LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12718, 13 August 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Wellington Presbytery last night carried a resolution condemning the Defence Minister’s proposal to extend the defence system by training the youth of the country for four months in camp. Mr A. Christie, the Ashburton County Council’s inspector, states that over 500 motor-cars, some of which came from as far south as the Bluff, passed over the Ashburton traffic bridge on Sunday on their way to Christchurch, in connection with the Grand National meeting. A local delivery firm, whose pantechnicon broke through Hackthorne Road and was considerably damaged, forwarded a claim for damages amounting i tn £l4 2s to the Heathcote County ! Council. When the matter came before the council at its meeting last evening, it was decided that it could not accept any liability for the damage suffered. The Mayor of Kaiapoi (Mr J. H. Blackwell) reported to last night’s meeting of the Kaiapoi Borough Council that the position of the Waimakann at the old intake op the north branch was exceedingly dangerous. It was decided to support’the Eyre County Council in urging the Public Works Department to immediately erect protective works. The Christchurch Fire Board, at its meeting last night, decided to place the Boys’ High School hostel in Lower Riccarton on the “ guaranteed list” in case of fire. The superintendent- reported that he had examined the promises, and found them well equipped with fire escapes and first aid fire appliances. A sufficient supply of water was also available for pumping purposes. At the meeting of the Heathcote County Council last night, a letter was received from the ‘ Education Board stating that it had been decided that there shall he one manager to represent the Waimairi County Council, the Heathcote County Council and the Canterbury Sheepowners’ Association on the Board of Managers of the Technical College for the vear 1919-20. The conned appointed Mr G. M. Hall to meet the other bodies concerned in the election. A letter was received from the Cashmere Hills School Committee at last night s meeting of the Heathcote County Council asking if the council would instal four lighting points and one heating point at the school, and mentioning that it was understood that a similar installation had been made in the county free of cost. The electrician reported that the cost of the installation would he £2l 13s- The council decided to make the installation and bear half of the cost. It was decided at last night’s meeting of the Heathcote County Council not to take any action in the application of the New Brighton Borough Council to be relieved of its liability to pay rates tor the upkeep of the Christchurch domains. When the letter was before the couned, Mr G. M. Hall said that New Brighton catered for the people of the whole of Christchurch, and it was a question whether it was not entitled to receive assistance from the city and ether local bodies for the upkeep of the beacn. Mr G. K. Burton, in moving that the letter bo received, said that the council could do nothing to help New He was in favour of one hoard having control of all the domains m the district. • 4 P ro P osa T to provide a war memorial for the One-tree Hill district (Auckland) is being considered by the local Road Board- It lias been suggested that an obelisk of dressed stone, o6ft high, be erected on One-tree Hill. The alto- was an ancient fighting platform at a slightly lower altitude than the pinnacle. It was a level sward, 34yds in diameter, steeply scarped on every side, the scene of many bygone battles, the very ground being steeped in the blood Of fighting men, warriors who fought ifor their hearths and homes. A monument erected there would be visible from a great distance. It was proposed that the obelisk should I have a polished granite base, on which would bo inscribed the names of the dead and those wounded, gassed or shell-shocked. The recent sailing of the Malmra and Niagara for Sydney has practically re-' moved the congestion of intercolonial passenger traffic so existent, owing t'o the want of shipping, states the “New Zealand Herald.” A number of Australians have been delayed in Auckland for some time past, awaiting a direct sailing, and, while there apparently have been no cases of hardship, these people have been very glad indeed to return home. Prior to the sailing of these two vessels, the Permits and Passports Office had a very busy time, all who wished to travel hurrying their passports through in view of the uncertainty as to when there will be another direct trip. Many people have recently applied for passports for travel to England, but so far these have not been for any period later than September. A great reduction in overseas travel is expected from next month onwards, very few people other than those compelled to caring to reach England during the winter months.

A shortage of copper coins is stated to be One of the difficulties that confront New Zealand tradesmen at present (says the Auckland “ Herald ”). Since the beginning of the "war the banks have been unable to obtain more than a fractional portion of their requirements. This is believed to be duo partly to the fact that the war created an abnormal demand for copper for use in the manufacture of munitions, and partly to the fact that the new schedules of the retail prices of various commodities have led to a greater need of pennies on the part of purchasers. The tramway services, of course, handle a very large proportion of copper in circulation, and the banks which have the tramway banking accounts supply the other hanks with as much of the copper coinage as they are able to spare. They, however, are unable to fully meet demands, and the shortage is stated to he occasioning considerable inconvenience in business circles. The Bank of New Zealand is at present endeavouring to arrange for the shipment of large consignments of -copper coins from London.

At the monthly meeting of the Little River Advancement Association, the question of soliciting the co-operation of the local stock agents in submitting properties suitable for soldiers’ farms caused considerable discussion- Many present expressed their disapproval of the action of speculators in 'buying up land that was suitable for soldiers’ settlement. The president (M r J. O. Coop) said lie thought it was time the people themselves did something for the soldiers. He considered that a great difficulty lay in the fact that often the soldiers did not have quite enough capital to purchase a property, and if the people of the district would get together and guarantee the amounts required, he thought they would he doing something useful to help the soldiers? It was eventually decided, on the motion of the president, to call a- public meeting of landowners of the district to consider the question of providing finance for putting returned soldiers on the land.

Hundreds of Christchurch citizens have been cured by Dr Fellow’s Pile Cones when every other known remedy has failed. Price 8s 6d box, from chemists, or direct. Loasby and Co., chemists (opp. Ballantyne’s). X Have those old-time portraits copied, enlarged or reduced and finished by our permanent process. We specialise in this and can guarantee satisfaction. Steffano Webb, Petersen’s Buildings. High Street. ’Phone 1989. X Hardware News. Scarce lines now to be had at Messrs Has tie. Bull and Pickering’s; Stainless Table Cutlery, English Pocket Knives, Scissors, Enamelled Saucepans, “Mrs Potts” Sad Irons, Chamois Leathers, Modern Tools. 3209