General News.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20328, 29 August 1931, Page 12

General News.

"Look up, will you," commanded Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., to a youth who kept his face hidden while he was standing in the dock to answer a conversion charge at the Magistrate's Court yesterday. The youth raised his head slowly. "Ah, yes. _ I thought I had seen you before 1" said the Magistrate.

A Lyttelton business man received a surprise when he opened his mail one morning this week. One letter contained a postal note for 3s 2d, and on an accompanying sheet of paper was written "Please accept this as 'Conscience Money'." The recipient states that it is his first experience of the kind during forty years in business.

Twelve to eighteen inches of snow is lying at Jack's Hut, two miles from Arthur's Pass Station, according to a report received yesterday from Guide Oscar Coberger'. There were about two feet on the ski-ing grounds at Hill's Peak, with a few inches on the road some distance from the station. Bright sunshine prevailed at the Pass yesterday.

Among the passengers from Dunedin by last night's express were a large number of Otago University students, who were on their way to their homes in the North Island to spend the spring vacation. There were also several students whose homes are in Christchurch. The final term at Otago University begins on September 14th.

Excitement was caused among the workers in a large building in Queen street, Auckland this week, when a Mills bomb was discovered on the stairway between the basement and the first floor. Investigation proved that it was a "dud," and contained no detonator or powder. Nevertheless the bomb was handled gingerly and placed in a safe overnight. It was handed to the police next day.

The Mayor desires to acknowledge the following donations to the Coal and Blanket Fund : —State Fire Office staff 10s, proceeds from Christchurch Gas Co.'s stall at Winter Show £l3 3s 8d; proceeds from M.E.D.'s stall at Winter Show £29 9s 3d; Wholesale Warehouse Clerks' Society £1 Is; proceeds from concert by Christchurch Municipal Band in Civic Theatre, Sunday, August 23rd, £4 14s 4d.

A trial of boys' voices will be held at the Cathedral on Wednesday, September 9th, at 10 a.m., to select boys to fill vacant choristerships. Choristers receive free education at the Cathedral Grammar School so long as they remain in the choir, and are entitled to a further period of one or more years, subject to the continued approval of the Chapter. They receive also a musical training which should be valuable in after life.

About a year ago the Palmerston North Citizens' Lunch Club handed over to the district probation officer £5 *0 be lent at his discretion to boys in need and looking for work. It was reported at a recent meeting of the club that this £5 had been loaned and reloaned no fewer than 20 ttines, and in every instance the money had been refunded. About 9s was owing on the last loan, and that amount the probation officer expected to have returned very shortly.

Policemen make arrests in strange placeß at times, but it is not often that they catch their men in the middle of a river. Yet this was the experience of a Christchurch constable on Wednesday night. He had interrupted two men in a car to which they had no right, and both had run off at his approach. He kept close on the heels of one of them, who shaped a course that led him to the Avon a 1 a place where there was no bridge. The man started to wade across, but the "constable followed, and caught him mid-way over.

"All travelling, teams put on condition when thev come to the Dominion," said Mr F. T. Evans, in welcoming the Australian Rugby team on behalf of old players at yesterday's civic reception. "The South Africans all put on extra weight, and blamed it to the qualitv of our butter. Ultimately the manager had to put them on half rations." "We have all put on condition since coming to New Zealand," said the manager (Mr T. S. Davis) in liis response, "and were wondering what was the cause of it." (Laughter.) Claiming to have evolved a scheme which will provide every unemployed person in the Dominion with constant work for a lifetime, a Hastings organisation, the 00-operative Union of New Zealand, has placed its aims before the National Economic Committee. In a circular just issued, the OTganiastion claims to have remedies for many economic ills, and it is stated that with Parliament's approval taxation can be immediately halved, while it can be abolished Entirely within ten years. The circular does not state how this is to be achieved.

The Commissioner of Crown Lands. Nelson, invites applications _ for 150 acres first-class land adjoining the Waimaunga railway station, about thirteen miles south of Reef ton, knoWn as the Waimaunga Experimental Farm. The ballot will be held on Tuesday. September 29th, 1981. Further particulars are advertised.

The New Zealand Railway Department has recently placed with Messrs Brown Brothers, Electrical Engineers of this City, a further order for 40 BriggsStratton Air-cooled Petrol Engines, to be used for "jiggers" by their Maintenance Department. These will «be divided between the North and South Islands, making a total number of 47 now in use. Considerable economy is being effected by the use of these engines. —* Ladies should watch this paper next week, as there will appear something that will interest you and your boys and husbands, but in the meantime keep on 'phoning 34-075 or 35-572 for a Gold Band Taxi, as their lowest fare is only Is for 5 passengers and luggage. Why pay more. Thank you. —2

Perhaps it's the old people who want your photograph —perhaps it's a son or daughter who would like to see your Eortrait smiling encouragement —peraps it's a friend who often thinks of you. Call at STEFFANO WEBB, 262 High street, and he'll make a portrait that you will be proud to send. Telephone : 35-457.

John Johnston, Ltd., merchants, established 1863, Direct importers of British and American hardware and machinery. 'Phone 4. P.O. "Box 1. llangiora. —1 A startling announcement will be made in this paper next week, so don't fail to look for it, as you will not regret it, but in the meantime keep on 'phoning 34-075 or 35-572 for a Gold Band Taxi, as they are the cheapest in New Zealand. Lowest fare Is for 5 passengers and luggage. —1 P. and D. Duncan, Ltd. I have used your chilled cast iron shares under the most trying conditions in hard stony ground you would think no share could stand up to it being that hard and dry. During the two' years 1 - have used your shares I have never broken one. I reckon that's where they beat the imported. lat least have found it 60, as my expenses when using them were heavy through breakages.—levels. June, 1931. P. and D. Duncan, Ltd., -196 Tuam street (Box 124), Christchurch and at Ashburton.