GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16151, 4 March 1918, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

Tlio sum of approximately £SCO w'ill swell the funds of the lied Cross Society as the result of the recent Ked Cross Motor Carnival.

Two first offenders, for drunkenness, wero each fined ss, or 24 hours' imprisonment, by ill- T. A. B. Bailey, 0.M., at tbe Magistrate's Court on Saturday.

It has been ascertained on enquiry at the Auckland insuranco offices vuat the insurances oil the hull and cargo of tiio "Wairuna, which was 6unk by a German raider in the Pacific, have been paid, the payments having been made by the companies holding the war risk, and those holding the marine risk, the contributions being equal. The Court of Inquiry held in respect of the vessel satisfied the English and colonial offices interested of the vessel's loss, and the payments were made on the understanding that when a decision is arrived at as to whether the ship was destroyed as the result of an ordinary marine mishap or an act of war, an adjustment should be made. In regard to the Burns Philp Company's steamer Matunga, which was also sunk, it is understood in Auckland that no insurances have been paid on this vesso] or her cargo, as tho Court of Inquiry set up to investigate her disappearance adjourned without coming to a decision. Life and workers' indemnity policies •, in respect to several offices and members of the crews of these vessels are held bv Now Zealand insuranco offices, but as far as can be ascertained no payments have been -made. _r. •~»4 \\\,"\

Mr C. M. Hill, chief instructor st the Aviation School, states that with the increased facilities now at the school. he . hopes to put through twelve or sixteen pupils this month. I At the present time the school is lull i and there is a growing waiting list, in--1 eluding pupils from Auckland to In- | vercargill. Although tramwaymen are frequentI !,- concerned in tramway accidents, as 1 witnesses, tbev are seldom themselves the" victims, but the exception was the ease 011 Fridav. A m-otonnan off duty and travelling, on a car as a passenger, ali'dited near Lancaster Park and was struck on the back by a horse vehicle, which, curiously enough, was bcirg driven bv another motorman who was likewise off duty. "The old pioneers of New Zealand are a i iVa y,*' said Sir Robert Stout, speaking' at' Palmerston North. "This came home to me when I looked ovei the list ni the mothers of Parliament rf 1875 : that is only -13 years ago. There were then 44 members i n _the Legislative Council and 30 members in tho House of Representative* —124 membrrs in all. How many, think you. of that list aro alive to-day? There aro only three— tho Hen. fcaptain Baillie, Mr Donald Reed, and myself." There are only two serious cases of sickness in the 'camp hospitals at tho present time (says Saturday's "Dominion"), and in'e.ich instance the soldier concerned is suffering from a disease that cannot be attributed to his military service. Tho general health of the camps is very good. The number of men in hospital 011 Thursday was 120, but all except a few were suffering merely from slight ailments. The measles outbreak appears to have subsided conv pletely. Only one additional ease of has been reported among the soldiers since Fo&ruaiy 19th. In pursuance of tho policy previously announced, the Defence authoritio3 have fixed March 25th as the last day upon which employers and others may ! lodge applications for leave for members of tho 37th Reinforcements. After 1 that date only tirgent applications, | which were unforeseen, will bo considered. The final dates up to which leave may be requested for members of later Koinforcements have been fixed as follows: —38th Reinforcoments, April 22nd; 39th Reinforcements, May 20th; 40th Reinforcements, June 17th. A conferenco will shortly be held in Wellington between the Prime Minister and representatives of the tanning and boot trades to discuss various matters concerning the leather industry. Ono of these will bo the question of raising the embargo 011 hides of a certain weight, and in connexion with this matter the following resolution was passed at a meeting of tho Dunedin branch of the New Zealand Boot Association held 011 Thursday night:--"That this meeting strongly protests against tho removal of the embargo on hides, as it will certainly lead to a further increase in the price of boots, which, at the present time, when the cost of living is already so high, can bo ill-afforded by the public." The military prisoner, George Caffery, who has caused the Auckland authorities some little concern by taking every opportunity to escape from custody, evaded the surveillance of two members of the military police, a sergeant and a lance-corporal, in whose charge he was '011 Friday afternoon, and at latest reports 'is still at large. The publicity that lias been given Caffery dates back to February 2nd, when lie was arrested as an absenteo from camp, is a house in Hobs an street, by two plain-clothes detectives (says the "Star"). On that occasion he was discovered hiding in a chimney. He. was taken to one of the forts, but the following day escaped by bending the stout iron bars outside the window of the cell in which he had been confined, and defied the authorities for five days to recapture him. On tho sixth day lie was recaptured by one of the same constables in the Albion Hotel, and once more handed over to tho military authorities.

