GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16159, 13 March 1918, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The auction announcements of H. Matsou and Co., Tonks, Norton and Co., New Zealand Loan and M.A. Co., H. B. Sorensen, Dalgety and Co., W. E. Simcs and Co., Clar'idge and Smith, P. S. Nicholls and Co., Harris Bros., and R. S. McKenzie and Co. will bo found on page 11 of this issue.

The offices of members of tho Canterbury Law Society will bo closed on Monday next (St. Patrick's Day), and from Friday, 29th inst., to Tuesday, April 2nd (both days inclusive), for the Easter vacation.

At a short sitting of the Juvenile Court yesterday afternoon, two girls were admonished and discharged for cycling at night without lights, their explanation that they had ""gone to visit granny," and Had left their return till rather late being accepted.

There were signs of an impending collision between Mr Donnelly and Mr Cassidy in a case at the Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon. "Now, don't get heated," advised tho Magistrate, Mr T. A. B. Bailey. - "Oh, I won't get heated, your Worship. I don't feel well," assorted Mr Cassidy. "It is generally when we don't feel woll that we do get heated," remarked tho Magistrate, but tho promisod breeze was averted.

The reprehensible) practice of cyclists in riding at night without lights was commented upon by Senior-iSsr-geant Cumming at yesterday's sitting of the Juvenile Court. Offenders, he said, wore becoming more and moro numerous, • and consequently the danger to the public was increasing. Furthermore, the trouble was accentuated by tho number of false names and addresses given. Senior-Sergeant Cumming indicated that the police in future intended to press for moro salutary fines when an offender was brought to book, and incidentally remarked on the success of a plan adopted in a North Island town, where tho staple fine was now £2 and costs.

During the month of February the total number of books issued from the circulating department of the Public Library was DQIS, as compared with 7514 issued during February of last year. In the reference library 1649 works were consulted, an increase of 250 over tho total for February, 191.7. In tho juvenile library 1362 volumes were taken out for home reading, an increase of 430 over the corresponding period last year. The number of new books added to th© circulating library was slightly below the average, due possibly to the shipping delays. However, 63 new volumes wero placed on the shelves.

The affiliation cases heard at the Magistrate's Court yesterday were responsible for a number ot laughable incidents. In one of them Mr Cassidy was appearing for the defendant, and Mr Malley for the complainant. Mr Malley had just completed his examination of his client, when Mr Cassidy remarked "You hava just told Mr Malley that he is the father of" your child." There was a momentary gasp i of astonishment, and Mr Cassiuy Hastened to correct himself. "I mean this I young man is—the defendant— not Mr i Malley," he explained amidst loud i laughter, in which the Magistrate | joined heartily. In another case, an j elderly woman appeared as complainant on behalf of her daughter, it was j stated that there was every prospect of a settlement of the case within the next fortnight, and the complainant was asked if she had any objection to such an adjournment. "Oh no. your Worship," she replied. "I 'have only come here to find out where the babv is." General laughter followed the assertion. "I can assure you that I haven t got it.' said the Magistrate, j r . • Biuley, S.M. Tiie complainant explained that the defendant had placed the child "somewhere in Sydenham," and his Worship assured her that the police would make enquiries as to its whereabouts.

Yesterday's river report; was as under - - Rakaia, clear; Waitaki, clear: Rangitata, fishable: Opihi, discoloured : North, clear; W aiinakariri South, clear. Three men enlisted in Christchurch yesterdav for active service, including J. E. H. Cox, 132 Marshland road, Shirfev, farmer, and George Ivory. 162 To'rrence road, Spreydon, dairy farmer. Mr R. Semple, organiser for the New Zealaiul Coal Miners' Federation, visited Kaitangata on Saturday, when he addressed a combined meeting of Ivaitangata and Taratu miners. During tho%ourse of his address Mr Semple stated that at the next general election there would be a Labour candidate to contest every electorate in the Dominion.

Relative to the resolution of the City Council on Monday evening, empowering the Mayor to certify that tho requisition regarding hours for pork butchers' shops, was signed by a majoritv of the pork butchers in tho city, information was the Mayor yesterday that tho requisition was not signed bv a majority of the pork butchers "It is stated that there aro nine pork butchers. The requisition was signed by four only. In view of this information, the Mayor is unable to give the certificate. The even tenor of the meeting of the Board of Governors of Lincoln College yesterday was broken into somewhat by the arrival of an agitated farmer who wanted a "vet-.." at once, if not sooner. His cow, it appeared "had eaten a sack of wheat!" One of the members of the Board drily remarked. "Rather an expensive meal nowadays, it might be the best thing to kill the cow and extract the grain."

