CHRISTCHURCH NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18329, 29 July 1929, Page 8

CHRISTCHURCH NEWS.

(From Oar Own Correspondent.} CHRISTCHURCH, July 28. Jlaghy Jubilee. The Canterbury Rugby Union’s Jubilee celebrations were continued today. A church parade and service in King Edward Barracks was held, and about 1200 past and present footballers attended, and great interest was manifested. Addresses were given by Bishop West-Watson, the Mayor (Rev. J. K. Archer), Rev. N. L. D. Webster and Rev. L. B. Neale. The celebrations are to be continued, this week. Christ’s College Beat St. Bede’s. The annual match between Christ’s College and St. Bede’s College was played on Saturday, Christ’s winning by 12 to 0. Conditions on the Coast. Dr T. H. Yalintine’s visit to the WestCoast impressed him with the pathos of the d:?asters, and more than anything else with the unconquerable spirit, courage and fortitude of the people in the backblocks. He met men who have lost almost everything they hold dear, and yet are hopeful and cheerful, helping other sufferers, hiding their own troubles, and preparing again to enter upon the soil for a living. Dr Valintine is particularly proud of the gallant behaviour of members of tha hospital staffs at Westport and Nelson. These hospitals have been so badlydamaged that the cost of repairing them will be more than was estimated. Repairs will be taken in hand as soon as possible. Negotiations Fail. It was reported that the negotiations which have been in progress for several weeks past for the sale of the lease of the whole of Strange’s block in High and Litchfield streets, and the goodwill of the business formerly carried on by Messrs Strange and Co., Ltd., have failed, and that the deal has been officially declared off. The negotiations were for the lease of Strange’s block by a syndicate, which proposed to float a new company to carry on a drapery and general importing business. S ympathy for Mayor. The sympathy of many people in many parts of New Zealand has been extended to the Mayor and Mayoress in the trouble they have suffered as a result of the attempt made on Friday night to destroy their home. Telegrams have been received by Mr Archer from Auckland, Dunedin, and other places, and many Christchurch citizens have offered to house the Mayor and his family until their own home is again in a fit state- for occupation. One of the offers is understood to have come from Bishop WestWatson, who rang up Mr Archer early on Saturday, and asked him to accept the hospitality of Bishopscourt. Fire Menace. The public is very uneasy regarding the frequency of fires and burglaries in Christchurch during the past three weeks. An insurance manager declared : “This epidemic of burglaries and incendarism is apparently working in a cycle, and each town experiences it from time to time. In Auckland some two years ago there was an epidemic of motor car stealing. Not content with that, the thieves burned the cars. Then a fire-bug was active in one of the North Island towns about six months ago. Now Christchurch seems to have come in for unwelcome attention. This is very disturbing, but there is really no great cause for alarm. With a healthy community spirit, ready to help the police when necessary, there should be little need for worry. We have faith in the police, and trust that that faith will not be found to have been misplaced.” It is stated that the amount of damage done by incendiary fires exceeds £30,000. More Incendiarism. Another case of incendiarism in a private residence occurred this morning, when an attempt was made to burn the house of Mr T. J. Porterfield, at Mersey Street. St. Albans. Before setting fire to the place, the intruder or intruders thoroughly ransacked it in quest of valuables. Mr Porterfield has been an inmate for some weeks of Christchurch hospital, having been discharged on Wednesday last. He had not taken up his residence in the premises again, and whoever was responsible for the outrage was able to work with comparative freedom. It is believed that the criminal or criminals spent the night in the house, and that it was only after they had ransacked it thoroughly and slept there that the fire was started. Shortly after 8 o’clock this morning a motorist was passing the house, and noticed smoke issuing from a side window. He at once gave, an alarm, and then returned to the house for the purpose of warning the inmates. He found that there was nobody in the house, and the great disorder everywhere made it apparent that thieves had been at work. Bedclothes had been set alight, and were blazing. He at once set to work in an effort to beat out the flames. He managed to have the outbreak somewhat subdued by the time the Brigade arrived. The extinguishing of the fire was then only a matter of a few minutes. Boys To Be Birched. Three boys who used obscene language in the street and in the presence of a young woman, appeared before Mr 11. A. Young. S.M.. and Mrs A. E. Herbert. J.P.. in the Children's Court today. and were placed under the supervision cf the Child Welfare Officer for 12 months. Two of the boys were also ordered to be given a thrashing.