NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 700, 9 May 1916, Page 5

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Since yesterday some five more eases of scarlet fever have been reporteil in the North Canterbury district.

Permission has been granted by the Works Committee of the Christehurch City Council for the planting of trees in Jtanfurly Street, Eversleigh .Street, and in Manchester Street, between Bealey Avenue and Edge-ware Road. Acting on ;i report, from the By-laws and Finance Committee, the Christchurch City Council has agreed to the Government Statistician's suggestions with regard to the Christehurch metropolitan area for statistical purposes. In consequence of the effect of the war on the clubs, the Christehurch City Council's Reserves Committee has decided to reduce the rent for hockey and football "rounds by 2~> per cent, during the coming year. This decision has been endorsed by the council. During April 2~> building permits were issued in the City of Christehurch for buildings valued at £!K!10. These wendivided as follow:—Central Ward, outer area, one permit, value of building £100; Linwood, three permits, £750; St. Albans, 17 permits, £7410; Sydenham, four permits, £IOSO. To meet the demand of the people of Christehurch during July, K',688 animals were slaughtered at the municipal abattoirs, and pf these 4S carcases were condemned as' unfit, for human consumption. The detailed figures, with the numbers of carcases condemned shown in parentheses, are:—Cattle S7S (17), sheep S9S:s (15), lambs 1949, pigs 1607 (15), calves 271 (1). It was reported to the City Council last evening, by the Works and Sanitary Committee, that the special inspection of the city, which was decided upon as one of the -measures to safeguard the citizens against the spread of infectious diseases, is now practically completed. The committee stated that the city is in an extremely satisfactory condition. The three temporary inspectors who were added to the city inspectorial staff have been notified that their services will not be required after next Saturday. Out the steamer Wimmera this morning, at Lyttelton, a peculiar accident occurred. A heavy motor car, in a case, was slung iu readiness to be lifted, and as the weight was being taken by the. yard-arm, the goose-neck of the yardarm, derrick at No. i! hatch carried away. The heel of the derrick dropped down on the winch and slid towards the mast. Strange, to say, it missed striking the two winchmen, who were in close proximity, by inches. Had it struck them, they would have been badly injured, as the derrick is a very heavy piece of timber. Another meeting of representatives of the Heatheote, Malvern, Halswell, Eliesmere, Springs, Waimairi, and Paparua County Councils is to be held in the library at the Christehurch City Council Chambers to-morrw, at 2 p.m., to further consider the matter of introducing a uniform system of destroying small birds. The Christehurch City Council and the adjoining borough councils have been asked to send representatives. Crs .1. W. Beanland and J. O. Jameson will represent the City Council. The Mayor is unable to attend, on account of a prior engagement.

It was pointed out to the Christchurch City Council last evening by Cr McCombs that the Stamp Oflice is so interpreting the provisions of the Finance Act of last session that it is charging stamp duty of 5/-' on the issue of small advances to ratepayers, of £•"> or £lO in connection with the city's electricity supply scheme and the city drainage, and a further stamp duty of 10/- on the release of these small mortgages, which arc granted to enable people who are not. well off to take advantage of the public services mentioned, without such assistance. The council agreed to make representations to the Minister of Finance on the subject.

The Primate (Bishop Ncvill), in the course of a discussion at the Synod yesterday, related an. incident in his experience that was not without its humorous side. The matter under discussion was the desirability of securing possession of a site of land adjacent to a parish church. Bishop Ncvill said that it was sometimes desirable to obtain a site adjacent to a church in order that it should not pass into other hands. On one occasion he was trying to preach at a church, but the Salvation Army, playing in a hall next door, prevented him from hearing the sound of his own voice. He thereupon surprised the Army by walking into their hall, and. suggesting that they might postpone their practise till another day, which they very kindly did. (Applause.)

The seriousness of the small-bird nuisance was emphasised at the meeting of the Waimairi County Council yesterday, when the matter of paying for the dead birds was discussed. Some councillors were of the opinion that poisoning was of no use in exterminating the pests, and that a better way would be to have them trapped and pay for the heads. Cr R. W. Hawke .pointed out that it would be useless to make any charge if there was not uniformity among all the councils. It was also stated that the districts controlled by borough councils were Literally breeding grounds for the birds, as no efforts were made to exterminate them. The chairman (Mr S. A. Staples) said he had been trying for years to get the borough councils to fall in with the counties in this matter. Cr Hawke said it was Hie city that cried out when the loaf became dearer. It was estimated that, the birds destroyed two bushels ol grain to the acre, but he knew places where they destroyed 30 bushels. Finally, the chairman and Mr W. I'. Spencer were appointed to attend the conference on Wednesday dealing with the matter. 70 HABLEY DAVIDSON'S ARRIVING MAY 21) PER S.S. NIAGARA. The largest Shipment of Motor Cycles ever landed in New Zealand. The sale of the "JIARLEY DAVID SON" Record Breakers constitutes a Try a "HARLEY DAVIDSON" and you will at once realise why they are in such demand. Your troubles will be ended and your pleasure assured. NOTE.—We have several First-class! Second-hand "Motor Cycles in perfect order at ridiculous prices. Must clear! for stocktaking. These machines have, been taken as part payment, on Harley Davidsons. JONES BROS., LIMITED, MOTOR EXPERTS, Opposite Clock Tower, Manchester St.