GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16145, 25 February 1918, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

t s 1 ' The week-end sale of home-made c food supplies at the Red Sales - Depot, Cathedral square was in char fa e of the ladies of the Central Red Class " Depot, and resulted in the sum or x-i L 1. 4-rv + Vlf» funds.

t being added to tne iimus. 7 "I have good reason for stating, writes the Wellington correspondent ot 0 Lhe Dunedin "Star," "that Cabinet has t a clop tod tho recommendation ot 110 t Defence Minister to establish an ortlio- j i pedic institute in connexion with the j • Dm.euin Hospital. Surgeon-General ii Henderson lias reported favourably on Dr. Karnett's schcnio for Lousing the , new department." Tho hot weather experienced yesterf day had the effect of inducing thouti sands cf nooplo to spend the da> at tno seaside, and New Brighton in particular was largely patronised. Throughout ti the day the bathing area near the pier h was literally alive with people, ajnd for mile? north and south of it tho water was thickly dotted. There was an unusually high spring t.de, and the great breakers, with their crests of curling foam, provided unbounded enjoyment to the morry throjng riding thom on sufboards or otherwise disporting themr selves in the water. . The sale of 1800 tons of evaporated t apples Jit 7cl a lb to the Imperial Co--11 vernmeiifc was announced last week by 3 the Commonwealth Prime Minister, o They will be despatched at tho rate of 300 tons a month from March to August. Mr Hughes explained that, al- ~ though Tasmania would probably monopoll so this order, it wpuld benefit o orchardists in all States. It would mean the . withdrawal of a very g large quantity of fresh Tasmanian apples from the Australian market, and | would consequently improve the local d demand for fruit grown in other o States. 0 At the meeting of the Dunedin City t Council on Friday, Dr. Macdonald, in s lamenting the lack of name-fertility and national sentiment evinced by Scotsmen in tho Council, with regard " to re-naming certain streets necessie tatecl bv amalgamation, said he had :i heard that Walker street, Edinburgh, after which Walker street, Dunedin, had been named, was a corrupt form of Watling street. This Watling, e Watlin, or Walking street was the .- name of the great Roman road leading > from Yorkshire along the Lothians to g the northern slope of the Edinburgu Castle rock, and thence northwards 6 to the wall of Antoninus, near to Cr.i- ---? mond or Grangemouth. If such were a the case what ancient and glorious hi - „ toric associations, he asked, had been destroyed by changing that far-famed name into the present name of Car- - roll street? Foster's Hotel at Wanganui, which II was destroyed by fire on Thursday i- night was full ot sporting people, who t _ usually carry valuable gear with them. In many cases everything went up in ' tho flames; in fact, practically all tho n patrons of the hotel lost their value able belongings. Amongst those who [ } were staying at the hotel were:— L _ Messrs Allan Hamilton, Guy Fulton, M. • Sharman, C. O'Connor (the. •" starter), F.