General News

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22335, 24 February 1938, Page 8

General News

Shooting on County Roads Special precautions are being taken by the police to prevent shooting on highways in the Waimairi County, according to a letter received by the County Council last night from Inspector H. Martin, of Christchurch. Complaints about shooting on roads in the county were made by the council towards the end of last year. The letter from Inspector Martin said that special instructions had been issued to the police in the area, and reports indicated that there had been a substantial improvement. Further attention was being given, and a more general_ patrol was being instituted. The council decided to express its appreciation of the action taken by the police. Far East Relief Fund The appeal for the Far East relief fund, organised by the joint council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society, has resulted in £7llß 16s 3d being raised to date. All subscription lists issued to local bodies are now being recalled, and it is expected that when these are returned the objective of £IO,OOO for the fund will be achieved. A medical committee acting on behalf of the joint council appointed Dr. Robert B. Grey, of Auckland, and Dr. Hector C. Tremewan, ol Wellington, for service. Dr. Grey has arrived' in China and Dr. Tremewan left on February 12. Medical equipment, including instruments and drugs valued at about £4OO, was supplied to them for immediate use on arrival in China. An Early Frost Fish An early frost fish was picked up yesterday afternoon on the Sumner beach, near the Cave Rock. The fish, which was quite fresh, weighed about eight pounds and was four feet long. Frost fish are not usually found on beaches at this time of the year, although a few are to be seen in the winter, mostly at New Brighton. Training for Maternity Nurses Consideration to the North Canterbury Hospital Board’s application to have the Rangiora and Essex maternity hospitals made training schools is being given by the Director-General of Health (Dr. M. H. Watt), according to a report made to-the board yesterday by its hospital committee. It is probable that a decision will be reached soon. The report added that there was a shortage of maternity nurses at present. Films in School The Wellington Education Board decided yesterday to request the Education Department to expedite any scheme for the advancement of visual and sound films for schools. Speakers said that progress in New Zealand had been somewhat tardy. Other speakers said that not much progress could be made with the installation of apparatus until the department made it clear how it would be financed. On this point they were still in the dark.—Press Association. Warning to Cyclists Cycling on footpaths is becoming more common in the Waimairi County, but the County Council’s traffic inspector (Mr G. E. Stokes) feels that it would be unfair to prosecute all offenders at present. In a report to the council last night Mr Stokes said that complaints had been received about cyclists using certain footpaths as cycle tracks. “There is an impression among some ,-yclists that cycling is permissible, as the footpaths concerned were cycle tracks in the old days, and the police have not taken action against the offenders in some instances where the footpaths are seldom used by pedestrians.” the report added. To prevent a continuance of the practice, the council decided to erect warning signs on the footpaths concerned and to prosecute any offenders after the notices had been in position l'6r three days. Hours for Netting Salmon Three licences for the commercial netting of salmon in the Waimakariri river for the coming season have been granted by the Marine Department. The North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society was advised, at its meeting last evening, that the hours of netting in the Waimakariri had been altered, and that netting could now be done from midnight on Sunday to midday on Friday of each week. No alteration was made in the limit mark for netting. Traffic Tally in Waimairi A tally of traffic taken recently in the Waimairi County showed that in one week 20,482 vehicles passed a point north of Chaney’s corner. Reporting to the County Council last night, the County Clerk (Mr G. S. Cowper) ' said that the tally was taken for the Main Highways Board at three points—Chaney’s corner. North road, Belfast and Russley road. The tally taken on the section north of Chaney’s corner showed that the greatest number of vehicles on one day- was 7009 and the week’s total was 20,482. A tally in September last year showed a total of 13,259 motor vehicles for the week, and the greatest number on one day was 3921. “Gods on Earth” “Those of us who are bosses should give up regarding themselves as untouchables and gods on earth,” said Mr H. S. M. Quigley (Dannevh’ke), speaking yesterday at the national conference of Rotary Clubs. “America has taught closer relationships between employer and employee. We Rotarians who' have tried the scheme in New Zealand have found there is companionship in those who work for us. A real feeling of trust breaks down legislation which may tend to keep bosses and employees apart. The Rotary Clubs in America have gone far in this humanitarian work.” Renovations to Oxford Hospital Renovations to the Oxford Hospital, consisting of the building of a new nursery and a new entrance, and the painting of the whole building, will soon be carried out. It was reported to the North Canterbury Hospital Board yes : terday that the tender of C. E. Morris (West Oxford) had been accepted for the work. Shipping at Wellington An increase of 32,992 tons in the shipping arriving at the port of Wellington, and an increase of 10,915 tons in the cargo handled for the last month, compared with January, 1937, was reported to last night’s meeting of the Wellington Harbour Board by the chairman (Mr D. J. McGowan). The net tonnage of the trading vessels arriving was 400,949 and the cargo handled was 183,985 tons, compared with 173,070 tons, the report said. —Press Association.

Anglers’ Access to Rivers Complaints by fishermen that they had been continually hindered in trying to get on to the banks of streams for fishing by locked. gates and wire fences being erected with signs warning trespassers against prosecution were received at the meeting of the council of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society last evening in a letter from the Belfast-Kaiapoi Rod and Gun Club. It was explained at the meeting that the notices had been put up to stop the great amount of damage that was being done to the Waimakariri River Trusts property and to the stock of tenants to whom the land along the banks had been leased. The whole matter was finally referred to the rangers’ sub-committee. Activity in Tourist Trade The tourist traffic in the Dominion this season is breaking all records', and in the offices of the Government Tourist Bureau in Christchurch business has grown to such an ex eni although the building was reconstructed recently, further alterations are now necessary, and plans for them have been prepaied. This was mentioned by the general manager of the Tourist Department, Mr L. J. Schmitt, in an interview yesterday. He said that New Zealand was “well in the picture” in two world tours, that of the Empress of Britain and that of the German ship Reliance. The department had arranged for officers to meet both of these ships at Sydney and to give talks and show pictures of New Zealand on board. The vessels would be in New Zealand waters in a few weeks. Mr Schmitt also said that he had seen criticisms that there was not enough tourist publicity abroad, and mentioned as an example of what was being done a very fine coloured folder which is now being distributed throughout the United States. The folder presents information on the scenic and sporting attractions of the Dominion, and gives itineraries for tours lasting from eight days to 46 days.