GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14971, 19 May 1914, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

Some of tho principal happenings of the past week have taken place in Christchurch, notably th 6 Competitions, which drew competitors from all parts of New Zealand, and the annual meeting of tho New Zealand Masonic Lodge, which representatives from North Cape to Bluff attended. Each of theso is illustrated in the "Weekly Press," published this morning*. Of the Competitions there aro the principal winners and the judges, and th© Masonic pictures only include a huge group of the representatives, but exclusive pictures of tho picnic on the Cachmero Hills and the garden party at Iliccarton Racecourse. These will be eagerly sought after by Freemasons all over the- Dominion, as they form the only complete record published. Another fine set of pictures are those of the first day of tho Now Brighton Trotting Club's Meeting, a Meeting that will bo famous as that at which the first Trotting Derby m New Zealand was held. To those who love hiilclimbing, and use the Summit road, the picturesque caretakers cottage at Kennedy's Bush will appeal, and to sear fishers there is nothing better than tho picture of a haul of kinghsh, which is looked upon by many sportsmen as the gamHst fish in Now Zealand waters. Nothing makes tho progress of a town so much as the number of commercial travellers who visit it, and when we see group of commercials who were in Greyrcoutn in one day, we can have no doubts of its progress. Besiues these there arc many *\ewZealand subjects, as well as a magnificent set of pictures of current happenings by the English mails. The letterpress sections of the paper are full of interest as usual, and the issue is one tnat is assured of a quick sale.

It is announced that a parada of the troops of tbe Christchurch Garrison will be held at King Edward Barrack? at 8 a.m. on June .?. rd (King's BiHhday). The troops vr.U march to Hagley Park, and alter saiuting the flag at 9 a.m. will be dismissed. Tho parade is announce! as compulsory.

Owing to the unavoidable absence of Bishop Grimes, the Mayor (Mr H. Holland) will present the diplomas and certificates to tho Trinity College candidates at the Art Gallery at 3 p.m. today.

Our Kaikoura correspondent telegraphs that the Conway river, which lias been uncrossablo tor three days on tho Hundalee section, KaikouraCheviot road, is the only waterway preventing coach communication with Kaikoura. The rain has not been abnormal, and the temperature is rising.

_ A Press Association telegram from Napier states that the Customs officers on Saturday confiscated the nets of ten trawlers, owing to the siso of the mesh not complying with mc regulations. The Secretary of the Marine Department instructed the Collector of Customs to return the nets and give permission for their use pending further instructions. Prosecutions will probably folio A",

The new petrol electric motor railwnv carriaco recently constructed at- Pet ono workshops was given another trial run on Saturday last (says a Wellington Press Association telegram). Tho'carriago was taken from Petone to Kaitoke and then down to Wellington ; n order to ascertain the locomotive power of tho contrivance. A heavy carriage was attached as a trailer, and the experiment is reported to have proved successful.

Last week the steamer Zcalaudk*, when lifting anchor in tho.- stream, brought up a long length of submarine cable, but lost it when berthing it Glasgow wharf (says a Pross Association message from Wellington). Yesterday some of the Harbour Board's men grappled for the cable, secured it, and hauled it ashore. The cable, which is in good order, measures about 1200 feet, and is believed to belong to tho Defence Department.

Onr Greymouth correspondent telegraphs that in a few weeks' time the Midland Railway on tho East Coast side will be opened for traffic to Boaiey Flat, thus reducing the coach journey to Otira by three miles. This will enable the train service on the West Coast to be remodelled, shortening tho time occupied on the journey an liour at least. Starting in beptember next, and continuing during the eutumor raonths, a daily servico to and from Christchurch will be inaugurated.

Arrangements have been completed for holding the concert in aid of tho Open Air Homo for Children in the Choral Hall on Saturday evening instead of the King's Theatre, as was previously annouuccd. A varied and entertaining programme has been got up by Miss Balkind, and included in those who will give items are several of the successful competitors at the Competitions. Seats at the concert may be reserved at tho Dresdon. and tickets aro obtainable from the secretary, Mr C. W. Hervey.

