LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16455, 17 June 1921, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The "Wbclston Fire Brigade was sailed out at ten minutes to eight yesterday morning to the residence of Q, Hamper, at the corner of Ferry [load and Tilford Street. The chimney v&s on fire, hut the blaze was exsinguished before any damage had been lotie. A§ a result of having to import coal, ;he Auckland City Corporation’s electricity coal bill is double that of last 'ear. the increase being £17,000. As i result of this and other increased liarges, states a Press Association telegram, the cost of power and light to jQnsumers will be raised by five pen ;ent in September. Matters at Quamby, one of the M’Lean Institute homes, have been investigated by a special committee, and a report has been prepared, which was distributed to the Board Governors yesterday for private perusal. The reEorfc will bo dealt with by the oard at a special meeting on Thursday next. “ There is nothing in this world can progress unless something about it ap- ( pears in the Press,” remarked Dr Thacker at last night’s meetmg of the Boy Scouts’ Association. “ Whether it ia having mud Slung at it or whether it is being praised the public can’t know anything about it unless it appears in the papers. Publicity is the greatest help to any organisation, and the newspapers are an absolute necessity in a community.” Mr G. H- Graham, president of the Canterbury Microscopical Society, .presided at a meeting of the society last evening, when a address on “New.. Zealand Birds ” was pdven by Mr J. Drummond, who answered several questions, and to whom a vote of thanks was given. The chairman announced that arrangements had been made for the societv to meet in alternate weeks, instead of monthly. Mr R. Sheppard Green (secretary) announced lectures arranged for future meetings. The Board of Governors of the M’Lean Institute met yesterday; present—The Mayor (Dr Thacker, MP.), Mrs J. H. Wilson, Bishop Brodie, Rev N. D. L. Webster and Messrs G. Harper, S E. M’Carthy, and H. B. Sorensen. It was decided that Mr Sorensen should be a member of the Finance Committee, in place of Mr H. J. Otley. who; had automatically retired- The Finance Committee’s report was adopted, and accounts amounting to £641 Cs 6d were passed for payment. The fortnightly meeting of the Canterbury Repatriation Board was held on Wednesday evening; present— Messrs A. F- Drayton (in the chair), H. S. J. Goodman. F. H. Hobbs and W. E. Leadley. An apology for absence was received from Mr W. Goss. Applications were received and dealt with as follow : Furniture—Applications received, 17 ; approved, 15 ; declined 1; held over, 1. Trades, tools and equipment—Applications received, 15; ap-

proved. 7; declined, 7; held over, 1. Educational and vocational—Applications received, II; approved, 7; declined, 4. Sustenance.—Received and approved, I The annual meeting of the Christchurch Presbyterian Sabbath School Union was held in Knox Schoolroom on Tuesday. There was a good attendance of teachers, all the city schools being well represented. The report showed that the past year had been a very profitable one. A motion was passed expressing pleasure that the Rev Dr Erwin was making a speedy recovery from his recent illness. It was reported that the Rev W. T. Todd

(president) had returned to his home and had almost recovered from his long illness. The election of officers for the year was as follows:—President, Rev W. Tanner, St Peter’s; vice-presi-dents. Mr J. Hampton and Mr T. W. R. Hitt; secretary. Miss Webster; treasurer, Rev N. O. White (Ricoarton) : reporters, Miss H. S. Thomson and Mr G. Burn. At the close of the meeting, supper was dispensed by the Knox Church teachers. A sub-committee appointed by the Sumner Burgesses’ Association met at the residence of Mr H.. C. Jamieson last night and formed a Sumner Beautifying Societj'. The Rev W. M’Ara was voted to the chair, and Mr IT. Buttle was appointed secretary. The following were present:—Messrs R. Wallace, C. Booth, H. C. Jamieson and G. F. Allen. The secretary reported that a number of residents had expressed their appreciation of the forming of the society, and |>romised assistance in donations and personal service. It was decided to write to various enthusiasts, asking them to join the committee, and to inspect reserves at Scarborough on Saturday afternoon at three o’clock, the Mayor (the Hon J. Barr. M.L.C.) to be invited to attend. The meeting resolved to invite assistance from all interested in the beautifying of the borough, and to commence work in a week’s, time. During the visit of Sir Heaton Rhodes to the Ellesmere district a short time ago, Mr J. Murphy, on behalf of a number of farmers living in the vicinity of Hill’s Road flag station, approached the Minister with a request that he should endeavour to get the Railway Department to construct a siding at Hill’s Road. The following letter lias been received by Sir Heaton Rhodes from the Hon D. H. Guthrie, Acting-Minister of Railways :—“ With reference to your memorandum, forwarding representations which were made to you recently respecting the provision of a siding at Hill’s Road, between Leeston and Southbridge, I have to inform you that the distance between the two latter stations is a little over four miles, and is less than than that between several other stations in

the grain-growing districts of Canterbury. The carting involved does not therefore entail any undue disadvantage on the settlers in the vicinity of Hill’s Road, and, in the circumstances, it is regretted that the request preferred cannot be complied with.” We produce portraiture that pleases because of its naturalness. Our prices are moderate, too- Steffano Webb. 252, High Street. ’Phone 1989. 1