General News

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22112, 7 June 1937, Page 8

General News

The Cathedral Bells "The tintinnabulation of the bells is undoubtedly very pleasant when heard across the meadows; but when their clamour and their clangour on practice nights fill Cathedral square diners in hotels and gentlemen of the newspaper press may be pardoned for thinking that the people in the steeple are rolling on the human heart a stone," says the June issue of the "Church News." "Swan Songs Not Yet Sung" References at a recent meeting of the Christchurch Tramway Board to Burgesses' Associations as consisting of men singing their "swan songs" were mentioned by the chairman of the Opawa-Hillsborough Association, Mr U. JBryce at a meeting held yesterday. We have been charged with singing our swan songs, said Mr Bryce, "but most of our members are successful businessmen who have, I think, shown that they are not by any means past their best, and who will show it again in this matter of the rubbish dumps." Air Trip to Auckland A trip by aeroplane was made to Auckland yesterday by Mr L. Ernie Clark, the North Canterbury farmer who achieved fame for his solo flight from England. Mr Clark left Wigiam aerodrome shortly after midday in the Percival Gull machine which he brought from England. He had Mrs Newburgh, who had been called to Auckland, as his passenger. Anniversary of Notable Battle Twenty years ago to-day one of the most notable of the many engagements in which the New Zealand Division took part was fought at Messines. Early in the morning of June 7 19 mines were exploded under the German front line and the British troops advanced, the New Zealand Division being given the task of clearing the intricate fortifications at Messines. The objective aimed at was gained by mid-after-noon, some 7000 prisoners having been taken. Tribute to Pioneers The secret of the success of Canterbury colonisation lay in the family spirit which characterised the early settlers, stated the Rev. W. C. Wood, chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, in an address at a meeting of the Canterbury Club at Auckland. In each province of the Dominion the early settlers had established definite characteristics which were retained by their descendants. Tracing the history of Canterbury settlement, Mr Wood said the pioneers were remarkable men and women, of highcharacter and of unusual attainments, and only a few had reached the prime of life. Campaign Against Shags and Hawks The Hawke's Bay Acclimatisation Society has decided to organise a campaign against shags and place a bounty of 6d on hawks for a limited period. Both beaks and feet must be produced to receive the bounty, this step being insisted upon in v;ew of the society's experience some years ago, when both the Hawkes Bay Acclimatisation Society and the Wellington Acclimatisation Society were offering a bounty of Is 6d on hawks. They were paying for the feet and beaks respectively, and it was strongly suspected that many hunters took advantage of this to claim in each district. During thin period the Hawke's Bay Society paid £7OO in bounties on hawks, draining the funds severely. An Air-minded City Christchurch people, both young and old, are rapidly developing that keen "air-sense." Yesterday some model aeroplane enthusiasts were giving demonstrations on the Open ground at Burwood Park, and during the whole afternoon crowds of small boys and others gathered to watch. Motorists, too, halted, but not for very long as errant models of famous machines could not be trusted «to follow true courses in the direction which their owners launched them. One of the main exercises at the display was the retrieving of aeroplanes, some ot them of fairly large size, from over nearby fences. Closing of Memorial Fund A request for all subscription lists and intended gifts to be handed in as soon as possible after June 9 was made by the secretary of the King George V National Memorial Fund for the establishment of permanent health camps last evening. The Mayor's appeal will close this week, and the secretary wishes to be in a position to advise Wellington of the amount of the Canterbury funds as soon as possible after that. After June 9 it is the intention of the committee to call fur all' outstanding lists. Costs of Legal Action The costs of legal actions were the subject of some comment by those present at a meeting at Opawa yesterday which decided to seek an injunction against the Christchurch City Council if the proposed rubbish dumps were built. The chairman (Mr G. J. Bryce), in asking for contributions, said that money was necessary for the purpose, as a lot "had to be spent before the case was called in Court. Another member of the crowd asked what compensation the individual could obtain if the dumps were built. "You have only a legal remedy to. seek," the chairman said. "And by the time that's finished it will cost you your land to pay for it," put in another man. Malicious Fire Alarm Suspected What is believed to be a malicious false alarm was received at 8.57 last evening by the Central Fire Brigade. The call came' by telephone, and it was stated that there was a fire at the corner of Bealey avenue and Caledonian road. No sign of a fire was to be seen when the brigade arrived. Bystanders who watched the engine, come through the bottle-neck were momentarily alarmed to see that a car had stopped in Colombo street at the entrance to the Square, fearing that it might be in the wav. The engine, however, avoided it successfully. Fewer Religious Services to be Broadcast "The methods of the British Broadcasting Corporation, which have aimed at utilising the best brains of Britain in providing religious leading, will have their influence on the policy to be developed," says the June issue of the "Church News," referring to an interview with the Director of Broadcasting about the future of broadcasting in New Zealand. "The English custom does not provide for regular broadcasts of Sunday church services, but for studio services after church hours. The opinion seemed to be that there were far too many church services broadcast, and that their quality varied too greatly to be satisfactory. It was probable that the broadcasting officials would insist that only those churches which could sustain a consistently high standard would be permitted to continue on the present system. The aim of the director -would be to give opportunity to the ablest individuals rather than to churches to co-operate in provteffne; series of religious talks after the British Broadcasting Corporation model." Parachute Jump at Wigram A large crowd attended at Wigram aerodrome yesterday to see a parachute jump by Mr G. W. Sellars from one of the open Moth aeroplanes belonging, to the Canterbury Aero Club. The jump, which was made from 2500 feet, was a perfect exhibition of the art of handling a parachute. Mr Sellars, who is the only New Zealander to have taken up jumping as a profession, has now made than 100 landings. Tree-planting at Wanganui For many years, unemployed boys have been planting sand dunes on the coast immediately south of Wanganui with pinus insignis trees. To advance the work, Mr J. B. Cotterill, M.P., made representations to the State Forestry Department and the result has been that a gift of 10,000 insignis trees has been made to the afforestation camp at Kaitoki. Nine boys are in the camp, under the care of Mr and Mrs Cameron. Many of the trees planted in. the beginning of the scheme are now eight or nine feet high, and are already becoming effective as a break-wind. Future planting will thus have valuable assistance from the protection thus afforded by these trees.