CHRISTCHURCH NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20284, 6 December 1935, Page 15

CHRISTCHURCH NEWS

ITEMS FROM THE CITY CHRISTCHURCH, December 5. Personal. Dr, E. Marsden, Director of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, arrived in Christchurch this morning. This evening Dr. Marsden will address the annual meeting of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association. Major-General Sir William SniclairBurgess, G.O.C. New Zealand Forces, arrived from the north this morning. Squadron-Leader T. M. Wilkes, Director of Air Services, arrived in Christchurch this morning. The resignation of Mr James MacKenzie was received with regret at a meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Progress League last evening, and it was decided to write expressing appreciation of his work on the league. Mr MacKenzie represented the Halswell County Council, of which he was clerk, on the league, and has now relinquished his position to enter business. “It is doubtful if any other man in Canterbury has done so much to assist agricultural progress," said the chairman (Mr F. Coop) at a meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Progress League last evening when referring with regret to the impending departure from Christchurch of Mr G. H. Holford. Mr Coop expressed appreciation of the magnificent record of public service standing to Mr Holford’s credit. Mr Holford’s successor as chairman of the irrigation committee (Dr. F. W. Hilgendorf) was appointed a member of the executive. New Minister. Mr J. A. Thomson, paymaster at the Sign of the Takahe, has received the following telegram from Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.:— “New Minister of Employment (Mr H. T. Armstrong) will receive a depute tion from your relief workers at ten o'clock next Monday morning, at the City Council Chambers.” Mr Sullivan’s telegram was in response to the request made by the craftsmen at the Sign of the Takahe that they should be given an opportunity of interviewing the authorities regarding the reductions recently made in their pay. Dobson Memorial. Plans for launching an appeal to raise funds for the erection of the Sir Dudley Dobson memorial have been com: leted. At a meeting of the executive cf the Canterbury Progress League the secretary (Mr P. R. Climie) reported that an attractive brochure was to be printed and copies distributed to local bodies and public organisations throughout the provinces where Sir Arthur Dudley Dobson was best known—Canterbury, Nelson and Westland. In addition to the subscriptions expected from local bodies, a large amount was expected in the way of donations from private Individuals in all parts of the Dominion. Mr Climie added that £SOO was needed for the erection of the memorial, and it was intended that any sum in excess of that should be handed to the Arthur’s Pass National Park Board as the nucleus of a maintenance fund. Disappointing Response. The annual street appeal for the St. John Ambulance Association realised only £273, and the sum of £IOOO is necessary for the purchase of a new ambulance and for the general fund. Yesterday’s amount is disappointing, compared with £4OB raised last year. There were over 150 collectors in the city, and also two stalls, which realised more than £lB. Claim Against Merchants. In the Magistrate's Court this morning, before Mr F. F. Reid, S.M., John Penny, a retired bank officer (Mr F. W. Johnston) claimed £233/10/1 from Mason, Struthers and Co., Ltd., hardware merchants (Mr W. F. Tracy). The claim comprised £l5O general damages and £B3/10/1 special damages, and arose from a collision on July 26, 1934, between a motor-car driven by Penny and a lorry owned by the defendant eompany and driven by Herbert William Burrows. . The plaintiff alleged negligence on the part of the driver of the lorry. As the result of the collision, his car was damaged to the extent of £73/0/1, and he himself received severe injuries. For the defence, it was contended that Penny approached the corner at a fast speed. The claim for general damages was said to be excessive. Judgment was reserved. Municipal Airport. Prolonged delay in settling the municipal airport proposal for Christchurch is causing considerable concern to the citizens generally. The matter is of importance not only in regard to the development of facilities for transport by aeroplane, but also because of the effect it is having in holding up a proposition to construct a seaplane base at the estuary.

The slov; progress made by the City Council in the negotiations was criticised by Dr. A. C. Standston, a member of tlie council, in an interview to-day. Dr. Sandston raid it was most important that the purchase of the airport site at Harewood should be completed at the earliest possible date. If something were not done very soon, Christchurch would be holding up its own development. As soon as the Harewood airport became a definite fact, but not until then, another project would be placed before the citizens of Christchurch. This would be for the building of a seaplane base in the estuary. In spite of what contemporary newspapers had said, and quite contrary to their expressed opinion, seaplane travel must become extraordinarily important, said Dr. Sandston. To-day’s developments in the Pan-American and British Imperial Airways services alone were sufficient to convince the ordinary person of the truth of this contention. Bright Prospects. Indications are that wool prices will be “pretty good,” stated a leading expert this morning. He added that the wool was now pouring into the stores in preparation for the first Christchurch sale on December 12. This was due to the fine weather and the fact that farmers wished to beat the possibility of any lowering of the exchange rate and take advantage of the existing market. The bulk of the wool now being opened up was in good condition, he added, but thire was a little which was rather dusty and discoloured owing to turnip feeding last autumn. Very little wool had yet arrived in store, but the hogget wool was, in the main, bright and well grown. According to this expert, the market had not Leer really tested out by the North Island sales, but the prospects were bright. Police Officer Farewelled. Striking proof of the popularity and esteem in • hich Superintendent D. J. Cummings is held by members of the police force in Canterbury was afforded, when more than one hundred men of all ranks met to farewell him prior to his departure to become superintendent at Wellington. Inspector Alan Cameron, presenting

Superintendent Cummings with a silver tea set, an eight-day Westminster chiming clock and a set of crystal ware, referred to him as one of the most capable and fairest officers in the force, particularly fair not only to his staff but to the public. Superintendent Cummings, he continued, was always ready to help those in trouble, and particularly desirous of assisting the younger members of the force. Mi Chief-Detective W. H. £>unlop said that, besides being a brilliant officer, Superintendent Cummings was, in his opinion, the ablest man he had been associated with. Sub-Inspector D. A. Mac Lean thanked the superintendent on behalf of the uniform men, and referred especially to his interest in activities outside of duty h'nirs. The superintendent said that he was extremely sorry to leave Christchurch, because he had such an efficient staff to make his duties lighter, and because he found the public most Jaw-abiding and charitable. He JggLrticularly proud of his officers, and wished to mention particularly the chief-detective and his men.