GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16141, 20 February 1918, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

Tho Press Association advises that the message on Sunday reporting the discovery of another mine should have stated that the locality -was off Cape Farewell, and not in Cook Strait.

The auction announcements of New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co.. W. E. Simes and Co., H. B. Sorenscn. li. S. McKenzie and Co.. P. S. Nicholls and Co., Harris Bros., Charles Clark, and Tonks, Norton and Co., will be found on page 11 of this issue.

We have received a subscription of £10 from Mr H. J. Beswick for our Red Cross Fund.

Yesterday's river report was as under Waimakariri North, slightly discoloured ; Waimakariri South, slightly discoloured; Rakaia, dirty; Rangitata, dirtv; Waitaki, dirty; Opihi, dirty.

Two small girls were charged yesterday, before Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., in tho Juvenile Court, with tlie theft of various articles of clothing, valued at. £7 os. They were admonished and discharged-

The recent hoavy rains in _ Christchurch, combined with a spring tide, severely tested the city sewers _ and mains, but according to Mr Tomlinson, the Drainage Board's inspector, thov stood the strain extremoly well, and in only one or two instances- is it suggested that improvements should be effected.

The Arthur's Pass Tunnel Committee will meet in the City Council Chambers this evening at S o'clock to proparo the machinerv for the agitation for tho completion of tho tunnel. Arrangements will probably be made for tho holding of a mass meating in the city, and for tho organisation of meetings and resolutions in favour of the completion of tho work in every district in Canterbury and Westland.

In the sporting Dages of this week's "Weekly Preis" Racing at Hawora, Desert Gold and Carbine, by "Wayfarer" ; Our Soldiers' Champion, The Bloomin' "Rabbit," by "Antislhenes" ; Autumn Prospers, The War and Sport, by "Spectator" ; Dunedin Cup Meeting Reviewed, by "Looker-on"; More Reminiscences, by '"Milroy"; Wanganui Trotting Prospects, by "Searchlight" ; Trotting in England, by "Lancer."

In addressing the jury engaged in a criminal trial at the Supremo Court at Aucldand last week, Mr Justice Stringer said lie dosired to impress on members that it was tho duty of a jury merely to determine tho guilt or otherwise of an accused person on the evidence adduced, and not on any other consideration. Ho had a growing feeling that juries sometimes allowed outside considerations to influence them in arriving at a verdict. That should not f>e so. Outsido circumstances, no mattor how slender or for what reason thoy were introduced, should have no effect on the minds of jurors, otherwise tho value of evidence was lost.

Tho committee of tho Canterbury Microscopical Socioty has decided to apply for £20 out of a grant of £500 placed by the- Government at tho disposal of the New Zealand Institute to aid research workers in the Dominion. The Socioty intends to us© tho money, if the sum is awarded, towards the establishment of a microscopical slide library, and to entomological work in Canterbury. This will include investigations into the habits and life histories of insect pests in Canterbury orchards. Tho slide library will be classified and indexed, and the slides will be available to members for use at leisure in their homos.

Five more pupils of the Canterbury Aviation School passed their flying tests yesterday, bringing tho total graduates of the school to forty-one, which is regarded as a most satisfactory result for tho short time in which tho school has been in operation. The new candidates were C. A. Fyfc (Duncdin), J. R. Moncrieff (Wellington), Frank Hazlett (Invercargill), R. J. Sinclair (Paliiatua), and J. T. L, Knight (Christchurch). Colonel CbafFoy and Major Morrison wero the examiners. Mr H. F. Wigram, chairman of the company, was also on tho flying ground, with Mrs Wigram. The pupils started their flights at. about eleven o'clock,, and had all taken their tickets by three o'clock. The conditions were good, and the candidates all flew well. Hazlett's performance was especially striking, as he had only undergone a little over a fortnight's training.

