GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16156, 9 March 1918, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

Tho auction announcements of H. Matson and Co., Harris Bros., H. B. Sorensen, Dalgctv and Co., National Mortgage and Agency Co., R. fe. McKcnzie and Co., Pvnc and Co., New Zealand Loan and M.A. Co., W. E. Simes and Co., Lawrio and Dalton, Charles Clark, and Claridge and Smith will be found on pages l-t and 15 of this issue. A choque for £25 from C. Edith Deans as a subscription to the Y.M.C.A. Fund, has reached us, and been forwarded to the chairman of that fund. Tho first appreciable run of salmon this yoar is reported in the Waitaki river' but the river is too high to fish for them at present, says Thursday's "Oamaru Mail." Several views of old Christchurch, dating back to 1852, and of the landing of the emigrants from tho first four ships at Lyttolton, all of which are mountod and enclosed in one frame, liavo been offored for purchase to the City Council for its collection of historical prints and documents by tho Red Cross Society. Some of the Oamaru stone forming part of the buttresses on the northern walls of tho Cathedral, has shown signs of decay, and in some cases fairly large pieces have dropped off. Yesterday a start was made with the work of replacing the portions affected with new stone, the preparations consisting of the erection of a considerable amount of scaffolding. Tho Canterbury Education Board, at its meeting yesterday, granted leave ot absence (under tho usual conditions) to tho following to enable them to ( join the Expeditionary Forces: —Mr C. T. Wild, Leithfield; Mr W. M. Campbell, Lob urn North; and Mr W. A. Brown, Spotswood. On the recommendation of tho senior inspector a master or mistress is to 1»3 appointod to Leithfield and Spotswood.

Of late years it has beon tho custom for a large amount of general church work to bo piled on to representative ministers until it has become an almost intolerable burden. At the Methodist Conference at Dunedin on Thursday, a number of ministers asked that they should not bo voted for as chairmen of synods. Included in the number was tho ltev. A. C. Lawiy, of St. Albans, who desired to be left freo for circuit work. The Revs. O. H. Garland and C. H. Laws made similar requests.

As a result of 6 o'clock closing one local hotelkeeper is doing awav with tho commercial room adjoining the bar, and is having tho necessary alterations affected to turn it into a shop whero soft drinks will be retailod. says the "Manawatu Times." It was stated at tho meeting of tho Licensing Committee that tho rates on this .'oom alone amounted to 30s per week, ".net as it was' very little, used now as a commorcial room, tho proprietor desired to utilise it to tho best advantage.

"When the question of the employment of female labour in groccrs' shops was before tho Arbitration Court at Wellington on Wednesday, Mr W. A. Grenfell made a statement which seemed to startlo the Court. "An employer at Palmerston North," 1.0 said, "has stated that one woman is better than three men." This was mot with ejaculations as follow from the three members of the Court:—Mr Justice Stringer: "It is not likely that wo are going to swallow that." Mr W. Scott: "I don't think that. I don't think that." Mr J. A. McCullough: "Never! It's nonsense to talk like that." All combined in expressing tho opinion that the statement was worth nothing to the Court, and Mr Grenfell quickly assured the Court that the statement was not his own.

Tho made by Mr W. Jones, chairman of the Elmwood School Committee, in regard to the drilling of cadets were considered by the Appointments Committee of tho Education Board, together with a letter from the Ministers' Association asking the Board to move in the direction of having all compulsory drill for boys under eighteen years of age given during daylight. It was resolved: — "That while the question of boys attending drill at night does not apply to the primary schools under the jurisdiction of the Board, yet the Board is strongly of the oninion. that boys between the ages of fourteen and eighteen years should not be required to attend drill at night, but that such drill should be conducted during daylight; that the present Board is also of opinion that the cadet system in vogue some years back should be reverted to, as this would entirely remove the objection to drill being given at night." The committee's report was adopted by tho Board at yesterday's meeting.