An important step has, according to the Commonwealth Minister for the Navy (Mr Cook), just been taken towards the establishment of an air service for the Royal Australian Navy. Arrangements have beon mado wila the Imperial Government for Wing Commander Maguire, D.5.0., to visit Australia at an early dato in order to advise as to tho best stops to be taken for tho inauguration of the service. "Up to the present ? " said Mr Cook, a few days ago, "flying has by mutual arrangement been left to tho army, as there was a definite demand and scope for mon for military service. But in view of'the importanco of aeroplanes and seaplanes for reconnoitring, Lv which the radius of action of ships of war can be largely increased, the Government has decided to get tho best advice as to the establishment of an air servicc for the navy. The officer nominated by the Imperial Government has had distinguished service in tho Royal Naval Air Service under modern conditions. I-Ie should arrive in Melbourne towards the end of April. licvcognisinrc the need for this service, I had foOOO providod in the Estimates for 1917-18, to meet preliminary expenses. and I am glad to be able to say that the mntter is now approaching practical treatment."

I The "Tapanui Courier" reports that Captain Jack Dunnet. writing on Def:oinber 12th, savs: We are right back in the thick of things, after having been in rest for four weeks—the l*»st spoil wo have ever had. but after tho last big stunt it was well deserved, as it was tho worst six weeks since we havo been in 1 1' ranee. Really no one has any idea as to the actual conditions. Heavy fighting and mud up to tho bellies'" of tho horses, and it was a terrible job packing ammunition. _ But still we got through. Really our drivers aro the most splendid men in tho world. As parade men— r-otten: bufc say, "Here, vou go and do four trips to-day," and under any conditions they'll get through. We have n-othmrr to lenrn from tho English, Canadians, Australians, or oven tho lanks. The hero is mngnificont, and it's no more or I:as than hell when let loose. Wo arc at present in tho most desolate nlstce in the world, and living in tho old Hun jiill-boxes is not a J°* e "r a ny stretch of imagination. I wouldn t bo a former in Flanders after the war for all tho tea in China, as tho placo is full of unexploded metal, and when ploughing a chap will strike one of these affairs, and that's the last they'll over seo or hoar of him. A modern battlefield is a sight for so<-o eyes, and unless actually seen one could neyor realise that such a thing could exist.

A reservist who appeared before tho First Auckland Military Service Board last week to claim exemption on the ground that lie was over military ago was unable to give the pxact date of his birth (says the "Herald"). He said that, although he thought he was 47 years of age, he could not prove this, as his birth, which took place in Auckland, had not been registered. A memorandum from the Registrar of Births stated that a thorough search of the records failed to reveal any mention of this man. An official record produced by Major Conlan gave the ago of appellant as 44, but the latter stated that this estimate was based on information given by himself. A sister of appellant was called to give evidence, but she could not throw any light on the matter, as her own birth had not been registered. She, however, stated that she knew she was three years older than 1 er* brother, and considered herself to be about 49. She also mentioned that both she and her brother had been baptised in Auckland, but the records had been destroyed in the fire at St. Benedict's some years ago. It was discovered subsequently that appellant had not been medically examined as he had stated that the belonged' to Class C of the Second Division, whereas he had been divorced, and "was not supporting his two children. Tli£ appeal was adjourned to enable appel- i lant to be medically examined. I

