General News.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19612, 7 May 1929, Page 10

General News.

The case of birds' eggs and nests of native and imported species which has been in preparation for some time, is now on view at the Christchurch Museum. The cabinet contains specimens of all the commoner varieties arranged in drawers. In 1926, when the last Census was taken, the oldest European recorded himself ,rs 108 years of age. But a Maori went one better, claiming to be 125, "which," the Government Statistician remarks, "is understood to be easily the greatest age ever returned at any Census in New Zealand."

Messrs J. M. Baddeley and H. Knight, two members of the N.S.W. Legislative Assembly, who are appealing throughout the mining districts of the Dominion for funds to relieve the distressed miners in the Maitland area, are expected in Christchurch on May 16th. and will address a public meeting on May 19th.

Frequently during heavy rains flooding occurs at the corner of Durham and Victoria streets, and in order to obviate this in the future, tenders are being called by the Christchurch Drainage Board to improve the facilities for running storm-water off; it is proposed to extend the present drain to Salisbury street and to complete the work before the winter.

The re-registering of motor vehicles, according to Post Office officials, is proceeding more expeditiously this .year than at the corresponding date last year, and four clerks are now engaged on the work, whereas two normally suffice. Since April 15th, when the issue of the new number plates was commenced, 1115 motor-cars and other vehicles, and 137 motor-cycles have been re-registered. | Compliments were flying freely at an unemployed meeting in the Wellington Trades Hall last week. "You are not hungry, are you?" enquired Mr P. Fraser, M.P., of a burly young fellow who occupied a prominent position in the front seat. "No," promptly answered the youth addressed. "Physically, you don't look hungry," commented Mr Fraser, "but mentally you appear literally starved.'•

New regulations respecting 1 passports are contained in the latest Gazette.

We have received £3 from Mrs G. Leslie Rutherford, Macdonald Downs, as a contribution to the Kennedy fund. We have also received £1 from Mr Bradford for the same purpose, Yesterday the electric battery car which has been in use on the Rangiora and Little River lines was withdrawn for overhaul, and will be in the workshops for a week.

Repairs were commenced yesterday to the Cathedral tower, which was affected a little by the recent earthquake. A concrete-mixer was placed in commission in the grounds, and materials were hauled up to the balcony. Three Christchurch sportsmen enjoyed good shooting at Kaituna on the opening day of the season, and the succeeding day, 71 ducks falling to their guns. The shooters were Messrs W. Anderson, G. Green, and L. Odell. The reservation, for scenic purposes, over a forty acre block in Akaroa survey district was revoked by Gazette notice last week, on the ground that the land was no longer suitable for scenic purposes, by reason of the absence of bush of scenic value thereon.

It was reported to yesterday's meeting of the Christchurch Tramway Board that the Works Committee of the Christchurch Drainage Board had tinder consideration the question of filling in sewer connexions under the tram tracks with a weak mixture of concrete.

"You can't get a dog into it, it's only a box," said the inspector at last evening's meeting of the S.P.C.A., while discussing the lethal chamber belonging to the City Council. "They once got a dog into it. In fcfteen minutes it was still alive, so they took it out and drowned it!"

The preparation of the inscription for the brass memorial tablet, behind which Professor Bickerton's ashes are to be placed in the Canterbury College Hall, is at present in the hands of Dt. J. Hight. Rector of Canterbury College. Arrangements are being made for the ceremony attending the deposit of the ashes, and it is expected that Bishop West-Watson will take the service.

The Apprenticeship Conference opens at Wellington to-day, the Christchurch delegates being Messrs J. W. Roberts and O. T. Thurston. The idea of appointing a committee of five delegates from each side to wait on the Minister concerned has been abandoned, it being probable that if the Conference cannot com© to an agreement within two days on the main problems a committee will oe set up among themselves to make recommendations to the Minister.

Like Wellington, Christchurch has been unable to absorb the recent additions to office premises and shops available for renting, with the result that many are empty. Although there are not so many houses empty as there were in the summer, when many people move to the seaside or live in fiats, the supply is in excess of the demand, and it is evident that no shortage now exists. Colombo street, Sydenham, and Armagh street are thoroughfares in which property is now in good demand.

