GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15868, 5 April 1917, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

"Tho Press" will not be published to-morrow (Good Friday). Mr H. J. Itanger will make an attempt on Saturday to lower the motorcar rccord for the journey from Christchurch to Duncdin and back. He will start in a Chevrolet car from Hanger's garage. Gloucester street, at 2 a.m., and expects to arrive back at the garage between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Forty-seven men were examined at Rangiora yesterday, of whom 5 were posted to Class A (fit), 39 to Class C 2 (home service), 2 to Class C (deferred), and 1 was declared totailv unfit.

The annual exhibition of the Society of Arts was well attended yesterday. Afternoon tea was provided bv Mrs W. S. Bean and Mrs Charles Chilton. Today tlie exhibition will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 7.30 p.m. till 9.50 p.m.

Notification has been received in "Wellington that the Pacific Cable Board insists on a drastic temporary reduction of Press work, otherwise it will be compelled to refuse such work altogether. This applies to all cable services supplying Australia and New Zealand.

A strange case of loss of memory is reported from the Featherston Military Camp (says the ''Wairarapa Daily Times"). A young man of good physique, had been undergoing the usual training. One morning ho was missing from his -usual place,"and' was later found roaming about. His mind was an absolute blank, and ho had no recollection of what had happened. He has not yet recovered his memory.

Owing to the requisition by the Government of all New Zealand wool, instruction in wool-classing at tho Technical College has had to be postponed, but the Department of Agriculture lias now consented to place at the disposal of tho College an ample supply of wool for the purpose. Classes will accordingly resume after Easter, and will bo in charge of Mr Binns, manager for Mr Walter Hill.

The work of tho Returned Soldiers' Sick and Wounded Branch of Base Records in Christchurch has grown to such an extent that the accommodation provided in tho District Headquarters office has proved far too small. A3 a consequence tho officials of tho department shifted yesterday to the old recruiting office in Cathedral sauare, whero the work will l>e carried on under tho charge of Lieutenant S. G. Bowron.

On Good Friday night, at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Mr Turner, soloist, will sing the baricone solos from "Tho Crucifixion." Mr Raynor "White will play, for tho first time here, the celebrated composition, "Grand Chocur," by Cesar Franck. St. Paul's organ is a splondid one for a work of this kind. In addition solos will bo sunfT by Mrs McWhirter and Mr R. Sullivan, and a recitation will be given by the Rev. J. Paterson.

A letter from tho Under-Secretary, War Funds Office, "Wellington, was read at a meeting of the Overseas Club executive last evening, announcing that tho Minister's approval of tho club's tobacco gift box, and aeroplane fund had been recommended, and that notification would appear in an early "Gazotte." Miss Denniston reported that arangements for the coming concert were well in hand, and a large number of tickets had been distributed among members for salo.

"I thinic tho best thing we can do," remarked Sir John Findlay, during the hearing of the charges of a breach of tho War Regulations Act against tho "Wellington daily newspapers on Monday, "is to make Mr Meredith (tho Crown Prosecutor) a sub-editor, to see how easy it is to look after the War Regulations." "I wish ho had the experience for a month," said the editor under examination. "There would be no shipping news, anyhow," retorted Mr Meredith. "That is the easiest way. Cut it out." "Our general policy," said the editor, "i s when in doubt leave out."

Tho secretary of the Otago Anglers' Association lias .received tho following communication in response to a telegram sent to the Minister of Marine: — "In reply to your telegram of March 31st, I desiro'to point out that it has always been illegal to take quinnat salmon, and as tho iish aro now going up tho rivors to spawn it is imperative that they should not bo caught. After considering all the circumstances, I regret that I cannot see my way to accde to the request of your Association, and tho law will accordingly be enforced, as stated in tho advertisements. Tho Department informs mo thero is nothing to stop anglers taking trout until tho end of April, as the trout season is open until then."

To-day tho Christchurch public will bo given an opportunity of assisting tlie Returned Soldiers' Association in a practical sense, when "Soldiers' Day" will be celebrated. At 2 p.m. it big parade will bo held in Victoria square, and in tho evening thero will bo a procession and an entertainment in Cathedral square, concert parties, the Tramway Troupe, and "Bill Masscy's Army" participating. At about 9 p.m., \Mr S. F. Alpe is expected to arrive from Ashburton in liis attempt to break tho record for that long-dis-tance walk. All ladies who have arranged to help are rcauested to attend at the Chamber of Commerce Hall, Cathedral square, fifteen minutes before the time arranged.

