GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15873, 12 April 1917, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The .foundation stone of the buildings for the Municipal Electrical Department, at tho corner of Armagh and Manchester streets, is to bo laid to-day, at 12.30 p.m. Yesterday morning's report of tlio Canterbury fishing streams was as follows:—Waimakariri north, clear; Waimakariri south, clear; Rakaia, dirty; Rangitata, dirty; Opihi, dirty; AYaitaki, in flood. The meeting called to discuss the question of six o'clock closing of hotel bars, held at Addington last night, resolved itself into an informal discussion, as the attendance was small. A special meeting to discuss the same subject is announced for next Monday night. Grasshoppers are causing considerable trouble along the Cockburn (South Australia) line, on which delays are attributable to the slippery surface of the rails, due to the crushing of enormous numbers of tho insects tinder the wheels of trains. One of the officers has reported to the South Australian Railways Commissioner that the ashpits are frequently blocked by myriads of insects, which get into them, and that an almost unbearable stench comes from each decomposing mass. The trouble has been so bad in this respect that tho Commissioner has had to forward quantities of disinfectants to the various stationmasters. The officer referred to mentions that some parts of the country appear to be moving owing to the dense mass of insects on the ground constantly travelling.

Enquiries made by the New Zealand Postal Department have clicitcd the gratifying information that the mail matter, consisting entirely of newspapers and parcels, principally for the Expeditionary Forces, which was sent away, by the steamer Rotorua (torpedoed). was landed at Plymouth beforo the vessel left for London.

Excellent attendances were recorded yesterday at the annual exhibition of the Art Society in the Art Gallery. Yesterday liie afternoon tea in aid of the Lady Liverpool Committee's Trench Comforts Fund was in charge of Mrs Beswick and Mrs T. L. Cowlishow, \?bo also arranged for the musical programme. To-morrow the president of the Lady Liverpool Fund, Mrs Holland, will be "at home" at the Art Gallery in the afternoon and evening. There will be no charge for admission or afternoon tea, but every visitor will be expected to brig a coin, or a gift suitable for a trench comfort. The exhibition will be open to-day from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m., and from 7.30 p.m. till 9.30 p.m.

Shortly before 8 o'clock last evening some excitement was occasioned by n soldier falling off the Lyttelton ferry wharf. A steward belonging to the ferry steamer Mararoa—Mr T. Wood who happened to bo standing near, promptly dived in and swam to the man's assistance. The two men wero eventually taken from* the water over the stern of tho John Anderson. The soldier was conveyed to the casualty ward, Lyttelton, in an unconscious condition, and received medical attention. Later he recovered consciousness, and is reported to be progressing favourably. His name is Robert Harding, and lie is a soldier who returned to New Zealand some weeks ago. He was going to tho North Island last night on a holiday trip. His mother resides at Fairlie.

Realising that externally one egg is very similar to another egg, but that internally conditions arc sometimes very different, members of tho Ponltry Conference, at their annual conference on Monday, discusscd tho advisability of asking tho Government to pass nn Ant requiring all eggs, other than fresh, to bo stamped "preserved," "cool stored,", or otherwise, as the case may be. Speakers stated that the public were at present at the mercy of grocer 3, who could sell preserved as fresh eggs. Tho only disinguishing mark at present was that given by the grocers, who either sold eggs as "new-laid eggs," "fresh eggs," just "eggs," or "preserved eggs." Eventually it was decided to ask the Government that all cool-storcd and preserved eggs retailed to tho public should bo stamped.

At a special meeting of the Christ's College Old Boys' Association, held for the puj-pose of considering the advisability of rescinding a resolution to rebuild Flower's House as a war memorial, which was passed at the annual meeting in November, and to consider substituting a dining hall and offices in place thereof, Mr G. H. Helmore presided over a good attendance. The chairman stated that the Board of Governors had decided to rebuild Flower's House, and also intended erecting a dining hall to accommodate all the college boarders, instead of having a dining hall in each houso a3 at present. Under the circumstances ho considered that tho substitution of a hall and offices, such as those proposed, as a memorial in place of Flower's House, would meet tho altered position and would also fall m with the Board's intentions. After considerable discussion it was resolved to rescind the resolution in reforenco to Flower's House, and to erect a dining hall and offices.

