General News.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19110, 20 September 1927, Page 8

General News.

In the first week of next month the Brookside School will celebrate its Diamond Jubilee. In the afternoon the people of the district will entertain all past pupils with afternoon tea; and there will be a dinner in the evening.

The larch logs from the State Forest reserves at Hannler Springs, specially cut for , the New Zealand Forestry League's exhibition building on the Addington Show Grounds, have come to hand. The building, which will be a permanent one, will be used to house the League's display of timbers.

Public accidents in connexion with the City tramways during the month of July numbered 38, as follows*. —Collisions with motor-cars, 11; collisions with motor-cycle, 1; collisions with carts, 2; collisions with cycles, 2; collisions with other vehicles, 5; collisions with pedestrians, <S; passengers alighting from car in motion, 11, and miscellaneous, 3.

The contract for the erection of tho new premises for the Dunlop Rubber Company, at the corner of Madras and 'Lichfield streets, -has been signed by Mr F. Williamson, and tho work is to be started immediately. The contract price is close upon £12,000, and tho time for completion is nine months hence. The building will be of three storeys and will be of concrete.

Mr Justice Sim planted one of the maple trees recently acquired by the Beautifying Association on the river bank near the south-east corner of the Supreme Court yesterday morning, and Mr H. A, Young, Senior Stipendiary Magistrate , in Christohurch, planted one opposite tho Magistrate's Court, near the Armagh street bridge. Representatives of the Cathedral Chapter will plant five maple trees on the south sido of tho Cathedral this morning.

Some idea of the value of land in and about the City in the '6o's may be gained from an offer which was made to the late Mr James Sinclair in 1860. About forty acres, embracing what is now Lancaster Park, was on tho market and was offered to Mr Sinclair for £2O an acre. He was advised by his employer at that time that the land was far too, dear, and was persuaded to purchase cheaper land at Yaldhurst!

Infectious and otlior notifiable diseases reported in the Canterbury and West Coast Health Districts during the week ended noon yesterday, totalled 34, as follows: —Canterbury: Scarlet fever, 14; diphtheria, 2; tuberculosis, 7; pneumonia, 3; erysipelas, 1; hydatids, 1; infantile paralysis, 1; tetanus, 1; pneumonic influenza, 1. West Coast: Diphtheria, 3. In the Canterbury district four deaths from tuberculosis were reported.

An amusing story of a couple who do not go to church was told at Palmerston North by the Rev. C. W. B. Seton, ono of the visiting preachers for the Simultaneous Mission. "I went one day to a house where only husband and wife were living," he said, "and before I left I was told by the lady of the house that, sho and her husband never went to church because so many hypocrites were among the congregation. To this I replied that there was always room for twos more, and she, having a sense of humour, brought her husband along the next Sunday."

Three residents of the remote end of .Record street, New Plymouth, who had no proper access to their properties, after several years of fruitless petitioning of, the Borough Council, decided some time ago to do somothing for themselves. Prom a dump nearby they obtained clay and road sweepings, and, after some days of effort, spread over a long period, constructed a passable track for several chains in front of their properties. With the aid of a heavy roller, which was borrowed for the purpose, the path was consolidated into a splendid little roadway past their gates to the formed Btreet. However, one of the triumvirate found himself hoist with his own petard, and his belief that the borough helps those who help themselves is sadly shaken. He was "pinched" by an indiscriminating borough inspector for riding a bicycle on the path he and his neighbours had voluntarily made to reach their properties.

The next Sunday railway excursion from Oliristchurch will take place on October 2nd, when a train will run to Otira. It has been decided to go beyond Arthur's Pass on this occasion. It should not be long before the rivetsweeper will be seen in the more central parts of the City through which the Avon flows. The sweeper is now operating about 100 yards on the north side of the bridgo leading from the Botanic Gardens to the United Club's grounds, and is doing splendid work.

SincQ the end of last month, the weather has. been very dry in Christchurch, as only .087 of an 'inch of rain has fallen. Up to the present, according to observatory records, 13.126 inches have fallen since the beginning of the year, as compared with 13.132 inches for the corresponding period of last year. As a rule the rainfall amounts to 19.060 inches. On Sunday night, thieves broke into the grocery shop of Roberts and Tullocli, at the corner of Bligli's and Papanui roads, and stole about £2O worth of goods. A hole was bored in a panel of tli j back ddbr, and the robbers removed tobaoco, cigarettes, potatoes, and a large quantity of foodstuffs. Police authorities. have the matter in hand.

