LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12720, 15 August 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The superintendent of the Pacific Cable Board, Auckland, notifies that the condition of the Canadian lines is now normal.—Press Association. On Wednesday the ratenayers of Whakataue carried a £75,000 loan proposal, by a majority of five to one, to provide good roads, water surface drainage, and hydro-electric light and power. An Order-in-Council extends the close season for seals for a period of three years from November 27 next, states a Pre-s Association message from Wellington. Base Records has been constituted n civil Department of the State, working under Defence Headquarters. No. officials of Base Records are to hold military rank in consideration of their positions in the office, and service in Base Records is not to count as military service. The town clerk advised the Canterbury Automobile Association at its meeting last night that the City Council intended at an early date to consider amendments to the traffic by-laws- The association was asked to appoint two delegates to attend the conference on the matter. The association appointed Messrs J. S. Hawkes and F. W. Johnston as its delegates. In presenting the Soldiers’ Car Committee’s report to the meeting of tho council of the Canterbury Automobile Association last night, Mr A- S. Clarkson stated that the car did fifteen trips during July, carrying 105 soldiers and covering 333 miles. During the year ended July 31 the total mileage run by the car was 8363; 1545 men had been carried, and 203 trips bad been made. In regard to the Ashburton name bridge, it has been suggested to the local automobile association that in times of abnormal traffic two men should be employed to warn motonsts to go slow. These men could also lie supplied with stop watches, and if rry motorists failed to obey the caution, they, could take steps to assist the council’s inspector to prosecute. The cost of the salaries of the men cinld be apportioned among the various automobile associations between Christchurch and Dunedin. Tlie Christchurch Male Voice Choir visited the Orthopaedic Ward at th© Christchurch Hospital last evening, and under the direction of Dr J. C. Bradshaw gave a programme to the soldier inmates. A company of soldiers from the Y.M.C.A. ward was also present. The choir was assisted by the Cathedral choristers in several glees. The soloists were Mr Charles Clarkson, Mr Rex Harrison, Mr A. S. Mitchell and Mr W. H. Prescott. Mrs Ver© Livingstone, who was the accompanist, played two pianoforte solos. The very fine programme met with warm appreciation from the audience.

Colonel Acland, N.Z.M.C., officer commanding the Chalmers Military Orthopedic Hospital, has pent a letter to the Canterbury Automobile Association conveying the thanks of the patients in the hospital and their appreciation of the untiring and thoughtful kindness of members of the association to them during the Peace celebrations. Colonel Acland stated that he was personally most grateful to the association for its unfailing efforts not only on the days of the Peace celebrations, but on many other occasions when the staff of the hospital required assistance, especially in regard to the entertainment of soldier patients. Four natives were charged before Mr E. W. Burton, S.M., at Te Kuiti, a few days ago with being the occupiers of an orchard affected with disease, and having failed to do what was necessary to eradicate it. In the ca.se of one defendant, who pleaded guilty, a fine of £o was imposed. The three other defendants pleaded not guilty. Mr Findlay said there were about a hundred owners of the land containing tbs orchard, and he argued that the defendants did not come within the definition of occupier, as they had no title. The place was an ancestral home, and natives came and went as they pleased. The land had been held in a communal manner for a very long time. He had seen the chiefs of the hapu. who held that a good deal of sanctity attached to the trees, and he had some in persuading them to use the axe. The inspector said that the trees had been felled. The natives were convicted and ordered to pay costs. The Public Health Department has noticed in passing reimbursing claims from Hospital Boards for allowances made in regard to influenza epidemic widows that there is a great difference in the manner in which relief is being administered (states the “Journal of Public Health ’’). Some of the boards, in cases where the widow has no means, are allowing the full 10s 6d for each child and £1 5s for the mother, less of course, the widow’s pension drawn’ by the widow; a few hoards, however, are only granting the 10s 6d for the children and nothing for the mother, whereas in one or two instances it appears that the full amount is not being allowed for the children. The Minister has expressed the desire that these pensions should he administered generously and with full appreciation of all the facts. The board must, 'of course, use its own discretion and deal with each case on its merits. Where it is ascertained shat the children will otherwise suffer, the full amount should bo granted. The relief does not extend to widows who lost their husbands subsequent tc January 31, on which date the epidemic was consiciex*ed to liave run its course.

The superintendent of the Woolston .tire Brigade reported to the hoard last night that since the previous meetin"’ of the board there had been two false alarms received by the brigade. Mr J- J. Graham remarked that it looked as if there was someone in the borough wilfully giving false alarms to the brigade. and he suggested that the board should ask the police to keep a lookout and endeavour, if possible, to trace the culprits. lie moved to that effect. Mr J, C. Hobson, in seconding the motion, said that by giving publicity to the matter the culprits would probably be frightened. “But we want tae police to catch them, not me’-elv frighten them,” said Mr Graham. The chairman (M r C. Hill) said that it was evident that somebody was deliberate!? giving the false alarms. Two had been received in one night, and both were from telephone boxes between Weolston and the city. The motion was carried. Hundreds of Christchurch citizens 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 loop. Ballantyne’s)'. X Have 'those old-time portraits copied, enlarged or reduced and finished by our permanent process. W 6 specialise in this and can guarantee satisfaction. Steffano Webb. Petersen’s Buildings High Street. ’Phone 1989. *