CHRISTCHURCH NEWS NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13544, 17 March 1906, Page 8

CHRISTCHURCH NEWS NOTES.

(1>.031 Oil* Ow.V C'ORISESPOSDEKT.) CHRISTCHCRCII. March 16. Tljom' men who travel on the trams in Christchureli have a grievance against feminine fare.-. Inconsiderate women will ]x:r'ist in monopolising the. two smokers' heals, thereby depriving smoker; from the enjoyment of one of lite few privileges left, to solace them. Indignant letters liave been written to the newspapers, but have proved ineffective. The matter was broughl iinuer the official eye of the Tramway Board yesterday, and'ihe iniquilv of women formed the theme of debate, i'lventtiaily it was decided to instruct the conductors to request, ladies to change their peats when found Ircspassiiiir in the forbidden area.

Mr .1. L. Dow. aglieiilltirnl ediior of ihe Melbourne Aire anil Leader, lias been on a vi-ii to New Zealand, ami lefl for Melbourne bv the Worrimoo to-tlav. He spent some time in the North Island.' and for the ps( 10 days has hec-n in Christchureli. Jle has made special inquiries into land settlement and labour and prohibition matters. In connection wilii the two latter subjects he interviewed Mr 11. G. Ell, M.H.K.. During his stay here Mr Dow visited Cheviot, Little River, and Canterbury Agricultural College. He also inspected the Hutchinson hydraulic milking machine, with which he was much impressed, as considerable interest is taken in Victoria in milking by .machinery. Mr Dow carries away with'him a' highly favourable opinion of the colony and its possibilities.

Last night two enthusiasts in the cause of good health, Nurse Maude and Dr Greenwood, began an independent campaign for the_ establishment of a consumptive sanitorinm. The medical profession took up this question with a. great fanfare of trumpets a long time ago, and the public is asking what has become of it. Why is it, left to two outsiders to do the work? ■Wellington was able to raise the money io go on with its sajiitorium in the course of a couple of months' campaign, but Canterbury is apparently as far off as ever. Like most other Cnntcrlmry associations, the medical concern lias got sleeping sickness and isn't capablo of any sustained effort. Apparently if, can't even maintain Nurse Mantle's camps, which were handed over to a. Sanatorium Committee, and it is (jetting into debt because of the excessive coma from which tho medical organisation and it-s friends are suffering. The public is beginning to realise the importance of its Exhibition, and lias some hope that the great undertaking will be a. success. 'The executive has now no fear that the Exhibition will not be a success from the point of view of tho visitor—that. is to say, it has filled all its space and is now arranging for extra building accommodation, to house the exhibits that are ntill coming in. Tho visitors who come to Christchureli io see (he New Zealand International Exhibition will not be brought hero under false pretences. At the same time the quality of those exhibits still {jives some uneasiness. The commissioners who are most directly responsible must •take every precaution that tho Exhibition is not a huge collection of mediocrities, and that ihe provincial displays do not swamp tho Exhibition. But while the exhibits themselves may be all that is necessary, they do not constitute everything that is requisite to the success of "an exhibition. We must have other attractions, and in this direction the Exhibition appears to still be lacking. The Entertainment Committee lias allowed Mr J. C. Williamson to engage its hall, while he also has an entertainment at the Theatre Royal, a piece of enterprise that may he. good for Mr Williamson, but certainly will l>e had for the Exhibition if, ss managers often do, he elo=cs down the Exhibition Hall to avoid competition. The report of the committee last" night, gave Jittle promise of a successful series of entertainments suitable for such an undertaking. The committee is apparently endeavouring to arrange for amateur performances. A large orchestra is desirable and necessary, but apparently Ihe Entertainment, Committee has iet the concert hall for weeks at l. stretch. How is it going to fit in a. large itrchnfira under those circumstances? The authorities having now filled their space and given Ihe visitor .something worth coming to see. will proceed to their duty by the cxh&itors am! bring the visitors here to see the exhibits. In this connection the Printing and Advertising Committee has adopted a sueaestion for the insertion of interesting wajraph ß in the newspapers of the wcrld about the Exhibition, ami intends- giving effect to it. Tint ihe main quest ion has been left more or less in The authorities are still posseted of fh" idea that the touring public will br» content with second-class boardingbouse accommodation, and no effort is being made to provide a suitable lodgment for the visitors. The first breath of rumour that the town cannot accommodate its visitors will fiC?T C hundreds of intending patrons away. People will he guided by the reports of their friends concerning the hotel facilities, anil if tho'e reports are unsatisfactory they will not come here.