| McMenamin (tho Auckd land handicappcr), T. H. Davcy (a t heavy loser), H. E. Troutbeck, H. Queen (dentist, of Wellington), Rod McKcnzie, T. F. Quinlivan, Hector Gra?. George Hume, G. L. Stead, and !, J. Bull. Apart from the futile efforts [_ of tho brigade, one feature stood cut , (says the "New Zealand Times"), F.i;d ' that was the whole-hearted manner in c which the people of Wanganui flocked t round the unfortunates and offered [. succour. a Special services wero hold at the St. j. Albans Methodist Church, Rugby street, yesterday in commemoration of tho y very extensive improvements which have h been made both inside and outside tho h ed'fice. Outside, tho grounds have boon greatly improved by a low ornamental y concrete kerbing all round the churcha yard, and inside electric light has boon o installed, the "walls have been retoned, and the woodwork of the seats, the panell !ng, and tho pulpit renovated. The morning service was taken by the d Rev. W. C. Oliver, who spoke on the s Transformed Life, and in tho evening u tho Rov, A. C. La.wry preached on "Light ijn Darkness," referring to physical, mor-?l, and spiritual light. Special s music and anthems were sung by tho e choir, under Mr W. Simpson, the solo- ; ists being Miss Joy Patrick, Mies Freda L j Marshall, Mr J. McLean, and Mr F. Ch'arles. Organ solos wero givon bv '• Miss Eler-nor Smith. 0 To Hify that a child was responsible for the passing of tho famous Militarv Service Act may seem not a little + strange, and even perhaps ridiculous, u but_ Sir Jas. Allen, Minister of Defence, i, during his recent tour in Southland, a stated that he was confident in his own q mincl 1 that his small granddaughter was essential to the passing of tho J Bill (says the "Southland Times"). "It was the morning after the nig'nt y of the first reading," said Sir James, > "and when 1 came down to the office next morning 1 was utterly played tut. I tried to work but could' not—l tried r to lie down, but that was equally imy possible. Then I thought of mv grande daughter. I rang up the school to t bo informed that even if the Minister ' of Defence did want the child it -was against tho rules to allow anvono cut during school hours. However, aft«r g milking a personal visit I succeeded in ;s obtaining her "release." We walked through the gardens together and had ' morning tea and lunch. During those I,OU J'f 1 u " as . taken into a different 't world—my mind was taken off the a P la ? e of sordid politics and I -went back to tho House at 2.30 as fit and u iresh as ever. That his calling un for sorvice would ca ii so undue harushiy lor the reasons: —"ihat I am regarded by the Turkish s Government as a subject; I have sovc- '- !' aI relatives in Syria, and if captured t by tho enemy, I and they would be e subjected to severe punisnment," was the statement of appeal of Frederick ' .packer, Queen street, AuckLind, whon he appeared before -the a first Auckland Military Service Board r on Thursday. The chairman to couns sel: "What nationality is he?" Mr Prendergast: "Well, I supposo, a British subject within the meaning of the Act. Ho is a Syrian, born in Welt lmgton." Counsel added that Savegh s was quite willing to serve, but had a e strong objection to serving beyond the seas in or about his own countrv be- ,. j c felt that there was a proba- , bility that if captured his noople also >; might have the punishment of the y j Turks visited upon them. The Board .; said it had no control over where a 1 1 man was sent, but would give a rocomt . mendation. It was certninlv unfair to expect the man to take uVan attitnde that might involve punishment on ■ his kith and kin. However, ?avo"h s was a British subject, and would havo : r to be treated as such. said I _ the ma ? -could ho quite so.tisfied if he : q -oin- to Franco. Hotrsvor ho! .. • n ; k t,lnt the rnse stand ,lown to • allow of communication with th- De--3 1 fe ".? a rtTnent to p,t an idea of the 3 , attitude adopted towards those 4sia- ' t lcs " "PPeal was therofore adj journed for tho purpose.

