General News.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20905, 12 July 1933, Page 8

General News.

"Too Much Publicity." A complaint that owing to the publicity being given to the Christchurch Business Men's Appeal, Christchurch was drawing applicants for relief from other centres was made by Mrs A. I. Fraer at a meeting of the committee of the Christchurch Metropolitan Relief Association last night. Mrs Fraer added that a little less publicity should be given. Land Board. The Canterbury Land Board began yesterday a meeting that is expected to last for three days. The business consists to a large extent of consideration of arrears and applications for postponements of payments of rents, and consequently will be taken in committee. Helping Library Staffs. To help members of library staffs in their work, the executive of the Libraries Association of New Zealand is considering the establishment of libraries dealing with librarianship, according to Mr E. J. Bell, of the Canterbury Public Library, who is secretary of the association. It is hoped that these professional libraries will be housed in the chief centres and that books will be available to library stalls and library authorities throughout the Dominion. It is intended to compile and circulate lists of the available literature on the subjects. Access to the Sea. The conference which has been convened for August 2 (o discuss the best means of gaming more direct access to the sea, either bv an estuary port or a tunnel road, is to comprise representatives ol local bodies and public organisations members of Parliament, and prominent citizens. The invitation sent out bv the Town Clerk (Mr J S. Neville) states that the conference will consider the setting up of an investigating committee of not more than seven members, to examine the whole question. City Council Rates. Every effort will be made by the Christchurch City Council when considering the estimates for 1900-34 34 not to increase the general rate from its present figure of 2.1 din the £. If this object is to be attained the finance committee, which is to meet to-dav, will require to comb the estimates of the different departments rigorously. The valuations of many city properties have been reduced considerably since last year, in some instances by the notation of the Urban Lands Ratine Act, and this means that either the general rate must be increased or an endeavour made to reduce expenditure as compared with last year's figures. First Sight of Motor-car. A youth 17 years of age stepped on to the wharf at Lyttelton last night and for the first time in his life saw a motor-car. He was fe. SmyJie, whose family lives at the Chatham Islands, and he was making his first visit to the mainland. Later in the evening he saw a railway train for the first time, and he was taken to see the big ferry steamer Rangatira. Then came the event to which he had long looked forward, a visit to a talking theatre. The boy told a representative of "The Press" that there were several young men and women at the Chatham Islands who had never visited the mainland. Although he had never seen a car, a train, or a motion picture before, he was familiar with the use of wireless, for there were a number of sets at the islands. Fire Appliances Tested.

In the report by Superintendent C. C. Warner to the meeting of the Christchurch Fire Board last night it was stated:—"ln the course of the brigade's inspection of fire appliances in both public and private buildings, the inspecting officer came across many liquid hand chemical extinguishers which were in such a bad state that they were considered dangerous for any person to use them in case of fire. These machines have now been repaired, tested, and recharged, and returned in good order and condition." Superintendent Warner added that these results further emphasised the urgent necessity for all owners of such appliances having them thoroughly overhauled.

Speed Limits. "The speed limits in cities and boroughs were discussed," said Mr F W. Johnston, reporting to a meeting of the council of the Canterbury Automobile Association last evening on an interview with Mr J. S. Hunter, Commissioner of Transport. "The commissioner considered that an increase in the present prima facie speeds might meet the case, and that the automobile associations should come to a joint decision and forward it to him for consideration. There is no doubt that the present limit of 15 miles an hour over intersections is too slow," concluded Mr Johnston. "The Gloomy Dean." "I would not blame anyone for becoming a pessimist after listening to Dean Inge," said the Rev. S. Varcoe Cocks, a vice-president of the World Student Christian Union, addressing a youth rally in the Durham Street Methodist Church last evening. "I heard him speak once at Leeds and later in St. Paul's, and he was indeed 'the gloomy dean.' Among his sayings which * remember was this: 'To-day we are watching the suicide of society.' " Durability of Concrete. "Already the disquieting fact has emerged that modern structures made with concrete designed and controlled by experts are not standing the test of time and service as well as expected," said Mr R. H. Packwood, resident engineer at the Waitaki Hydro, in an address on concrete given to the Canterbury College Engineering Society. "I» recently published literature, numerous examples of this fact are quoted, indicating that in an endeavour to comply with the demand for high early strength, the cement manufacturers have increased the lime content, with the result that the weather-resisting properties of the concrete are distinctly less.'' All potato growers should inspect P. and U. Duncan's New Digger, which is a most efficient machine, selling at a price within the reach of all growers. As simple \u use a single furrow plough, ah efficient as tlie most complicated digger June Ist 1933. Dear Sirs, Your new Pout.) Dig:.f is a splendid machin' and 13 d'if.gmg the potatoes as good as any of tly» expensive machines At such a price m small or large grower should be without one. I am much more than satisfied with the Machine, its work, and its price.—Yours faithfully, Alexander Hazlett and Elder (Marshland road 1 Price £l2 10s. P. and D. Duncan, Limited, 106 Tuam street, Christchurch, land at Ashburton. •— 8