TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12224, 23 January 1918, Page 6

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Colonel R. A. Ch alley has not yet received the decision of the recent Court of Inquiry into charges made by Dr Thacker, hut it is expected that it will he sent from Wellington to-day or to-morrow. “ You’re absolutely at sea when yen get on land of which you know nothing.” was the somewhat ambiguous criticism, made by one member of the North Canterbury Hospital Board at to-day’s meeting, when discussing a proposed land transaction.

As a result of examinations held recently the following pnpiis from Pt Mary’s Convent, Colombo Stre'-t, Christchurch, have gained Pitman's shorthand centifica-f.es:—Speed (60 words per minute) —Lily Cowell, Maudio Davies, Zita Madden, Erin Riordan, Vera, Spademan, Peggy Wooller and Mona Vincent. Elementary theory—Kathleen Cassidy. The following have secured typewriting speed certificates from the National Commercial College, Sydney—36 words per minute, Zita- Madden; 30 words. Mandie Davies: 27 words, Dorothy Handisides; 25 words, Lily Cowell, Peggy Wooller, Brin Iliordan; 24 words, Kathleen Cassidy, Mona Vincent; 20 words, Vera Spademan. At the meeting last evening of (he Christchurch branch of the Second Division League Air R. D. Martin suggested, in connection with the appeal of the executive for every reservist to join the league, that the statement, made at -a previous meeting that." the men who were not prepared to go to the front should get out of the league,'’ should he withdrawn. Air AT. J. Gresson, who presided, said that he had made the statement referred to. He was at the time, expressing his own personal opinion, and he saw no reason now to withdraw it. Any Second Division man wa.s eligible to join the league, no matter what his views on military service were. A meeting would ho enlivened within a month, when the whole policy of the league could be discussed.

In presenting l)is address at tlie annual conference of the New Zealand Nurserymen’s Association this morning the president (Mr T. "Waugh, of Wellington) remarked that few even among: the nurserymen themselves realised what the nation owed to their profession. “Its orchard trees, its trees for forest planting and for beautifying the parks, gardens and farms, the flowering and decorative plants that go to make our homos truly homelike, all these come from the nurserymen, who antieipatci years ahead an'd prepare for the demand that they know should com°. It is the nurserymen, practically without State aid, who have brought horticulture up to the standard which it has reached in this Dominion. While the great majority is cutting down and destroying, the nurseryman is propagating and planting so that the face of Nature may be improved.”

At to-day’s meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital Board a, letter was read from Dr Blackmoro calling attention to the fact that the accommodation at the Sanatorium and Coronation Hospital was inadequate for the demands. Various patients were waiting admis. sion. A discussion followed on the question of extending the Sanatorium, and a report was made by Air W. M’Millan on the recent conference with : the Hon G. W. Russell. Mrs Wilson said that it all came back to the fact that the Government should take over the Sanatorium. (Hear, hear.) The Minister was simply pushing the responsibility on to tho hoard. The Hon : It. Mooro said that there should be a. sanatorium in each Island, financed by the Government. (Hear, hear.) It was agreed that the Public Health Committee should consider the calling of a conference and report to the board. During the discussion numerous tributes were paid to the excellent work carried out by Dr Blackmore. Sir Robert Stout (Chief Justice), in proposing a vote of thanks to Dr Morrison and Professor Truebleod, the principal speakers at a gathering held on Monday night, under the auspices of tho Otago Expansion League, referred to tho gratitude of the Chinese. He. stated, the “Otago Daily Times” says, that during his temporary absence from tho Empire City a Chinese had called at his residence and left several small articles which were intended as presente. He did not know the individual who had been so kind, but it subsequently transpired that ho had a small property at Anderson Ray, which was leased from him (Sir Robert) as trustee. and which was used as a malrbot garden, and he was deeply grateful to him for consideration shown to him during a twenty years’ tenancy, and ho did not like, to leave the country without recognising it. Sir Robert added smilingly: ”T have lived a tram-, her of years in New Zealand among my own countrymen, and I don’t re-) member any of them being as consider- j ate as the Chinaman,” a remark,which \ was greeted wijji. .ugrqfljrispg .jftpg&Mji A