GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16155, 8 March 1918, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

A garden party will be held in the school' grounds. Spencer street. Addington, to-morrow afternoon. Tho procoeds will go to the School Building Fund.

A Wellington telegram states that the triennial conference of Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants has approved' of the constitution by which the Transport Workers' Advisory Board will represent the railwaymen, watersiders, seamen, drivers, and tram way men.

The Advisory Committee of the NewZealand Patriotic Societies lias adopted a remit from the Wellington Society favouring the setting up of an additional pensions board. Mr Larner of Auckland, said he understood that tho Minister would seriously consider the establishment of another board if the present board found it impossible to cope with the work. The board had been cut up, and was now practically acting as two separate boards.

A correspondent writes to the Auckland '-Star":—We are told that the pi rates of the Wolf repaired to n desert island to plant their valuable loot. It would he interesting to know where the Seeadler's captain planted his. In olden times a little gentle pressiiro would llavo. been applied to von Luckner to induce him to reveal the whereabouts of the cache. It might be worth while to form a syndicate to follow up the raider's tracks and unearth the treasure, otherwise these pirates will some day be luxuriating in their ill-gotten gains.

A reference to the application of the "unwritten law" was made by Mr F. V. Frazer, S.M., at tho Auckland Police Court on Saturday, when deciding to deal summarily with a charge of assault causing grievous bodily harm, bv reducing it to one of common assault. After reviewing the circumstances, the Magistrate said: "I havo thought it advisable to give my reasons in detail for taking this course in case any kind friends may take in into thoir heads that I am administering tho unwritten law. I havo not on any occasion recognised tho unwritten law, and I have not tho remotest intention of ovor doing so."

Tho extent to which tho "brown rot" has affected the stono fruit crops may be gauged from the fact that one northern grower, who contemplated marketing 500 caso3 of fruit, was able to sell 20 cases only (says tho Auckland "Herald"). Although tho fruit showed no Bigns of disease when packed, upon the cases being opened at tho market on tho following day tho fruit was found to be unfit for sale. Apples, as vet, have not been badly attacked, but quinces have suffered severely. Tho method of prevention is by spraying with blucstone in winter. Experiments in su,mmer treatment aro being made.

After a tour which ho has just xnado of tlio West Coast portion of his electorate, Mr It. ]*. Hudson, M.P. for Motucka, is more impressed than ever with the noed for further opening of roads to eiiablo backblock settlers to obtain tho fruits of their labours and increase production, states a Nelson paper. Mr Hiidson is strongly of opinion that curtailment of expenditure in this diroction is not only unjust to the settlers, but suicidal from a national point of view. Thero are men in the bush districts, says Mr Hudson, who have to carry their cream out on horseback in cans held on the pommel of the saddle. If the cans wero placed on either side of the ..horse they would he knocked off by the trees. The tracks wero rough and broken, and frequently the horses have to plunge about in mud and 6lush up to their girths.

"We want no quacks in either the pulpit or the sick-room," said Mr F. Meadowcroft, in tho course of his paper road before the Congregational Union yestel'day afternoon. "But we want in bo.th someone who is more than either a learned man or a lecturer. Wo want a life-givor. We go to church, most of us, because ive want help to live better lives. Some of us liavo been carrying heavy burdens all the week, or "have been bitten and stung by insectivorous worries. We want rest and refreshment. Some of lis have been living in muddy waters or a polluted atmosphere, and we want a bath, something that will cleanse our minds. Some of lis have been disappointed in our friends, and more of us hnvo been disappointed in ourselves, and we want a new access of courage for tho duties of the coming week. What wo want from tho Church is not mere information, but life; not mere instruction, but power.''

"The Church is at war on the field of battle," said the Rev. A. Hodge (Napier),, in the course of his address from the chair at last night's meeting of tho Congregational Union. "Tho men of tne Church wero the first to enlist and to fight. ... If the sons of the Church had been in the majority in tho Dominion, no conscription would have been necessary —and again, if tho sons of the Church had been in tho majority in the Dominion, the Second Division would not have been called upon nearly so soon, and perhaps not at all, bocatiso the percentage of men refused would have been surprisingly low. Were some responsible person to take tho pains to ascertain what proportion of the sons of the Church had been rejected, it would servo as one of the most useful witnesses to tho health and robustness and of the moral courage of tbe Church. And then, if tho sons of the Church had been in the majority in tho Commonwealth, Australia's Conscription Referendum Bill would never havo been so much as suggested."

A largo batch of invalided soldiers, of whom seventy were for Christchurch, arrived at Lyttelbon by the ferry steamer yesterday morning. The men reached tne Christchurch railway station at a quarter to eight. All wero walking cases, and for the most part looked very much benefited by their long voyage. About thirty cars, supplied by tho Canterbury Automobile Association, were waiting, and before long all tho Christchurch men were conveyed to their homes. Members of the Red Cross Hospital Comforts Department were at the station distributing cigarettes and fruit to the men going south. Jn connexion with the notification of tho arrival of vessels conveying invalided soldiers, Mr C. W. Hervey, secretary of tho Automobile Association, has receivedl a letter from Captain Robertson, asking that, in order that arrangements may be made for signalling from tho station at Adderley Head the numbers of telephones of tbe Automobile Association should bo supplied, in order that tho harbourmaster would be able to supply tho information promptly. In replying. Mr Hervey requested that Mr H. Macintosh, City Motor Inspector, should be advised at the same time as himself.