Eventually, however, the farmer was sent on his way rejoicing—it is hoped —having been put in the way of obtaining the information he desired

The Maoris of the Arawa tribe, at a largely-attended meeting held recently, dccidod to send the following telegram to the Minister for Defence: —"In view of the reported opposition from the North Auckland, tho Waikato, and the South Island Maoris to conscription, we dosire to inform you that the men of the Arawa tribe aro registering with enthusiasm, being determined to carry out the wishes of the National Government in maintaining the maximum effort in reinforcing the men who have shed, and arc still shedding, their sacral blood for tho cause of freedom and humanity.'' The meeting decided to request the Government to apply the Military Service Act at the one time, when all their available men would be gathered in one body to train and fight as one unit. It was also agreed to ask that a central training camp should bo established at Rotorua. and that tho same allowances should lie given for soldiers' children over four in number in one family as for those under that number.

The feeling of resentment against exempted men who loso no opportunity of giving expression to strong anticonseriptionist sentiments, or whose action,? would point to disloyalty to tho Crown, is becoming intense in Ivaitangata /says tho correspondent of tho "Otago Daily Times"). It has been hinted that severe measures for reprisals are likely to bo adopted with a view to bringing some steadying power to bear upon the men referred to. At a welcome homo social given by tho public to returned soldiers on i r riday evening the Mayor, in his address, stated: "I regret to say that even m Kaitangata wo have some citizens who, as a class, are the most disloyal and disreputable citizens who could possibly be found in any place in this Dominion." Continuing. Mr Cairiiy said that, although ho agreed there was very good singing talent in tho class he referred to, tho committee decided against the inclusion of that talent in the programme. Tho sneaker's 1 remarks appeared to coincide with tho opinions of tho lar°:e audience, who heartily applauded tho Mayor.

| Medical men the world over artagreed that one outcome of the present war will be ati astonishing addition to surgical and medical ' knowledge and experience. In surgery particularly sonic extraordinary achievements have been recorded (sav's tho Adelaide "Advertiser"). A case in point is Corporal C. Merrill, who served on Gallipoli with the 9tli Light Horse, and, while there, was wounded by a bullet in the head. -Tho missile entered the forehead, passed through the left eye, which it destroyed, and lodged in the antrum, a little undsr the surface of the skin. It remained in that position—meanwhile having caused Corporal Merrill almost constant pain—until a fortnight ago, when it was skilfully extracted by Colonel A. M. Cudmore, at the Keswick Hospital, South Australia. The ~t might have been removed by making an incision in the face, but that would have involved leaving a scar. Consequently the operation, which proved to bo eminentlv satisfactory, was done by way of the mouth, and now Corporal Merrill has an interesting souvenir for the decoration or his watchehain.

Most people recognise a postal note when they see or receive one, but the same evidently cannot be said for a money order, judging by a caso which came before the Magistrate's Court yesterday. A tall, intelligent-looking young man, wearing a returned soldier's badge, was charged with being a little over £4 in arrears on an order for the maintenance of his wife, who is in WeUington. The Chief Detective explained that the young man had been arrested the previous evening, and had shown great surprise at hearing the charge, that ho had sent liis wife the money.. On being asked in what form ho had sent it, he replied by money orders, and said that he could produce receipts to prove his statement. On being asked to do so, he produced the actual orders. Having paid the money into tho post office and given the address of the payee, he had been under the impression that the post office authorities would do the rest, and that the orders ho received were nothing more nor less than receipts. Tho Court expressed tho opinion that lie had evidently been acting with perfect bona fides, and adjourned the case for a week to allow the orders to be sent to their destination.

A new form of wireless telegraphy, which, instead of passing messages through ipace, transmits tnem through thousands of feet of solid earth, is now in vie at the front, and is proving of the utmost value in establishing effective communication between units in the firing li.no and divisional headquarters, from which operations were directed. Reference to this new means of communication was made by Major W. J. M. Locke, M.C., last week, in the course of a war lecture delivered in Melbourne. He mentioned how during the attack on the Hindenburg line, east of Bullecourt, i party of Australians, who were astrid? a piece of . the captured line, were suddenly overwhelmed by an enemy onslaught. Their flank was turned, and for a time it seemed that certain dis-

aster awaited them. But. seated in a'i enemy dug-out, which earlier had been captured from the Germans, was a solitary Australian soldier at the transmitting end of one of these underground wireles# installations. When the unit to which he was attached was flung back by the enemy counter-attack he was left alone at his „post completely encircled by the German forces. With the utmost unconcern, however, he proceeded to send along to headquarters a detailed account by earth wireless of all that was going on. The eventual result was that the Australian artillery managed to get the range of the Germans, whose counter-attack was dispersed; the lonely signaller at j his post was relieved, and some little time afterwards he was decorated h>r his bravery with the Distinguished Conduct MedaL I