Recent arrivals at Sydney from British naval ports to join the local service, say that so far as the Royal Navy is concerned, is being well advertised by means of Australian fauna. Whale Island, the principal gunnery school, has a miniature zoo, which promises soon either to succumb by its own prosperity as being an intrusion, or to develop into a respectable show ground by the same token. The latest addition to the collection are a number of wallabies from Australia. Already there were a pair of kangaroos, but ono has since died. "The kangaroos and wallabice, ,, said one of the returned visitors, "aro all right in thoir way; they are -typical Australians, but they do not appeal to tho average sailor so much as do the cockatoos and galahs."

A Dnnodinito who has been revisiting r.is native land after an abscnco of some years, speaks in glowing terms of tho lifo in West Australia, whero he is now domiciled. Though ho is patriotic enough to foel prond of this city of learning (says tho "Star"), vet ho regards the capital of the Western Stato of the Commonwealth, which is about the sizo'of Dunedin as regards population, as a much-pleasanter place in which 19 reside, he being quite enamoured wi"'i tho free social life which prevails there and the general conditions of labour. In a phrase, he endorses the saying that Dunedin is a Scotch city. Incidentally, this exDunedinite remarked that quite a number of New Zealanders-havo made West Australia their home, and perhaps tho best evidence of their prosperity is their declaration that they have no intention of returning to New Zealand to settle down, although, of course, they aro keenly interested in tbe welfare of the land of their birth.

More than once since the inception of the Commonwealth immigration policy have there been suggestions that a spinsters' union should be formed. On one occasion it was enthusiastically discussed in New South Wales, because a cablo message from London appeared in the Press stating that a shipload of widows was being despatched to Sydney. Some of the youug men of that city were interested onough to write to the immigration authorities for detailed information and photographs of the widows, much to the indignation of local matchmakers and eligible misses. Tho widows duly arrived, and, as far as can be ascertained, were happily married. This week (according to the "Age") there will bo three more prospective brides lar.ded in Melbourne from the steamer Beltana. These young ladies have been nominated by their intended husbands for passages at reduced faros, and are to "trip", to tho altar as soon as they land.

"Is there a gold mine in my fowl run?" a bird fancier down the harbour side is asking himself (says Saturday's puhedin "Star"). And there seems to be some reason for the query. Recently he had occasion to por> a young rooster, and while drawing the fowl preparatory to cooking it, ho was surprised to find in the "crop" ft small lump of bright metal almost as large as a pea, and having all the appearance of a gold nugget. A second piece about the same size a 9 tho first was subsequently discovered, followed by the gleam of a third but smaller piece. Was it a case of the goose and tho golden eggs slightly varied, or was tbe find merely ba&> metal? Going round to Port Chalmers the bird fancier submitted his find to a jeweller, who. anplyine the usual tests, -dec'ared it to be genuine gold, though there wero indicat:ons of an alloy. The position now is whether there is an alluvial deposit in that fowl run, or whether the fowl run occupies the site of some dwelling-hou.'se burned down in tho past, the burning building serving as a smelting pot for the domestic jewellery.

Some discussion in regard" to the "early doors" at places of public amusement took place at the meeting of the Wellington City Council on Thursday evening. .The By-Laws Committee recommended .--—"That the City Solicitor be instructed t<Kdraft a bylaw to contain provision to compel proprietors of places of public amusement to open all tho ordinary entrance doom of theatres, etc.. at least half an hour before tho performance commences." Councillor Wright said that be was under the impression that it was now customary to open tbe doors of theatres half an hour beforo the commencement of tho performance. This was denied by Councillors Luckie and Barber, who said that the practice was to keep peoplo who did not choose to. pay sixpence or a shilling for the privilege of entering by an early door standing in tho street until about a quarter of an hour beforo the performance commenced. Tlie proposed alteration was intended to restrict this practice within reasonable limits. Councillor R. Fletcher movyl as an amendment that the rule as to opening the doors half an hour early should apply to public halls on the occasion of lectures or speeches being delivered, as well as to places of puuii;: amusement. The amendment was negatived by nine votes to two, and tho original motion was carried.

