GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16142, 21 February 1918, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The Melbourne hotelkeepers have decided to abolish all counter-lunches as from March Ist. "No doubt the towns graduaily knock • the country out," said Mr G. B. Starky at yesterday's meeting of the General Committee of the Canterbury Sheepowners' Union. "I for one hope that such will come to pass in Germany. The country thero has evidently ruled the towns up to now. When they clash there should be a revolution." At tho meeting of the Farmers' Union yesterday afternoon a resolution was unanimously passed congratulating the Mayor of Cinistehurch and the citizens of Canterbury pnd Westland on the attitudo they had taken up with regard to urging the Government to complete the Otira tunnel and the Midland Railway. * A cable message to tho Australian papers, dated 7th inst., states that Vincont Keiran, aged '21, was charged at Westminster with wearing tho Australian uniform. Evidence "was given that defendant came from Australia in April, fearing conscription. He stayed for some months" in Ireland, and nor.' claimed that lie could not be conscripted. as he was not a resident of Britain of six months' standing, i He was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, with hard labour.

The deviation of the Dyer's Pass road, beyond Victoria Park, is within six or seven chains of completion. The State Forest branch have planted no fewer than 2.700.000 voung trees in Central Otago during the presentseason. The Minister of Defeuec stated on Tuesday that- during the period from December loth to February 2nd. 374 CI men have been classed as fit, nnd have been transferred to reinforcement drafts. This is considered a very satisfactory proportion of the CI men in training. Harold Claude Jerman. assistant hairdresser, 128 Kilmore street, Christchurrh, called up in the last ballot, will not lie 20 years of age till May 2lili next. He enlisted when 18 years of ape, but was prevented from going into camp. That delclnble breakfast dish, a rasher of baron, is "off" in many Gisborne homes, says the "Times,'' the reason being that for the time being supplies are not obtainable. Of lato local retailers haVe had difficulty in obtaining supplies of bacon, and have now completely sold out. Further supplies are expected shortly. The Military Service Board at Auckland yesterday cave its reserved decision in the appeal by Robert- Laidlaw manager of the firm of Laidlaw Leeds. Ltd.. which was regarded as of great importance. The appellant was granted exemption sine die, on the ground that the management could not- be delegated to another ; that- a very large capital was involved, in that private persons and monetarv institutions had lent large sums to the firm, and great loss would occur to them if the appellant were removed. Wages are said to have risen during the war, hut from a paragraph in the "Hawko's Bay Tribune" this does not seem to apply in the eases of clerks. The 34 applicants for a clerical position in tho Napier Harbour Board's office ranged in age from 21 to 48, and from the details they supplied it is evident that thoro is ample room for an improvement in the pay of clerks. The wage offered was £4 a week, yet one applicant wanted only sos. Many of the men are working for large firms, yet they were eager for the job. At a meeting of the general committoo of the Belgium Relief Fund, held at the Art Gallery yesterday, Dr. Levinge presiding, it was decided to send the sum of £3000 to the Belgian Minister in London for the Belgian Orphans' Fund. Some discussion took place as to whether the fund should be thrown onen for further contributions, but the idea was ultimately negatived, it being held that the Belgian Consul's Fund was sufficient. Tho committee's financial statement showed that there was a. sunt of £0300 in hand, plus £122 interest for the year ended December 31st, 1917. "There are some people, I believe, who wish to abolish the Grand Jury," remarked his Honour Mr Justice Edwards, on Tuesday, at Palmerston North, when addressing' tho Grand Jury, "but they are making a great mistake. Although it has been to the credit of the Dominion in its administration of justice that no attempt has ever been made to interfere with the course of justice,' that sort of thing may not always continue. Our officers of the Crown are entirely beyond suspicion, but this is not the case in every country, and we want to keen our institutions, so that such interference would be impossible." Arrangements are now well in hand for the Canterbury Military District Rifle Association's sixth annual meeting, which is to be held on tho llodcliffs rifle range early, in April. Owing to tho Government having decided to cancel its -grant for rifle shooting purposes, thoro will he no cash prizes for Territorials, trophies being awarded instead, though cash prizes will _be given to Cadets. Several trophies, including tho Louisson Challenge Shield and tho Loughrey Challenge Cup, nnd tho South Island Champion- I ship will ho fired at the meeting. J Owing to the Government having cancelled the privilege of free railway passes to competitors, it is probable that tho competition will mostly bo confined to Canterbury men. Tho question of the production and utilisation of alcohol for power purposes in Australia is being investigated l>y a special committee appointed by tho Commonwealth Advisory Council of Scienco and Industry, and a comprehensive end valuable report reviewing tho whole situation, and giving the results of investigations so far .made, has boon issued. As regards the production of power alcohol tho most suitable raw material is the sugar molasses now wasted in Queensland. But even if the total annual quantity of molasses wasted and used for purposes other than distillation (47,500 tons) were used for the purpose in view it would only be sufficient to manufacture about 3J "million gallons of alcohol, whoreas tho annual petrol requirements of Queensland alone are nearly 3$ million gallons. Moreover, owing to freight charges and labour costs, it does not seem feasible to regard molasses in 6omo of the outlying northern parts of Queensland as a profitable source of liquid fuel for use in pftrts of Australia far distant from that State. For these reasons it is neccssary to considor whether some other profitable source of supply cannot be found.