The Defence Expenditure Commission will sit in Christchurc-h on Wednesday next and following days. "Form public opinion on temperate lines and you will get temperance: form it on intolerant lines and you will have intemperance. Intolerance is onlv another nair.e for intemperance."—Mr Brandon at one of his election meetings at Wellington during his few remarks on the liquor question. The Postmaster-General, in response j to a request from tho Auckland Returned So'diers' Association, has agree ! i to allow Braille literature to bo sent, through tlie post free of charge. This | is particularly for the b?nf r it of blind j soldiers, but'the privilege applies also j to others similarly afflicted. | The president (Mr A. S. Clarkson) | and the chairman (Mr P. R. Ciimie) of j the Red Cross Motor Carnival Commit- i tee havo expressed the thanks of the ! Executive Committee to Mrs F. J. I Barton, for her patriotic action in j abandoning the circus matinee on Satur- j day afternoon in favour of tho | carnival. | The Hon. G. W. Russell, in address- j ing a gathering of early settlers at j I Wellington on Thursday, said that j | many °of our earjy settlers were j I foreigners, who had helped to make i I tho country what it is to-day. "We I wished to make our country great in I the future. "It cannot be done by ' saving that we are going to close our doors to population," said the Minister. "We must open our doors." Addressing the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers at their conversazione at "Wellington last week, tho Hon. Sir William Fraser (Minister of Public Works) laid emphasis on the engineering difficulties encountered in New Zealand owin? to tho nature of tho country. "AVhy," ho exclaimed, "you can get three hundred miles of railway in Australia without a cutting, but in New Zealand you cannot _go three hundred yards without one." The thirty-ninth annual meeting or the United ?iro Brigades' Association of New Zealand will bo opened at Tauranga this morning. One of the principal "subjects of discussion will be the relations between the insurance companies aud fire brigades, and the question of endeavouring to secure tion providing for contributions from the companies towards the upkeep of all brigades. The president of the Association is Captain R. B. Hean, of Addington, the secretary Captain 1. J. Watts, of the Newmarket Brigade, and tho treasurer Mr C. A. Osborne, of the Onehunga Brigade. A rather alarmist cable message received from Sydney several weeks ago attributed some remarks on the military situation to Mr W. A. Watt, Federal Minister of Works, which caused comment at tho time. Mr Watt has written to Sir James Allen, Minister of Defence, stating: —"The press report you speak of was not exactly correct. Condensation in this case robbed my remarks of their true context and proportion. What I said was: —That the'military situation was very ccrious; that from some points of view tho submarine position was even worse than tho information in the hands of the censored press would lead the public to beliove. That is, as far as I can remember, the burden of 'my observations." In the press cablo message referred to, Mr Watt was reported as having said: —"The military position is pregnant with disaster— oven early disaster. A lady at a political meeting at Kelbum, Wellington, on Thursday night, asked Mr Massey whether it wa3 true, as she had heard, that _ the Hop. Mr Myers, Minister of Munitions, was a German. Mr Massey said that he knew something of Mr Myers's history. Mr Myers belonged to the Jewish'raco. He was born at Ballarat, Australia. His family on tho father's side, had been in England for two' hundred years, but his grandfather . had gone from England to Poland as a Rabbi, and Mr Myers's father had been born there. Mr Myers's father came out to Australia and married there. Mr Myers came over to New Zealand and joined some relative® here, taking up public life very early in his career. "I want to say this," said Mr Massey. "that I honostly bolievo that Mr Myers is a loyal citizen of our Empire. He is a British citi-;-cn by birth, ana as a Minister I know that lie has done his duty faithfully and tvoII." If the British papers can be taken as a guide, von Luckner's countrymen have not got as graphic an account of his recent adventure as ho would desire (writes "Mcrcutio" in the Auckland "Herald"). Tho cable duly recorded his cscape, his capture of the scow, and his ultimate recapture in tho scow at "Fernadech." This sounds like somewhere in Scotland, but it is only a cable mutilation for Ivermadecs. The cable agency made an effort to enlighten British readers by suggesting that it might be Fernside, which is near Featherston, or near Rangiora, in Canterbury, just as vou please. It is an equal choice, for it is rather difficult to see how von Luckner could have reached either in a scow. As to Motuihi, no risks wero taken. Von Luckner escaped "from tha place in New Zealand where he was interned." When an Englishman tries to grapple with Maori names tho results are sometimes appalling. Kintr George was once quoted as having referred to< the North Island' of New Zoaland as "The_ Ink Man." His Majestv had said in tho Choral Hall at Auckland, "Te-Ika-a-Maui," and the cable did the rest. The story of a "waster," a man who went to tho war and then came back only to be looked upon as a "sponge" and shunned, was told by Sergeant McIvenzie, president of tho Victorian branch of the Returned Sailors and Soldiers' Imperial League, at a meeting of the Sailors and Soldiers' Fathers' Association in Melbourne. He related (says tho "Age") how ; wearied of tho "waster's" importunities; somo of the returned men on the staff of the State War Council turned up tho man's record to see what "he had done. "Pozieres," they read, "B undergoing fiO «lays' field punishment, Stretcher bearers all shot down. A call for volunteers!" Then came the brief, but telling account of how B stepped into the breach, and for 70 hcv'nrs staggered in and out of the firing lino bearing tho wounded to safety. "And that is the man," said Sergeant MrKenzie, "whom wo are now calling a 'waster'!" Ho pleaded for a more generous spirit in regard to the returned men who occasionally fell from grace. Who could toll what their record might be? Tlirre were plenty of people ready to call out "waster," but un to the present time there had not been many hands put out to help such men along. The motor launch Virginia, owned by Mr W. 11. Hazard, of Auckland, was attacked and damaged by a swordfish off Cape Brett on Wednesday last (says the Auckland "Star"). A party, con- | sisting of Mr Hazard, Dr. Pope, and Mr j E. P. Aimers, of Sydney, were on a fishing trip. When oft Capo Brett one of the . party secured with "a rod a fish which ultimately proved to be a swordfish, probably weighing between 3001b nnd 4001b. The fish, on being hooked, made .straight for the launch, broached at about ten yards away, and, reentering the water, rammed tho launch, the sword penetrating nine inches through the one-inch kauri planking. After a struggle the sword broke, and the fish, still on the hook, made for the sea. After being held for another five minutes or so, tho line became entangled and broke, and the fish disappeared. The launch was found to be j leaKing badly, and the party had to put j back to Russell in quick time. The ! launch was beached! for repaiis. A I piece of the sword was found inside the I "boat. This is stated to be the first instance known in New Zealand where a swordfish has attacked a boat, and it adds a spice of interest and danger to the splendid fishing which may be obtained all alonj: the northern coast.

