General News

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24074, 9 October 1943, Page 4

General News

China’; National Day China’s National Day, in celebration of the revolution which led to the establishment of the Republic of China, falls to-morrow. The Chinese community in Christchurch will celebrate the day by holding a tea party in the 'Canterbury Chinese Association’s club rooms. There are about 231 members, including children, in the association. As in former yfears the New Zealand Chinese Association, which has its headquarters in Wellington, will send a message to General Chiang Kai-shek. The National Day is known in China as Double Tenth Day because a revolutionary outbreak at Wuchang on October 10 (the tenth day of the tenth month) in 1911 led to the birth of the Republic. Chamber of Commerce Council As 19 nominations have been received for .the ,13 seats on the council of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce ,an election will be necessary. This will take the form of a postal ballot, which will be held, before the annual meeting towards the end of this month. When nominations closed last the names of the following members had been received:— Messrs E. T. Beaven. J. R. Dench, H. H. Dobie, T. N. Gibbs, H. C. Hassall, A. Hazleton, A. Henderson, L. «F. Hensley, C. W. Hodge, W, S'. Mac Gibbon, L. B. Miller, C. S. Peate, R. L. Reid, M. J. Russell, A. M. Satterthwaite, N. H. Skinner, L. G. K. Steven, L. C. Travers, and B. E. H. Whitcombe. Fishing Rivers Advice received by the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society on the condition of rivers at noon yesterday was: Rakaia; clear apd fishable; Selwyn and Ashley, slightly discoloured, otherwise fishable; Waimakariri, discoloured and likely to remain so; Hurtinui, unflshable. The opening of Lake Ellesmere was completed yesterday, and a lower lake level should improve conditions for fishing at the mouths of streams entering the lake. Flooding of Properties Although steps were taken some months ago to remedy the position at Red Jacks arising from the flooding of settlers’ properties, the situation has not greatly improved. The Grey County Council again discussed the matter at a recent meeting. It was stated that in flood time a road is inundated to a depth of two feet and settlers have difficulty in reaching their homes. It was decided that the county engineer (Mr J. Higgins) should report to the next meeting and that he should confer with the district engineer of the Public Works Department. Waggon Supplies In spite of the accumulation of coal and timber trains for a time during the hold-up of goods traffic following the subsidence at Omoto, there has been no difficulty in supplying the railway waggon requirements on the West Coast. During the present week coal traffic from the Buffer district has averaged 400 tons a day, and at the week-end both coal and timber consignments to Greymouth are expected to be heavy. Rakaia Gorge Bridge Because of the diversion of labour and material to the Highbank power scheme, work on the new Rakaia Gorge bridge has been stopped, and may not be continued for six months. Officers of the Public Works Department have emphasised the fact that the cessation of work is not to be permanent, but work on the power scheme wa§ considered to be more urgent. South Island Interests Proposals for submission to a conference of local body representatives called by the Mayor of Christchurch, to be held In Christchurch on November 3, with the object of furthering the interests of the South Island, were submitted to the Grey County Council at its monthly meeting. The proposals envisaged the fostering of the South Island tourist traffic on more attractive lines by means of better transport facilities. Other proposals Include the manufacture of plastics and coal byproducts, reafforestation, and flaxmilling. The report was adopted and Crs. W. Fisher (chairman) and the Hon, J. Ryall, M.L.C., were appointed to attend the conference. Students’ Hut at Arthur’s Tass An application for permission to purchase a section at Arthur's Pass with the intention of building a hut, was received yesterday by the Arthur’s Pass National Park Board from the Students’ Association, Canterbury University College. The hut will be mainly for use by students of Canterbury College, but members of other university colleges, training colleges, and various alpine bodies will be welcome to use it as accommodation permits.. Permission was granted by the board. A Sporting Offer When offers for taking out policies for the Christ’s College Centenary En-' dowment Fund were invited by the chairman of directors of the school at the old boys’ annual meeting last evening, Mr R. H. Webb offered to take out two if seven more offers were, made by the eiid of the annual dinner this evening. His offer was applauded by the meeting, and no fewer than 11 members immediately promised to take out policies of a total value of £750. The policies will expire on the centenary of the college, December 16, 1950, and it is hoped that the fund will total by that time £20,000. The sum raised will be given to the school as a present from the old boys.