Trooper L. P. Wcrnall, of tbe Gth N.Z. Mounted Rifles, writing to his father in Christchurch from Palestine, under date of November 18th, says:— "\Vo have been getting along "some good" these Inst few woeks, and all hands are enjoying the constant advance. The country has improved so -wonderfully that we can hardly realiso the change. Miles and miles or orange orchards liave been passed, and every tree is breaking under its heavy load of golden fruit, so we faro very well in that respect. I can seo the breakers from where we are cammed to-dav, and our horses are picketed" down beside tho band rotunda in a very- fashionable city here. "We water our horses at the fountain in the square. We have boon able to buy brown broad here—quite a chan,£3 after threo to four weeks on biscuits and bully beef. I also got some tonmtoes, eggs, beef, and jam, but evo:yihing is sd dear. I naid as much as six shillings for two pints of jam, that being grnpe and made with honey, as 113 sugar has been in this country for threo years. 1 just got this paper and ink out of Turkish Headquarters here (tho Town Hall). The stamp on tho first pago is the Turkish army stamp.

| It is stated here that the question of j a Gallipoli Star is being now discussed between Britain, Australia, and Now Zealand (cabled Mr €. E. \\ . Bean, the Commonwealth official correspondent, from London, on Gth inst.). Tho sentiment of tho Australian troops appears to be strongly to make it a simple, straight-out modal for service in the (JaHipoli campaign. Othenri.sc, Australians would run the risk of having a system of overlapping, ill-fitting decorations—first a rod chevron on the sleeve for those sailing in 1911: second, the Gallipoli Star for scrvicc in .1914. and presence at the landing; and a brass A on the arm, meaning presence at Anzac. lhey would lar more vrarmly approve the issue of one simple medal for the Gallipoli campaign, abolish the brass A altogether, and leave the red chevron as a mark for men sailing in 1914. If it was desired to mark "the landing this could be done with a bar, and there could be another bar for the August fighting, and a third bar for tho evacuation. Special recognition, however, for the landing would be considered by many unjust, unless a similar mark was given for other big engagements, for example, Pozieres, which, undoubtedly waf. a still harder and more terrible fight. The simple system above outlined would Ik> considered bv far the most just by the troops. Also the supremo sen-ice medal for all men who havo died, would be most warmly welcomed, but they would prefer it to be j of Australian design- j

The quavterlv meeting of tho Canterbury Chamber of-Commerce will bo held next Wednesday.

Y\"o have received 10s from "'A Red Cross Worker" and 10s F. AY. Woodward for our Rod Cross Fund.

Yesterday's river report was as under —Waimakariri North, fishable ; \V'iininkariri South, fishable; Rakaia, dirty:' Rangitata, dirty; Onihi, dirty; Waitaki, dirty.

A lecture on ''Tlio Art of Selling will bo delivered by Mr Andrew Deer (Instructor to tho New Zealand .Sheldon School of Salesmanship* m the Chamber of Commerce Hall, Cathedral square, this evening, at 8 o clock.