Mr J. D. Grav. secretary of the Recruiting Board, mentioned in appf^ 1 case before tiie Chief OI ).f rl " dav that there are about 3009 miataiy defaulters and deserters that have not yet boon placed. Want a Truss? Let Loashy ft von. Lar<*e assortment just landed. Whv suffer? Come and "ask Loasby about it." Advice and medicine, .*s 6d : children, 2s. Particular about your writing tabiotsj Then trv the "Golden Rule and "Thinker' brands. They appeal to the cultnrcd. Is each. "\\ hitcombe an Tombs. Ltd. 1 Tennis Goods.—New stock of rackets just opened. Driva, S.N.D., < Piiby, A.D.P., and Slazengcrs—all l.est grade goods; also lew - new i alls - . Lewis and Anderson, Cashel street.

They are clearing the whole of this season's model hats, of all descriptions, black included, at 3s lid. 5s lid, and 7s lid, bargains truly, at Armstrongs Stocktaking Sale to-day.

Eye Strain.—Persistent headaches a r o in most cases the result of muscular eye strain. Have your eyesight scientifically- tested bv 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 rimless designs. "

Arc you interested in the "last word in perfect dustlcss cleaning? If so. inspect the "Ladv Torrington" "Vacuum Cleaner at Hastie, Bull and Pickering's. 1012 Special attention is given bovs and girls in the teaching of elocution by Miss Kioro King, L.L.C.M. (Elocution), London. To speak correctly, pronouncing vowel and consonant sounds properly, is included in the primary lessons. The training is of special advantage in thus torching proper voieo 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 arc inline in the dress department at Armstrong s Stocktaking Sale. 40-inch plain and fancy voiles Is yard, slightly soiled sateens 6£d, block stripe voiles, 40 inch, Is <kl; j regimental stripo silks, llAd yard; 40 j inch white piques. Is, Is Gd yard; 34 j inch tussore, Is lid, 2s 6d. 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 CLEMENTTALBOT, 5-SEATER, £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. Price £160. Adams, Ltd., 219 Tuam street. 8704