The mean temperature during the last week, said Mr H. F. Baird, of the Magnetic Observatory, yesterday, was 48 degrees; this is about three degrees less than the figures for the preceding week. An analysis of the figures showed that during the week just passed the temperatures during the daylight hours were somewhat in excess of the similar ones for the preceding week. However the nights during the last week were much colder than in the previous week, and the deficiency in temperature was due to that fact.

Recent additions to the Christchurch Museum include the following articles: —A badge of the Shropshire Light Infantry, presented by--Mr W. Bentley, of Ashburton; a Maori adze from Pirongia, presented by Mr E. Jfci. Segar; a rare fish, presented by Mr W. Poole, of Akaroa. An interesting addition is a copy of the first issue of the "Bath Herald," March, 1792, presented by Mrs Shelton. It is a small double sheet paper rather smaller than a modern daily. It contains a reference to the death of Sir Joshua Revnolds.

Already 39 soldiers' graves in the Bromley Cemetery have been moved into the new soldiers' burial ground, and the position of the project, reports Mr E. F. Willcox, secretary of the Christchurch R.8.A., is quite satisfactory. The re-interment of the soldiers is being carried out as soon :i« permission is obtained from the next-of-kin. Good progress is being made, also, in the lay-out of the area, and it is expected that in a month or so, when the first two rows of graves will be completed, the area will begin to take on a more dignified aspect. Tom, a tortoiseshell cat, the pride and joy of the crew of the liner Aorangi, met a trag.c end yesterday morning, being drowned in Auckland Harbour. In pursuit of a seagull, Tom climbed to the Aorangi's rail, but the bird swerved wide, and a splash in the water coincided with the cry of "cat overboard." The crew of the Aorangi lined the rail to watch their pet swimming bravely against the harbour swell, while in answer to a signal, a Press launch in the vicinity went to the rescue. After much angling with a boathook the cat was retrieved, but apparently it had been its ninth life and Tom, after a piteous sigh, succumbed. There was much sorrow it the Aorangi for'ard as the result }f the tragedy, as Tom had been a privileged passenger and companion.— Pkess Service.

Mr J. R. Darling, chairman of the Public Schools Empire Tour Society, has written to the organiser of the Canterbury Progress League (Mr P. R. Climie) as follows concerning the recent tour of English schoolboys through the Dominion:—Feeling that it would be a great pity if the associations we have formed in New Zealand were allowed altogether to lapse we have formed ourselves into a Society with the intention of doing something to help any New Zealanders who may visit England and not have friends there. The idea is that if anyone whom we have met in New Zealand comes over or knows anyone who is coming here he shall communicate with our hon. secretary, Francis S. Portal, Esq., Travellers' Club, Pall Mall. Lonl don, W., and Mr Portal will then put him in touch with one of the members of our Society. He will also do what he can to offer help or advice, if either is wanted. If you think this is at all a good idea, we should very much value your support in keeping it before our friends in Christchurch and particularly in bringing it to the notice of any who may not have received our circular through their names not being on the list.

Sprained Ankles successfully treated by M. Houston (qualified b'v exam O %£°a\ %* £ nd P and Specialist; Cathedral Chambers (over Beresford). fnone a Warm up at Cooke's these cold days —a hot cup of delicious tea or coffee for morning or afternoon tea Or a tasty, hot, light lunch. Very varied menu. The fudor and Coo&b ffijh street Tea Rooms. ±q Eansome Tractor Ploughs have all adjustments common to Colonial patterns, plus a few exclusive ones. They are all-British—all-steel; the 4-furrow converts to 3, the 3-furrow to 2; Mouldboards will outwear three sets of Colonial type boards, and they sell, complete with lift, at following prices, delivered —Two-furrow £4O; 3-furrow £SO, 4-furrow £62 10s, all less 5 per cent, for cash. Get catalogue and list of local users from Booth, Macdonald, and Ltd. -roe