The fete to be hold at Rhodes Convalescent Home, Cashmere Hills, tomorrow, promises to be a very successful affair. Already large quantities of fancy goods and produce have been sent in; there will bo plenty of lamb, mutton, geese, fowls, vegetables, pickles, fruit, jam, 6weets. cakes, ice cream, fruit salad, and afternoon tea. The Tramway Band will play during tho afternoon and evening. There will be plenty of entertainments, consisting of oabv show, Punch and Juoy, model coach, Boy Scouts, jiu jitsu, Anzac girls, action song, Maypole dance, etc. Between S and 9 o'clocli there will bo a concert by tho Auto Pierrots, the grounds being brilliantly lighted up. and it is expected that tho evening will be brought to a close with a dance. It is understood that a few more entries for the baby show can be received at. Box 704, or by telephone 201, up to o o'clock to-day. 1

All the Canterbury rivers were roported clear yesterday. The Arnuri County Council require two two-horse teams, not three-horse teams, as appeared in their advertisement in 'The Press" on Tuesday and Wednesday last. A corrected advertisement appears in this issue. An election will be held on Thursday next to fill a vacancy on the W oolston Borough Council caused by the death of Cr. W. J. Trerise. Nominations closed at noon, when the names of Messrs Charles Hill and David Rouse had been received. "The Government is determined to retain Samoa." said the Hon. G. W. Russell, at Te Kuiti, on. Monday, "for the first victorios of the war achieved for the Enmire by New Zealand soldiers. If we let Samoa go, we 6hall have to maintain a standing army and a strong fleet, with tremendous expense in**building docks. Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward, when they go Home to attend the sittings of the Imperial War Cabinet, will urge the retention of Samoa." A letter which was read at the Methodist Conference at Dunedin on "Wednesday from Chaplain J. A. Luxford stated that as sron as an armistice was arrived at the sick and wounded would immediately be hurried home. Ho wondered whether New Zealand understood that in a few weeks after such an armistice JL(),CCO sick and wounded would l:e landed in New Zealand. Referring to tho men and their cheerfulness, he montioned that a Hamilton church member had lost both legs, but was the most cheerful man in the Walton-on-Thames Hospital. No artillery reinforcoments will sail with tho thirty-fifth draft. In consequence instructions havo been issued that all men for the thirty-nintli and fortieth drafts coming within the following categories are to be transferred to tho forty-second draft, concentrating at the end of May:—(l) Mon holding non-commissioned rank in the territorial, field artillery, or garrison artillery: (2) men with two years or over efficient service in the territorial or volunteer field or garrison artillery; (3) men with service in tho regular artillery, colonial or British, who have satisfactory discharges. Such men will havo their leavo without nay extended to the date of the concentration of' the forty-second draft. "Confessedly, all is not well with us. Indeed, I may go further and say, Things are very far from well," said Mr Moadowcroft in the course of a paper read before the Congregational Union yesterday afternoon. "It has been said," he continued, "that tho Church has been stripped of every rag of _ soli-complacency, and is only too painfully conscious of her defects and failures. These defects and failures aro painfully patent and unmistakable. We Aad liopod that the war might sober our nation and cause the peoplo to turn to God. In my opinion it has done nothing of tho kind. There is no sign m- symptom of the beginnings of a religious revival. Instead of that there has been an ominous relaxing of moral obligation, and vice stalks in our midst bra/en and unashamed." Want a Truss? Let Loasby Pi you. Large assortment just landed. Why suffer? Come and "ask Loasby about it." Advice and medicine, lis 6d ; childron, 2s. 1 We would remind our readers that the successful Drapery and Clothing Sale conducted by Armstrong, Ltd., will conclude to-morrow. 1 Brisk business with big stocks of boots and shoes secured for the winter trado is reported by S'.ewart Robinson, of Cashel street. Largo quantities sold last week, 840 pairs being cleared. 1 Further substantial reductions to wind up all broken lines in each department will afford buyers a chance of saving money to-day and to-morrow at Armstrong's Sale. 2 "No Rubbing" laundry help, "Golden Rule" soap, "Golden Rule" candles, "Golden Rule" writing tablets. Winning on thoir merits. Royds Bros, and KiiTc. Ltd., wholesale agents for "No Rubbing" and "Golden Rule." 5

I Remnants of all sorts at, and under, half-prices, for end of Sale at Armstrong's, Limited. 3 English Enamelwaj-e.—We are offering exceptional value in high-class British ware —everything for tho kitehen in pure white and mottled grey. There's always something new in kitchenware at Lewis and Anderson, Ltd., 112 Cashel street. 6 EarJy shopping to-day and to-morrow will be mutually beneficial at Armstrong's Drapery Stores. 4 When you send a soldier a "Steffano Webb" portrait you are sure to please him, for it will be the best you ».au obtain. 252 High street, "fel." 1989. 1 The new American and English Valeurs will be on view in the snowrooms of T. Armstrong and Co., Ltd., to-day, 5 Eye Strain. —Persistent headaches are in most eases the result of muscular eye strain. Havo yonr eyesight scientifically tested by Walter J. AVatson, D.8.0.A., London, of Watson's ''Jewellers" Limited. Glasses aro only recommended when absolutely necessary, and arc prepared in neat and becoming rimless designs. 6 Young Ladies' Readv-to-wear Felt Hats, smart; dressy styles and fashionale shndes, 8s lid, 10s 9d. and 12s Gd, at Armstrong's to-day. G HIGH-GRADE ENGLISH CLEMENTTALBOT, 5-SEATER, £160. We have for immediate salo a 12.22 h.p. 5-seater- Clcment-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