"My inclination is to refuse this application," said Mr Justice Hosking at a sitting in Chambers at Auckland on Tuesday, when a counsel submitted a motion for leave to serve citation outsido New Zealand upon a soldier as the respondent in a divorce suit. It was stated thatthe soldier was at present in the firing-line in Franco. His Honour added that he believed the War Regulations prevented a service of the kind proposed while a man was with tho forces. "A man at the front," ho said, "has no time to defend divorce proceedings, and I do not think he should be worried with them." Counsel stated that the soldier had deserted his wife in 1912, and tlie period required by law had expired. His Honour replied that he was not disposed to consider the time the man had spent with tho forces as desertion. At the request of counsel the matter was held over in the mean•flime to enable it t-> he ascertained whether the soldier had lived away from his wife for at least five years prior to his enlistment.

Some two years ago a well-known young man in a country district was supposed to have met his death bydrowning in a deeti, fast-flowing river (says yesterday's "Otago Daily Times") All tlie circumstancos surrounding the accident, as it was deemed, pointed to the fact that a fatality occurred. It is further alleged, that a life insurance policy running into soveral hundreds of pounds was piid over to the relatives of the man. The fact remains, however, that the body was never recovered. Now a rumour is being circulated, and is growing apace, that the man was not. drowned —that ho carefully arranged the circumstantial evidence, and then, for reasons best known to himself, left for other parts. Men who knew him well, and who have since travelled abroad as soldiers of the King, have stated that they met him in London.

All the Canterbury rivers were reported clear yesterday.

A Gisborne message states that during the recent floods on the east coast four snails of tho Waiapu Bridge were carried away, causing damage to graph and electric cables across the bridge.

In connexion with the classcs in accountancy- and commercial law at Canterbury i'niversitv College, it is announced that tho term will start on the Kith inst. The classes are held in the

evenings, and are open to anyone over the age of sixteen years.

When advocating, before the Education Board yesterday, the necessity for enlarging the BligU's road iSehool, the Rev. F. Rule remarked that itmight be an opportunity for tho Board to adopt the latest "fad." and provide an open-air school. "I dub it a 'fad,' " Mr Rule continued, "because I don't know much about it. If I Jcnew more about it T probably would not use such a term."

The Pydenham Sclicol CommUtee having communicated with the Education Board respecting the nrw school, tho Board at yesterday's meeting, on tho recommendation of tiie Buildings Committee, decided: —"That a copv of tho report of the chairman '"f the Board on his interview with the Minister of Education regarding tho Sydenham school be sent to tho School Committee, and that ap-plication be made to the postal authorities for the use of rooms in tho post office in terms of the committee's Mter. and subject to tho approve! of the senior i-spector, the chairman of the Board to finally deal with tho matter."

The Minister of Internal Affairs stato; that a case has come under his notice of a ycung man. a former resident of Christchurch, and at present residing at St. Lcuis. U.S.A., lie having gone to America for the purpose of taking college course, and also to gain certain business experience. Having completed his course, he was desirous of returning to New Zealand, but meanwhile was drawn in the first alien draft under the United States military law. It is sujrgostod that those interested should, if in any doubt as to their legal responsibilities, communicate with the British Ambassador resident in the country- in which they are residing at present.

At the conclusion of a licensing case at tho Ashburton Magistrate's Court yesterday, Jhe question arose as to what was to become of the stock of wino held by the police, about 300 gallons. The Magistrate said ho thought it was not (it to bo given to the hospital authorities. Senior-Ser-geant Ryan said he thought tho right thing would be to run it into the gutter. At this stage Mr Acland, who appeared for tho defendant, put in a claim on behalf of his client for the return of the wine, but tho Magistrate said that if a man was convicted on a charge of selling liquor the stock must ha confiscated. He ultimately made an order that the wine was to be destroyed.