Poultrymen complain about the largo number of eggs broken in transit over railway or through the post. The Poultry Conference at Wellington took up the matter on Monday. One speaker declared tliat he had lost an enormous amount of valuable eggs through the carelessnbss of railway employees— whether this was due to the shortago of hands or the taking on of inexperienced men through the war, tho speaker did not know. "Perhaps you packed the eggs badly," murmured a poultry-* man. "Packed them badly!" echoed the original speaker with scorn, "not likely. I have had years of experience. I have sent cases of eggs to Australia and not one was broken." Tho speaker went on to say that recently lie had consigned some oggs to tho South Island and a week or so later tho consignee was written to by the Railway Department to the effect that tho eggs wore stinking. "Oh, I say," ejaculated a member, and there was a roar of laughter. The original speaker hurried to explain that tho eggs had been dropped by a railway servant a week before tho letter was written. "You can imagine what they were like seven days later," said tho narrator feelingly.

Tlie male students .attending tho Teachcrs' Training .College at Blackfriars, New South "\V.u-les, went on strike last weok (says tlio Sydney "Daily Telegraph") as a protest against tho poor accommodation and tlio lack of facilities for comfort during recesses from their studies. A mass meeting was held, and an ultimatum therefrom was presented to tho principal, ProfeS' sor Ales. Mackie. For a week the men complained they had been "thrown around" from one '"common room," wherein meals are partaken of and books and other private articles uro placed, to another. An anti-climax was reached when thov had tho option of oating lunch in a n exceedingly dirty room or, in the playground, amongst the children and to tho accompaniment of falling rain.. Tho second alternative was accepted. Last year the women students struck on account- of the roof being in such a state of disropair that tho rain penetrated into the common room they occupied. That strike lasted a considerable time, until the complaints wero investigated, and remedied. On that occasion tho men stood by the women, and they quite expect that the latter will reciprocate in the present junoturc. There are about 150 women students attending tho college-

In the course of an interesting survey of her visits to children's institutions in England and the United States, Mrs Alfred Deakin told the members of tlio Australian Association of Creches Inst week how the problem of assisting overworked and overburdened mothers -\vns grappled with by a number of the •'foundations" in America. Four kinds of mothers are assisted—the widowed or descried, the sick, tho overworked and tired,'ana the day-working women. Their babies are cared for, they aro sent away for Christmas rests or summer vacations: they arc fed if ill or badly nourished, and when in hospital they know their babies arc in pood hands and properly eared for. Thev are also trained to become more expert workers, and thereby assisted to earn higher wages. Babies' boarding houses have become quite a feature in America. In Auckland she found that the Church of England sisters had day and night creches. There working mothers, who were thoroughly tired out after a hard ctay's work, were not expected to come for their babies and mind them at night. The creches took charge of them until the week-end, and tho mothers camo joyfully to get their children and enjoy a happy few days with them. It was infinitely better than the system of expecting the worn-out woman to give her infant the care she was too tired to bestow. At some British schools of mothercraft there were residential babies, who were cared for by trainees under expert guidance, and at Kensal Green creche and school for mothers young girls were trained to become good private nurses, creche attendants or gjood mothers through the experience gained. At the baby clinic at Stepney about 1900 babies were examined weekly, and in all these clinics the whole idea was prevention of trouble. She was very anxious that clinics should be quickly established here, and that schools for mothers should be arranged in connexion with each one.

