General News.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19819, 6 January 1930, Page 8

General News.

It was rumoured in Invercargill on Fridav (says the "Southland Times") .that there was likely to be trouble with the butchers at one of the local freezing works, which might lead to a stoppage aftc- the opening clay.

A rainbow trout, claimed to be one of the biggest fish ever taken from the Waikaia stream, was caught last week in the neighbourhood of Argyle Station by Mr H. Kershaw, jun., says a southern exchange. It weighed 12Jlb and was in excellent condition. As evidence of the long mid-summer twilight in Invercargill, the Hamilton Airways aeroplanes were making ascents over the town there last week until after 9.30 p.m. The bowling tournament did not conclude until the same hour, and the light was still quite good. E. Scliofield, of Yaldhurst, who was hurt when his mount, Anon, fell at the Canterbury Park Trotting Club's Meeting on Thursday last, was discharged from the Christchurch Hospital on Saturday. The six-year-old boy, Joseph Harding, who was injured when some petrol exploded last Monday, is improving. One day last week a purse was left on the top of the telephone in the public box on the Dunedin Railway Station. The owner did not discover her loss until an hour afterward, but when she returned it was gone, and neither notification to the railway authorities and the police nor advertising have so far been successful in disclosing the finder. The purse contained £22, representing all the money she possessed. Amongst matters to be brought before the members of the Main Highways Board during their approaching visit to Canterbury is a proposal by the Ashburton County Council to straighten that portion of the Main South road from the southerly end ot the Rakaia railway and traffic bridge through the Rakaia township. The present alignment involves two sharp reverse curves at the sotuhern end of the township which the new alignment, if adopted, will do away with.

"Both crime and misdemeanour under the Police Offences Act have been considerably lighter this year than in 1928," said Inspector J. W. Hollis, who is in charge of the Auckland central police district and the detective branch of the Auckland force, to a "New Zealand Herald" representative. "AVbile there has been variety in the crime which ha.s been dealt with there have been only two outstanding cases during the past year."

The suggestion from the Government that a bag of ducks for one day should be limited to ten was rejected by the Havvke's Bay Acclimatisation Society two years ago. Now the shooting committee of the society has recommended that the limit should be fixed at fifteen. At present those who have taken out licenses regularly for many years say that if they are not to l>e given or allowed to have what they term a "fair innings" they will not take out a license next year. A number of license fees became payable to the City Council and other local authorities on January Ist, or as soon after as possible. From fees for licenses of various descriptions the City Council annually collects considerable revenue. The source from which the greatest amount was received in the financial year 1928-29 was publicans' licenses, which yielded £1982. Next in order were the fees for motor drivers' licenses, £1400; heavy traffic fees. £1214; and dog registrations, £IOSO. Holidaymakers returning home caused heavy traffic in the ferry service during the past two days. The Wahine brought 900 passengers to Lyttelton on Saturday morning, and the Maori arrived vesterday morning with 750. From Lyttelton the Maori took 720 on Friday 'night and the Wahine sailed with 900 on Saturday night. Last night the Maori left on a spscial trip to Wellington with about 500 passengers. She will make a daylight trip back to Lyttelton to-day, bringing a few passengers. From 40 to 50 children, drawn from the poorer homes of Christchurch, are at present enjoying a camp at Temuka, under the control of the Salvation Army. The camp is the outcome of a proposal by two citizens that the Army should conduct a Christmas camp for children who otherwise would not enjoy any such festivity, and the venture has been made possible by liberal private donations. Games, trips, lectures, and drill wiU be the programme for the gathering, which will last for a week. The children left for Temuka on Saturday, under the control of Brigadier F. W. Burton, Divisional Commander. What is considered a record of interest to farmers and shearers was put up by a gang of six shearers at Messrs Galpin Bros.' shed. Woodlands, Marton, on New Year's Day (says the "Wanganui Chronicle"). A total of 1724 ewes and lambs were shorn in 8 hours 50 minutes. One shearer had to do all the counting out and grinding of combs and cutters for the gang. Taking this into consideration the tallies are all the more creditable. Individual tallies were:—Mack Tompson 320, A. Gillam 301. P. Donovan 300, Wilson Marshall 292, F. Ackermann 270, and S. Brannigan 241. Mr B. G. Gower, of Foxton, witnessed an unusual happening in bird life in this country at* all events (says an exchange). He was walking on his verandah when his attention was drawn to a little grey warbler which was darting hither and thither among the branches of the shrubs bordering the lawn, but returning after each sally to a certain spot. On investigating, Mr Gower discovered the little bird was feeding a shining cuckoo. This, of course, is quite a common thing in England, but it is very unusual to fine! such a small bird as a grey warbler feeding another bird about ten times its weight. Hbw the shining cuckoo came to be adopted by the grey warbler is a matter for conjecture, as it would be a difficult matter for the parent bird to lay its eggs in a grey warbler's nest, which is very small and pear-shaped, with the entrance in the middle of one side. May we have the pleasure of showing you the "Bamlett" British made range of mowers and rakes, recognised as the world's best? These machines are now available in single and two speed models, and we have one model with double drive, that is. u drive from each rear wheel for the severest cutting. Please note our prices are very competitive and immediate delivery can be given. Agents, Messrs Andrews and Beaven, Limited. Moorhouse avenue. Christchurch. —6

If you see a Gold Band Taxi returning to the Square or depot empty, stop it and get in, as it will only cost you 6d a head wherever you are. Our prices are the cheapest, so why go elsewhere and pay more. Keep on 'Phoning 35-572 or 34-075 for a Gold Band Taxi. Thank You. —2

A good Hot Lunch at Cooke's or the Tudor Tea Rooms, High street, will set you up for a hard afternoon's Xmas Shopping. —6

If you want the best Tractor Plough in the world, there is only one place to get it, viz., P. and D. Duncan's Tuam street, Christchurch. A farmer purchasing one of these will not have to sell it for half-price in three, six, or twelve months, as has been done in many cases. The following fittings are to be found, in combination, only on our plough: Murray Lift; U. and S. Bkeiths and buckles; double steerage and rear lever; tailplates; oil-well wheels; best hammered scrap beams and legs throughout. Any size and weight to suit the roughest •ountry that is ploughable. '-fl