An interesting legal point cronned up in a case which came before the Military Service Board at Lawrence on Thursday. In the case of a reservist who was appealing to be placed in Class B of the* Second. Division, it was stated that ho was separated from his wife under a private agreement between the parties, and that the wife had the custody of ■(lie child, and bad agreed to provide for its maintenance out of her salary. The* reservist had contributed nothing to its support for two years, and tho question was whether there was just cause for urging failure to support the child, and whether the circumstance of a Reparation -agreement could bo urged to bo a just causo. The chairman (Mr H. Y. TViddowson. S.M.) said that without giving a considered oninion, ho was inclined to think that the child was technically "deserted." Tho caso was adjourned.

At tho meeeting of the Canterbury Education Board yesterday, tho Special Committeo appointed to report on the question of the feasibility of securing coal in bulk for the purpose of distribution to School Committees, reported that enquiries: had beon made, and tho State Coal Department stated it could supply State coal to schools at £2 por ton, if procurablCj and would give preterential treatment to schools, and place them on the samo footing as othor public institutions. Enquiries from coa] companies elicited the fact that there was a great difficulty in fulfilling orders, and it was possible tho Board's orders could not bo fillod. It was agreed to communicate with School Committees within a three mile radius of Christchurch, and get, if possible, an estimate of the total requirements, wheff an endeavour will be made to place an order through a wholesalo .firm.

A contingent of 160 native volunteers lately arrived from Rarotonga, and haj! now made a good start with its training at Narrow Neck Camp (says tho Auckland "Star"). Most of the men are from tho island r>f J.iarotonga itself, but some are from the islands of Aitutaki and Moki. The contingent is the third sent from the group, and military enthusiasm there is so strong that at its departure over 50 volunteers had to be left behind. Amongst the men are five who have already seen service in the present war. Previous experience has enabled tho camp authorities to regulate vhe, diet and living conditions of the Islanders to their needs, and the health of the draft is good. A part of is spent in organising games, which give variety to the drill programme, and the regular bathing parades are much enjoyed. The men are quite as remarkable singers as those who have gonp before them, and take a special delight iii the hymns at church parade.

The important question of assisting the funds of New Zealand regiments on active service in Franco was considered by the Advisory Board of tho New Zealand Patriotic Societies at Wellington on Thursday. The secretary (Mr R. AV. Shallcrass) reported on the position of grants under existing arrangements, and tho position was not regarded as altogether satisfactory. After a general discussion, the Board passed the following motion, moved by Mr V. Lamer, and seconded by'Mr J. J. Dougall (Christchurch): — "That the Advisory Board, being satisfied that battalion or regimental funds are necessary for the benefit of our soldiers, recommends that, in lieu of each district in tho Dominion contributing to its own regiment or /, battalion, a common fund be established amounting to £15,000 per year, from which monthly remittances bo made, and that the various patriotic societies contribute pro rata towards the fund. The Board further recommends that such of the societies as may bo precluded by their constitution from contributing towards this fund take immediate steps to amend their constitution to provide for contributions being made." ~

Corporal H. Lindsay and Private D. Ballock, of tlie staff of Booth, Macdcnald and Co., Ltd., both of tho 18th Reinforcements, have returned from active service in France. Both were wounded at tho battle of Messines, the latter being wounded in tho head and buried by a shell tho first night he was in the front trenches. The wound in the head healed, but the shock affrctodi hjs speech to the extent of depriving him for some months of the power to articulate at all. Ho got sufficiently well on the journey back to New Zealand to be able to make himself just audible, and, with difficulty, understood. Visiting some relatives in Gore, Private Bullock was ono of a party which was thrown out of a trap through an accident, which was a blessing in disguise, for it gave him back his sneech. Ho is now honourably discharged, and will resume hjs position with the firm. CorLindsay saw practically tho whol-» or the Messines battle, but neir the end /L U u S i , up by a shell, splinters of "rthich lodged in his body, which iniunes necessitated treatment extendinc wi months hi France and F.ne- /; • has considerably benefited bv l ) llr , ne - T . te.Ncw Zealand and as soon as he is discharged, will take up

At the Dunedin Police Court yesterday, Chung Lee was fined £25 on a charge of having opium in liis possession in a form suitable for smoking.

