Magistrate's Court with leaving his motor-cycle unattended for a longer period than half an hour. "If it is hack, you must not use the street as a stable," replied the Magistrate, who fined defendant ss. This was the first time a motor-cyclist was charged with that class of offence in Hamilton. A move for the protection of traders by the investigation of. bankrupt estates was made at a meeting of the Napier Chamber of Commerce, when it was suggested that an association or traders should be formed to provide the funds to examine bankrupts' books and general position" when it was considered desirable. It was stated that at present many bankruptcies are successfully DUt through that would not be allowed if they were thoroughly investigated. General opinions on the causes of bankruptcy were mentioned during the discussion before the suggestion was referred to a sub-committee for investigation, it being mentioned that the practice of firms in giving too much credit find the policy of some people in embarking on business without a reasonable chance of success were contributory factors.

The hydraulic river sweeper is making good progress, and is now some distance below the Bhodes street footbridge. About six chainß of the river have been dredged this week. The three pay-as-you enter or oneman trams being constructed for the Christchurch Tramway Board, are almost completed. At present the question of fares is under consideration. The front portion of the cars has been painted white in order to distinguish them from the ordinary tram-cars. Slight abrasions and shock were sustained by Jack Capstick, aged 16 years, residing at 433 Selwyn street, Addingtou, when he was knocked down by a motorist at the intersection of Manchester and Dundas streets about five o'clock last evening. The motorist, who is unknown, raado off after the accident.

A. conference is being held at VVellington between the Department of Industries and representatives of gas businesses, the business of which, as explained by the Hon. MrMcLeod, who addressed the gathering, is to consider the application of the Board of Trade gas regulations to all gas undertakings in New Zealand. —Press Service. Mr E. J. Howard, M.P., has given notice in the House of Representatives to ask the Postmaster-General: (1) Whether he will give some indie' '.on as to when there will be more telephones available for Christchurch? (2) When, the pillar telephones for Spreydon that have been promised for the past three years will be ready?—Phess Service.

"Dr. Goldstein has referred to the British people as being non-Jew-lsh," said the Minister for Education (Hon. Mr Wright), speaking after an address on the Zionist movement at the Wellington Town Hall. "Is that so?" asked Mr Wright, amidst laughter. "The, late Mr Massey believed firmly that the British people were the descendants of the lost Ten Tribes of Israel, and there are thousands of people throughout the British Empire who believe that to-day—(hear, hear) —and there are some here now." (Laughter and applause.) In the opinion of Mr F. Pawson, Railway Business Agent, the success of the farmers' trains has exceeded anticipations. On the excursions, into and from Canterbury, the trains have carried 1830 persons, and when the Marlborough farmers' visit to Canterbury is made next month, it is anticipated that the total for the season will be well over 2000. Mr Pawson states that the cost of providing motor transport by farmers entertaining visitors is, in his opinion, an unfair tax, and it is intended to ascertain in future what the motorcar fares would be, and add them to the cost of the visitors' tickets. A great deal of good had resulted from the' excursions, and for the success of the scheme much was due to the co-operation of the Agricultural Department. An Order in Council published in the Gazette, fixes lees payable under the Coroners Amendment Act, 1920. As from August Ist a Coroner, a DeputyCoroner, or Justice of the Peace, other than a Stipendiary Magistrate, will be paid £1 Is for every inquest held. When not required to make a post-mortem examination, a medical witness will receive a fee of £1 Is for attending and giving evidence at an inquest. For making a post-mortem examination and attending an inquest to give evidence of the result, a medical witness will be paid £3 3s. in addition, a Coroner, Deputy-Coroner, or Justice of the Peace, and medical witnesses will be paid an allowance for locomotion expenses other than those reasonably incurred in travelling by rail, coach, or steamboat, at the rate of 2s per mile, counted one way only. Claiming that her husband's death in Christchurch in November, 1921, was the result of war service, Mrs Cashel Mills, in a petition presented to the House of Representatives by Mr H. T. Armstrong, M.P., asks that a soldier's widow's pension be granted for herself and child. Petitioner states that her husband joined the N.Z.E.F. in March, 1917, and left with the 26th Reinforcements. While at Sling Camp he met with an accident in September, 1917, for which he was operated on about three months later. He did not recover sufficiently to go to France, and returned to New Zealand in June, 1919. Although a strong, healthy man before enlisting, he never enjoyed good health after his return. Her application for a soldier's widow's pension was turned down, and two appeals to the Pensions Appeal Board were disallowed.—Pkess Service.

The cheapest stainless cutlery yet offered in Christchurch. Dessert 8s per £-doz. Table 10s per i-doz. English manufacture. Mason, Struthers, and Co., Ltd., Lichfield street. —M7197

Wonderful results have recently been achieved with the Bremer Tully Counterphase 6 and 8 The Sole Canterbury Agent for Bremer Tully Products is J. I. Smail, Radio Engineer, Carey's Buildings, 736 Colombo street. ■—6

Invercargill, July Bth, 1927. Dear Sirs; —You will no doubt be interested to 1 r that at the Drummond Ploughing ...atch on the 6th, the winner in the tractor class was Mr W. Allison, using the Duncan 3-furrow match plough which you sent along to us some two months ago and a "Cletrac" tractor. The 2nd prize was taken by Mr E. Henderson, of Otautau, age 72, with a "Cletrac" and a Duncan 2-furrow Plough, 3rd place being secured by —Yours etc., J. E. Watson and Co., Ltd.—-P. and D. Duncan Ltd., 196 Tuam street, Christchurch. —D3195

North Canterbury farmers are invited to inspect the latest MasseyHarris Stiff Tine Cultivator, on view at J. Johnston and Son, Rangiora. P.O Box 1. 'Phone 4. , —2

Top-dressing pays. We hear of a case where top-dressing saved a farm to the farmer: He was apparently insolvent, and was preparing to walk off. At a meeting of his creditors, he suggested that top-dressing might save the situation. The creditors agreed to provide the "super" and the machine, the result being that, the farmer is still carrying on, and with every prospect of paying 20s to the £ all round, judging by the returns for first year's top-dressinp! Don't you wait till creditors step in; make the profits for yourself," using the Booth, and best double-drive top-dresser, at the single drive price! Illustrated pamphlet, nost free. Booth, Macdonald, and Co., Ltd. —0512