GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15874, 13 April 1917, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

We have received some further letters on "Tho Price of Farm Implements,' 1 but cannot afford more space to this subject.

A Wellington Press Association message states that tho Salvation Army and Y.M.C.A., who have asked most of the war relief bodies to help in their field work, have again appealed to the Wellington body, the executive of which has now decided to get legal advico as to whether it can contribute to such undertakings.

"It is a: surprising fact that after two and a half years of war tho supply of London theatres is not equal to the demand," says "The Times." "At present every playhouse is occupied, except the Little, -which is being used as a Y.M.C.A. hostel, and Covent Garden, now a Government furnitnre depository, and another half-dozen could be filled without difficulty."

In Westport, on Saturday, sugar was almost an unobtainable commodity (says the "News"). Tho majority of the grocers were doling it out in Bmall quantities, and some were even compelled to inform customers that they could not supply that much. One grocer telegraphed to a Greymouth firm) an order, but received a reply: "Not a bag in Greymouth." Not onlv is the Coast kept in short supply, but the prico is steadily mounting up—frofn something like £15 a ton at the outbreak of tho war to £20 or more at tho present timo.

Sir W. C. Buchanan remarked at the meeting, of farmers, held in Masterton on Monday, that in Germany tho authorities wero encouraging potato growing in order to cope with tho shortage of wheat, etc. He wished to know whether it might not be more profitable to grow potatoes than wheat. Tho Minister for Agriculturo replied that ho was obtaining a report from his Department on the subject of potato-growing. In growing potatoe's tho fact of tho blight must not be lost sight of. The more potatoes that were grown the less quantity of flour would be required.

Mr S. J. Oollett, the Christchur-li Tourist Agent, has received advice thai next week a party of American tourists, who aro being personally conducted. through this country by Mr Leon L. Collver, of tho Rayinond"Whitcombo Company, Boston, U.S.A., will arrive in Curistehurch. Tho party was a large one when it arrived at Auckland, but on receipt of news that war had broken out between America and Germany, many of its members decided to return to America. A' very complete itinerary for the remainder of the party has been mapped out, includinsr Rotorua, the "Wanganui River, the "West Coast of the South Island, Otira and the Cold Lakes. The purpose of the trip is of eourso to seo the beauties of New Zealand.

In order to educate tho'public in the principles of voting under proportional representation to be used in the .forthcoming elections, the City Council has had printed 10,000 pamphlets. It was decided last evening, on the motion of Cr. Hayward, that the Town Clerk be authorised to secure distributors to deliver the pamphlets from house to house throughout the city as far as they would go. A discussion occurred upon what would constitute invalidity in a voting paper. The enquiry was made whether the striking out of a name would invalidate a papor if the voter had still indicated his preference to the extent of 1, 2, and 3. The view was expressed that this would not constitute invalidity so long as the preference was plainly indicated, but on general principles it was highly desirable that no names should be struck out but the preferences indicated oniv in the column provided. The Town Clerk was given power to consult the eitv solicitor, if necessary, to have' a ruling before the preparation of the voting papers.

A Gazette Extraordinary, issued on Tuesday night, repeals the Order-in-Council, dated 2Gth September, 1916, prohibiting to a certain extent the importation of goods manufactured in or exported from enemy territory. Tho new Order-in-Council prohibits the importation into . New "Zealand, unless with tho consent of the Minister for Customs, of any goods, whether before or after the commencement of the present war, which have been manufactured or produced in or exported from any place which at the date of this Order-in-Council is enemy territory; and declares that the term "enemy* territory" includes all territory in-the military occupation of an enemy State, but "does not include territory in the militarv occupation of His Majesty, and fnrther declares that goods shall be deemed to bo manufactured or produced in enemy territory if not les s than 5 per centum of tho fair market value thereof, as estimated in accordance with tho prowisions of the Customs Act, 1913, with respect to goods liable to ad valorem duty, has its source in enemy territory.

It was announced at the Overseas Club's symposium last night that the club's membership now totals 566.

The Auckland Racing Club yesterday voted £500 to the Y.M.C.A. War Work Fund.

Following was. the conditions of the various Canterbury trout streams yestordav morning:—aunakann north, clear;" Waimakariri south, llakaia, dirty: Rangitata, dirty; Opihi, dirty; Waitaki, in flood.

The Citv Surveyor reported to the City Council last evening that during March seventeen building permits had been issued, of a total value of £6005. St Albans ward accountcd for £4750 cf this Linwood for £375, and Sydenham for £BSO. while £50 was in the city's outer area.

Witli regard to tho resolution of tho Senate that in future a certificate in domestic science be required from every girl matriculating into tho Xcw Zealand University, tho Professorial Board of Canterbury College, at its meeting held last week, decided to ask the Senate not to enforce this resolution until tho principals of the girls' schools of the Dominion had been consulted on the question.

A meeting was held in tho Oddfellows' Hall, Lyttelton, last evening, in connexion with the campaign for the closing of hotel bars at six o'clock. The Deputy-Mayor (Mr J. T. Norton) presided. Addresses were given by the Rev. J. Paterson, the Rev. J. Dawson. «nd Mr I>obbs. At the conclusion of tho meeting a committee was formed to mako the neccssary arrangements to secure signatures for a petition to the Governor.

