General News.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20916, 25 July 1933, Page 10

General News.

j + J Trees for Schools. The Sehvyn Plantation Board yesterday allocated a total of 3000 young trees to be distributed among Canterbury schools during the present. season. The allocation was made in committee, but after the meeting the chairman (Mr G. Hall) stated that the gift had been made free of jharge, since the schools had been unable to grow their own trees this year. Blankets Being Sold. It was stated at the meeting of the Metropolitan Relief Association yesterday that some of the blankets which the association lias been supplying to needy families at halfprice had already been sold by the families which received them. Members expressed the opinion that action should bo taken against people who abused the relief system in such a fashion, and it was agreed to look into the matter further. Hat-Proof Blocks. One of the many advantages of the new ferro-concrete blocks which have been erected in the Napier business area is the fact that they arc practically rat-proof and the retailers arc thus being saved from losses which at times before the earthquake proved heavy through the depredations of rats. At this time of the year rats make their presence felt most heavily and householders arc waging a war against them. "Hit or IMiss" Surgery. The dangers surrounding _ the work of surgeons when the science was in its infancy were explained in a grim but amusing manner to members of the Christchurch Business Men's Club yesterday by Dr. David N. Eppstein in an address. It was on record, he said, that a surgeon had once severed a patient's limb successfully, but in the process he removed three fingers from his assistant's hand and the coat-tails of an onlooker! This, the doctor explained. was before the days of anaesthetics , when the surgeon had V) work with the greatest possible speed amid the cries of the patient. Women's Groat Task. The opinion that women's part in the modern world should be to care for the moral and social welfare of the nations rather than to appear in the political arena was expressed by Miss Charlotte Niven. world secretary of the Young Women's Christian Association, in an address in Christchurch yesterday. "In savin" civilisation we have to save the soul of the world." she remarked. "Only thus can we leave the way open for a better, freer, and more generous existence." The duty of a women's Christian organisation was largely to care for things of the spirit. As it hapDened. once Christ's teaching was admitted there could be no alternative. Destroyers of Trees. "I was very pleased to see the reference in to-day's issue of 'The Press' to the disgust expressed by trampers on the Cashmere Hills to the deliberate cutting of saplings near Victoria Park," remarked Mr W W. Scarfl", a member of the Heathcote County Council, to a reporter yesterday. The county was attempting to improve tlie banks of the Heathcote from opposite the sanatorium grounds towards the foot o f Dyer's Pass road, Mr Scarff said, but was being deterred from planting expensive trees because of previous experiences with vandals who had stolen trees planted for beautification purposes. If thev could rel.v on members of the public leaving the trees alone the stretch of river bank referred to could be much imnroved by planting. Ho mentioned that last vear some rhododendron *hrub < v which had cost 3s 6d each and which were in a fenced naddock. were stolen. Old Boys in London. An inaugural dinner of old hoys of the Christchurch Boys' High School was held in London on July 5, when a branch of the Old Bovs' Association was formed, and Mr Arthur Sims was elected the first president. Though no advice has yet been received in Christchurch giving any fuller information concerning the function, an earlier message stated that it was hoped that the Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes), who is an old boy of the school, and Professor D. B. Copland, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce at Melbourne University, a former master, would be present. Other schools with old boys' organisations in London are Christ's College, Nelson College, Otago Boys' High School, Wellington College, Wanrr>nui Collegiate School, Auckland Grammar School, Waitaki Boys' High School, and King's College. National Characteristics. A manner of dressing, certain differences of speech, and a reserved bearing are among the characteristics of New Zealanders, remarked Miss Helen Randall, an American teacher, who, together with her sister, Miss A. Randall, spent the week-end in Christchurch. She was unable to define the way in which the dress of New Zealand women—and also men—differed from American fashions, but she had noted it, along with the fact that New Zealanders say "reel of cotton" for "spool of thread." and "schedule" instead of "skedule." "While wc have been here people have even made conversation with us just to hear us talk American," she said. "But they were nice about it, and we admitted that they were no more fascinated in hearing us talk than we were in listening to them." Waste of Skilled Labour. "It is when we see work of this nature that we must conclude there is a deplorable economic waste of skilled labour," said Mr F. M. Waters, chairman of the Manukau County Council, at the official opening of the Papatoetoe Town Board's new offices. Mr Waters' remarks were about the furniture of the offices, which had been made by relief workers, the workmanship being of a very high standard. Mr Waters said it was regrettable thet men of such capabilities were only employed on unskilled relief wonts The best fleet of plain De Luxe Taxis are those of the Gold Band Taxis, they have no marks or bands, and are used only for special work such as weddings. funerals, balls, parties, and private trips: and remember the fares arc the same low taxi fares, so try them and be convinced and you will always ride in them. Thank you. —2