GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16153, 6 March 1918, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

j A London cable message states that the Press Bureau announces that mails from Australia and New Zealand, containing a few letters and many newspapers and parcels, were on board a ship that lias been torpedoed. The posting dates in New Zealand were: — Letters, December 14th to 18th; parcels, December 12th to 17th. The auction announcements of H. Matson and Co., D.ilgety and Co., New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., W. E. Simes and Co., Charles Clark, R. S. MeKenzie and Co., Harris Bros., and National Mortgage and Agency Co., will be found on nag© 11 of this issue.

We have received the following addii iional donation? to our War Funds: — ! Serbian Fund, Lucy Smith 2s Gd; Hod j Cioss Fund, Lucy Smith -s Gd. I The "Daily Telegraph" (London) has ' increased its price to twopence, says a ! cable message to tho Australian papers, i Tho now price will remain in force for ! the duration of the war, i In connexion ■with the Red Triangle i T)v' l-'uud a general meeting of commiitrv:; and helpers will he held at the ' Chamber of Commerce Hall to-morrow, ! at -3 n.ta'. j Tickets arc now on sale throughout ' the Canterbury Military District for tho ; grand ait uniJn in aid of the Keel Cross i Society and Navy League Funds, to be drawn on June lit. Bocks of tickets for sale may be procured from .Mr Yt". H. E. Wanklyn, lion, secretary, 120 Oxford terrace. i A Napier message says that the soa . is now subsiding. Heavy ram caused a small ilood, but no damage is reported. Owing to the bad weather tho [ trip to Lake \ ( ."aikaremoana, by members of Parliament and business men, in councxi-on with a power supply ' scheme, has been postponed. The Imperial Government Supplier Department has now placed at the proposal of tho Christchurch Technical College an ample supply of wool for instructional purposes in wool-classing. The classes will, accordingly, commence this week, and will be iieiu on Wednesday and Friday evenings, and Saturday afternoons. The annual meeting of the Congregational Union of iNew Zealand will Lie opened this evening in Trinity Church. The Kcv. 11. Aliau Job, of tiie Linwood Church, will welcome the delegates and frieniis. Thero wiil also be two addresses on "Congregationalism in National Life," "In the History of the Past," by the Rev. W. A. Evans, and "In the Problem of tho Future," by tho Hon. Geo. Fowlds. Two more pupils of the Aviation School, D. Checiilcy (Akaroa) and J. B. Wilson (Christchurch) passed thoir llying tests yesterday morning, Colonel Chalioy and -Major Morrison being tho observers. The weather conditions, with a somewhat gusty wind and lowlying clouds, were not wholly favourable, tho candidates having to come down below tho clouds to see thoir way, but both did very well. Tho Council of the Canterbury Society of Arts will entertain tho members at a private view of tho exhibition to-morrow evening, at 8 o'clock. Un Friday mornin E at 10 tho. exhibition will be open to the public. On Saturday evening the drawing of the members' art union will take place. Tho exhibition comprises about 400 pictures, both oil and water colour, from the leading artists throughout the Dominion. At a meoting of tho Social Committee of the Canterbury Automobile Association, held yesterday afternoon, it was decided that tho annual outing for tho orphans from the various homes in Christchurch tako place on Saturday, tho 16th inst. Arrangements havo been made to take tho children to Rangiora, where they will he entertained. An invitation has boon extended to children of all homes in the city. i Unless soino action is taken shortly, it is stated that in the near future tho Federal Government may be faced with a serious shortago of keroseno in Australia, which may become acute in April (says a Molbotirne message to the Australian papers). The position is said to have arisen largely over the difficulty of obtaining freight, imports of korosene having become less, and, in some cases, haying ceased, while ono leading firm, which is still importing., is running out of stock owing to tno heavy demand. Tho sixth annual convention of the Now Zealand Coach and Motor Vehicle Trades Industrial Association of Employers will bo held in Christchurch towards the end of the present month, and will last for three days. On tho first day thero is to be a civic welcome. Amongst papers and discussions to be dealt- with are: "Electrical Vehicles," by Mr Lawrence IJirks; "Are Our Business Methods Obsolete?" Mr John Bett 1 (Palmorston North); "Brief Suggestions Which May Help to Increase Profits," Mr C. Cooper (Pukekohe); "The Effect , of tho Minimum Wage in the Kingdom, and the Fanners' Union proposal for a lower tariff against Great Britain and Dependencies, on tho Motor Body Building Industry" (discussion). A lady who was bathing at Tahuna shortly after 7 o'clock last Friday

