General News.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19482, 1 December 1928, Page 14

General News.

The Auction advertisements of the National Mortgage and Agency Co., Ltd., W. E. Simes and Co., Dalgety and Co., Ltd., McKenzie and Willis, Ford and Hadfield, Ltd., George and Co., L. W. Ballan an& Co., N.Z. Farmers' Co-op., Assn., Ltd., and Commissioner Crown Lands appear on Page 23 of this issue.

St. Andrew's Day, the annivei-sary of the martrydom of Scotland's patron saint, was celebrated yesterday, the banks being closed.

A civic welcome will be extended to the members of the Boys' Blind Band of the Institute for the Blind by the Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) in the City Council Chamber at 11 a.m. to-dav.

Open-air schools in Christchurch, which have been built to obtain the maximum amount of sunlight, have more than fulfilled their purpose of late, the pupils having complained of the sun beating in upon their backs. Consequently the Education Board Ims received numerous applications for screens to protect them. The United Political Association has replaced the Christchurch executive of the United Party, the final meeting of which was held on Thursday night. The Association will be the permanent organisation for the United Party in Canterbury with headquarters in Christchurch. It will be administered by a small executive and a permanent secretary.

Advice has been received by the British Pavements, Ltd., Christchurch, of the acceptance of their tender for seven miles of bituminous macadam reconstruction of roads by the Kairanga County Council, near Palmerston North. The price is just under £3OOO per'mile. This style of reconstruction marks a new development in paving, hot mix macadam replacing hot mix penetration.

For the first time for some days aeroplanes were seen over the City yesterday, when two of the Gloster Grebes from the Wigram Aerodrome were tried out by Captains Findlay and Buckley. Both 'planes were travelling at a great speed, shooting through the clouds like bullets, and one circled the Square twice before returning to the aerodrome.

Though steam has practically ousted sails as a medium for the propulsion of seagoing vessels, the tonnage of vessels which arrived at the port of Wellington during the year just ended show that an increase took place during the period in the net registered tonnage of sailing ships—l3,Bos tons as compared with 10,863 tons. The number of vessels also increased, from 150 to 203. Steamship visitors decreased in number from 2957 to 2877, but the net tonnage increased from 3,499,538 tons to 3,529,417. Thanks to the generosity of Mr F. S. Potter, a commencement has been made with the establishment of Masonic homes in Auckland. Recently an offer was made by Mr Potter to the Masonic Grand Lodge of New Zealand to transfer to it six acres of land situated' on the ; Pannrure-Ferndale road so that provision could be made for cottage homes for aged Freemasons and their wives, rent to be free. In addition to this gift, Mr Potter also volunteered to start the scheme by building two cottages at an early date. The Masonic authorities have accepted the offer, and . will consider what further steps might be taken to develop the scheme. Society's changed attitude toward men undergoing imprisonment was illustrated by Mr B. L. Dallard, Con-troller-General of Prisons, in a lecture at Hamilton this week. Mr Dullard quoted the first report of Captain Hume; who came from England to reorganise the prison system of New Zealand, made to the Government in 18811 The writer advocated the use of the birch rod, as, to use his own words, "It-had a humiliating effect and was therefore a deterrent.' Captain Hume said the system of endeavouring to educate prisoners was a mistake. He reported further that he was strongly opposed to the issue of tobacco, and added: —"The prison diet is too liberal and I find the prisoners usually leave prison heavier in weight than on reception. This is not calculated to make our prisons places to be dreaded."

"Nature has been tremendously good to Wellington," remarked Mr 0. T. B. Norwood at the last meeting of the Wellington Harbour Board, in describing some of the impressions of his recent trip abroad. In addition to occupying the central position in tho Dominion, he said, it had the advantage of great natural facilities which it had been possible to improve with a minimum of expenditure, while other places in New Zealand were much less fortunately placed and endowed. Mr Norwood'said he had been greatly'impressed, in inspecting harbours in other parts of the world, with the concentration upon every detail that made for lower costs in the handling of ships and cargoes. He added that it would pay the Hkrbour Board to watch closely every in that direction.

An important event of interest to parents and children is the arrival of Father Christmas and the Polar Bear at Armstrong's, High street Shop on Monday at 3.15 p.m., and at their Colombo street Shop (Oxford terrace entrance) at 4 p.m. the same day. Bring the kiddies along—the Toy Department will be a dream of delight to them, as Armstrong's have the best selection of Toys in the City. <

Pea-Growers are urged to communicate with us regarding the Sunshine Pea Harvester, as machines will have to be ordered at once to be available for this harvest. The total cost, ineluding cutting, threshing, cleaning, sewing, and stacking bags was under 6d per bushel, or one-third of the cost of harvesting peas under the old method. We shall be glad to send prices and literature and call and discuss the machine with you. Agents, Andrews and Beaven, Limited, Christchurch. —6

Oliver Tractor Implements are made of high carbon steel and therefore the strongest and lightest draught on the market. Prices are also right. Enquire from T. and S Morrin and Fen wick, Ltd., 377 Moorhouso avenue. 'Phone 4349. — ®

John Johnston, Ltd., Hardware Merchants, Rangiora, established 1863, solicit farmers' 'orders for Binder Twine, Cornsacks, Suttons Celebrated Farm and Garden Seeds City prices. Enquiries invited. P.O. Box 'Phone 4. —6

Don't forget.that P. and D. Duncan. Limited, make the best Sweeps and Stackers. Both of these indispensable machines are made from hard wood and mild steel—good for twenty years' service. Sweeps to fold for transport in three minutes. Stackers mounted on four wheels; no time lost in dismantling and erecting. Stacks up to 27 feet can be built. P. and D. Duncan. Limited, 196 Tuam street, Christchurch. —6

Yon can get to work stripping grass seed a fortnight earlier with Holland's chain drum stripper than with any other make, and you will collect 50 per cent, more seed with it. When the white clover is ready, it will gather it all—no matter how short it may be — and it is the only Known, means of collecting clover seed too short to be cut with a mower! We can only make a limited number in the time available, so the moral is obvious! Get in—now! Booth, Macdonald and Co., Ltd. —1