General News.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19888, 27 March 1930, Page 10

General News.

The Publio Trustee announces that in order to cope with the increasing business of tho Public Trust Office in Westport a branch office will be established there, with a district mana„er \ ew offices have been secured in Palnierston street and Mr J. E. Stokes, of the Christchurch Branch, has been appointed to be district manager at Westport. Hitherto the PubHr Trust Office has been represented at Westport by Mr W. T. Slee as agent. In the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning before Mr H. P. L&wry, S.M., Patrick Gillan, who was represented bv Mr C S. Thomas, pleaded guilty to a charge of shooting ducks during the close season. ' Your ™ ll note," said Mr Thomas, "that the defendant's first name is Patrick. I asked him if he nad any reason tor shooting the ducks. He said No, they attacked me and I had to shoot them in self-defence.'" Gillan iraa fined £3 and costs. Three extra football grounds will be available nest year at South Hagley Park, gangs of men being now engaged in preparing the acres for that purpose. Other men aro employed in Hagley Park in the removal of decayed, trees, mostly willows, but in some cases oaks, which it is intended to replace as soon as possible. As a good proportion of the Park is spoiled by barley grass, especially the area lying between the United Tennis Court and Kiccarton road, it is intended to clear it, put iji a crop of potatoes, and later sow it 10 grass One of the flags carried by Squadron-Leader C. E. KmgsfordSmith on his trans-Tasman flight, which was won by the Tai Tapu Dairy Company in a raffle to provide funds for hospitals, now hangs in a neat case in the North Canterbury Hospital Board's room at the Public Hospital. The Tai Tapu Dairy Company, considering its future historic value and the purpose for which it was presented, thought that the Hospital would be the most appropriate place for the flag to hang. The Hospital Board, at yesterday's meeting, accepted the offer with thanks.

Within the next few years there will be a beautiful new avenue of trees along North Park road, commencing at the Carlton Bridge and finishing at a point some little distance past Helmore's lane. At present there are ticos on the north side of the road, but there are signs that several 01 them will not last much longer. The now line of trees will be planted in front of them, and when they have attained sufficient growth and the older trees are removed there will he room for the construction of a drive between the former trees and another line of trees now growing further back. Holes will be prepared in a month's time for the new trees, which will be American Red Cedars.

Recently Mr D. Roese wrote to the Canterbury Progress League suggesting that a better train service bo established between Christchurch _ and the West Coast for tho convenience of tourists. Tho matter was discussed at a conference yesterday afternoon between the Railway Business Agent (Mr F. Pawson) and the Railwav and Transport Committee of the League, when Mr Pawson said that it was very probable that an extra express would would shortly be run on Mondays as well as the usual trains on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. He had made strong representations to this effect. It was decided to press for such a train at tho next meeting of the League. The librarian of tho Canterbury Public 'Library reports that February was a busy month and that 15,942 volumes were issued for home reading compared with 14,G09 for tho month of February last year. The adult membership was increased by the ..addition of 113 new members. Close upon 150 new volumes were added to the circulating shelves. In the reference library the number of books consulted reached a total of 5766, compared with 48*27 for February of last year. New volumes added to the shelves in this department numbered 77. Close upon 2000 books were issued from the children's library, which now has a membership of I<oo boys and girls.

An echo of the tour of the British Empire farmers was heard yesterday, when Mr 'F. Pawson, Railway Business Agent, was conferring with the North Canterbury Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. M'r Pawson, in the course of a speech, stated that ho entirely agreed with a remark made by one member of the party to the effect that New Zealand beef was of inferior quality. "There arc two things which cannot be produced here." he is beef, and the other is fish; The flavour of the beef is inferior to that produced in the northern hemisphere, but there is a rea6on for it. In England, cattle are confined in yards for the greater part of the year and fed on oil cake. Hence, they are not moving about and keep more tender, which is not the case out here, where the cattle through roving about become tough." His remarks occasioned a good-humoured storm of protest from the members of the Union.

Harvesting Peas. —Seven Sunshine Header-Harvesters are now at work in Canterbury and will have harvested by the end of this week 500 acres of partridge peas. Tho reduction in harvesting costs in peas is even greater than when heading wheat. A demonstration will be held at .West Eyreton on Mr Colin Mcintosh's farm, on Saturday next, March 29th. Agents for Sunshine Header-Harvester, Andrews and Beaven, Limited, Christchurch. —6

'The Gold Band Taxis have always given you good service, so why change? Stick to the firm that brought the fares down, and keep on 'phoning 34-075 and 35-572 for a Gold Band Taxi. —2. Cooke's ar© pleased to state that their beautiful Tudor Tea Rooms have been booked up for more than seven Wedding Breakfasts and Receptions during the- coming Easter. We are able to book up a number more, and to avoid disappointment it is advisable to arrange reservation now. Catering for any number. —6

Great interest is being taken in the new firm of taxis known as the "Bed Bands," and cheap fares are promised to the public, so give them a trial by 'phoning 36-240 for a Bed Band Taxi. Garage, 142 Tuam street. —3