Tn-div is the last day upon which tho Citv rates can ho paid without the additional charge of 10 per cent, being levied. , Xl,c sitting of tho Magistrates Court to-dav will he adjoumod for half an hour to enable the members of the lend profession to attend the wecome to his Honour, Mr Justico Healman. t \ Dunodin message says that tne lavj n ,r of the memorial stone ot tne Old "People's Homo, at In orth-Fast V-illev took place on Saturday afternoon.' ' The building is being ercetcd !••• the Providian Church, mainly tj r the purnoso of housing the ago:! and ooor of 'the Church. The present contract, for the administrative block, will cost about £SCCO. and it will be finished, weather permitting, in Juno. To complete t-lu? full plan £400 or £'500 moro will be required. A reservist who appeared before the First Military Service Board at Aucltland statin! tiiat- ho \vri6 tlio only single ono of eight sons. Altogether his parents had sixteen children, thirteen of whom were still alive. Appellant's solicitor was in possession of a table showing the family record. The first child was born in 1839, when the mother was nineteen years of age, and the lGth child was born in ISSS. The father died at the age of 7S, and the mother is still alive at tho age of 77. Many of the grandsons are at the war. St. Luke's Church was fairly well filled 011 Saturday night, when a reading of the Gospel of St. Mark took place. The reading was in connexion with the religious observance of Holy Week. The Vicar, the Rev. F. Taylor, read tho Gospel from the Twentieth Century New Testament, whose simple language has gone so far towards increasing the interest in Bible study of late years. Between readings the conirrogation joined in singing a number of hymns, and Miss Claridge snng an anthem, while Messrs Morgan, Petty. CJarkson, and O'Donel Davis, contributed a quartet very harmoniously. A torrespondent writes:—A very pleasant and interesting little ceremony was held at Glen Alton, Clareneo Bridge, on Monday last, the occasion being the opening of the Glen Alton household school. The intending scholars with their parents and friends assembled in the morning, and after the teacher had been introduced in a happy little speech to which she responded appropriately, and tho National Anthem had been- sung and cheers given, the school was declared open and work started, only to be interrupted a little later by the introduction of tea and cakes. This little school is 25 miles further north than any other of the Canterbury Board schools, and the little scholars are not daunted by hills to climb and rivers to cross in their quest of knowledge. It was a pretty sight to see tho little, sturdy, fair haired girls and boys rido into the school grounds, some on ponies, some on smart hacks, and some on good "old stagers." "All that has boon 6aid about the overcrowded state of the Christchurch schools applies with equal force to Auckland," said Mr G. \V. Murrajj a member of the Auckland Education Board, on Wednesday. "Three newschools, pack to accommodate 500 pupils, are required—ono at Ponsonhy, one between Mount Eden and Mount Albert, and one at Green Lane—and even this accommodation would provide for little more than present needs. In regard to the size of classes," added Mr Murray, "tho conditions in Christchurch can be paralleled in a number of the suburban schools of Auckland, where there are classes: of 100 pupils, usually of tho younger children, taught by one assistant, whose only help is a pupil teacher or two. Tho neod for moro teachers, so that classes may bo reduced to reasonable size—say, 30 or 40 per teacher—is just as great as the ne»d for increased accommodation." Enquiries made by a "Herald" reporter show ' that "tho Auckland Education Board is fully alive to tho serious position, and is doing all it can to improve matters.

An instance of how fortunes are being made in Japan as the result of tho war was given last week by a visitor to Auckland from that country, Mr T. Herlihy. Referring to Mr Asano, now the largest ship-builder in tho Far East, ho said that ho was a poor uneducated boy when ho first arrived in Yokohama. Ho managed to get employment as an ordinary labourer, in discharging vessels. About twenty years ago Jlr Asano secured the necessary money and built tbreo small steamers, which ho ran to San Francisco. From that start he had gone on, until now ho owned tho largest lines of steamers in Japan, and since the war he had becomo one of tho most wealthy men in the country. Mr Herlihy said ho knew of another man who, beforo tho war, worked for £6 a month. Ho retired last year with a fortune of ' £4,000,000, acquired inside two years. There woro several other Japanese almost as rich, all of whom had made their money out of shipping by buying and selling. Last year, however, the Japanese Government stepped in. and prohibited the sale of ships to any foreign nation, without its authority.

At last week's meeting of the Springs County Council a letter was received from the Manawatu County Council, asking for support for a resolution urging; the Government to resume tho running of race special trains. The reason given was that tho motor vehicles used to convey people to the races were damaging the roads. It was estimated that the damage in the Manawatu County would run into £100J per annum. fcoveral members expressed tho view that the Government was doing ail it could to discourage travelling by rail and the increase in freights was also causing more road traffic. Tho chairman (Cr. I. Andrew) snid that while 110 sympathised with tho Manawatu County Council he could not see his way to advocato tho running of special trains to races during the war, and ho did not think the Minister would grant the request. Referring to the extent to which motorcars were used to carry people to race meetings, the chairman said that while in Wellington recently lie had endeavoured to hiro a car to go to Trentham camp ono morning, but was unable to secure one, all the cars being in use conveying people to tho races. The letter was held over for consideration later.

The suggestion that tho uso of the word "kindergarten" should be discontinued on account of its German origin, was referred to at Auckland on Thursday by the president, Mr H. G. Cousins, M.A., at tho annual meeting of the Auckland Kindergarten Association. He said that tuo oouncil of the association had decided upon tho continued uso of the word, and lie spoke in defence and justification of tiiat attitude. Ho mentioned that new words crept into tho language as tho need for them arose, and in this caso there was no other word they could use which would so easily and fully describe their institutions; instead, almost a whole sentence would bo required. Ho did not think that it was for a body such as theirs to bay just what the English language should be, or what words it should contain. If the opposition to the word were given effect to it would be ntccssary to take exception to words which inight be described as Austrian or Turkish, and it would be just a3 reasonable to object to words which had been adopted from the language of France or Spain, with which countries England had been at war in the past. He was very doubtful as to whether any amount of hatred of tho enemy would lead to the ultimate elimination of the- word

"kindergarten." Ho appreciated the patriotic spirit which prompted the opposition, but thought the council had dono tho right thing in retaining the use of what it considered to bo a thoroughly descriptive English word.

