LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16709, 15 April 1922, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

NEWS FROM NEAR AND FAR

An important meeting of past pupils of th© TTharenui school will be held in th© schoolroom on Thursday evening next at 7.30.

The increased volume of traffic in Christchurch at present owing to the holidays and races necessitates better supervision to ensure the safety of pedestrians and users of the roads generally. Besides three city policemen on point duty, special constables have been detailed for work as follows: One at Hospital corner; two on Lincoln Road ; one at the corner of Westenra Street and Lincoln Road, and one at the comer of St Leonard Street and Lincoln Road. There are also two mounted policemen on duty.

Questioned ns to severity of the wave of influenza in New Zealand, the Minister of Public Health (Hon C. JParr) informed a reporter that its effect had been felt much more in the North Island than in the South. However. the trouble was not of the notifiable type, and as far as he could learn its threatening features had now almost disappeared. Some years ago a theory was seriously discussed by electricians as to the effect of many lines cf railway iron when a thunderstorm breaks in the vicinity. It was agreed (says an exchange) that they acted as an effective lightning conductor, and that no damage occurred -within the zone of their influence. The circumstance is recalled by a gentleman who says that specially severe shocks were exeprienced at Foxton one day recently, where the storm appeared to centre for a long time. This bo attributes to the fact that the rails passing over th'j sandy ground are practically insulated, and as they terminate at Foxton discharge tho fcdiole of the current.

After an interval of close upon fifteen years a fire brigades competition will be held, in Christchurch, the events being of a nature designed to bring out the qualities necessary in fire fighters. The competition will tako place on th© Addington Show grounds on Monday and teams from almost every brigade in Canterbury will compete. There will be no charge for admission to the show grounds, but a small fee will be charged for admission to the grand stand, and an opportunity will be given to make voluntary contributions to the Demonstration Committee's funds. Luncheon and afternoon tea will be obtainable on tlie grounds.

In connectioa with the jubilee celebrations of the Independent Order of Rechabites and the visit of high officers from England and Australia, a public meeting will be held in the Grand Picture Theatre to-morrow evening at 8.15 o'clock. The chair will be taken by J>r A. C. Sandston and the speakers will be the Pa-i High Chief Ruler, Mr J. H- Lear Caton, and Mr John Vale. Mr Caton is a prominent figure in the civic life of Binningliam, having been for twenty-sevej years organising secretary of the Birmingham Temperance Society and secretary of the Social Institutes Committee. During the war he won great credit for his work as organiser of the War Savings movement. Both Mr Caton and Mr Vale are fluent and forceful speakers. Speaking at the meeting of householders in Sydenham School Mr R- B. Owen advocated the furnishing of a vacant section in every block as a children’s playground. Particularly was thi3 necessary in a suburb, such as Sydenham, where there were undoubtedly th© largest families and the smallest gardens. The use of such a section need not necessarily b© purchased, as he felt quite sure that property owners would willingly grant the us© of the sections until thev were required for building purposes. The sand spit frames, see saws, swings and sliding boards could be readily i*emoved to another section and the straighening up of the sites would be done by voluntary effort. The wish was expressed that no time should be lost in laying down in grass the'children’s playground adjoining th© school, which would shortly be provided with all the necessary equipment for an ideal children’s playground. A photograph to send each of your friends is the best wav to solve tho gift problem. Let Steffano Webb take it. Petersen’s Buildings, High Street. Telephone 1989. 1513

“THE GLORY OF THE GARDEN ” Prepare for early Sweet Pea blooms by sowing Bradbury’s Famous Seeds now. Full stocks of new Season’s Seeds in great variety are now available at HASTIE, BULL .and PICKERINGS Cashel Street. Ask or send for free catalogue. 1966