TOWN AND COUNRY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16352, 15 February 1921, Page 8

TOWN AND COUNRY.

The Kaiapoi left Melbourne for Bluff } on February 12, with thirteen bags of ! mail matter for Christchurch. All the river a are reported clear ini to-day’s river report, except the Wai- ! taki, which is fisliable. The Fire Brigade acknowledge receipt of the sum of £2 2s from the owners of the Cyclone Fence and Gate Company’ in appreciation of the brigade’s services at a small outbreak of fire off their premises last evening. Sergeant O. AY. Tonkinson, of the j Christchurch Police Force, who has j been ill the city for about two years, j has received notice of transfer to Invercargill, and -will leave for the south j about the end of the month. The following were granted land ! agents’ licenses by Mr S. E. M’Carthy, j S.M., at yesterday’s sitting of th© | Magistrate’s Court:—Harry Sorensen., j Robert St Clair M’Kenzie, Thomas C. j F ield, Robert AY. Robson, John Jowett and Henry Cooper Smith. “ I have already’ given instructions for the preparation of a Motor Bill,” writes the Minister of Internal Affairs in a letter to the Mayor. He states that lie hopes to proceed with the Bill towards the end of the present year, and the suggestion of the Christchurch conference will then be considered. The Railway Appeal Board continued its sitting in the Provincial Council Chamber to-day. J. AVorthington, , cleric in the locomotive foreman’s office, Christchurch, appealed against the action of the Department in giving other members of the staff precedence before him. Mr J. Mason appeared for the Department-, . and appellant conducted his own case. It is expected that the board will continue its sitting in Christchurch to-morrow. The monthly ceilidh of the Scottish Society of New Zealand was held on Thursday evening in the rooms, Manchester Street, Chief” John L. Aitken presiding over a large gathering of members, their families and friends. 1 Pipe-Major Scott opened the proceedings avitil a selection on # the Highland war pipes and during the evening musical and other items were rendered by’ Miss Sutherland. Miss Grainger, Miss Reeve, Airs L. Bloy, Mrs Reeves, Messrs L. Fleming, Jack, and Simpson (2), and dances by’ Misses N. Chisholm, Joy Petrie, R. Buisb, and M. Aitken. Highland Reels and Reel of Tulloch were danced by the juvenile dancing class. The singing of “ Auld Lang. Syne ” concluded another pleasant function. Mrs E. A. Smith was the accompanist. Air E. Hitchcock, general manager of the City Council’s electricity'- department, has sent the following letter to the Mayor :—“ The department has recently been the subject of a particularly annoying and objectionable practice on tho part of some irresponsible members of the public. A week ago, a member of the staff was advised by’ . telephone that overhead linos were down and lights out in Westminster Street, St Albans. At 11 o'clock on February 8. a message was received reporting that a tree had fallen across the line at River Road, Opawa, and overhead lines were brought down and the neighbourhood was in darkness. On, each occasion, upon the arrival of the men and vehicle xvith the necessary repair equipment, it was found that th© call was a hoax. It is difficult for the public to appreciate the position bhe members of the staff are placed in on receipt of such a message. Should reliability of the, .message bo doubted and no steps taken to investigate, a serious accident may happen and the department incur a heavy liability. On tho other hand, tho calling out of men at a late hour at night results in cost and inconvenience. It is proposed to take vigorous action in the event of anyone being detected in giving false alarms of this kind, and it is most desirable that a full publicity should be given, and an appeal made to the public to dp all in their power to pi-event such occurrences.”