A woman will appear at the Poli litTu t,m inorning on a char Se.of Bho]

The lato Mr George McSheehy Gentlemun, ot Temuka. leit £3»5Q to charitable objects. £1000 ot it for a Catholic school in Temuka, £700 to the Society of Mary, £300 each to the Mount Magdala and N'szaroth Homts, and the Catholic Cathedral (Christchurch), and the Catholic Church (Temnka), and smaller sums to other similar objects. The wintry weather experienced on Saturday .lid not interfere with the attendant at the Trotting Meeting at Xew Brighton as much as"it might Wo been expected to do. Too tramway traffic on the two days of tho Mooting this year showed a considerable increaseo'i that in connexion with tho sanie Meeting last year. Last Thursday 35 cor-lmds wore ■conveyed to the racecourse, and nu S.itiir'.lay 4S oar-loads. The fast race finished on Saturday short I*- after 5 p.m.. and the last of tbe passengers from the racecourse were landed in Cathcdr.il square shortly after ti p.m.

In the course of a lecture en "Eugenics," Dr. Benham, of T>ao*etijj, said: '-It must be the fervent hep» of everyone who hns tho eugenic ideal at heart that no autocratic inspector of schools, will introduce sex hygiene in the syllabus of Xew Zealand as a oompulsorv subject. The time is not yet ripe for it. Many must pass by before it will be desirable, and then it must not be made a compulsory sub- ' jevt. It can, it seems to mc, only bo taught at all by comparatively few teachers who have special qualifications, quite apart from the knowledge of the physiological principles and biological facts involved."

Mr M. M. Carpenter, manager, of the Ranjj;ruke : . General and Co-opera-tive "limber Company, Ltd., who tor just rr-turned from a business, visit t« Australia, reports that New Zealand white pine timber is in great demand in Australia, as it is considered to be the best i'c-v butter-boxes, . eheesecrates, and cheap furniture. There ia also a growing demand ior riuiu, but this has to compete with other timbers imported, chiefly fiom America. The timber in competition with tho >>ew Zealand product is very carefully graded and treated, and is consequently in good demand. Mr Carpenter considers that New Zealand sawmillers aro not up-to-date in regard to grading and treating timbor and that a uniform system of grading should be adopted.

A method of treating timber by electricity was explainod by Mr Frederick Arthur Akock, managing director of Alcock Proprietary, Ltd., in giving evidence, heforo the Commonwealth PowelUsing Commission a few days ago. He {•aid that his firm bad tested the powellising process on a parcel of timber, but had not been satisfied. Some of tho timber .split. Better results had ■ been secured Jby an electrical process. The firm's method w.is to pass an electrical current through the timber. The «aP conducted, the current, which opened the cells, thus permitting quick evaporation. Timber 12ft in, length by Ift in width was given eight hours' seasoning. After the electrical process had been applied the timber was left in a stack for at least six months. The results had beeu satisfactory, aud in tho case of blackwood magi.ificent. Only occasionally was a board thus treated found to have been warped. >

The meeting hold in, the Alexandra ■■-, Hall last night to commemorate .the opening of the first Hague Conference, and to further the cause of peace between nations, was not very largely attended. The Mayo/ (Mr H. Holland), ;•'; who presided, said the problem.which - tho meeting was to' consider had en- ,1 gaged the attention of the world's greatest statesmen; Ho considered there was plenty of-room for diver- " gences of opinion, as regards the bflft- '■■■'■' means of attaining • permanent -Jnter- : national peace, though there conld bo no doubt as "to'the desirability of at-..;s£ taining that end. "Personally/ Jie added, "I am of. the opinion that an -ffi, alliance between tho two great Anglo- -5 Saxon nations, for the .purpose of ~...?:'■ securing the peaco of the world .by in- -; sisting'upon arbitration when nations : disagree, is most likely to provo effec- ' tivc/' Addresses were given by Miss > M. Lloyd. Rev. C. Murray, Mr J:-Mc-Comba.-.M.P., and Mr C, R. N.;Mac- -■"..; kie.

