General News

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21320, 13 November 1934, Page 10

General News

Buried Manuka Forest The logs and stumps in the remains of an old manuka forest over a stretch of some 12 chains have caused considerable trouble in the operation of the dragline that is being used in deepening the pilot channels which are part of the Waimakariri River Trust's protective works, but the worst section has been completed and good progress is being made, stated the engineer (Mr H. W. Harris) in his report to the commissioners of the Trust yesterday. Replying to a question by Professor R. Speight, Mr Harris said that the remains of the forest were generally some eight or 10 feet below the surface, but he had been surprised to find them only two feet down. 'They were beneath a bed of peat. Mr Harris said that there was no doubt that that part of the river bed had once been beach. Seven Hundred Per Cent. Better "I cannot say that the financial situation is very good to-day, but it is at least 700 per cent, better than at a corresponding period last year." In those words Mr E. Eggleston, treasurer of the Christchurch Beautifying Association, introduced his motion for the adoption of the association's balance-sheet at the association's annual meeting last night. He explained that last year was ended with a credit balance of 3s 2d, while to-day the credit balance was £2 4s lid. Mr Eggleston added that many of the association's accounts would not have been paid but for the generosity of the president, Mr R. B. Owen.

Scaling of liiccarton Avenue Cr. J. W. Bcanland, chairman of the works committee of the Christchurch City Council, told a reporter yesterday that it had been decided to seal the council's portion of Riccarton avenue at once, and the work would be put in hand this week. The Christchurch Tramway Board had arranged to start the sealing of the portion of the roadway on January 3. It was hoped to have all the sealing completed before the arrival in the city of the Duke of Gloucester.

Not Such Good Old Times "It is good to know that people who talk about 'the good old times' really do not know what they are talking about," remarked the Rev. F. T. Read at yesterday's meeting of the Christchurch Unemployment Committee, referring to the particulars given by Cr. J. \V. Beanland about the good health of the school children he had seen in the north of England. The fathers of many of them, he said, were out of work. Mr Read said that the point he was pleased about was that the children were well-nourished and wellclolhed, as compared with the illclad and ill-nourished children of 50 years ago when he was.ja pupil teacher in Lincolnshire and when there was no depression, but conditions were ordinary.

Exercise for Alsatian Dog An Alsatian dog propelling a huge wheel in the yard of its owner's house by running along the inside of the rim attracted the attention of a Christchurch resident recently and he wrote a letter of protest to Mr D. J. White, inspector to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The letter said that if the wheel was not dismantled within seven days, the writer would inform the police. Mr White inspected the wheel and thought it was a very good device for exercising dogs. Indeed, he told the committee of the society at a meeting last evening that it was one of the best devices he had seen. The wheel was 13 feet high with a rim three feet wide, and was set up in a yard in which the dog was enclosed. The dog mounted the wheel from a platform whenever he liked and by running a short distance up the side set it in motion. He stopped the wheel merely by slackening the pace of his running.

Statement Withheld The refusal of the police to allow a statement to be seen, although the person who made it gave written authority for that purpose, was referred to in the Supreme Court at Wellington yesterday during an action for damages arising out of u collision between a motor-car and a motor-cycle. A witness said he had received written authority to see the statement taken by the police; but the inspector refused to let him see it. The Chief Justice (the Rt. Hon. Sir Michael Myers) said: "I really cannot undei-stand it. Although the person who makes the statement gives express authority, it cannot be seen. However, the inspector may have some explanation which docs not appear at the moment. Perhaps I had better not make any comment."—Press Association.

Use of "Anzac" Following the receipt from the Rangiora Returned Soldiers' Association of a protest against the naming of the principal street in the returned soldiers' cottage settlement at Sandilands Anzac avenue, the executive of the Christcburch Returned Soldiers' Association decided last evening not to use the name, which had been decided on at a previous meeting, and to consider the choice of a substitute at the next Mr W. E. Leadley explained that the objection was based on the ground that' the word had come to be regarded as almost sacred, and that it should not be used as a place name. A Good Record A good record for a family attending the one primary school was mentioned at the Fernside pearl jubilee celebrations yesterday. It was stated that 13 of the family of the late Mr and Mrs W. Arnott, of Fernside, had attended the school from 1876 onwards and before 1875 Mrs W. Arnott had attended the same school as a girl. Eight of the family attended the celebrations yesterday and the family presented a large three-tier jubilee cake to the jubilee committee, for distribution among those present.

TAXI FARES HALF PRICE. Only by the GOLD BAND TAXIS private Hire Taxis, so spend a penny in the nearest telephone box and 'phone for one, as the new taxi fares for 5 passengers are 2/- minimum and 1/- per mile by all other taxis, but our fares are still II- minimum and 6d per mile, so please give us your full support •Phone 33-477. Thank you.

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