General News.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19666, 9 July 1929, Page 10

General News.

We have received the following further contributions to the Kennedy Fund: Three Hawarden Friends, £1; Mrs Norman Martin 2s.

Last week the goods traffic through the Otira tunnel from the West Coast to Canterbury was 13,532 tons, as compared with 12,258 tons for the corresponding period last year. Yesterday the total was 2250 tons, and the goods trains to-day will bring 2000 tons. "What was the cost of that machine used for burning grass off the roads and footpaths, and is it effective?'' askecl Cr. J. A. Flesher, at the City Council meeting last evening. Cr. F. K. Cooke said a report would be obtained. Advice has been received by the Cbristcliurch Drainage Board that its application for a loan of £25,000 for advances to property-owners desirous of connecting their premises with the sewer will be considered by the Local Government Loans Board three weeks hence. Six cases of scarlet fever were notified for the 24 hours ended at noon yesterday. In the metropolitan area there were three {one each at Richmond, St. Albans, and Sydenham), and in the Springs County, Oxford County, and Ashburton Borough there were one each. "We in New Zealand love Boards and other kinds of local bodies; we love duplicating and overlapping the management of our own services instead ot breaking down and concentrating their control." —Mr E. J. Howard, M.P., speaking at yesterday's meeting of the Lyttelton Harbour-Board.

A lecture course extending over ten days is to be undertaken by the Department of Agriculture in certain rural districts of the province at an early date. The subjects will be or interest to farmers, the lecturers being four officers of the Department. It is not yet decided where the lectures are to be delivered.

The Superintendent of Parks and Beserves has reported to the City Council's Reserves Committee that Mr R. B. Owen had presented to the Council a valuable collection of some 130 trees and shrubs valued at £lB. The committee, has thanked Mr Owen, on behalf of the Council.

Mr S. E. Clements had an application before the City Council sitting as the Licensing Authority for No. 10 Omnibus District service between Christchurch and Oxford and Christ-church and Loburn, but when the matter was mentioned last night it was decided to hold it over until the nest meeting. During June the following stock were dealt with at the City Abattoir, the figures for 1928 being given in parentheses:—Slaughtered: Cattle 1408 (1488), sheep 5353 (6384), lamb 3 661 (609), pigs 1077 (1093), calves 402 (539). Condemned: Cattle 42 (27), sheep 10 (12), lambs 1 (0), pigs 6 (9), calves 21 (3). "You can't get a job nowadays if you are single," said a defendant at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, when charged with disobedience of a maintenance order. "I applied for a job as a driver recently, but when I informed them I was single, they refused my application, stating they required married men." The charge was dismissed. From Fitzgerald avenue to Colombo street Moorhouse avenue has been laid down in concrete on the south side. The road is not yet open to traffic for the reason that the bituminous concrete joints are not ready, but this work will be undertaken when there is an improvement in the weather. On the north side from 15 to 20 chains have been laid down*

For the Coronation Hospital "Wireless Fund 'lhe Pbess has received £ s 6d from C.R.P.

Mr H. S. S. Kyle, M.P., hopes to be successful in getting a £3 to £1 subsidy from the Main Highways Board for the reconstruction of Riccarton road. He has placed the request before the Public Works Department, and will get a reply shortly.

A white heron has been presented to the Canterbury Museum by the Westland Acclimatisation Society, and Messrs P. Feron and Co. have given a collection of New Zealand fish, including several rare specimens. The late Mrs Ensom has given an engraving, "The Declaration of Independence."

On Friday morning at 10.30 representatives of the City Council, Tramway Board, and Save the Square Committee will meet the Director of Town Planning (Mr J. W. Mawson), in conference at the City Council Chambers in connexion with the future of Cathedral square.

Though in Wellington they have what they call a "free" ambulance, the public pay for its upkeep, according to Mr 11. S. S. Kyle, M.P., He told the Riccarton Borough Council last night that a street collection had been taken up in Wellington last week for the ambulance, as it was not paying its way.

Cr. E. 11. Andrews asked at the City Council meeting last evening what steps had been taken to secure iand at the corner of Norman's road for improvement purposes. It was not a case of purchase, he said, as the land would be given if the Council's representatives went along and took it. Cr. D. G. Sullivan said he understood instructions had been given to do the work. The following cases of notifiable diseases were reported to the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. T. F. Telford) for the week ended at noon yesterday: West Coast: Diphtheria, three; puerperal sepsis, two; Canterbury: scarlet fever, 34 ; pneumonic influenza, three ; pneumonia, four, septic abortion, one; actinomycosis, one; food poisoning, one; tuberculosis, seven. There were two deaths in Canterbury from tuberculosis.

The City Council recently, obtained from the Sydenham School authorities the use of an additional piece of land adjoining the Sydenham bath. As the existing dressing sheds at the bath have fallen into a very bad state of repair, the Baths Committee was of opinion that the recently acquired land should be utilised for the erection of new dressing sheds. The estimated cost of the sheds, together with other minor repairs required at the bath, is £7O, and the Committee recommended to the Council last evening that this sum be placed on the estimates. The recommendation was adopted. A request has been received by the City Council from the Opawa Public Bath Committee for assistance in connexion with the carrying-out of repairs to the bath. This bath is situated on part of the land formerly occupied by the Opawa School, but a new school has been erected elsewhere. As a result, the bath has fallen into a state of disrepair, and, although it is situated just outside the City boundary, the Bath Committee considered that, as it is used extensively by residents of the City, the Council might see its way to make a contribution. The committee recommended that a sum of £ls be placed on the estimates for this purpose. Thii was approved.

An amazing discovery was recently made in the premises of a Palmerston North firm on opening a case which had been securely locked for five years, when it was found to contain an elaborate coffin of small dimensions with ornamental facings. The police were summoned, and on removing the lid found a heimeticallv sealed case within. This was opened, and they found the mummified body of a little black spaniel, which had been carefully embalmed, apparently as a sentimental idiosyncrasy of the owner. The body was promptly destroyed, removing the penetrating odour which led to its discovery. The case had been entrusted to the care of the firm five years ago by a client, "who said that he would claim it in two days. He has not yet returned.—Press Association.

Cr. E. H. Andrews complained at the City Council meeting last evening that the Reserves Committee had leanings towards the purchase of an American truck, instead of a British one. He hoped the Council would remember that the Council had a definite policy of giving preference to the local article, and if such was unobtainable, a British manufacture. Cr. P. W. Sharpe said he hoped the Council would buy the best article, irrespective of where it came from. In Britain the people were not doing what we were being asked to do. Heavy imports of manufactured goods were going into England from the Continent. They should think seriously before thev threw away the ratepayers' money _in order to give preference to British goods. Hardly any of the business men of Christchurch were driving English cars.

Chilblains successfully treated. M Houston (qualified by exam., London), Hand and Foot Specialist, Cathedral Chambers. 'Phone 8678 D. —7

Not "All Kidney Pie"—Oh no, there =re several different hot luncheon specials on the menu daily at the Tudor and Cooke's Tea and Luncheon Rooms. High street. —6