The Plunket Society of New Zealand lias received the following cablegram from New York from Dr. 1 ruby King: "Intense interest and generous recognition of Society's work and methods in United States and Canada."

The Canterbury Society of Arts' annual exhibition at the Art Gallery was largely attended ves lord .-v. So far tlu> sale-, are very satisfactory, being alidad of those for the corresponding period of last year. The members' art union will bo drawn to-nigin at the exhibition at 8 o'clock. After the drawing of the art union the Red Cross Committee will entertain visitors, and will also provide* supper, the proceed* of which will be devoted to the Rrd Cross Fund.

A Press Association message says that yesterday the Waimato Hospital Committee discussed the menace disclosrd by the case of a venereal victim who applied for admission to the institution. The committee passed a resolution asking the Minister to have tho Social Hygiene Act amended t-o provide for compulsory examination in suspected cases under similar safeguards as provided under tho Lunacy Act.

At St. Paul's Presbyterian Church,! Cashel street, to-morrow, special harvost thanksgiving services will bo conducted. In the morning there will be a parade of Boy Scouts, when the Rev. J. Paterson will preach from the subject, "A Nation's True Wealth." In the evening the service will be conducted by the Rev. AV. Saunders, of Moray place, Dunedin. The anthe.n in the evening will be, "Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord" (Chandler), and the voluntary after service will be "Heaven and the Earth display the Wonder of His Work" (Mendelssohn).

The new habitat of the Official \ssigneo in Bankruptcy in the old Provincial Council Chambers is a portion of the building that lias seen varied service in its day and generation. In the provincial tlnys it_ was the_ Bellamy's of the Provincial Councillor?, and was, no doubt, the scene of much old-time merriment. Later it was used for some years for the purposos of the Police Court, and the _ scenes enacted in it were far froni being joyous to some of the participants. _ Still later the same part of the building was used as an office for the Registrar of one of the city electorates, nnd afterwards the Department of Agriculture occupied it. Just at present the rooms are piled with papers and books, some of tliem with the traces 'of the dust of many years upon them, and the Official Assignee, Mr A. W. Eames, with the assistance of a clerk, is, as rapidly as possible, evolving order out of seeming chaos. Want a Truss? Let Loasby ft yon. Large assortment just landed. Why suffer? Come and "ask Loasby about it." Advice and medicine, 3s 6d ; children, 2s. 1 When you send a soldier a "Steffano Webb" portrait you are sure to please him, for it will be the best you can obtain. 202 High street. Tel. 1989. 1 Eye Strain. —Persistent headaches are in most cases the result of muscular oye 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 arc prepared in neat and becoming rimloss designs. 6 The ''Sturgis" Collapsible Pusli-car embodies all tho latest features in baby carriages. Faces mothor or father. Grey, Tan, or Black colours. Prices from £5 15s. Try "Draytons," 766 Colombo street. 6 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 ; Christchurch ladies are greatly pleased with the quality of "No Rubbing" laundry help, "Golden Rule" soap, and ! "Golden Rule" candles. Wardell Bros, and Co. " 6 Akaroa, tho seaside holiday resort, where the orange and lemon trees grow to perfection. The cheapest motor trip in the Dominion —Christchurch return 255. 1 General Cariying of all sorts undertaken by J. M. Keywood and Co., Ltd. Their plant of horses and vehicles ia one of the largest m New Zealand. 6 STUDEBAKER 4-CYLINDER, 5-SEATEII 1916-17 MODEL. PRICE £325 NET CASH. We have for sale Studebaker 5seater ]916-17 Model. Has full road equipment, including Auster Rear Windshield, 5 New Detachable Rims and Tyros, Speedometer and Clock. Price £325 net cash. Inspect immediately at Adams, Ltd., 219 Tuam street. 18