OVERNIGHT ITEMS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20455, 7 November 1934, Page 6

OVERNIGHT ITEMS.

A denial that the Government intended to bring pressure upon the legal profession to reduce its scale of conveyancing charges has been given by the Prime Minister (Mr Forbes) in answer to an inquiry by Mr J. P. Cavanagh, editor of the “ New Zealand Law Journal.” A statement that the Government proposed to take action requiring solicitors to reduce conveyancing charges appeared early last month in an Auckland newspaper. It was also suggested that the Government contemplated establishing its own State conveyancing office. The yacht Jannet was first home in the trials to choose the Wellington entry for the Sanders Cup contest, states a Press Association message. There were seven starters. On the last leg cf the course it seemed certain that the order would be Monica first and Lavina second, but the breeze dropped dead and the Jannet was able to steal over the line first, with Monica and Lavina a minute behind. The inconvenience caused to Riccarton patrons on race days was discussed by the Upper Riccarton and Sockburn Burgesses’ Association at its monthly meeting last night. Several suggestions for improving the tram service were made, but no decision was reached. It was de cided to ask the Tramway Board to obtain information regarding the new • tramcars in America, which were reported to carry seventy-five passengers at a rate of forty miles per hour. It was thought possible that the cars could be used on a through route, such as from Sumner to Riccarton. 55 The Masterton County Council decided unanimously at its meeting yesterday to increase by 5 per cent* the rates of wages of all its permanent employees. The decision affects both outside and inside staffs, and the increase will be retrospective from April 1, 1934, states a Press Association message from Masterton. At a meeting of the North Linwood Burgesses’ Association last evening, the boundaries of the association were fixed as follows: From the river at Wainoni to Cuff’s Road, MacGregor’s Road, Hay Street, Tilford Street, outfall drain, Rolleston Street, Cashel Street, Stanmore Road, M’Bratney’s Road to the starting point. It was decided to write to the City Council requesting that the footpaths in Butterfield Avenue, Carnarvon Street and Cashel Street should be put in order. 55 *.j The question of untidy rubbish bins was discussed at a meeting of the North Linwood Burgesses’ Association last evening, and it was decided to write to the City Council again requesting that householders be allowed to leave rubbish bins inside their gates for collection by the refuse collectors. Messrs T. IT. Butterfield, W. Henry, W. Grigg, W. Ledsham and A. H. Campbell were appointed a sub-committee to devise ways and means of raising funds for the equipment of the North Linwood children’s playground in Dacre , Street. A more conspicuous way of labelling reserved seats in trains was advocated by an overseas traveller yesterday. He said that on several occasions he had been put to the inconvenience of having to claim his seats from other passengers who had not noticed the reserved notice above the seats. It was a matter which he had heard other travellers complain of. It was a very minor complaint, he said, but it was one of the ways in which an improvement could be effected. People from overseas expected precise arrangements made for them and petty annoyances were later often exagg-rated.

On the grounds that it had adopted a resolution that it would not take part in politics, the North Linwood Burgesses’ Association unanimously decided last evening that a letter from the Council of the United Burgesses’ Association regarding the proposed formation of a new group to contest the municipal elections should “ lie on the table.” The letter invited the association “to co-operate in framing a policy and selecting an independent group directly representing the ratepayers, with the object of gaining control of the City Council.” A member said it was a most extraordinary action for the United Burgesses’ Association to send such a letter to a body that was not affiliated with it.

Under the will of the late W. N Dempsey, who died at Lower Hutt on October 15, subject to two prior life interests, the following bequests are provided for:—£1000 to Masonic. Grand Lodge of New Zealand for the widows, orphans, and aged masons’ fund of the lodge: £IOOO to the Masonic Grand Lodge of New Zealand to be applied by the lodge for the benefit of the orphan sons of Masons in New Zealand in such a manner as the lodge thinks fit.