LOCAL AND GENERAL

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12717, 12 August 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Ashley County Council, at its monthly meeting, received a letter from the Minister of Agriculture in reference to the kea pest. The Minister stated that, before it could be made compulsory for County Councils to destroy keas,_ legislation would be necessary, and in that case the opinions or* other local bodies must be considered. Arrangements are in hand for the ball to be given next month in the Colosseum to Admiral Viscount Jellicoe and the officers of H.M.S. New Zealand. Tickets may be obtained from the honorary secretary at 119, Worcester Street, or at Messrs Milner and Thompson’s, Manchester Street, on and after to-morrow. The charges are, for gentlemen £1 11s 6d, and for ladies £1 Is. In his report to the City Council last evening, the abattoir manager presented the following return of stock slaughtered for July, 1919, the figures for 1918 are given in parentheses;— Cattle 1103 (10.18), sheep 10,895 (9170), lambs 1282 (532), pigs 1058 (851), calves 259 (136). The stock condemned were:—Twelve cattle (11), 101 sheep (21), 5 lambs (nil), 6 pigs (S), 15 calves (3). Last night the City Surveyor reported to the City Council that the building permits issued in July this year totalled 44, of a value of £30,725, as against 18 for the same month last year, with a valuation of £19,400. The building permits issued since April totalled 135, with a valuation of £81,775, the figures for the corresponding period Inst vear being 60 permits and value £59,750. A letter was read from the New Zealand Automobile Union at last night’s meeting of the City Council, which stated that at the annual meeting of the union mention was made by motorists of the difficulty when travelling at night of obtaining a clear view of'the approaches to bridges which are painted a dark colour, and asking that these approaches should be painted whitethe matter of high trees obstructing the view on the corner of roads was al=o the subject of another resolution forwarded. Councillor Agar moved that the "Works Committee should bo instructed that where there were bridges which had dark approaches these should be painted as desired. The motion" was earned.

II bas been a great pleasure for me io come down to your club rooms and meet you returned soldiers,” said Mr R-. Leckie, chief clerk to tiie Lands Department, at the conclusion of the meeting of returned soldiers last night“l meet a number of you piece-meal at my office day by dnv, but I am always anxious to help you to get on the .ana, and I can assure you that the Land Board and the Commissioner are all at one in wanting to see von getthe houses, farms or whatever you want from them.” (Anulau.se.) A very hearty vote of thanks to Mr Leckie for attending the meeting was accorded by acclamation.

“ I m proud to be here, proud to be back m New Zealand,” Sir Joseph \> nrd said at the Victorv Fair in the Colosseum last night. “'This is one of the most beautiful countries I have seen. It’s a country worth living in ; its a country worth working for; it’s a Country worth coining back to. I have been away on several occasions, and people sometimes said that I had gone for good; but it’s astonishing how a bad penny always turns up again, and so I’m here in these happy surroundings. _lt seems only yesterday since I was in Paris, a dav'or two ago since I was in London, then JS T ew York then Canada and finally I find mvself back in yonng old New Zealand.” ‘(Applause.)

A brief discussion took place at last night s meeting of returned soldiers on the question^of giving preference to returned men m ballots for sections specially suitable for them. A motion in ravour of giving preference to the limbless men was moved by Mr Campbell, several speakers opposed tile proposal, one niember pointing out that at Oatlauds Park Hospital, in England, where most of the limbless men had been stationed, special classes of instruction had been held m engineering and other branches, and very few of the men had evidenced any desire to take ur> farming. The secretary, Mr AA 7 . E. Leadlev, pointed out that the proposal did not emanate from the limbless men themselves, who were diffident.about asking for such.preference. The motion was defeated.

The new representation of local bodies on the Board of Governors of the technical College was briefly discussed at last night’s meeting of the u oolston Borough Council. Several councillors expressed the ouinjjßft that the council was entitled to direct representation on the board as a contributing body. It was decided to enter a protest against the alteration of representation, and to inform the authorities concerned that the council would consider the advisability of making no further contribution to the funds of the college if the representation was not altered. The Mayor (Mr C. Hill) was appointed the council’s delegate to n conference of representatives from the Sumner, AVoolston and Spreydon Borough Councils and the Drainage Board, on September 5, to elect a rcibresentative to represent these four bodies on the Board of Governors of the college.

A deputation from the Creche and Kindergarten Association waited on the City Council with a request that th© vacant section at the corner of Wordsworth and Queen Streets should be beautified as a playground for very young children of kindergarten age. The deputation was introduced by Mr L. M. Isitt, M.P.. and the sneakers were Mesdames T. E. Taylor and Langdown. who urged the importance of having a. playground in a congested area, and suggested that in time a creche might bo erected on the section. A letter was also read from the Sydenham School Committee, supporting tho request, and stating that the ground could be procured at an expenditure of *-100. In tho course of discussion it was stated that the Reserves Committee had been trying to secure a more sir table section further away from Sydenham Park, and the corner of ths pve-ont section had been sold to a el a sonic body. Councillor Herbert gave notice to move at th© next meeting t.’.at the council should rescind the motion to sell the section.

A clause m the By-laws and Finance Committee s report presented to the Uty Council last night stated that applications were hoiug called for the portion of assistant motor traffic inat £195 per annum, a returned soaier to he given preference if eligible. CouncilloreHerbert expressed surprise that this appointment had not been speedily dealt with. The citv had arrived at one of the busiest weeks of the year, and the committee was still thinking about the appointment of a. traffic inspector. He 'moved that if possible, a temporary inspector should he put on immediately. Councillor Hunter asked if. at the salary stated, any provision was being made for tbs inspector to invest his cash in the bank at the end of the year. He was" not at tl 9 meeting when the allocation was made, but for the council to gh'e any adult employee in these times under £4 per week was absolute sweating. Councillors Agar and M’Kellar resented an imputation that the committee had the position cut and dried, and subsequently the motion was lost, and the danse in the report adopted. Hundreds of Christchurch citiaeni have been cured by Dr Fellow’s Pile Cones when every other known remedy has failed. Price 3s 6d box, from chemists, or direct. Loasby and Co., chemists (opp. Ballantyne’sV. X Have those old-time portraits copied, enlarged or reduced aud finished oy our permanent process. \V 0 specialis'd in this and can guarantee satisfaction. Steffano Webb, Petersen’s Buildings, High Street. ’Phone 1989. X Ladies know them to have no equal. Martin’s Apiol and Steel Pills. Sold by all Chemists end Stores throughout Australasia. S