General News.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20790, 25 February 1933, Page 14

General News.

The 10 per cent, penalty will be imposed on all Paparua County Council rates not paid to-day. The amount levied was £B9OO, and yesterday only about £6OO was outstanding.

Reports on the condition of the following rivers have been received by the secretary of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society:—Waimakariri, Rakaia, and Rangitata, dirty; Ashburton, fishable; Ashley, Cam, and North branch and main drain, elear and fishable; Hurunui, dirty.

"The majority of prosecutions undsr the Unemployment Act have beon failure to register or effect payment of the levy," " ,says the annual report of the Unemployment Eoaj'd. ''Proceedings were instituted in some 800 cases up to March 31, 1932, and in 630 cases fines were imposed upon conviction. In 160 cases the defaulters were convicted and discharged, with or without payment of costs, and iu 10 cases the informations were dismissed. Approximately £9OO was imposed in fines, of which £4ll was actually credited to the fund by March 31."

The Chief Justice, the Rt. Hon. Sir Michael Myers, was the principal witness for the prosecution in the Wellington Magistrate's Court yesterday, in a case in which he was responsible for the information being laid. Incidents on the Hutt road on Sunday afternoon,.December 18, attracted the attention of the Chief Justice, and as a result Herbert J. S. Kickard, a city chemist, waß charged with driving in a manner yrhich might have been dangerous to the public. After hearing the evidence of the Chief Justice, his chauffeur, Tralfic Inspector Avery, and several witnesses for the defence, Mr Hewitt, S.M., considered that there was room for reasonable doubt, and accordingly dismissed the charge.—Press Association.

"This is a very serious letter for any company to send," stated Mr C. 11. Orr Walker. S.M., at the Ashburton Magistrate's Court yesterday, when he road a letter from a firm in Christchurch to the defendant in a case to the effect that unless he sent money alleged to have been collected on the firm's behalf before a certain date the company intended 'to issue a warrant for his arrest. "Did you see this letter?" lie asked Serjeant W. T. Kelly. "It is an improper letter. What right had the firm to say this?" commented the Magistrate. At the conclusion of the hearing, Mr Walker said: "The firm is to bo condemned in the strongest terms. Its action is wholly improper, and I am not sure it is not something woibc than that." !

The proposal that the Christchurch Drainage Board should refund to the Riccarton Borough Council the amount of the excess of drainage rates collected in the borough in 1929, was opposed by the Christchurch City Council, and the other local bodies in the board's district, with the exception of the Riccarton Borough Council, when it was discussed at a conference about two years ago. It was then contended that excess collections were made when a local body's valuation was revised and that, over i> period of years, matters adjusted themselves. It is understood that Cr. J. MeCombs, M.P., intends moving the insertion of a clause in the Drainage Board's Bill at present before Parliament, which >yill provide an alerhative method to that proposed in the amendment that Mr H. S. S. M.P., has submitted.

[ The Canterbury-Westland District: Mortgage Adjustment Commission, which resumed on January 23, and concluded its sittings in Christehurch on February 22, dealt with 96 applications. 1 There are 234 applications awaiting hearing in Canterbury. The Commission goes to Timaru and Waimato on Tuesday, February 28. At Timaru there arc CI applications, and at Waimatc there are 15 applications waiting to bo dealt with. Mr J. R. Cuningliam, the chairman of the Commission, stated yesterday that there- appeared to bo r,o abatement in the number of applications being received, and the work was lively to become heavier between now and the end of the'farming year—say, till May. ■ Afterwards the adjustments for tho existing year would have to be reviewed, though in many cases tho parties would follow what had been done the previous year, and so adjust matters themselves.

That he is not afraid of work, though 80 vears of age, has been demonstrated bv Mr James F. Bolting, a resident of Edendale, who recently returned to bis former occupation as a shearer and is now preparing to work a gold claim at Cromwell. In spite of his advanced age Mr Dotting has this yeqr exhibited an activity and determination to overcome the difficulties of the times that might be emulated by many men younger than himself. For 10 years he had done no shearing, but* under the stress of the times lie decided to work in the sheds this season, and obtained employment with Mr Melntyre and Mr Williamson on their properties in Waikaka valley. TJntiJ ho got his hand in be could shear only 60 sheep a, day, but soon bis former skill returned, and he was able to put through 84 a dfy. Shearing being finished, he decided to return to the occupation of his youthful days, when he w;is a gold digger and Waggon driver in the gold rush period in Central Otago, Accordingly he bought- a horse and cart and a prospector's outfit in preparation for setting out for CronnvcTl to work a claim.—"The Press" Service.

Professor A. C. Paterson, former Processor of Classics at Auckland University College, who died recently, bequeathed his library to the college and £IOOO to keep the library up to date.. His estate was sworn at under £IO,OOO. —Press Association.

Up till 4 p.m. yesterday £82,693 had been collected of the 1932-33 rates levied by tho Christchurch City Council out of a total of £333,354, or 24,806 per cent. o«f the total levied. On the corresponding date last year out of a total levied of £333,729, the sum of £80,482, or 24.116 per cent, of the total hn<l been collected. The increased amount collected to date this year, is equal to 13s 9d in every £IOO levied.