That there should be a good fishing season this year is the opinion of Mr D. Hope, Curator of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. Mr Hope states that there should be about 2,000,000 fish in the rivers of the Society's district, besides which hatching operations have up to the present been satisfactory, 1,250,000 fry having been hatched. Some 600,000 eggs _ from Southland are on the point of finishing hatching, and the fry will shortly be liberated. The hatching is said to be the best for a number of years. Anticipating a busy time during the forthcoming picnic season, the Railway Department has issued a neat little booklet containing much useful information concerning various resorts, such as their distance from Christchurch, the fares to be paid, the picnic grounds which may be used, and arrangements that can be made in respect of .hot water and milk. It is the intention of the Department to send the booklets to various societies, school committees, and other organisations which usually hold an annual picnic.

A conference convened by the Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer), consisting of the Mayor and Messrs H. J. Otley, chairman of the Drainage Board, and R. Galbraith, chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, was held yesterday to consider joint action being taken by the three bodies represented in opposition to the construction of the new bridge over the Avon at Seaview road, New Brighton. The Mayor and Mr Galbraith (decided to sign the petition asking that the warrant authorising the construction of the' bridge be withdrawn; but Mr Otley decided to take the opinion of the Drainage Board at its meeting tonight. "It is wrong to be continually cutting grass in the winter and early spring," said Professor "W. Riddet, in. a lecture at Auckland. Lawns, he explained, required the same treatment as crops. Grass could only obtain ford through the agency of it 3 leaves, and constant cutting deprived it of its sustenance. Another useful hint the Professor gave was with regard to drainage in the garden. To ensure good growth, he said, the water supply must be adequate, but not excessive, and drainage was the only effective method of obviating excessive moisture. Ample air,, proper temperature and adequate mineral salts were also necessary. If there was • excessive moisture, the air was shut out, and the roots failed to spread.

Neochifyichtliys Latis —such is the name of a weird-looking toad fish with, a blunt head, which lives on the bottom of- the ocean, and is found only between Banks Peninsula and Port Chalmers. A specimen of this rare fish together with other specimens trawled up, including an uncommon starfish, a hermit crab, and an aplysis, or sea-hare, has been presented to the Museum by Mr J. Odey, of Lyttelton. Specimens of adzes, a tangiwai pendant, polishing stones, and obsidian flakes from Doubtless Bay, and iron bark timber from the wharf at Opunake, bored by the teredo have been presented by Messrs A. A. Wilkins and F. M. Corkill_ respectively. Other interesting exhibits are a map of Christchurch, dated 1868, showing all sections, which is the gift of Mr F. I. Cowlishaw, and a parang, or Malay knife, presented by Mr G. Morris.

The secretary of the Christchurch Drainage Board, Mr 0. P. Champion, has a big job on hand at present, in connexion with the advances to ratepayers to meet the cost of sewer connexions which the Board's Bill at present before Parliament, when it becomes law, will authorise. This is the preparation of tables showing the amount of the instalments of equal amount repayable quarterly spread over five years in respect of advances ranging from £ls to £IOO. As the drainage authorities have to bo prepared for tlif! case of ratepayers, -who, after paying several instalments, find that they can pay off the remainder in one lump sum, the tables being prepared show also the amount of principle and interest remaining unpaid at the beginning of cacn quarter. The computing machine is rendering assistance in the numerous calculations involved.

. A rather unusual experience befel a country storekeeper and Ms motor-car in Auckland. While 011 his way to the city he had occasion to go into a shop within the suburban area to transact some business. As he did not expect to be absent from his car for more than a minute or two, he left the key in his switchboard. When he was ready to continue his journey, ho found that his car had disappeared. Having an urgent appointment with another business man outside the Chief Post Office, he was forced to complete tho trip by tram. As he was proceeding down Queen street he was surprised to see his motor-car standing outsido one of the shops. He lost no time in alighting from the tramcar, getting in his motor-car, and driving off. It was after, wards pointed out to him that if he had not been in quite such a hurry he might have ascertained the identity of the new driver.

The Hotel Federal's new diningroom, with accommodation for 200, is now complete, and specialising in casual luncheons. Six-course luncheon (including grills) 2s 6d. Ring 1040 to reserve tables. —6

A Super Bargain is something beyond

the value of every-day bargains, and it is a super bargain that Armstrongs will be offering you next week, starting on Monday, the 26th. Carpet squares in Wilton, Axminster, Indian, and Malabar will be sacrificed, for one week only, at exactly half-price. Now is the time to renovate the home, and these are the coverings for the floors that will be both beautiful and profitable. Remember one week only, Carpet Squares at absolutely half-marked prices. —6