LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9222, 29 April 1908, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

-♦ . Mr Jones dealt sarcastically thia morning with the conditions of qualification for membership of the Farm Labourers' Union. "This shows," he said, quoting a document before him, " that past, present or future farm labourers are eligible to join. Why, they oan have Sir Joseph Ward as a member." "I do not think we would have him at a gift," replied Mr Thorn. At the meeting of the Seiwyn County Council to-day there was # some discussion regarding the destruction of small birds, and Mr J. Wolfe advocated the introduction of grey owls, which had been of value in other districts. Weasels also did a lot of good, and though they had a bad name, they were the best friends the farmer h_jid. He never killed a weasel^ and he was sure that they did not touch his poultry. ' "You must have very tough chickens out your way," interjected a sceptical councillor, " for weasels killed twenty of my chickens." Speaking with reference to the destruction of small birds at the Seiwyn County Council's meeting to-day, Mr G. Bedford put forward a proposal that the Council should offer special inducements for the work of extermination during the months of June, July and August. He said that there had been a heavy fall of snow in the winter of one season, during which men with traps and guns had taken sacks full of birds to sell. There was not much use in using poisoned grain, and he thought that the best way to rid the districts ot birds was to kill the pest off in the winter. An interesting return was presented to the Seiwyn County , Council to-day regarding the destruction of small birds. The number of heads purchased at 6d per dozen during the year was 262,309, at ls per dozen 10,586 were purchased, and heads and eggs at 6d per dozen amounted to 55,410. The number at 3d a dozen was 435,410, making a total of 763,715. The sum of £1159 8s 5d was expended in purchasing eggs and heads, poisonned grain cost £272 2s sd, and traps £38 19s lOd. The commission on rates collected had been £53, and the purchase of keas had cost £43 2s lud. Altogether £1566 lie lOd had been expended ori tho work, and the rates received during the year had amounted to £1338 15s sd. There is no opium or narcotics of any description in Chambcrlaii. • Cough Remedy, and this makes it _$ favourite with all. It can be giv«Bj to a baby as confidently as to aa aduls» As a cure for bad colds, croup, ov whooping cough, it is unequalled, and may be depended upon with the utmost confidence. It is pleateant to take, which is .oif much importance. It nlwavs cuWBG 4 apod cures quickly. 4. .;

tAt Lyttelton this morning, Mr H. r . Bishop, S.M., granted one applicaon for an old age pension, of the full femount. i The inmates of the various public institutes in Christchurch wish to thank [Mr Tom Pollard for his kindness in inJviting them to the performance of *' Bluebell " last night. i " Did you use strong language ?" a Svitness at the Magistrate's Court was jj-sked this morning. "No, I did not speak strongly," # he replied, "I only Ltold him I'd punch his head if he did fliot let the rope alone." i The Christchurch citizens who pro■j>cso to attend the ceremony in conlaiection with the Arthur' 6 Pass tuntnel, on Tuesday next, will leave Christthurch by train on Monday morning, bud will reach Otira late in the afterboon. Tho ceremony will take place ion Tuesday, at noon, and the party rtvill reach Christchurch again on Wedttiesday. I A theft of jewellery was reported to She Sumner police yesterday by Mrs ffiest, of Redcliffs. It was stated that Iher house had been -entered during her lebsence in the early afternoon, and jthat about £100 worth of jewellery and [other valuables had been stolen. The (police instituted inquiries, but so far .have not discovered the 'criminal. It is letated that the door of the house was jiot locked, as Mrs Best was calling on te neighbour, and that only a portion pof the valuables was stolen. . 1 A meeting of the New Brighton JRotunda Committee was held yesterday fet the' Council Chambers. Mr G. D. Macfarlane (Mayor) was in the chair. Considerable discussion took place on Hie question of the site for the rotunda, Bnd it was decided that, in view of the public objecting strongly to the erection of the rotunda in one of the enclosures near the pier, as approved by *he Borough Council, a letter should jbe sent to that body asking it to ib Iter its decison and to grant another site. Tenders were opened for ithe erection of the rotunda, and were .deferred till next meeting, when it was f lioped the question of site would be jidefinitely' settled. It was stated that -" 'several subscriptions were dependent on /the- site question. I It is generally thought that the duty Kbi' a tram begins and ends with carrying passengers. But one night last Kveek au intoxicated man in Worcester .Street proved conclusively that the full isphere of usefulness of a tram is not tyet known. The intoxicated person was sadly in need of a smoke, but was de•barred from enjoying it because of the Ebsence of matches. He leaned against tramway pole and waited in patient ilence, but only until a Burwood car ruffed by. Then he lurched out on to he tram track, and, with much mamceuvring, succeeded in- prostrating himself before a red-hot cinder that Ji ad fallen from the steam motor. He theu proceeded to light his pipe. It Jtvas soon merrily burning, and, with a grunt of evident satisfaction, he rejpssumed his upright position and lurchfed heavily into the night. The annual smoke concert of the [Lyttelton Pirates Amateur Athletic Club took place last night, in the hall to. the Lyttelton Club. The captain, Mr T. Gillard, presided, and the prizes ,won in swimming during last season were presented to the winners by Mr JT. Wales, ex-captain, in the absence bf Mr W. Johnson, representative of the Swimming Association, from whom an apology wa6 received. The club was successful in inter-club matches .during the season, having gained two first prizes, one second and one third. A number of toasts were honoured, including the health of the prize-givers, the prize-winners, the president and vice-presidents, the captain and offifcers, kindred clubs, the Press, and '"Success to the Pirates Football tTeam." Mr G. Laurenson, M.P., pre? Bidont of the club, who had been detained at another meeting, arrived before the close of the proceedings, and proposed the toast of absent friends, couoled with the name of Mr Helmore Brown, founder of the club, who is How serving in the Royal Navy.