In the Police Court at Auckland yesterday (says a Press Association message). Mr C. Kettle, S.M., delivered judgment in cases wherein fourteen keepers of soft drinks places and restaurants were charged with Sunday trading, in that they sold soft drinks. The judgment was that, though no objection could be taken to the supply of soft drinks with meals or afternoon tea, tho supply of such by themselves could not be considered a work of necessity. As the practice had been permitted for a number of years the Magistrate imposed no penalty, entering a conviction only.

Cr. J. O. Jameson has discovered that the city of Christchurch lacks a motto, and accordingly at last night's meeting of the City Council gave notice of his intention to movo at the next meeting that the motto, "Pro roge pro lege" (for tho lving for .i'ie Law), bo adopted. Other cities, ne said, had a motto, and he thought it was time Christchurch followed suit. This motto, he said, already appeared on some of the city steam-rollers—it was. he thought, tho motto of the city of Leeds—so he thought it might appropriately be adopted as the official motto.

The secretary of the Southland League has received a "cable from Sir Joseph Ward intimating that Sir Joseph will do what he can regarding the matter of tho cutting out of the through' express from Invercargill to Lvttelton. Messrs J. C. Thomson and G. J. Anderson, M.P.'s, have also notified the League that they will mako representations to the Minister of Railway# regarding the same matter. The League is now taking a few soundings in Dunedin with a view to seeing what view the business men in that city take regarding tho train service, anil it is hoped (says the "Southland Times") to get the co-operation of one or two Dunedin local bodies in the protest that is being made.

"There has been considerable talk lately about the running of race trains," stated the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald at Masterton on Monday. "Well, I have been racing for thirtytwo years... I own horses —in fact, I was represented at the Tauherenikau Meeting. I have not seen my horses race fon about two years. Racing has never dono me any injury or caused me loss. But it is not an essential industry, neither is 1 it profitable 'to_ some. Everyone is of opinion that luxuries and non-essential industries must go, and our whole attention given to tho essential industries. Right on top of the essential industries aro agricultural and pastoral pursuits. The Government will organise labour and help tho producers."

Attendances at the Art Society s annual exhibition in the Art Gallery yesterday were quite satisfactory when the weather conditions are taken into consideration. This afternoon and evening Mrs H. Holland, president of tho' Lady Liverpool Fund, will bo "at home" at the Art Gallery, and. there will be no cliargo for admission or for afternoon tea, hut every visitor is requested to bring a coin or some gift suitable for a trench comfort. An excellent musical programme for the afternoon has been arranged by Mrs Russell, and for the evening by Mrs R. Home. The exhibition will be open from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m., and from 7.30 p.m. till 9.30 p.m. The exhibition will close on Monday.

One of the first deer stalkers to return with the results of his trip to the Rakaia Gorge is Mr Geo. Sutherland, and ho has secured one of the finest trophies thai has been brought out from tho herd there. It has no fewer than 24 points, which is the record for a red deer head for New Zealand. Tho previous record head for points -was shot in tho "Wairarapa by Mr N. Grace, and it has 22 points. Mr Sutherland's head is a remarkably fine troph\ r , having probably a wider spread than any other shot in tho Rakaia Gorge, and the horn is heavy and well grown. Tho head has not yet been measured. It is on view m tho Tourist office, Hereford street, and is sure to attract a lot of interest from sportsmen. Stop It (Loasby's) cures summer coughs just as easily as it does hard old winter -ones. Is 6d ana 2s 6d, Grocers and chemists 3 At Armstrong's Sale:—Gents Cotton Socks 4Jd, black seamless cashmere Socks fid, colonial knit Socks Is 3d. 1 "White clothes, clean and sweet; sort hands, and no nibbing of the weekly washing, make "No Rubbing" Laundry Helo a unique boon. T. Hopkins, Grocer. ' 2 Easter Shooting—High-class Guns by Pape and Bonehillj just opened, also now stocks of sporting cartridges, "Winchester Rifles, Ammunition, Game Bags, Cartridge Belts, and Cleaning Gear, at Lewis and Anderson, Ltd., Cashel street. 6 At Armstrong's Sale —Gents' Pyjama (Suits -Is lid, os lid, 6s lid, 8s (lid, nice new patterns; Gents' Tunic Shirts lid. 2 If vou want an electric lamp, buy st Rnval JSdiswam, which :s all British. Turnbull and Jones, Ltd., sole agents for New Zealand. 6 As Armstrong's Sale —Gents' Tweed Overcoats at wondrous prices, 19s 6d, 2-js, 3-s <3d, 455, in single and doublebreasted shapes, and best cloths. 3 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

"What did Mrs Easy Monday Brown sa y?" For best sentence: Ist prize. £iOO cash; 2nd, £10; 3rd, £5; 50 at ss. Entry coupon is Is packcts. 2

Visit Armstrong's early to-day— Special week-end bargains, to expedite clearance of Dallas's stocks. 4

B.S.A. CONSISTENCY. The outstanding feature of the recent Motor-cycling Sports at Napier was the consistently good running of the 8.5.A., which scored five firsts, two seconds, and three thirds, in two days' racing— the best record of any machine competing. Adams, Ltd., High 6treet. 6