| morning saw two unusual visitors ovor Tasman Hay (says tho Nelson "Colonist";. She states that on looking out to sea slio s-aw two seaplanes quite distinctly. They were Hying together near tho surfaco of the water, -sacl then separated, one going in the direction of the eastern hills. Sho watched this one until it was lost in tho clouds. She thon endeavourod to locate the other, but it hod disappeared. Hie lndy was rather diffident about telling tho story, but she was so positive as to what sho had seen that sho spoke to a "Colonist" representative about it, in order to ascertain if the planes had been seen bv anvone else. Unfortunately, at the time" sho wa s m tho sea, the only other person about was in the dressing-shod, and by tho time he came out the visitors had gone. It was stated a few davs a^o &L? S ? P ''T I e had bc<!n »">* 'in the V-ounds, but the story was scouted. . Action has been taken in this city m respect of rather unusual alleged jreach of the War Regulation which 1 makes it a n offence for any person to : issue, or to bo concerned iu the issue of process of execution against the pro- < perty of soldiers without the previous 1 consent m writing of the Attorney- ; General. Iho alleged circumstances aro that a certain Class A, Second Division 1 reservist, selected by lot J'cjr service with 1 the Acw Zealand Expeditionary J-'orco ] Ti-ir Fallot gazetted on November Oth, I u sued for in tho Magis- ? . Cpurt and confessed judgment. ( Jho plaintiffs then, it is alleged, wrong- ' fully applied for and wrongfully obtain- : ed leave to issue immediate execution against tho defendant's property dokuclant then being, and continuing a • soldier within the meaning of the rc'niJation, and the consent of tho Attorney- ' \ Uencral not having been obtained. I)o- ; fendants goods and chattels were subseized and sold by auction. J The action, which has been commenced + £l<xio° PrC,no C ° , "' t ' is a clail » f ° r t Ihe following letter from'the Svden- ' ham School Committee has boon for- a warded to the Education Board'-At 1 the last monthly meeting of the Svdenham ischool Committee, a lentrthv fli'c d CU3SIOU took place regarding the-over-" , crowding and bad conditions "onerallv 3 of the school, and it was resolved to again appeal to the Board on behalf of tho staff and of the children. 'it F now some years since Sydenham «-nc f prpmised a new school, Jnd the com mittee aro surprised to learn tW \ u! sh S - vclc nham was olaced next tn * Ashburton on the list.. St. Albans has b taken that place, and has alrmr],- i started, whilst many o ttr Lfe round the district are* haS ,rJ~V- ,S and improvements. At + ' are large classes of bov« nr. • b ' The committee feel vonthis matter, and hope that "tho Resent * condition will not be allowed to con tinuo any longer.' I a ia instructed to" invite tho members of the Board especially those members representor, South CnnterbuiT and West Coast. to u visit the school duruag working hours, gi and so satisfy themselves as to the con- 3= cations prevailing.

The first term of Canterbury Collego begins on Thursday, 14th inst., and lectures begin on Saturday, 16th inst. \ll the Canterbury rivers were reported dear yesterday except tho Bangitata, which was fisliable. An officer stationed in ono of the Defence Departments in Christchurch recently received a packet of drawing fasteners from the Government Printer. Wellington. To his surprise* I |ir found printed upon the box the j words. "Made in Austria." i A visitor from Christchurch to Grr-v----j nioe.th had occasion to visit the Ten ! .Mile Bluff last week (says ihe Greyj mouth "Star''l. He came across a party i of roadmen, and gold entered into the i discussion. One of the roadmen took a I shovelful of the gravel he was spreading | and panned it oft", with a result, it is said, of a return of yellow metal of three grains. The "sample" was presented to the visitor, who now prizes it as a memento of his trip. That the macadam placed on West Coast roads is of the same alluvial nature as that turned over bv tho earlv miner and contains varying "prospects" is generally admitted, .but if you told the good 'people of Kumara that public bodies on the West Coast to-day spread gravel carrying throo grains to the shovelful they would not believe it! Want a Truss? Let Lcasby ft you. Largs assortment just landed. Why suffer ? Come and "ask Loaaby about it." Advice and medicine, Us 6d; children, 2s. 1 Brisk business with big stocks of

000X5 iUUI &IIU4J& bUL'UII'U lUr UIU MlllkCJ trade, is reported by Stewart Robinson, of Cashel street. Largo quantities sold last week. 840 pairs being cleared. 9576 ■Armstrong's Drapery Sale concludes on Saturday next. 1 English Enamel ware.—We are offering exceptional value in high-class British ware —everything for tho kitchen in pure white and mottled grey. There's always something new in kitchenware at Lewis and Anderson, Ltd., 112 Cashel street. 6 T. Armstrong and Co., Ltd., announce that tho last days of their sale ■will be mado memorable by speciul clearing bargains in each department. The sale closes at 1 p.m. on Saturday t 2 Are you interested in the "last word" in perfect dustless cleaning? If so, inspect the "Lady Torrington" Vacuum Cleaner at Hastie, Bull and Pickering's. 1012 When you send a soldier a "Steffano 'Webb" portrait you are sure to please him, for it will be the best you can obtain. 252 High street. Tel. 1989. 1 For bargains in remnants, odd lengths of everything, odd lines in garments, millinery, etc., etc., visit Armstrong's, before 1 p.m. on Saturday next. 3 Eye Strain.—Persistent headaches a>'o in most cases the result of muscular eyi> strain. Havo 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 For progressive people! "No Rubbing" laundry help, "Golden Rule" soap, "Golden Rule"' candles. Kincaids, Ltd. 3 Sale ends on Saturday next at Armstrong's Drapery Stores. 4 HIGH-GRADE ENGLISH CLEMENTTALBOT, 5-SEATER, £160. We havo for immediate salo a 12.22 h.p. 5-seater Clement-Talbot motorcar. Has been exceptionally well kept, and is well worth inspection. Tyres almost now. Complete with full road equipment, indluding spare rim. Price £160. Adams, Ltd., 219 Tuam street. 8704