According to a ruble mcssaco to the Australian "papers, the Rev Poet a V» e-slevan minister, or Castletown', Isle of Man, ha* been sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labour for having denounced mauv soldiers "as drunken, immoral, •>nd 'profane scoundrels." He also expressed tho hope that God would continue to sink ships ''until He knocked sense into our sinful hearts."

The -ite of tho annual encampment, for Territorials in the Canterbury Military District will not be Sockburn, as previously announced, owing to the Trotting Club's grounds being unavailable, but at Buraham, tho Industrial School grounds and buildings having been kindly lent for the purpose. Tho ramp will commence on March 19th, and conclude on April 30th. the various units rocciving one week's training.

Yesterday morning, at 4.15, Constable Roberts discovered a lire in Mann's Building, opposite the Club Hotel, Sydenham, and occupied by Mrs McEwen (confectioner), J. Maddron (hairdresser), H. Rowc (tailor), and R. Cowner (dentist). After arousing tho occupants of the building, Constable Roberts called the Brigade, who put out the blaze, which caused some damage to Mr Cowper's effects, and burned a few feet of the wall and ceiling of his workshop. Tho fact that no wind was blowing, and tho early discovery of the fire, prevented what would probably have been the largest conflagration soen in Sydenham.

Eight years ago Driver Hainsworth, in charge of the mail train, climbed out on the engine platform to attend to some defect (says a- Bat-hurst message to the "Sydney Daily Telegraph"). Tho train was nearing Penrith at the time, and in passing a bridge tho driver's head struck some projection and ho was killed. Recently his son, Hugh Hainsworth, also an enginedriver, met his death under somewhat similar circumstances, but, strangest of all, the accident happened near the 6pot where his father, eight years before, had boon killed. The sequel to this grim story of coincidence was enacted at Bathurst Quarter fc-cssions last week, when an application under the Workman's Compensation Act was mado by two sisters, tliq only surviving relatives of Hugh Hainsworth, who claimed £500 for the loss of his lifo. Judge Scholes .made an' order for tho amount claimed, the money to be equally divided between them.

Singleton's centenarian, Mr William Ross, was born outside Sydney Heads in tho ship Red Rover, on June 2nd, 181G, and is. therefore, in his 102 nd year (snys the Sydney "Sun"). At seven years of age he was an orphan. His mother died when he was five years of age, and two years later his father went down in a shin which foundered with all hands in tho Bay of Biscay. Tho father was tho chief mate of the RecLßover. At the age of 18 Mr Ross married a Miss Carter, aged 17, in West ;Maitland. There were eight daughters of the union, all of whom are living outside of New South Wales. His wife died 39 years ago. Mr Ross has been working since ho was 15 years of age, and can still do a fair day's work. During last week he was engaged "cutting grass with a scythe and lawn-mower. In his earlier life ho was an accomplished horseman, and frequently rode buckjumpers. Ho is not a total abstainer, and is a smoker. Yot he has never had a day's illness. A crop of accidents, in the shape of broken limbs, has, however, come his way.

Writing to his parents, Mr and Mrs J. M. A. Mowat, of llangiora, SergtPorcy Mowat makes some interesting remarks concerning Christmas, 191 V, as experienced at Walton-on-Tbames. "People here did not go in much for festivals," he says. "In'fact you would hardly know that it was Christmas, and what with, food rations and tho price of everything people cannot havo many gaieties. But it was a good Christmas for the boys_ in hospital. We had a groat dinner, with stuffed turkey, roast beef, ham, all sorts of vegetables, plum pudding and sauce, jellies, fruit, sweets, cigars, and cigarettes. I think most of us ate more than was good for us. There were a huge Christmas tree and a lucky dip and afternoon tea at the Y.M.C-A. There is a bridge tournament to-night, to be followed by a dance. I don't know how I'll shape at tho dancing, but I intend having a try* at it. I believe our follows were in the line again for Christmas, and so I suppose wnile we were enjoying ourselves nere they were exchanging ironmongery with old Fritz." Scrgt. Mowat has lost his left arm, also the forefinger of his right hand.

