LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16470, 5 July 1921, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tho new post office at Papanui is to be opened by Mr G. Witty, M.P., on Friday afternoon. “Water rates charged to the schools are too high,” said Councillor E. H. Andrews at last evening’s meeting of tho City Council. “ It seems unfair that the schools, without any exemptions, should be called on to pay 2b for every 1000 gallons used, double the ordinary rate.” Councillor A. M’Kellar pointed out that schools did not have to pay ordinary rates. The matter was referred to the Waterworks Committee. Concerning tho Woplston war memorial pavilion project, a deputation consisting of Messrs C. Hill and F. Horne waited on the Borough Council last night. The council decided, subject to confirmation at its next meeting, to set aside £IOO for the erection of a septic tank and lavatories in the Woolston recreation ground; also, that the contractor should be given permission to proceed with the erection of the pavilion. In connection with the outbreak of diphtheria in the city, the Sanitary Committee of the City Council has obtained from Viie Health Department a list showing the cases notified since January lof this year. From this list the committee ascertained the different localities in which the disease was prevalent, and had instructed the chief inspector to have a special inspection made of the parts of the city most affected.

The statement in a telegram from Wellington that the report of the Gaming Commission may not be made public until after the meeting of the Racing Conference was referred to by the Rev J. J. North at last evening’s meeting of the Council of Christian Congregations. He considered it was a most improper suggestion, ahe Racing Conference was not pa; ing for the Commission and he not see why the findings of the Commission should be placed before a group of racing magnates before being made public. A complaint was recently made by the Cnristchurch Poultry, Pigeon, Canary and Cat Club regarding tho destruction of poultry by ferrets. Inquiries were made by the police, and it was ascertained that a few fefrets were kejß in the city and that on occasions they had escaped with disastrous results to keepers of poultry in the neighbourhood. Provision is to be made in the next by-law for a license to be obtained for keeping ferrets at a fee of Is per heed. The fifth of a series of lectures under tho auspices of the Canterbury FruitAssociation was given last night by Mr W. K. Dallas, the Government Orchard Instructor, the subject being “The Principles and Objects of Pruning.” The lecture was copiously illustrated with diagrams, and at its conclusion the lecturer was accorded a vote of thanks. Mr F. W. Cone was in the chair. It was decided to hold a field dav at the Government Experimental v Farm at Harewood, when practical demonstrations would be given by Mr Dallas.

Speaking to a reporter Mr J. M’Combs, M.P., said that in the June Abstract of Statistics he noted that there was a reduction of only 5 points in the six-monthly moving average index number for May, as compared with April, for food, rent, fuel and light combined, and that there had only been a reduction of 9 points from March t-o May in the same index number, which covered three-fifths of the cost of living budget; whereas there would have to be a reduction of 190 points in all groups by the middle of September to make the withholding of the 5b bonus by the Arbitration Court and the stabilising of wages for a year an equitable arrangement.

The allotment of taxi stands in Cathedral Square will be discussed at a conference between representatives of the drivers and members of the City Council By-laws Committee. At last evening’s meeting of the council, Councillor A. Williams said that a deputation of taxi drivers had waited on him with reference to the proposal to put taxi stands up to auction or Render. The majority of the men were against the proposal. He would like to know the attitude of the By-laws Committee. Councillor J. A. Flesher said that the By-laws Committee intended to call all the taxi drivers together and to get their views. The committee had no desire to do injustice to anyone. It would act impartially, reporting to the council after the conference. Councillor Williams : “ That is quite satisfactory. During the course of bis speech at tho Council of Christian Congregations last evening Bishop Julius urged members to try to prevent acrimony and dissens-on entering into tneir dismissions. To illustrate bis point the Bishop said that when he was a young man in London a number of Churchmen, including Dean Farrar, used to meet for the purpose of discussing questions they were interested in. The group included High Churchmen and Churchmen of the evangelical type. They discussed matters on which there were great differences of opinion, but they had a rule that whenever the argument became heated ‘•Hey should got down on their knees and pray. This rule proved effective, and he could remember only one row occurring, and that lasted only three minutes. “ Is the council or the police responsible for keeping stray cattle off the road in Spreydon,” asked Councillor F. R. Cooke in the City Council last night. He added that a stray horse in Milton Street, three Sundays ago, had playfully lifted a bassinette containing u child from the footpath to the road, with its heels. The Mayor expressed the opinion that the matter was one for the council, while Councillor Flesher held that it was also a matter for the local policeman. Somebody suggested that Councillor Cooke could have taken the horse to the nearest pound, and claimed “ four hob.” “ But Councillor Cooke can’t ride ” said Councillor Armstrong. Councillor Cooke arose with an air of injured innocence, protesting against the slur on his good name with the remark that he had ridden in a hurdle race at the ago of eleven. He contended that his original question had not been answered. “I won’t let it happen again” said the Mayor. A protest against the emploj-ment of a superannuated worker when unemployment was existent was made by Mr D. Sykes at yesterday’s meeting of the Christchurch Tramway Board. Mr Sykes asked for information concerning a letter from a union secretary received by the Works and Traffic Committee. The general manager said that the union secretary had written drawing attention to the fact that the board was employing a fitter who was in receipt of railway superannuation when other members of the union less fortunate were out of work. He had replied that the man, sixty years of age, was a very efficient fitter. Had he saved his money in some other way, or drawn his superannuation in a lump sum, he did not think tho union would have objected to his employment. “ I am not going to be a party to employing a man in receipt of a pension of nearly £195 a year while other men are walking the streets without employment or pension,” declared Mr Sykes. 1 ‘ There was no objection when it was hard to get men, but we have no right to do it in the present circumstances.” “ I want to endorse what Mr Sykes has said.” said Mr W. J. Walter. The chairman (Mr S. A. Staples) said he could not allow' the matter to be discussed. He had already erred in allowing Mr Sykes to make a speech on the occasion of asking his question. We produce portraiture that pleases because of its naturalness. Ouj prices tro moderate, too- Steffano Webb, 252. High Street. ’Phone 1939. 1 Martin’s Apiol and Steel Pills. Sold by all Chemists and Stores throughout Australasia- X