General News

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22080, 30 April 1937, Page 10

General News

Large Hole in Roadway

Tlie appearance of a hole some 18 inches to 2 -feet across in the centre Of the roadway at the corner of Rolleston avenue and Gloucester street late last evening caused no little danger to traffic, until the City Council authorities were informed and were able to place warning lanterns on the street. The police, who were notified about midnight, could give no explanation of the formation of the hole. The cavity was sufficiently large underneath the surface of the roadway to allow a man to move freely about, for a cavern eight feet by eight feet and four feet in height had been formed.

Life Members Without Vote

Within a few seconds of the announcement of the result of the Returned Soldiers' Association ballot for officers at the annual meeting last night there was a protest from a man who claimed that, although, he was a life member, he had received no voting papers. He asked whether, in view of the rule that every financial member must be given a vote, the election was valid. The new president, Mr W. E. Leadley, questioned the man about the complaint, and he was given an assurance that it would be closely investigated. No action was taken, and the last, that was heard was at the very end of the meeting when a voice asked, : 'Will it be a recommendation to the new executive that every financial member gets a voting paper next time?"

Fire Brigade Instead of Taxi

A resident of Frankton who telephoned for a taxi from Hamilton recently found not a.taxi but a fire brigade at his door in answer to his call. The telephone nu-.ibers of the fire bri.gade and the taxi company differ only in the one figure and in the hurried conversation the resident gave his address without realising he had called the fire station.

Aeroplane Wreckage Found

A section of the left wing of a Gipsy Moth aeroplane, which was washed up on Island Bay beach last Monday, is now stated to be presumably a further section of the aeroplane which disappeared off the Makara coastline a few weeks ago. The wing section, which is covered with fabric and painted silver, was left on the beach by the receding tide and was found by the custodian on his morning rounds about 50 yards to the west of the surf club buildings. A Breton Gale "New Zealand welcomed us with a gale, and we know gales in Europe, especially myself, as I am a Breton," said Commander Leon Moron, of the French . sloop Rigault . de Genouilly, in replying to a toast at a Government luncheon held in Auckland in honour of the visit. "When we were nearing North CaDe it looked like Ushant," he added, '"and your climate is like ours, too." Sale of Poppies by Children Strong objection to the practice of encouraging school children to, sell poppies for the Returned Soldiers' Association was raised by householders who were present at the annual householders' meeting of the Redcliffs School recently. Mr W. Wilkinson, chairman of the school committee, presided. While sympathy was expressed for the Returned Soldiers' Association, an emphatic protest was made against the principle of using children from schools to sell poppies—a principle which the meeting unanimously agreed was wrong—and the hope was expressed accordingly that the executive of the association would seriously consider putting an end to the practice.

Bottle Message Found

A bottle containing a message stating that it was thrown overboard from the liner Monterey on July 19, 1936, has been picked up by Mr J. Subritsky on the beach 20 miles south of Parengarenga. Mr Subritsky has forwarded the message to the United States Geographical Bureau at Washington.

Memorial to Lost Tramper

A tribute to the memory of a fellow member who lost his life in the Tararua ranges during the fierce storm of February, 1936, was paid during the week-end by members of the Manawatu Tramping Club, who erected a memorial over the lonely mountain grave of Mr Ralph Wood, of Palmerston North, who was one of a party of six overtaken by the storm and lost his life. He was buried near the summit of Twin Peak, a prominent point in the range behind Levin. The simple cross originally put up at the spot was replaced on Sunday by a memorial prepared in sections and carried up 3500 feet to the peak. It is a trig of stainless steel on triangular supports, standing about 10 feet high and overlooking the grave, which is about. 50 yards away. ' A tablet of bronze is inscribed with particulars of the tragedy. The complete trig weighed. about 1501b, and each man, in the party carried a section weighing 151b, in addition to the usual equipment.

Badges Not Dangerous

The Automobile Association (Auckland) recently sought a ruling from the Transport Department as to whether its car membership badges infringed the new motor regulations in respect of "dangerous mascots." This action followed complaints by the association's Te Aroha agent that garages in testing cars for the issuing of warrants of fitness had mutilated the badges by sawing off the tip. The Commissioner of Transport, Mr G. L. Laurenson, had advised the association that the badges do not come within the category of "dangerous mascots." The garage concerned had also advised the association that the badges of only three motor-cars were cut, and expressed its regret that, while it had acted in good faith, it had made unnecessary alterations. No further action will be taken by the association.

Returned Soldiers in Hospital

Little support for a proposal that a scheme to allow free hospital treatment for returned soldiers and their dependants, by a special hospital levy on all members of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association, was given at the annual meeting last night. The new president, Mr W. E. Leadley, explained the working of a similar plan now in operation at Dannevirke, but said his own opinion was that Christchurch was too big a place for such a scheme to be carried out successfully. Too many members of the association were already members of friendly societies, he.said. Other speakers said that the Government's proposed health insurance scheme would make the plan unnecessary. No action was 'taken.

Boarding Costs in Wellington

Within the last 12 months board and lodging in Wellington has advanced by from 5s to 10s a week. According to the proprietors of private hotels and boarding-houses, the increases are due to the added burden of costs arising from the restoration of wage .cuts, the introduction of the shorter week for domestic staffs, and the expense of, provisioning. A subsidiary factor applying mainly to board in private houses is stated to be that the demand for accommodation is embarrassing the supply, so that in the scramble for rooms prospective boarders are prepared to pay almost to ;the limit to get a roof over their heads. •

Mr Sten Abdon, Sweden, an industrial chemist interested in cereal research, is visiting Christchurch. - Mr A. J. Bennetts, Assistant-Chief Clerk of the Magistrate's Court, has been appointed temporarily as Clerk of the Court. Mr J. Wood, Engineer-in-Chief to the Public Works Department, left by the steamer express for Wellington last evening.. Flying Officer R. J. Cohen arrived by the steamer express from the north yesterday. Mr N. H. Skinner returned from the north yesterday morning. Mr P. J. Nathan, Wellington, was a passenger by the steamer express from the north yesterday morning. The Rev. J. K. Archer is on a visit to Wellington. •A motion of sympathy with the New Zealand Rugby Union in the deaths of Mr D. McKenzie and Colonel G. F. C. Campbell was passed at the annual meeting last evening of the New Zealand Hockey Association.