Tho annual business meetings of tho various Press organisations will comluenco in AVellington, on Monday evening next, in the Chamber of Commorcc. Prior to that, however, the directors of tho United Press Association will assemble and commence, their sittings on Friday moming next, and the annual general meeting will be held on the 27th inst. Tho executive of the Newspaper Proprietors' Association of New Zealand will meet on tho afternoon of the 25th inst, and the annual meeting of members will open at 7.30 in tho evening. The Mayor of AVellington will woloome visitors, and tho lit. Hon. W. F. Massey has accepted an invitation to moot the proprietors and pressmen of tho Dominion, who will bo addressed by tho Prime Minister. The provincial section of the Proprietors' Association will meet prior to the gathering of tho principal association, while other_ annual meetings will bo that of tho Now Zealand branch of tho Empire Press Union (London), and the Federation of Master Printers' Association. Altogether, "Press Week" in AVellington this year promises to be a more than usual busy one.

"Tho family record is a splendid one," remarked Mr D. M. Findlay, chairman of tho Third Wellington Military Service Board, on Monday, when the case of Duncan McGillivray, tramways traffic manager, was under consideration. Air J. O'Shea, city solicitor, in supporting the appeal—a departmental one—said that Mr McGillivray is in control of the whole tramway service; in charge of 300 or 400 men. Tho efficiency of tho service would be endangered if Mr McGillivray were taken. Already some 100 men had gono to the front from the traffic department, and there was necessity for good supervision of tho new men. Mr O'Shea added that Mr McGillivray was one of a family of five; he had thrky* brothers and one sister. One of the brothorsi had been killed in action in 1915, another in 1916, and the remaining brother in 1917, while his sister is a nunfe in a military hospital in England. Mr McGillivray J s mother is alive, in Canada, and as he is the only surviving son, provision is made by statute for .his exemption. The appeal, however, was not lodged on porsonal grounds. The Board granted an adjournment sine die.

In connexion with a pupil (Mr C. A. jFyfe) at the Canterbury Flying School losing his way in the clouds on Saturr *lay, Colonel Sleeman, 1.G.5., has written to Mr J. C. Mercer, assistant instructor, who searched for and found Mr Fyfe, and piloted him home, as follows:—"I wish to place on record my appreciation of the manner in which you performed your duty on Saturday, February 16th. The facts are these:— That a flying pupil, whilst carrying out portion of his examination test, became enveloped in a heavy mist, and found it impossible to locate the aerodrome. Your chief instructor, Mr Hill, recognising the danger, sent you up in pursuit. The conditions were uifEcult owing to the rain and heavy mist, and to the fact that the pupil by this time was going straight away in the direction of the Cashmere Hills. You carried out your duties excellently, finally gaining touch with the pun:l and bringing him back to the aerodrome successfully. In m *y opinion your action and the al'.e manner in which you carried out the i»-scue duty should be placed on record in the Hying school, as but for your promptitude it is quite possible that a serious accident might have occurred."

The Second Canterbury Military Service Board will sit at Timaru on February th, and at Asliburton on February £«ih. F C Rilev, 40 Office road, St. Albans, clerk and B. Heil, 631 Worcester street , cl rk'. enlisted in Christchurch yesterday for activo service. \s it has been found Accessary owing to" want of accommodation to discontinue Standard 111. at the Bligh's road Side School, a mooting of householders interested has been called for Mcndav evening next, at the Papanui School." to discuss the prospect of additional accommodation at Bligh's road in order to retain Standards 111. and IV. pupils. According to a Press Association message from Wellington, the Prime Minis ;er stotes that the new arrangement bv which meat is supplied to retailers who require it has worked so satisfactorily that it is not now necessary to continue Government connexion with the butchery business which has been run in the Government's name in Auckland. "What is tl\e cause of tho trouble between your father and mother?" asked counsel of a smalj child in a separation case at the Magistrate's Court yesterday. "Drink," was tho prompt reply. *"Oh, he comes home drunk does lie? Woll, how drunk?" pursued counsel. The child thought for a few seconds, and then replied, ''Well, he comes homo full," a reply which appeared to satisfy all parties. Mrs Richardson, of High street, Grcvi mouth, received word last week from ' her son, Lance-Corporal C. Richardson, who is a prisoner of war in Germany. He, stated that he had received parcels sent him, but what was wanted was good substantial food rather than dainties. Corporal Richardson had been working on a fann from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. All the land around was being cultivated, women taking their turn at the plough and doing the same kind of work as men. At the meeting of the Canterbury Industrial Association last night reference was made to the excellent way in which the Woolston Tanneries wero conducted, and Miss Tabart suggested that tlie Association should approach some of the headmasters of tho bigger schools with a view to allowing the pupils to visit tho Tanneries. Such visits would bo of greet educational value, and promote thought in the young. Tho idea was heartily supported bv tho members of the Association. Counsel, supporting tho appeal before tho Wellington Board for exemption from military service lodged on behalf of a butcher and shopman by his employers, made a rather interest-, ing remark concerning tho retail trade. Ho said that the shop cash trade of tho concern referred to had nearly doubled since the outbreak of hostilities- Four out of ten delivery carts had to bo taken off rounds owing to shortage of labour, and last month 19,392 persons were served with meat in tho shop, paid for it, and carried it home themselves.