At last night's meeting of the Spreydon Borough. Council, a letter was received from the chairman of tho Efficiency Board pointing out possible municipal cconomfes, and appealing to tho Council to do its best in the matter. Cr. Manhiro said ho thought members of Parliament should do the work of tho present Efficiency Board, and thus save cost. He moved a motion to that effect. The Mayor (Mr C._ H. Winsor) said that no doubt members of the Cabinet had their hands full of work now. but doubtless other M.P.'s were nblo to do more. Ho thought that M.P.'s could take up this work, but there was a oucstion as to whether the members wero tho efficient men the country, and whether it was a fact that tho efficient men of the country would take up tbo work. However, Parliament should be acquainted with the Council's view. The motion was carried.

Last night, at tho meeting of the Spreydon Borough Council, a letter was lead from tho Efficiency Board, one cl&uso of which related to "the proposed employment of women in pQsitions left vacant by men called up in the ballots. A councillor glanced round the room, and, his eyo alighting on three industrious reporters, lie forthwith suggested that young ladies, might well take up such work. Considerable divergence of' opinion was expressed on this point, some councillors being rather dubious as to tho manner in which their deliberations would bo recorded wero the suggestion carried into effcct. The consensus of opinion appeared to bo adverse to the schemc, but one councillor murmured something to the effect that handsome damsels would not be unwelcome. Tho Mayor (Mr Winsor) then jokingly suggested that the Council should place on record an expression of its feelings in this matter, but his advice merely evoked genial smiles.

A few days ago a "New Zealand Times" reporter made enquiries respecting rents and overcrowding in some of the so-called houses in the neighbourhood of Trentham Military Camp. He was assured that in one house, close to the main road, and distant about half a niile from the camp entrance eight families resided besides the owner and his family. The kitchen wa s <n common use by all the inhabitants, and as much as 25s per week were being paid for two rooms. Fortunately the house in question had abundant ground surrounding it. "See that building?" asked a staff officer in th© camp, pointing to what looked like a small shed. <; Woll, it was built to accommodate fowls, but I do not think it was used for that purpose. It was touched up a bit and is cow let as a residence." The occupants of the building were absent when the place was visited, so the particulnrs as to rent could not be ascertained. In another instance a shed that was built to serve as a washhouse to a small cottage was converted into a dwelling and found a tenant almost at once.

I In His Majesty's Theatre to-morrow I night a sacred concert will bo given by tho Woolston Band. Admission will be by silver coin. The Port Levy Regatta will be held on Easter Monday. Tho proceeds will bo devoted to the Red Cross and Lady Liverpool Funds. A very attractive programme is promised. Yesterday's report of the condition of the various Canterbury trout streams was as follows: Waimakanri North, clear; Waimakariri South, discoloured; Rangitata, dirty; Opini, clear; Waitaki, clear; Rakaia. fishable. Stainer's cantata, "The Crucifixion," was sung at tho Cathedral last evening, when there was a large congregation. A collection was taken up on behalf of St. Saviour's Orphange. "The Crucifixion" will be sung to-morrow evening at 8 o'clock. The Labour Representation Committee has selected the following candidates for seats on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board: Mrs Christie, r Mrs Cook, Mrs Mathieson, Mrs W. J. Green, and Miss C. K. Henderson,B.A., and for the Lvttelton Harbour Board. Messr s E. J. Howard, H. Hunter, and C. W. Webber. At Evervbody's Picture Theatre tomorrow night, at 8 o'clock, there will be a devotional service aided by pictures —the conductor being the Itev. C. G. Mutter, the Christchurch diocesan missioner. Th£re will be_ no charge for admission, but a collection will bo taken up for the Church's work amongst our soldiers at the front. Tho C.E.M.S. will provide a choir. To-day and on Saturday tho Friday night time-table will bo in force on all the tram lines. To-morrow the Sunclay time-table will bo in use, and on Easter Monday holiday time-tables will be in force on tho Cashmere Hills-St. Albans Park, Sumner-Woolston, and North Beach lines. A special service of trams will be run to tho Riccarton Racecourse on Easter Monday, starting at about 10.10 a.m. No excursion tickets will be sold on Monday. The wounded soldiers in the Queen Mary Hospital at Hanmer will have a treat this Easter, as the local Red Cross organisation is sending them a vei-y largo and beautiful cake with _ a Red Cross outlined upon it, surrounded with iced roses, besides other decorations. "With this will bo sent two large hams and materials for salad. The men in the Christchurch Hospital will receive a similar attention from , .these indefatigable workers.

