CHRISTCHURCH NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20096, 1 May 1935, Page 4

CHRISTCHURCH NEWS

ITEMS FROM THE CITY CHRISTCHURCH. April 30. Personal: The completion of 60 years’ service in the interests of education by Mr W. A. Banks, who is a member of the Canterbury University Council, the Canterbury Education Board, and the Lincoln College Board of Governors, was recognised at a meeting of the Canterbury College Council, which extended its congratulations to him. A motion extending a hearty welcome to Christchurch to the new Gov-ernor-General, Lord Galway, and expressing the hope that the stay of Lord and Lady Galway in New Zealand would be a very pleasing one. was passed by the annual meeting of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association. The Hon. Mr Justice Johnston will return to Christchurch to-morrow morning from Wellington. He will preside over a sitting of the Supreme Court this week and will leave for Timaru at the beginning of next week to conduct sittings of the Court there. Mr C. W. Earle, president, of the New Zealand Newspaper Proprietors Association, visiting Christchurch. Messrs A. E. Flower, E. J. Howard. M.P., and Miss E. A. Chaplin have been appointed representatives of thfc Canterbury College Council on the Canterbury District Standing Committee on Education for this year. Advice has been received from Sir Cecil Day, Official Secretary to his Excellency the Governor-General, that his Excellency Lord Galway and Lady Galway have consented to become patrons of the Royal Christchurch Musical Society . Wives of Employees: The question of whether the council should debar wives of employees from taking employment or engaging in business was again mentioned at a meeting of the Christchurch City Council, when it was stated that inquiries were being made so , that a report could be placed before the council. • Approval Given: General approval of the principle of the proposals that, to provide work at standard rates of pay, the Government should be urged to finish the South Island Main Trunk Railway and to pave the main highway to Akaroa, and the council should remove the destructor if no better means of disposing of rubbish were discovered by an investigation now being made by the Engineer’s Department, was expressed at the meeting of the Christchurch City Council. This decision was taken on the suggestion of Cr. H. T. J. Thacker. Schools Starved: A paragraph in the report of the Shirley School committee caused a householder to remark last evening that the primary schools were being starved because of the secondary schools. The report stated that the captation fee had been deduced from £63 to £45 annually. The reduced income of the Shirley School, it was stated, left the committee with only five shillings a week to provide lighting and heating. It was decided to send a strong protest to the Minister of Education and see if the capitation amount could be increased. Similar resolutions were carried at the Linwood and Richmond schools.

School Committee Elections: “I am disappointed with attendance to-night but it is only what we expected," said the chairman (Mr F. L. Drury), at the annual meeting of Waimairi School householders, when referring to the lack of interest as evinced by the meagre attendance. He said that there seemed to be a waning of interest as a result of the election of commutes being held only biennially instead of every year; he considered the innovation had been a failure, and the meeting had been little better than a waste of time. The committee had been asked by the Education Board and the School Committees Association to call the ms ing to stimulate interest, but only one or two householders had attended. A resolution protesting against elections being held only each two years was carried.

Appreciation Expressed: Pleasure was expressed by the Christchurch City Council last evening at the fact that Councillor E. R. M'Combs had made almost a. complete recovery from her recent illness. On the motion of the Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.), the council decided to express to Mrs M'Combs its sincere wish that she would be completely restored to health. The council a’.ro placed on record its appreciation of the services rendered to the city by Mrs M'Combs, and in particular to the services rendered by her as chairman of the Electricity Committee.

‘Tearful Muddle”: What was termed “a fearful muddle over the taxi services of the city” was referred to at last night’s meeting of the City Council. A reporter, this morning, endeavoured to glean some information on the point.

It appears that the principal taxi services of the city cannot come to a working arrangement. One of the largest firms now operating desires to have a service similar to those in Auckland and Wellington where suburban stands are used and by this means what is termed “dead mileage” is graved. On the other hand, another large firm favours the sixpence per mile business. On these points there is a deadlock. Then there Is the burning question of licenses. It is understood that the City Council intends to allow only 150 taxis to operate in the city. This suggestion has not been favourably received in some quarters and it too is a bone of contention.

Jubilee Day: The invitation extended to local bodies and private employers by the Government to observe Monday, May 6, as a general holiday in celebration of the Silver Jubilee of the ascension to the throne of King George V., will be widely accepted in Christchurch, judging by inquiries made. A holiday has been declared for all Government servants, and consequently May 6 will be observed as a full holiday by schools and Government departments. As far as local bodies are concerned, the Christchurch City Council has decided to observe the holiday, and will grant a day later in the year to any employees who may have to work on Monday. It is expected that most local bodies will folio / the example of the City Council.

Shooting Season: Prospects are bright for the opening of the shooting season to-morrow, as reports indicate that there is mor c game on Lake Ellesmere than has been the case for some years. The lake level is low, which will necessitate the building of mai-mais in the open water instead of among roe rushes nearer the shore. The number of licenses is expected at least to equal those of last year. The trade reports heavier sales of ammunition this year and the return to the sport of many of those men who had left it during the years of depression.