The semi-final round matches for the Canterbury Cricket Association's championship will be* continued to-day as follows: —Lancaster Park (260) v. lUccarton (four runs for 0) at Lancaster Park; Sydei ham (3GG for nine) v- Old Collegians at Hagley No? 1 (the winners of these two matches will play i'if the final); West Christchurch (325) v. East Christchurch (five for 0), Hagley No. 2; and Old Boys (31fi) v. St. Albans (77 for one), Hagley No. 3.

Unusual objects attracted the attention of a thief who entered tlio Salvation Army Citadel in Invercarcill ono night this week. He stole a euphonium, a cornet, and'a tuba horn. It is believed that the thief was a man familiar witlr'tiio building and the instrument store, and that he lenow beforehand at what hours the Citadel would bo unoccupied.

Races in which the compotifur's were Uiiul formed a feature of the Blind Institute's picnic, held at Motuihi Island, Auckland, this ween. To prevent them i'lom deviating from the course, the runners were guided by a bell, which was rung from behind tho finishing tape throughout oacli race. Tho "Walking straight'' event for blind entrants wus a novel competition. Competitors had to walk 100 yards, and, although they were guided by a bell lor a third of the distance, they had to traverse tho rest of tho way unaided.

"The marked differenco In demeanour and attention to work between apprentices and unbound boys makes one feel that a binding apprenticeship for a number of years is neither in the best interest of tho boys nor of tho employers." said Mr R. G. Porter, in his presidential address to the Auckland Ironmasters' Association. "I think a very strong effort should be mado to secure greater powc for employers in the dismissal of apprentices," Mr Porter added.

The February issue of the "New Zealand Magazine," p. publication given 1o the presentation of definitely New Zealand storieß and articles with illustrations by New Zealand artists, contains an interesting account of an interview with the Dominion authoress, Miss Nelle E. Scanlaji, three short stories, as well as several articles on varied subjects. The publication is attractively produced.

A contention that those governing cricket did not display enthusiasm and enterprise equal to that of the controllers of kindred sports, such as tennis, was made at the meeting this week of the Wellington Cricket Association's Management Committee by Mr W. P. Walker. Mr Wajker, who is also a member of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, stated that when important tennis matches were being played all the officials helped with the arrangements and offers of assistance were also received from enthusiasts connected with the game. He thought that former prominent cricketers could show greater keenness in offering to help when needed.

While «ig-game fishing on Kuahinc Reef, Whangaroa, last week-end, Mr Stanley Ellis had an exciting experience with a huge turtle, winch fouled his trolling line in attempting to cross tho wake of the launch. The turtle became 4ouble-liooked, and when landed vm found to weigh 11201b. The strange catch took off the line an an alarming rate, and during the whole 40 minutes' play severely strained the rod and gear. The turtle finally came to the surface a considerable distance from the launch, and was reeled alongside and secured. At this moment a swordfish appeared, circling the launch at a great speed. Upon bait -being thrown, the fish turned immediately and struck. In spite of the predicament in which the angler and launchmea found themselves, with the huge bulk of the turtle hampering operations, and a very lively swordfish reeling off the line, they were able to secure it within 30 minutes, the swordfish mal ing an additional 2801b to the bag.

The s.s. Akaroa arrived, in Akaroa. harbour at 9.80 o'clock yesterday morning, anchoring about two miles out from the wharf, and about one mile from Wainui. The Mayor, Mr F. R. Davis, borough councillors, and members of the various Peninsula local bodies, accompanied by their wives, paid an official visit to the ship and were entertained at luncheon on board. The Mayor presented to ihe shio three panoramic photographs of Akaroa on behalf of the Borough Council. About 950 persons, including several parties of school children visited the ship during her stay and all classes of launches and fishing boats were requisitioned for transport purposes. A number of the passengers and officers of the ship came ashore in the afternoon, and were shown the town. Some were taken for a motor run along the Summit road. The Akaroa sailed at 4.45 p.m. for Auckland.

In this , issue the Railway Department advertises particulars of train arrangements and fares in connexion with the Banks Peninsula races at Motuknrara on Saturday, March 4. Tho 3.50 p.in. Ashbiirton-Christcliurch train on Friday, March 3, will bo delayed and will leave Ashburton at 4.30 p.m. and arrive at Christchurcb at 7.1 p.m. Tho 6.40 p.m. Rakaia-Methven train on Saturday, March 4, will be delayed and will leave Rakaia at 7.23 p.m. and arrive at Methven at 8.35 p.m.

It has been decide- that the diamond jubilee of the Cambridge Terrace Methodist Church be celebrated at the enl of May this year. Arrangements aio being made for a series of meetings in keeping with the important occasion.

Disclaimer.—ll was published recently that tuxi fares aro to be raised, but the Gold Band taxis are determined to keep them down, and it is up to every reader of this pupeito support them as the Gold Band Taxis are supporting you. Watch our next move, it will startle you. ThanK you. ' . —k

Farmers will be interested in P. and D. Duncan's new light-weight threefurrow plough that has just been put on the market. It is fitted with specially strong faggoted beams, undercut Bkeiths mado to swivel or fix, and patent riding gear, and the priee is free of all taxes and covers delivery to farmers' railway station. The lightestdraught plough on the market. P. and D. Duncan, Limited, 196 Tuam street, Christchurch, and at Ashburton. —1

Brighton Trots tips—Gold Band Taxi tares to trotH are only 6s for ftvo passengers; why pay more in the trams — make tip parties of five and 'phone for a Gold Band taxi. Our lowest fare is still Is and 6d a mile for a full taxi. yotu —6