A strangely-worded proposal was laid before the Wellington City Couxcil ufc .'-". its last meeting by its By-Laws Com-, / mittoe, widen recommended the addi-. fcion of the following clause to .one of ■•-." the city by-laws-.—"No person over the ~". ■ age often years shall bo or remain on any beach, foreshore open to the pub- :r lie' except for the purpose of entering the water or leaving the water to reach any bathing-shed unless such person .' shall bo clad in the swimming costume known as tho Canadian costume. Councillor Buddie rcu>od an instant protest, pointing out that tho clause as ;. it stood would prevent the Mayor or. •; himself (or anyone else, for that mat;- : tor) from taking a stroll on one of the,' ... beaches unless they donned .Canadian , ,-.; costume, "t can't imagine either your - ._ Worship or myself in-a Canadian cos- rtume," said Councillor Buddie, and I .; move that the clause be referred back /\, to the committee." Councillor Taylor >. seconded the motion, declaring . clauso was "absurd and abomir.abjc, jf ■ and it- was referred back accordingly- ;.--. Referring to the visit-of the "All ; Blacks'- to California, at the annual ..« meeting of the n New Zealand Rugby Union, the president, Mr G, H. Mason (who managed the tour), remarked that tho visit had. knocked out the high idea the Americans had of-ther mvh defence From the time; the MwSlanders landed they hcanT-nothmg bS "defence," but they what this de once was worth (£a«gj- ~ ter ) "At tho same timo," added Jlr - Mason, "the boys over thero were only too eager to learn what J.oach them and to know the gaxna as it is PlaTed in New Zealand.'-Mr Mason _- .added that apart from Bugby alto. gether the toiir very fine' advertisement for New Zealand, and, the* was a great deal to he gained by the visit It was absolutely astounding - to learn how ignorant the Americans - Avere of New Zealand. The members of the team were termed Soutlr be*-. - Islanders, and aftything else but W» , ri"ht name. What the Americana caflfl,_ not understand was why such a tea* -£ could como and piny them without .. being accompanied by an army ot &v -y-?, 1 tendants lo massage them. -*jV It is now somo years sinco special- " Icislation was enacted to enable auto- * ; matie stamping machines to be mtro; - duced into business offices, and the invention has proved of great use. 10storday a reporter was shown an im- , nrovement on the old model, a..wonder- . ml contrivonco almost human in .its - methods, Tno automatic stampingmachine now in use had its linutations in that its acono was only a halfpcnnv to a shilling; tne improved model, with one turn of tho handle, stamps an} . sum up to £5 19s Hid. Levers are . nulled down to adjust the machine to „ stamping tbe required amount, and tbe ;- operations are checked by this amount being fihown through a gnu» plate, lho , total amount registered by the machine • is similarly displayed, the new ma- , chine differs largely from tho older or.c c in other respects. Letters-or papers.. .. stamped disappear through a slot, ana. are afterwards picked up in a box un- _ .'. dcrneath. Naturally, a machine of this * . naturo has to bo nearly fooi-proof, as • ./ well as being incapable of being fraudu- ' £ ler.tiy used. Besides being quicker than tho old models there is less u«- '-p bilitv of error, and the most careles*-" v £ office boy should bo able to use it efficientlv. *As regards the other point, 'if the machine is shortly to be examined..- fa by experts in Wellington before the yjt Post and Telegraph Department wdi ,|| sanction its use. The inventor. Mr .Moss, of Christchurch, fears little that score, lor efforts to "trick", have as yet met with no success. -•. C^gg

