CHRISTCHURCH NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19667, 8 December 1933, Page 4

CHRISTCHURCH NEWS

ITEMS FROM THE CITY CHRISTCHURCH, December 7. Personal: The Mayor of New Brighton (Mr E. A. M. Leaver) left by the inter-island steamer last evening to attend a meeting of the executive of the Municipal Association. Mr C. J. Treleaven was appointed a life member of the St. John Free Ambulance Association last evening in recognition of his services to the association, while he held office as secretary. A motion of sympathy with the relatives of the late Mr W. M. Hamilton was passed at the annual meeting of the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury last evening. Mr D. Jones, chairman of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, arrived from the north by the Wahine yesterday morning. Sir Arthur Dudley Dobson, who has been confined to his bed for the last two or three days, because of a heart attack, was reported last night to be a little better, and probably will be up to-day. It was hoped that Sir Arthur would have been one of the speakers on behalf of the Canterbury Pilgrims’ and Early Settlers’ Association on Anniversary Day (Saturday, December 16), at the function in Cathedral square to mark the restoration of the Godley statue to its original site, but he will not be able to do so as it probably will be several weeks before his medical adviser will allow him to be out and about. Sir Arthur celebrated the ninety-second anniversary of his birthday on September 9, and on that occasion received the congratulations of his many friends. Usually Sir Arthur enjoys excellent health, but about seven weeks ago he had a fall, the effects of which probably contributed to his present illness. Lake Coleridge Level: Lake Coleridge continues to maintain a satisfactory level, despite the absence of the usual nor’-west rains. The I lake reading to-day was 1670.775 ft. compared with 1670.8 ft last week, and 1670.775 ft the week before. This *s considerably higher than the average level at this time of the year. Allegations Again Captain: Albert George Baggett, master of the motor-vessel Foxton, appeared in the Lyttelton Magistrate's Court this morning, before Mr W C. Cleary, J.P. charged with stealing £5 in notes from Robert McGregor, providore-cook of j the Foxton. on December 7. Bergeant Wilson asked for a remand until to-morrow at 10.30 o’clock to enable the accused to be represented by a solicitor. Sergeant Wilson added that Baggett had been arrested only ten minutes earlier. Bail was allowed In the sum of £SO. and one other surety of £SO. Railway Traffic Better: "Business generally is looking better and prospects for the future are much brighter,” stated a railway officer this morning, when comparing condition with those of last year. He stated that there was a steady traffic In lamb'for the freezing works and genera! merchandise had also shown a decided improvement. School excursions, firms picnics and holiday traffic were makinr heavy demands on the rolling stock available.

Training: College Closes: When the Christchurch Training College closes at the end of this week it will not be re-opened for a considerable period, the Government having decided on this course as an economy measure. The students are at present celebrating the end of the year’s work. The annual farewell dance was held last night. To-day the staff and students had a picnic at Diamond Harbour, and a picture party will be held to-night. The formal farewell will take place on the college lawn to-mor-row morning, and the students will leave for their homes during the weekend. “Steamer Express Service.'* Two suggestions for a new name for the inter-island ferry service have been suggested as the result of a conference between representatives of the Canterbury Progress League, the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce and the Union Steam Ship Co., Ltd. Reporting on behalf of the Transport Committee to last evening’s meeting of the Canterbury Progress League, Mr C. H. Clibborn said that a conference had considered “Inter-Island Express Steamer Service,” and “Express Steamer Service” as names, and then had decided on “Wellington-Lyttelton Steamer Service.” Since then, however, the Chamber of Commerce had notified that further valuable suggestions were being brought forward. The question was once more deferred. Province in Need of Rain: A good downpour of rain in North Canterbury is long overdue, a fact which is demonstrated in many of the wheat crops in the district, and indications are that the crops are going to be light this season. In North Canterbury this applies to all grain crops, but more especially to wheat. In Ashburton and-also in South Canterbury the position is fair, but in North Canterbury some of the crops are showing signs of having suffered from frosting. It was stated by one North Canterbury grower yesterday, that the crop this year, would not be a big one, and a good soaking rain was needed to swell the grain for ripening. Frosting had also affected the cocksfoot crop, and this was particularly noticeable in areas near Longbeach. Victim of “Hit and Run”: A “hit and run” motorist is thought to be responsible for an accident near the Bower bridge early this morning, resulting in the admission of Mr William Lidgett, of New Brighton, to the Christchurch Public Hospital, with head injuries. His condition is. however not serious. The man who found Mr Lidgett lying at the side of the road, states that Mr Lidgett told him at the time that the car concerned was a small cream-coloured one. Mr Lidgett was lying on the lefthand side of the road on the New Brighton side of the bridge, with his bicycle close by. Skid marks, apparently those of a motor-car, were in evidence up to the spot where Mr Lidgett was lying. The spokes were knocked out of the back wheel of the bicycle, indicating that it had not been a simple fall from the bicycle which had caused his injuries. Mr Lidgctt’s clothes were not torn to any extent. He was taken to the hospital by the St. John Free Ambulance. Revival in Building Industry: Some Indication of the impetus given to the building industry by the Unemployment Board's subsidy scheme is supplied in the New Zealand building permit figures for October, published in the latest issue of the Abstract of Statistics. LT •• r i

towns during October represented a total value of £259,923, a considerable, decrease as compared with September, the total for which month (£590,720) included a permit for a single building valued at close on £300,000. The October figures are, nevertheless, considerably higher than the normal monthly total since the end of 1930, a reflection of the stimulus given to the building industry by the building subsidy granted by the Unemployment Board. An interesting feature of these statistics during the past few months has been the increase in permits issued for new dwellings, the numbers for each month from June, 1933, being: June 47, July 179, August 211, September 233. and October 211. Christmas Shopping Under Way: Christmas shopping is getting more into its swing now, according to retailers, who report excellent business. The first definite signs of the movement became apparent last Friday, and since then it has continued fairly steadily. Brisk trade is anticipated during the next fortnight, which, it was pointed out to-day, is all the time that remains in which to do the Christmas shopping. The Christchurch wool sale on Tuesday next is expected to give things a big stimulus. “The North Island wool sales have undoubtedly put new life into business just at the right time, and with the big increase in prices that should be realised at Christchurch next week, the optimistic tone that is apparent now will be maintained,” one retailer remarked. His view was shared with several others, who were quite unanimous in their opinion that the turnover this season would be the best it has been for three or four years. “People seem to have more money to spend, and they do not mind spending it,” said one. He added that he was looking forward to Christmas much more cheerfully than he had done last year.