General News

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 21049, 28 December 1933, Page 6

General News

Books in Demand. Evidently a large number of the subscribers to the Canterbury Public Library intended to spend part of the holiday season reading, a very keen demand for books being evident before the holidays commenced. Saturday was a particularly busy day for the library staff, a great many books being taken out on that day. A Brief Slorm. A break in the fine weather experienced yesterday occurred with startling suddenness about 1.30 p.m., when dense clouds rolled up- trom the south-west and, following a furious burst of wind, drenched parts of the city with very heavy raindrops. The burst of wind was general over the city, but the heavy shower following it did not reach some of the suburbs. In the areas where the rain fell pedestrians and cyclists were caught unawares and many were drenched before they could reach shelter. The shower passed as quickly as it came, and, 10 minutes after the clouds first appeared in the sky, all that remained to show that they had passed was the vapour rising from the hot bitumen of the streets. A Blazing Tar-Barrel. A huge cloud of black smoke rising from the; centre of the block between Cashel street and Lichfield street, west of Colombo street, about 3.30 p.m. yesterday attracted fire engines, policemen, and a large crowd of spectators from the neighbouring streets. In the gusty wind that, was blowing at the time the smoke eddied high above the surrounding buildings and gave (he impression that a large lire had broken out, but actually the source ol the trouble was :i barrel of tar, which had caught fire while being healed ,il the back of Ihe foundry of Anderson:-;, Ltd., in Lichfield shed. Two lire engines arrived on the scene within a few minutes of •he hi.,l .-.moke being observed and Jive miiinies later the lire had been pui. on! t,v means of chemical ex--1 iugui:. her;:. Steaming Sireels. ('bristehiireli doc; not oll.en Jiave cause to be compared with a thermal district, but after a sudden shower early yesterday afternoon all the asphalt-paved streets and footpaths were obscured by such clouds of steam that thermal activity was the most obvious parallel. Ileal after a little rain usually produces some steam from asphalt surfaces, but yesterday the shower came after exceptional heat, and was followed by bright sunshine, while- in addition the strong breeze blowing at the time had the effect of massing the clouds of vapour, which rose about four feet above the road level. Memorial Deliled. It is a common practice for visitors to popular resorts to mark the fact by carving or writing their names or initials on some particular place of interest. The shelter at the top of Conical Mill, Hanmer, has not escaped recognition in this respect, and there is scarcely a space lor any further names to be added. However, there are evidently some people who have so little respect for things that should be sacred that they will defile a memorial tablet. The tablet which was placed on a roc!: at. the summit of Conical Hill in memory of Mr Duncan Rutherford, and which was unveiled by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G V. Forbes) yesterday, had hardly been pla'-ed in position before somebody marked if with his or her ini'iafs. and 'lie contractor had considerable difficulty in erasing them before the unveiling ceremonv took place. Country Looking- U'ell. While North Canterbury is still very dry farmers in districts south of the "Waimakariri have now had a'l tin; rain they need, and any more might do some harm. The crops as a whole arc looking extremely well, although in the Temuka, Goraldiric. and Ashburton districts some of them have been flattened bv heavy rains and gales over the Christmas-week-end. In some cases, where the cron<? are particularly heavy, it is lmlikrlv that they will rise again. Fat lambs and shorn dierm are in prime condition and cattle have never looker! better. In Kaikourn, the quantity of cream ?ent to the fnctorv last month created a record, and the indications are 'hat another record will be established this month. Value of Memorials. Sneaking at Hanmer Springs yesterday, when unveiling a memorial 1 ablet to Mr Duncan Rutherford, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) said that one of the things in the Old Country that .was of particular interest to him was to view monuments and records of historical interest. It gave him great pleasure to read the records of some of those who had plaved their part in the development of the country, and those who read the inscription on that tablet would have brought to their minds the work that was done in the early days of the district. A country was built, up on its traditions. To his mind memorials and monuments were of great value. Gramophone In Music. The opinion that the gramophone and radio had assisted to raise the standard of music was expressed by the examiner for the Trinity College of Music (Mr A. Tyrer), at a presentation of medals in Auckland. He said that as much could be learned from hearing great musicians as from taking lessons. Speaking about piano technique, he said that practice was most important. Progress depended largely on expert tuition, but the student who criticised his own studies would make more progress than one who practised mechanically. Help lor Unemployed Boys. A scheme for the development of an area of land in Hawke's Bay on which a large number of unemployed boys could carry out treeplanting operations is under the consideration of the Napier Central Committee 'for the Employment of Youths. The proposal is one which lias met with a considerable amount of success in the Wanganui district, and it is considered that its introduction in Hawke's Bay—a step which would require Government assistance —would serve to relieve the problem of unemployment among boys in this district to a very material degree. Nothing definite has yet been arrived at about putting the scheme under way, but it is certain that it is a proposal which would receive the wholehearted support of the people of the district.

Petrol, Petrol, Petrol, Big Tree and Plume can be supplied at any hour of the.day or night al Gold Band Taxis. Tuam street -Garage, as we do not lock our pumps. If motorists run out on the road, 'phone Gold Band Taxis, and they will bring you a supply out. "We never close, and our prices are right.' Thank you, —1