We have to acknowledge donation £'J 10s from M.G. for our Red Cross Funcl. | The. Christchurch l.:cclertafol visited the Sanatorium, Cashmere Hills, on Saturdrv evening. The programme, arranged by Mr A. Worsley, included many of tin; male voicc part-songs, quartet-, and solos, and was much appreciate-.! by the J-taff unci patients. Recently a trailer, which had just been shunted 011 to the loop at Barrington street, was. noticed by a bystander to be on lire. Tho conductor returned, and, breaking up a portion of the floor, succeeded in extinguishing the Haines, with sand. Two more pupils passed for their tickets at the Canterbury School of Aviation on. Saturday morning, these being C. J. Tapper (South Dittiedin) and G. A. Smith (Southland). Colonel R. A. Chaffev and Major W. C. Morrison were the examining officers, and they expressed themselves as thoroughly satisfied with the pupils' performances. Tapper and Smith aie the 44th and 4oth pupils respectively to take their tickets since the opening of the school. The arrangements for tho opening rehearsal of the chorus for the festival for the encouragement of miuic by Ne-w Zealand composers are now complete, and the Mayor (Mr H. Holland) will welcome the" vocalists at the Chamber of Commerce this evening at 7.45. Tho selection sub-committee is now examining and selecting from sixty works which have been submitted for performance. The following have already heen chosen for rehearsal:—"Empire Intercessory Hymn,'' words (Mayor's prize) by Jessie Mackay. music by Dr. J. C. J3radshaw; other intercessors- hymns: : (1) Words by liev. A. Miller (Ashburton), music by H. M. Johnson: (2) words and music by Miss Nellie Butler [Auckland): (3) words by Miss MarI jorie : Sutherland, music by R. A. Hornd. A New Zealand chorus, "God of Our Homeland," words by Cheyne Fame, music by A. W. Vine (Timaru). "In Paradise," words by Mrs F. C. Jenkin, music by A. Lilly"; and the Hon. Sir Charles Bowen's poem. "Tho Battle of the Free." Traditional Maori music is 1 to bo sung by Maori girls, and "Scottish" music under the auspices of the Caledonian Societv.

Want a Truss? Let Loasby ft you. Large assortment just landed. Why suffer? Come and "ask Loasby about it." Advice and medicine, 3s 6d; children, 2s. 1

The week-end sale of home-made food supplies at the Red Cross Sales Depot, Cathedral square, resulted in the sum of £113 being added to the Red Cross Fund. Winners of competitions at tho Red Cross week-end sale:—Lady's sleeping garment, Mrs R. Ballantyne; silk pyjamas, Mr J. 8.; pot plant, Mrs K. Howey; cake, Mrs Fleslier; ham, Mr J. 0. Jameson; camisole, Mrs W. Pearce (Wellington). 1 Particular about your writing tablots! Then try the "Golden Rule" and "Thinker" brands. They appeal to the cultured. Is each. Whitcombo and Tombs, Ltd. 1 Sale Bargains—Gents' Khaki Handkerchiefs Gd, white 4d, coloured 4d, bordered 6d. Armstrong's, Ltd, 1 When you send a soldier a "Steffano Webb" portrait you are sure J,o please him, for it will be the best jrou can obtain. 252 High street. Tel. 1989. * * Eye Strain. —Persistent headaches are in most cases the result of muscular eve 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. 6 More Bargains.—Good washing prints in navy, black, and cornflower— spots, sprays, and stripe, 7jd yard; 2500 yards muslin, crepes, delaines, and zephyrs, 6d yard, at Armstrong's, Sale. , 2 Are you interested in tho "last word" in perfect dustless cleaning? If so, inspect the "Lady Torrington" Vacuum Cleaner at Hastie, Bull and Pickering's. 1012 English Enamelware.—Wo are offering exceptional value in high-class

British ware—everything for the kitchen in pure white and mottlcfl grey. There's always something new in kitchcnware at Lewis and Anderson, Ltd., 112 Cashel street. 6

Sale quotations—33-inch heavy white twill flannellette B}d yard. Pyjama cloths in great variety now, new designs and colourings, 7}d yard, nt Armstrong's Salo. * 3 HIGH-GRADE ENGLISH CLEMENTTALBOT, 5-SEATER, £160. We have for immediate sale a 12.22 h.p. 5-seater motorcar. Has been esceptionally well kept, and is well worth inspection. Tyres almost new. Complete with full road equipment, including spare rim. Prieo £160. Adams, Ltd., 219 Tuam street. 8704