"If Spreydon joins the city, will tho city go picking tho eyes out of the borough the same as it has done in Heathcote?" queried a man _at tho Greater Christchurch meeting at Spreydon last evening. "I mean, will it just take in the good parts; will it make tho boundary Barrmgton street or somewhere else, or will it embraco tho whole district " The seeker after information was assured that tho city had nothing to do with the matter, but that tho area to be included would rest entirely in the hands of tho ratepayers themselves.

Given fine weather _ next Saturday, thero is every indication of the motor sports being a great success. _ .The extra week's training for the riders will, undoubtedly, have its result in a liner exhibition of daring and skilful riding, while tho track itself, which needed much water, will be in a better condition to stand the severe strain. The full programme of events is to be carried out just as if no postponement had been mado from the previous Saturday, as all the visiting competitors are remaining here to tako advantago of the extra training allowed them. Mr C. M. Hill will also bo seen next Saturday in a number of clover flying "stunts," providing tho weather ia not boisterous.

Daring their Greater Christchurch meeting at Spreydon last evening Councillors A. S. Taylor and D. G. Sullivan were asked if Spreydon's rates would not go up considerably if it joinod the city- "Well, I can't say," rospondod Cr. Taylor. "When parts of Heathcotc came into tho city, their j-ates were very considerably lowered, but wo Lave never held out Jowcr rates as a bait to districts to join us. If you decided to join the- city, then you will, of courso, havo to put up with what comes along:" Later in the evening tho Mayor (Mr W. H. Winsor) remarked that if ratepayers socurod benefits they knew they would havo to pay for •thorn, and must be prepared to do t>o, a remark which met with general assent.

An inmato of the Invorcargill Reformatory, Stanley Fountain, was charged at tho Police Court at Invercargill on Saturday with refusing to work when requested. He pleaded rruilty. Wm, Leggatt, gaoler, said that "prisoner had been twice punishpd for committing tho same offencc. He still refused to work. He had been sentenced to two years' hard labour by tho military authorities, and had formerly been stationed at Wellington. Ho adopted the attitude of refusing to work for tho Government without payment. Tho work assigned to him was not heavy. In answer to the Magistrate, prisoner had nothing to say. The Magistrate, in convicting and sentencing prisoner to ten days' bread and water, said that he could not defy the regulations like that. Discipline must be maintained.-

Yesterday afternoon tho Pioneer Club organised an afternoon's racing on tho North New Brighton beach for the benefit of the racing motor-cyclists who are down for tho carnival. " The first race was a 16-mile handicap solo event; the members of the trade had supplied machines of all kinds, and the riders had to draw for their mounts. Ten men faced the starter, and after an amusing race A. AVoodman (20minj was awarded the premier place, with A. Boag (omin) second, and J. Karton (2imin) third. An eight-mile sidecar handicap race was also held, sis men competing. Three big-powered American twins were racing three English "one-lungers," the Americans scoring Ist, 2nd, and 3rd. The riders i n their respective order were: L. Manghan, P. Coleman, and A. AVoodman. Quito a fair-sized crowd gathered on tho beach—which was in excellent order—to watch the sport.

