LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18708, 14 May 1924, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

• Slight concussion was. sustained by a youth named Bruce Johnstone, who was thrown from his horse while riding in the Pakuranga Hunt yesterday. He was attended by Dr. A. M. Grant immediately after the fall. " Her Excellency, Lady Jellicoe, who was present at the hunt, placed her motor-car at the disposal of the first-aid party, and the injured youth was removed to a residence in the vicinity. The City Fire Brigade received a false alarm from Lower Federal Street a few minutes after six o'clock last evening. The alarm was given in good faith by a pedestrian who saw the glare of smelting iron in a near-by foundry. The Mount Albert Fire Brigade, at 7.10 p.m., received a call to Messrs. R. and W. Heliaby's premises ,in Kingsland, at the rear of which a heap of sawdust was burning. The outbreak was suppressed by the brigade with a few buckets of water before any damage was done. •

An inquest concerning tflie death of the four-year-old boy, Lennan Paul Patri, who was run over and killed by a tramcar in Khyber Pass on Monday afternoon, was opened yesterday by the coroner, Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. After formal evidence of identification had been taken the inquest was adjourned sine die.

All the vessels of the Special Service Squadron yesterday afternoon were flying the flag 0 of the commercial code— a red and yellow square flag divided .diagonally. This is the naval signal indicating that the vessel flying it is open for visitors.

As a result of the large numbers of people in the city yesterday the restaurant keepers experienced brisk- business. In addition to their regular mid-day customers, they were called upon to cater for record crowds of visitors. In some instances the doors had to be closed, whereupon queues of waiting customers formed outside. There was, however, no suggestion of a shortage of food supplies.

A Tauranga, launch-owner, while cruising outside the harbour a few days ago, observed a school of about half-a-dozen whales, between Motiti Island and the mainland. He estimated the largest to be about 40ft. in length.

As a result of letters to the Minister for Internal Affairs, the Christchurch branch of the U.S.A. has succeeded in getting the work of erecting permanent headstones to soldiers' graves in Christchurch commenced. Originally it was decided to complete the work in the North Island first, but work has now been commenced at the Sydenham Cemetery. The official headstone of New Zealand granite is being erected on each grave, and a concrete . kerbing completes the work. There are no fewer than 2000 soldiers' graves in 490 cemeteries situated in all parts of the Dominion, and extending from ' within a few miles of the North Cape to the Bluff. Some of these little cemeteries are in very isolated spots, but every soldier's grave will eventually bear the permanent granite headstone.

Discrimination in the treatment of the two waterfront bands by the Harbour Board was alleged in a letter from the Waterside Workers' Re-organised Band considered by the board yesterday. The letter asked for the board's reasons for granting the use of the bandroom and waiting room to , the Port of Auckland Band, to the exclusion of the Waterside Workers' Band. It was decided to reply that the use of the rooms had been given in the meantime to the Port of Auckland Band for two nights a week. When a new band was formed by the watersiders to the satisfaction of the board, the matter would be further considered.

The Dean and Chapter of the Christchurch Cathedral are making inquiries with a view to the complete renovation of the Cathedral organ. The instrument, a good, but old-fashioned one, has been in use for a great many years, > and the Cathedral authorities Have long wished to make it worthy of the church and the choir. Whether the scheme is carried depends mainly on funds. It is proposed to use the present pipes so. far as possible, but otherwise to make the organ , practically a new instrument, with a pneumatic action and all modern improvements. The scheme provides for the removal of the organ, which at present stands on a high staging in the north transept, and its re-erection in the , new empty organ loft over the north vestry. The removal of the organ from the north transept would uncover a very large threelight window, and do much to relieve the darkness of the church.

Better control of the stray dogs in the city and on the waterfront is desired by the City Council, which yesterday sought the co-operation of the Harbour Board in the matter. The council suggested, that the city dog ranger should have jurisdiction over Harbour Board areas. The board decided to agree to the request, the chairman remarking that no expense to the board was involved.

At the meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Board, Mr. S. A. Broadbelt mentioned the case of a patient who, on entering the hospital, had deposited £1 with the secretary. On his leaving the institution the money \yas not returned as the account had not been paid. The secretary pointed out that the patient owed £11 in fees and when asked, for a statement of his finances had refused to give one.The money was retained until a statement was furnished and the executive had endorsed the action. The position was discussed at length, several members maintaining that the executive had taken up a wrong attitude despite the fact that the patient was indebted to the board for £11. Finally, Mr. Broadbelt gave notice of motion that the money be returned and the board take steps to obtain . payment of the account, the speaker assuring the members that, given time, the patient concerned would make payment. It was decided to obtain legal advice on the board's position. '

Was religion in public schools receiving enough support? was the question raised by the head master f of the Roseneath School, Wellington, at the annual meeting of householders. He stated -that an opportunity was given for scriptural study two years ago, but as at the end of last year only one officer from the Salvation Army was sent he had to revert to the ordinary school work. He considered this apathy astonishing, ,

There are parts of Taranaki, says the Manaia Witness, where bagpipes are much in favour,' yet the music produced does not seem to be always understood. At a concert held recently in a neighbouring town, when the instruments were being tuned up, an elderly man was heard to say quite seriously, " Ay, it is many a day since I heard that tune; it's my favourite; I often used to hear my father playing it." ; '

Next, year will be the jubilee, year of the Otago Harbour Board. The board intends to celebrate the occasion with all fitting ceremony, and,is making an early start to ensure the success of the arrangements, Special jubilee committees, are about bo be appointed*