I We have received a donation of £1 from Miss Noone, Amberley, for our Red Cross Fund. The Ashburton A. and P. Association's annual show will be held tomorrow. At Auckland last night the Defence Minister presented eight Military Medals and two Distinguished Conduct Medals, all but one D.C.M. being posthumous awards. The Postmaster-General has received a cable message from the High Commissioner in London, stating that tho despatch of parcels to Turkey has been suspended. The fete held on Saturday in connexion with the Rhodes Convalescent Home resulted in £230 being raised in aid of the convalescent poor of Christchurch. The C.D.C. Band, which during its existence collected for patriotic purposes over £800, has disbanded. Some of the instruments have been sold to help a Boy Scout Band, and several of the members have joined other hands. The annual outing for the orphans from the various Homes of Christchurch will take place on Saturday, when over 300 children will lie present. This is the largest number that lias ever attendod a function of this kind. An evangelistic mission, conducted by the Rev. Yal Trigge, of Melbourne, is at present in progress at the Papanui Methodist Church. The meetings are attracting a steadily-growing interest. The Military Service Board at Auckland yesterday granted exemption to Henry Rattray, of Riccartou. dental surgeon, in charge of the Christchurch Dental Hospital, on the ground of I public interest.

Wo have been requested to make some corrections in the statoment upon tax-free loans supplied by the Minister of Finance for publication yesterday. In the passage ". . . the graduated scale at an average of 4s per cent.," etc., Sir Joseph Ward intended to say four shillings in the pound. A similar correction is required in the passage, ". . . il the income taxpayers averaged 5 per cent."; here should bo read, "five shillings in the pound." Yesterday's "Grey Itiver Argus" says:—A movement is afoot in Christchurch to start a West Coasters' Association there, on lines similar to the Wellington Association. Messrs F. D. Sargent and S. I\ Briggs are the moving spirits. Then: are a number of Coasters in Christchurch, and an association would be very useful in keeping the district prominently in tho front in Canterbury. This is necessary now with the prospects of early railway connexion. It is also very opportune with the cordial feeling existing in Canterbury in relation to tho tunnel matters. A large and representative mooting of owners of private hotels, restaurants, and tea-rooms was held yesterday afternoon, at the Federal Hotel, at a Private Hotel, Restaurant, and Tearooms Owners' Association was formed. Tho following officers were appointed: —President. Mr W. E. Broadway; secretary, Mr George Watkins; treasurer, Mr I). Collins; executive committee, Messrs Cox, Rattray, Hall, and Huclis. The object of tho Association is to safeguard tho interests of employers in tho spocified industries. I

Speaking of the amusement tax at the annual meeting of tho Christ.chureh Musical Socictv last evening, the president, Mr J. A. Flcsher, said he did not think that tho tax was ever intended to apply to such socioties as musical societies, which were purely educational. Thero wero other societies that cauio under tho operation of the tax, and in view of the enormous surplus that tho Minister of Financo was able to announce, and also in view of the fact that societies liko theirs worked for tho elevation and not the demoralisation of the community, ho thought that they ought not to be brought under tho purview of this taxation. 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. i Busy scenes are witnessed at Stewart Robinson's Cashel street Boot Stores, where tho stnff are assisting in the disposal of tho Boot Stock Bargains. 2110

Special displays will be made from to-da.v —both in windows and showrooms—of the new Autumn and Winter goods, just opened at Messrs Armstrong's stores. The selections ;.re large, goods stylish and good, and the famous low prices of "Armstrong's" pervade everything. 6 For progressive people! "No Rubbing" laundry help. "Golden Rule" soap, "Golden Rule" eandlcs. Kincaids, Ltd. 3 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 Youns ladies read-to-war felt hats, dressy style, fashionable shapes, f;s lid, 10s 9d, 12s Gd. Armstrong's. 3495 Arc 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

Eye Strain.—Persistent headaches are m most cases the result of muscular eye 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. " (J The new American and Englisa Velours will be on view in Armstrong's show rooms to-day. 9568 STUDEBAKER 4-CYLINDER 5-SEATER 19IG-17 MODEL. PRICE £325 NET CASH. "We have for sale Studebaker 3seater 1916-17 Model. Has full road equipment, including Auster Rear Windshield, 5 New Detachable Rims and Tyres, Speedometer and Clock. Price £325 net cash. Inspect immediately at Adams, Ltd., 219 Tuam street. 18