The Overseas Club will hold its sixth svmposium this evening.in tho Alexandra Hall. Professor J. Macmillan Brown will speak on "Aspects of tlie War and the Future," and Mr Holford. Bac. Agri., will take for his subject "Agriculture and tho War." Musical items will bo contributed by Messrs Trcwern, Jones, Bracey, Wilson and Bowie, and the Christchurch Banjo Band. The scarcity of labour owing to the war is being severely felt by man J" districts in tho Dominion, and though women are not yet filling men s places to the extent that they are in tho Hon.o country, their services are being utilised more and more in various capacities. According to our Waddmgton correspondent, labour is so scarce in that district that one of the residents, Mr Bull, has found it necessary to employ a woman to paint his residence. There was a glut of pears at the Melbourne market last week, such as had never be p n seen before. Good pears or tho Williams variety were practically given away. Some were sold at Is a case, but prices down to 3d are sa.id to have been accepted by some growers rather than cart the fruit home again. The pear crop in Victoria appears 'to be tho largest on record, but prices for other varieties, while very poor, are not so ridiculously low as those for Williams and Bon Chretien. A capital story is going the rounds in Hastings regarding a dashing young Hawke's Bay sheep-farmer, with plenty of pluck and a shrewd eye, who was sent out bv liis commanding officer in Mesopotamia to get information regarding tho nature of the ground at the rear of tho Turkish lines. After an absence of some davs be returned and dulv reported to the general that "the country, if properly handled, would carry about tnree sheep to the acre!" According to a recent number of the "Western Pacific Times" (Suva) negotiations for the purchase of the Grand Pacific Hotel by the Government have been dropped owing to objections raised by some elected members. This hotel, which cost over £50,000, has not paid its way, especially since the war. Tho building wag offered to the Government for £10,000. Tho idea wa s that the building might be suitable for a boys' boarding school, which it is proposed to erect at Suva. The matter had been referred to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, who agreed to the purchase provided payment would not be required for three years, interest to be paid in the meantimo. As the matter has been dropped a site will now be purchased, on which a school will in due course be erected.

If Australians ate less meat they would be better in hoalth, would materially reduce the cost of living, and would render patriotic service to the Empire by increasing tho meat-supply for England in the present crisis. That is how tho matter has been presented to the Victorian Minister of Agriculture by Mr L. A. 1. Maxwell, lecturer in physiology for Melbourne University, who, in a letter to Mr Hagelthorn, states that economy in meat consumption in Australia can be obtained by a more judicious selection of foods in' respect of their nutritive and economic values, and by a. reduction of tho food, especially meat, actually consumed. fcicientific research, he says, has proved that the large amount of meat eaten by the average Australian is not only unnecessary for tho maintenance of health, but. in the opinion of many leading authorities, is actually harmful to the individual. To reduce tho amount of meat eaten would not be an injustice, but would result in a saving of money, and in many cases betterment of health. The Minister proposes to start a moat-saving campaign, after ho has finished his consultation with the meat exporters, the' graxiors, and others concerned. He intends to. seek tho co-operation of the Education Department. Tho instuotors at the cookery centres will bo directed to demonstrate the substitutes which could be used for meat foods, and more economical methods of serving meat .as food. "Ask Loasby about it" when you don't feel quite well. Adults_ 3s 6d, children 2s, for advica and medicine. 2 Messrs R- S, Williams and 00., of this city, have been advised by Messrs F. S. Grecnshields and Co., of Wellington, who are acting upon their buhalf, tnat their tender for the supply and oroction of refrigerating machinery for the Wellington Meat Export Company's new works at Rakariki has been accepted. 6 The drapery stock of Mr G. 1?. Good, of Sydenham, has been secured by Air W. McGruer by tender after keen competition. Tho whole of .tho stock has been removed to Rangiora for disposal. 0 The Big Demand wo have for "No Rubbing" Laundry. Help proves that Housewives find it practically abolishes rubbing. Wo give a "Thinker's" Notebook free with every Is packet. J. T. Norton, Grocer. 7 If you want an electric lamp, buy a Royal Ediswam, which is all British, Turnbull and Jones, Ltd., sole agents for New Zealand. 6 A long timo 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 General Carrying of all sorts undertaken by J. M. Heywood and Co., Ltd. Their plant of horses and vehicles is one of tho largest in New Zealand. 6 Secure your new Dinner Sets beforo Easter. Exclusive designs in black and gold effects; Round-shai** Vegetable Dishes, now on view at Drayton's, 765 Colombo street, 6 Easy Monday Laundry Help makes clothes epotless without rubbing. Is packet entitles you to try for £100 cash prize. 1 1 WANTED TO SELL—SECONDHAND MOTOR-CYCLES, Offers wanted—Latest model 4i h.p. three-speed "8.5.8.," owner has purchased car. Low price for quick sale. Meade and Deacon 'Canoelot" side-car, first-class condition, £15. Adams ,Ltd., Hish street. 6