Mrs Ernest Firth and Mr Rex. Harrison will give a combined vocal recital in Durham street Church this evening, at o'clock. Accompanied on the organ by Mr Ernest Firth, Mrs Firth will sing "Ho Was Despised" (Handel), and Mi- Harrison will sing "It is Enough" (Mendelssohn), and together tho duets, "Break, Diviner Light" (Allitson), and "The Day is Done" (Lolir). Previous to the recital tho choir, with Messrs A. E. Petty and E. J. Johnson as soloists, will give Stainer's "Crucifixion."

Mr Goulding, of Nikau, has had the misfortune to lose, through a plague of caterpillars, thrco acres of oats (says the "Westport News"). They have eaten, not only the oats, but also destroyed tho stalks. Fowls, pigs, and ducks turned into the field failed to combat the hordes of caterpillars, who have effectually destroyed the crop as if a fire had run through it. _ Mr Goulding does not recollect anything so serious happening in his district before. Hb attributes the plague to the unusually dry s oason experienced on the Coast.

Before Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., in the Juvenile Court yesterday, a lad who was convicted on January 3rd last of forging and uttering, in conjunction with two other f lads, was granted a re-hearing of his case, on the application of his parents, on tho ground that tho boy was not represented by cither counsel or parents at the original trial. After hearing tho evidcnco of ono of tho lad«, and also that of the father and the manager of tho Industrial School, where tho boys are now inmates, Mr Bailey confirmed his previous conviction. He, however, intimated to tho fathor that ho could apply to the Minister in charge of Industrial Schools for a license to have liis boy licensed to him from the institution.

Addressing the Francis street bridge Commission yesterday, Mr F. Wilding, K.C., referred to tho popular, ho might almost say vulgar, prejudico against land speculators. They were, he added, looked upon as robbers and parasites preying on tho community. Whether or not they wero immoral creatures, so long as their acts were for the public benefit, they had nothing to do with their motives. Men who drained, loaded, and improved lands, and put it on tho market, thus enabling 6inall and industrious people to make a good living, wero just as much producers and benefactors of the community as the men who promoted tho refrigerating and woollen industries, without which tho progress of tho Dominion would havo lxion impossible. It was just a question of degree; land speculators served a very useful purpose.

Stop It (Loasby's) cures summer coughs just as easily as it does hard old winter ones. Is Gd ana 2s Gd, Grocers and chcmists 3 Armstrong's drapery and clothing stores remain open for business until 9 o'clock to-night. 1 Easter Holidays.—The Retail Groccrs will bo open for business until 5) o'clock Thursday night, and on Saturday until G o'clock. 6 Avaunt humbugs and shams! Don't bo gulled with mere imitations, get tlio genuine "No llubbing" Laundry Help | with the "Thinker's" Notebeek—free. !Is packets. We sell it. I<\ WiJ- ! lisms, Grocer. 5 If you want an electric lamp, buy a Rnyal Ediswam, which is all British. Turnbull and Jones, Ltd., solo agents for iNejf Zealand. 6 Tho sale of Dallas's stocks causing extra pressure of business at Messrs I Armstrong's stores. Our readers are advised to shop as early in tho day as possible. 2 Easter Shooting —High-class Gun 6 by Papo and Bonehill, just opened, also new stocks of sporting cartridges, Winchester Rifles, Ammunition, Game Bags, Cartridge Belts, and Cleaning Gear, at Lewis and Anderson, Ltd., Cashel street. 6 A long time since your last photograph was taken ? Time now for a new one. Let Steffano Webb take it. Telephone 1989. Petersen's Buildings, High street. 5 j General Carrying of all sorts undertaken by J. M. Heywood and Co., Ltd. Their plant of horsea and vehicles is one of the largest in New Zealand. 6 WANTED TO SELL —SECOND-HAND MOTOR-CYCLES. Come and see them to-day—Three-speed 4 h.p. "Triumph," up-to-date side-car machine, excellent condition, £57 10s. Fixed engine 3£ h.p. "Singer," a bargain. £19 10s. Adams, Ltd., High street. 6