Mrs Bridge has contributed £2! to tbe Mayor's Coal and Blanket Fund. A rincr valued at £10, which was found and left at the i'olice Station a few weeks ago, is still uncaimcd. Matters connected with the Mardi firas proposed to be held by the Industrial -Wrintion are to >,o discussed at a s*p:cial meeting of the. Association t! he held on June 2nd, at which Mr Hopkins, who managed a successful celebration of a-similar character in Kapier, will be present. *t the Mcorhouse avenuo Church of Christ on Sunday nijsht -Mr R. Gobble fallowed up hw previous Sunday cvenint's address by sneaking on ' Some 'Mistakes about Baptism." In the u.tcr«oon Mr Withy cave an interesting address to the Bible Class on -Joseph fc!s the Christian Jew." • Additional allocations of special nrizes in connexion with the Competi-•KTare:-Mr L. J. Taylor's trophy for tho most humorous performance in tho ladies' impromptu speech. Miss ■Maud© Pitcher, Dunedni; Messrs H. Fisher and Son's special prize tor the test in debate, Mr A. Andrews. Greymouth.

Supplementary rolls for use during tho coming elections are being printed -this month, which will show the names of nersons enrolled *inco the last election, and tho names of tuosc erased. Tho work of purging the rolls h-« not been commenced, but there is nlenty of time yet. The letter carriers will this year be brought into service to assist in this work.

There is on view at tho premises of Messrs McCormack and Pugh, the mcmoriam certificate presented by tho New Zealand Royal Humane Society to the next of kin of lan Galloway who lost his life at Back Beach, Greenbills, Southland, in February tast in attemptIns to rescue Cyril Soar from drowning. The certificate has been appropriately framed, and in addition to tho test it includes a representation ot tho Society's new medal.

It may not bo generally known that a farmer is privileged to shoot imported game on his owu property during tbe authorised season, without bethe holder of a shooting license. \ 'case bearing on this point was mentioned at a recent meeting of the Council of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, when one of the rangers reported having caught tho son of an unlicensed farmer in the possession of tra mc. Reference to tho Act showed that a farmer could shoot either on his own property or allow a member of his /truly to shoot under a written permit, As- 'io such permission had been given in the case cited, it was resolved to consult the Society's solicitor concerning the advisability of prosecuting.

A. few days' trial proves tho advantage of using Mrs Rolleston's Special Cream for the face, instead of water, during the cold weather. It is imported from England, and is guaranteed not to promote the growth of hair on the face. Prico4s 6d large jar, 2s 9d small. Dominion Building, Cathedral square. .6

Family groups mndo frequently become treasured possessions. High-class work at moderate, prices is the policy of Stcffano Webb. Tolephone 1980. 'Petersen's Buildings, High street. 2

: Get in touch with J. 31. Heywood -and Co.. Ltd., directly you decido- to "move. /They will handle your furni"v ture carefully, pack it securely, break nothing, and deliver it unscratched to .your new residence. 5

:. Walter J. Watson, D.8.0.A.. London, Expert Optician (near Kincaid's). Accurato Sight-testing and SpectacleBtting. Repairs to Frames and broken •benses matched. Charges moderate. 8

•An apparatus called a "Mirroscope" .by showing postcards, photos, etc., enlarged on a wall liko a magic lantern must provo intensely interesting to nld and young. Mirroscopes .fitted with electric, gas, or acetylene light will provide many enjoyable evonings and they are procurable" a 6 John R. Proctor's. Oculists' Optician, 200 High street, Christchurch. 5

'■.. Don't, 'your corns make themselves felt this weather ? It is not worth while suffering.'when a shilling for Berry's Killkoro will give you foot-case. John Berry, Colombo street. 3