General News.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19462, 8 November 1928, Page 10

General News.

The plans for the Christchnrch City Councirs scheme for the "improvement" of Cathedral square, and the specifications have been drawn up and at present are being typed. A falling-off in the number of peoplo travelling to the races by train is shown by the numbers of tickets sold on Saturday and Monday, as compared with last year. The figures are as follows, those for 1927 being given in parentheses: Saturday, 1912 (2212); Monday, 992 (1116). . When the Aorangi arrived at Auckland from Vancouver she was a full ship, having carried close on 800 passengers across the Pacific. In addition to the humans on board, there Were 197 Angora rabbits, which will make their home in ths Anekland Province. They have travelled all the way from England, and the family numbered 200 _ when its members commenced their long migratory journey. "You look upon your husband as the goose that lays the golden eggs?" was a question put to a young woman by counsel for her husband during the hearing of a maintenance case in the Magistrate's Court at Wellington. "Oh, I'm not so sure about that," siie replied. "The money he gives me, though, pays my board." "I think you are getting a little mixed in your genders," suggested Mr J. H. Balmon, S.M., with a smile, to counsel. "There is quite a large number of American investors and commerci: 1 meu interested in the future of New Zealand," said Mr W. L, Lowrie, ConsulGeneral for the United States in New Zealand, upon his return by the Aorangi from a holiday in America, Mr Lowrie said he attended a number of important trade conferences in the United States and was surprised to find how well posted his countrymen were in New Zealand affairs. Feeling toward trade with New Zealand was most kindly, but there appeared no immediate prospect of a revision of tariffs. Cordial support was given by the Wellington Automobile Club to the following suggestion from the North Island Motor Union: "In view of the fact that no local body is liable for any damage caused through nny defects in its roads, unless negligence on the part of the local body can be proved, all motor associations should be circularised asking them to point out to members the necessity of always reporting to the local body concerned any dangerous defects in its roads. If (steps are not taken to warn the public or remedy the defect, the liability for damages is on the local body concerned." "We will have to push this matter," said Mr J. E. Strachan, president of the Canterbury Progress League at the meeting of the executive last night, referring to highways. "The Board certainly has not answered our report, but has quibbled and hedged over the matter. 1 think we will have to stick to them until we get a satisfactory reply. The report was prepared by people who were quite competent to understand the position and who gave a lot of time and attention to it and presented a report which, I think, the Board feels is unanswerable. We should see that these suggestions of ours are put into effect." The memory of Guy Fawkes was celebrated prematurely at a Masterton book shop, when the whole stock of gunpowder goods went off on the counter. A demonstration was being given of a certain firework and sparks from it ignited the remainder. For a few minutes there was bedlam. Catherine wheels and Roman candles vied with otlier pyrotechnic devices in a shower of sparks and confusion oi reports, attracting an eager audience of yoitng fry at the doors. Other goods in the shop caught fire, and it was necessary to call for the assistance of the fire brigade, who played water on the seat of the trouble and quickly suppressed the outbreak. The damage was estimated at about. £6O. Quite a rush of Stowaways besieged all thre<r vessels of the Byrd Antarctic expedition One was caught at San Pedro, on the C. A. Larsen, and was so annoyed and tearful at being found too soon that he refused to give his name. Two more showed up on the Larsen later on, however, and these bovs constituted a problem. They were willing to work, but could do little more than peel potatoes, as their physique was not up to the standard of even the trip from America. They could not Stand the trip to the south in the Larsen, but what will be done with them ib not at all clear, as the American Consul con only deal with stranded seamen, which these boys are riot. Four were intercepted bn the City of New York, and two on the Eleanor Boiling. The United Commercial Travellers' and Warehousemen's Association or New Zealand has reason to be proud of the Christmas number qf "The New Zealand Traveller," which is now As usual the number has some beautiful views of the Dominion's soenio and holiday resorts, principal cities and towns, and a number of other interesting subjects. All historical sketch of the Association will no doubt be read with interest, as also Will the brightly written stories from the pens of English as well as New Zealand authors. The production, which is the work of the Christchurch Press Co., Ltd.,. is worthy to take its place beside the various other New Zealand annuals* the excellence of which is so much admired outside the Dominion. An atnusing "theft" took place in Kaitaia, North Auckland, recently, says an exchange, when a motor-car belonging to a local clergyman was stolen* The owner laid information to the police that his car had been removed from his front {rate. Immediately all the other police stations iu the north were apprised and constables stationed on the look-out at all cross-roads. Having thus spread a net for the thief), the Kaitaia constable was walking down the main .street when he was astonished to Bee the missing car pass by and pull up at the Post Office. A man emerged and entered the office the constable giving chase. An "arrest" provoked mutual astonishment, the culprit proving to be a well-known and highly-re-spected resident, who, as lay-reader to the church, was entitled to the use of the car. The vicar had temporarily forgotten he had a partner. "I understand," said Mr L. P. Leary, when examining Dr. John Mark, of the Auckland Hospital, in the on - hunga Police Court, "that when a doctor knocks a man down bn the street, a stomach pump is applied to the victim to reveal traces of alcohol. But when an ordinary motorist runs a man down this process is not resorted to." The point arose out of a case in which James Frederick Mills was charged with drivincr past a stationary tram-car in Onehunga. running over a ship's steward named Arthur Whimster, breaking his ankle, and inflicting other injuries. Dr. W. Howard Thomas said when he examined Whimster, after the accident, he had detected no sign of liquor on hiin. Dr Mark also said Whimster was sober, hut he had never heard of the stomach pump test. Mr Leary informed the Court that a medical friend had told him it "was done. The Magistrate. Mr F. H. Levien: The medical men run a risk if they do such n thing, and if I knew of it, I should waht to know something ißore from the medical authorities at the hospital. Messrs W. Strange and Co., Ltd., beg to announce that tlieir retail warehouse will remain open until 9 o'clock •this evening, and will be closed all day to-morrow, Friday, Show Pay. 6