General News.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20898, 4 July 1933, Page 8

General News.

+ Size of Parliament. "The legion has fcJt that Ibis is a question on which it cannot give any opinion yet," said Mr John MacGibbon in answer to a question put at a meeting of women last evening whether the New Zealand Legion approved of tiic idea of reducing the number of members of Parliament. "However, if .you want my own private opinion, it is th;it it would be a good thing to reduce the numbers by half, if not more. (Applause.) Party or Legion. "What is the position of a mem-1 ber of the New Zealand Legion who is also a member of, say, the Reform | League—how does he or she rate?" j was a question asked of Mr John Mac Gibbon at a meeting of women last evening at which the principles of the New Zealand Legion were outlined. "I am afraid I shall have to answer that by saying that man cannot serve two masters," he replied. "You would certainly have to sacrifice your party allegiance in such a case." Health Statistics. For the second week in succession the West Coast health district has reported a clean bill of health, being free of infectious and other notifiable diseases. In the Canterbury health district for the week ended noon yesterday six cases were reported, a decrease of eight compared with the total of the previous week. The cases were:—Scarlet fever, two; diphtheria, one; tuberculosis, two; bacillary dysentery, one. There were four deaths from tuberculosis reported in the Canterbury district. Maori Graves Desecrated. Complaints of the desecration of Maori graves and burial places have been reaching Sir Apirana Ngata. Minister for Native Affairs. In view of these, Sir Apirana yesterday drew attention to the fact that those guilty of trespassing on or desecrating Maori and burial caves are liable to punishment under .Section 2 of the Maori Councils Amendment Act. 1903. This provides for a fine of £25 or three months' imprisonment, or both. Jurisdiction can be exercised only by a stipendiary magistrate, on information laid by the chairman of a Maori Council —Press Association. Drivers' Licenses. Criticism of the action of the Christchurch City Council Traffic Department in requiring the attendance of an applicant in person when renewing a driver's license, was expressed by Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday. It was stated that defendants had sent to the department to have their licenses renewed, but their representatives had been advised that the applicant in person must appear. In some cuses it was most inconvenient that this requirement be observed. The Magistrate said that the regulation was ridiculous in the circumstances. The public should not be inconvenienced, hj" said, and at any rate representations would be made to Wellington about the matter. "T< allow a man to be haled before court in these circumstances is going pretty far," he remarked.

Display of Soldiers' Handicrafts. The Canterbury Disabled Soldiers' Civil Re-establishment Committee hopes to have a considerably larger display of disabled soldiers' handicraft products at this year's Winter Show. Mr W. E. Leadley, the secretary, stated at yesterday's meeting that owing to the many distinguished visitors at the stall last year, including the Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe, it was desired that, this year's display should be more comprehensive and in a more central DOsition. Mr J. Murphy said that he thought, the space committee of the show, of which he was a member, would be quite willing to grant extra accommodation in a good position at no additional cost. Fly Shooting Tastime. The story of a bank clerk who lived on the premises of a branch and who amused himself by lying in bed on Sunday mornings and shooting flies 011 Ihe ceiling with the bank revolver, was told at an accountants' luncheon yesterday by Mr J. Mac Gibbon, formerly manager of the Bank of New Zealand in C'hristchurch. Mr Mac Gibbon said that on being transferred to one branch, he found the walls and ceiling of one room riddled with holes. He discovered that one of the clerks had been in the habit of shooting flies as a pastime. The walls of a landing were also badly perforated, and Mr Mac Gibbon said lie found that the same clerk used to sit on the top of the stairs, place • lighted candle half way down and try to "blow it out" by shooting at it with the bank revolver. A Good Record. Acknowledging a resolution placing on record appreciation of his 19 years' work as honorary treasurer of the Marlborough Patriotic Association, Mr E. J. Harvey remarked at the annual meeting last week that he had regarded the work as a hobby. "I never anticipated being able to get away on war service," he said, "and my service actually consisted of three months' training at Trentham. During that period two cheques were signed, and they are the only ones that have been issued that I have not signed in the 19 years since the fund was started." Mr Harvey added that every entry in the books had been written out bv himself, and had a complete record ot every donation and every transaction connected with the fund. "I look on your appreciation as my war medal," he concluded, amid applause. Well-matured Honey. At the annual show of the Taicri Poultry Society on Saturday, at Mosgiel, there was on view a jar of honey bottled 35 years ago. The jar, which was shown by Mr J. J. Callander, had been sealed and stowed away in an attic and was only recently brought to light. The honey was of a claret colour and possessed a delightful flavour.

Sports, why do you pay more lo so to the Races in trams ;it Od single to Addington—this is 3s Od for five persons, but by taking a Gold Band Taxi it will only cost you 2s 6d. The same applies to Riccarton and Brighton, so think it over as Gold Band Taxi tares are the lowest. Thank you. —1