A novel point was discussed at the Auckland Police Court last week, when bail was being iouiid on beiialr of a man wbo hau injurod at.oi.her by knocking him through a plate-glass window. The bondsman suggested was a Jugoslav, and Sub-Inspector Vv rohlman expressed disapproval, on tho ground that as the suggested bondsman was an alien and not eligible to own property in the Dominion, it would not be right to accept iiis assurance on behalf of a British subject. Mr Singer hoiiy contosted this view. Tho two Justices who were on the Bench stated tnat as the police objected to the boiidsnmn he could not be accepted as such. Later in the day, when Mr Ji. C. Cutten, S.M., was on the Bench. Mr Singer renewed his application and his arguments. Mr Catten was of the opinion that unless the police had some objection to the man "on the grounds of character, or suspected there might be collusion between accused and the bondsman nominated, the latter should bo accepted. Sub-Inspectcr "Wohiinan said he could hnd no fault on those grounds, and the alien's bond was accepted-

A Gisborae message says that the Mangatu Trust Commission opened its proceedings yesterday with an address by Mr Coleman, representing tho East Coast Native Commission. The evidence promises to be of a somewhat remarkable character. To-morrow a friendly cricket match will be played between tho visiting racing motor evclists and tho Veterans' Club, "in Hagley Park. It is said that some of the visitors are very strenuous wielders of the willow, if not scientific, and an interesting game should result. Want a Truss? Let Loasby ft you. Large assortment just land*?.!. Why suffer? Come and "ask Loasby about it." Advice and medicine, Its 6d ; children, 2s. 1 Tennis Goods.—New stock of rackets just opened. Driva, S.N.D., Tato, Ruby, A.D.P., and Slazcngers —all best grade goods, also few new tenni3 1 alls. Lewis and Anderson, Ltd., Cashel street. 6 They are clearing the whole of this season's model hats, of all descriptions, black included, at 3s lid, cs lid, and 7s lid, bargains truly, at Armstrong's Stocktaking Sale to-day. 1 Eye Strain. —Persistent headaches aro in most cases the result of muscular eyo strain. Have your eyesight scientifically tested by' Walter J. Watson, D.8.0.A., London, of Watson's ''Jewellers" Limited. Glasses are only recommended when absolutely necessary, and are prepared in neat and becoming rimloss designs. • (i For progressive people! "No Rubbing" laundry help, "Golden llulc" soap, "Golden Rule'' candles. lvincaids, Ltd. 3 Did your razor "pull" this morning? For fiftoenpence wo can give you shavrng comfort for months and months. Wo have an expert who really knows how to sharpen a razor. Send it in to Hastie, Bull and Pickering. G Special attention is glvon bovs and girls in the teaching of elocution by Miss Kiore King, L.L.O.M. (Elocution), London. To speak correctly, pronouncing vowel and consonant sounds properly, is included m tho primary lessons. Tho training is of special advantage in thus teaching proper voice production and good English in childhood's early years. Full particulars from Miss King, Warwick House, 52 Armagh street west. Telephone 148. 8594 Heavy reductions are ruling in the drees department at Armstrong's Stocktaking Sale. 40-inch plain and fancy voiles Is yard, slightly soiled sateens 6Jd ; block stripe voiles, 40 inch, Is 6d; regimental stripe silks, llsd yard; 40 inch -white piques, Is, Is 6d yard; 34 inch tussore, Is lid, 2s Od. 2 Sit for those New Year portraits today. Do not put it off any longer—and be sure they are made by Steffano Webb, Petersen's Buildings, High street. Tele. 1989. 8 HIGH-GRADE ENGLISH CLEMENTTALI3OT, 5-SEATEIt, £160. We have for immediate sale a 12.22 h.p. 5-seater Clement-Talbot motorcar. Has been exceptionally -well kept, and is well worth inspection. Tyres almost new. Complete with full road equipment, including spare rim. Prico £160. Adams, Ltd., 219 Juam street. 8704