The great assistance in getting in the harvest given by townspeoplo to farmers was favourably commented upon at yesterday's meeting of the Farmers' Union. The president, Mr D. Jones, said ho could not lot the occasion pass without saying how exceedingly grateful the farmers were for tho help given to thorn by city people in tho country districts in Canterbury. Both men and boys from Christchurch had done good work, and the farmers hardly realised the amount of labour which had actually come from the city to enable them to handlo the harvest. Thero would have been a great possibility that the bulk of the liarvost would have been in danger if the citizens had not come forward with their assistance. The harvest had not been as satisfactory as was expected earlier in the season, and the exceedingly unsuitable weather had had the effect of altering the position. Tbe good farms were rather worse off than the bad ones owing to climatic conditions, and there was a big quantity of straw and not enough grain. Ke thought that all indications pointed to the fact that a much smaller area of wheat would be sown in Canterbury next season, for the outlook was not such as to induce the farmers to £o in for wheat-

Recently an outbreak of malaria occurred oil a hospital ship carrying COO soldiers and others during the voyage from England to Australia. The ship rcachecl Sierra Leone during the height of tho malaria season, and anchored 2COO yards froni the shore. Subsequently 33* of tho soldiers became infected with malaria. On the evening of tho third day the vessel was in port a new position was taken up only 1130 yards from shorp. Towards evening a fresh breeze sprang up from the land, and soon after nightfall mosquitoes wore troubling the soldiers, tho pests evidently having been driven out by the wind and fought shelter on the vessel. Taking tho date of the occurrence as tho time of infection it was possible for the ship's doctor to calculate tho incubation period with considerable accuracy. The first case arose 'JA days after leaving wort, or ten days after tho arrival of the mosquitoes. The last case nppeared on the twenty-second day. The short ".st incubation period, therefore-, was 9j days and the longest 22i- days. Malaria parasites were found in 33 out of the 35 cases. Two of the patients died. It_ had been contended by Sir Patrick Mansnn. the tropical diseases expert, that from ICOO to 1000 yards was. under ordinary circumstances, a safe distance to anchor from a morquitoinfected shore, but the experience in this cas n showed that ships lying 1130 yards off are not necessarily immune from infection.

! The Australian High Commissioner ' (Mr Andrew Fisher) and tho Agentsj General are endeavouring to_socure the | admission into the United Kmgaom of an increased quantity of wines in order to relieve the new Australian I vintage.

Want a Truss? Let Loasby Ft yon. Large assortment just landed. V.hr suffer? Come and "ask Loasbv about it." Advice and medicine, lis 6d ; children. 2s. 1 Eye Strain. —Persistent headaches are in most cases the result of muscular oyo strain. Have vour eyesight scientifically tested by' AValter J. "Watson. D.8.0.A., London, of Watson's "Jewellers'' Limited. Glasses arc only recommended when absolutely necessary, and are prepared in neat and becoming rimless designs. Special attention is given bovs and girU in the teaching of elocution l>y Mi-s Kiore King. L.L.C.M. (Elocution). London. To .-peak corrcctly, pronouncing vowe] and consonant, sounds properly, ?c includ d ill tho primary lessons. The training is of special advantage in thus torching 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 Sit for those New Year portraits today. Do not put it off any longer —and be suro they are made by Stcffano Webb, Petersen's Buildings, High street. Tele. 1960. 8 No on-. likes moving, but tho work can be made much lighter if competent men are employed. J. M. Heywood and Co.. Ltd., have thorn and three up-to-date pantechnicons. Telephones 250, 1241 nnd 2174. 6 X.Z. Farmers' Co-op. Association for "No Rubbing" laundry be-In, "Golden Rulo" soap. "Golden Rule" candles. Ideal goods for every homo. -I Tho -'Sturgis" Collapsible Push-car embodies all the latest features in baby carriages. Faces mother or father. Grey, 'Jan. or Black colours. Prices from £5 15s. Try ''Draytons," 705 Colombo street. i> lIIGH-GRADE ENGLISH CLEMENTTALBOT, 5-SEATER, £IGO. 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. Price £160. Adams, Ltd., 219 Tuam street. 8704