GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16161, 15 March 1918, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

AH the Canterbury rivers were reported clear yesterday. The fifth of the series of Lenten addresses, entitled "The City of «od, was given by the Very Kev. Dcnn Catriugton at the Cathedral last evening, before a large congregation.

Concerning some of the rock shelters in South Canterbury containing old Maori paintings, it is interesting to note that a grant has been made for their protection by way of fencing, and that the work will be commenced withO" delay. This is a preliminary step ti. vards "the ultimate protection of ail such places containing decorations of any value. Arising out of the six o'clock closing of hotels, Mr H. J. Stevens, licensee of Larson's Hotel. Wostnort, is suing the Westnort Borough Council for a refund of ' £7 4>. nroportion of license from December Ist* 1917. to June 30th, 1918. It is understood that this is the first- case of the kind to bo brought before the Court in New Zealand. The statement- was made at Tuesday's sitting of the First Wellington Military Service Board, in Palmerston North, by Captain Walker, military representative, that the War Regulations provided that contracts entered into before the war could not be enforced. He thought where an appellant' had the l«aso of a properly the regulation* would also :;pp!v, :ind there wo".!d not bo any difnciil'tv about the appellant being relieved of his obligations under the lease. Thanks to the kindness of Mr Walter JTolsdon. local manager of Messrs John Fuller and Sons' vaudeville theatre; the inmates of the soldiers' ward at the Ciuistchurch Hospital are to be entertained in the ward this afternoon. The entire programme will bo gone through, and as the turns of all at the Opera House this week are of a high order of excellence, the soldiers should enjoy a treat. All the members of the orchestra will bo present, and in addition to accompanying the performers will play a number of selections. Complaints are beinc: made of the long delays now taking place in the transmission of cable messages from England. Instances are given of messages which wore put in for transmission in England durng the last week in January <?nly coming to hand n~w. Enquiries made in Wellington show that the cable messages referred to are r/uarter-rate messages, which are accepted on the understanding that they will be sent forward as occasion permits and when tho wires are clear of other work. Tho unusual delay which has recently occurred is owing t-o the congestion of work on the wires. It is added that no delay occurs in the case of ordinary messages.

A resident in the AVest End, New Plymouth, had an unwelcome visitor a day or two ago (says tho "Herald"). The family were sitting at tea when a strange noise, as of someone doing a clog dance on the verandah, was heard. Leaving the kitchen to investigate, tho householder was startled upon entering the passage to meet a full-grown bull, with a ring in its nose, walking towards him. There was not sufficient room to allow tho animal to turn, and so an attempt was mado to get it to back out, but this wa s not accomplished until the beast had entered the front room and caused a certain amount of damage to the furnituro.

A position not often met with has arisen in connexion with an accused person who is awaiting trial at the Supreme Court on a charge of arson (says the "Gisborno Times''). It will be remembered that about a month or two ago Leonard Porter was charged at the Magistrate's Court with, arson and committed for trial. Owing to developments in his mental conduct, he was admitted to the Avondale Mental Hospital. While in the eyes of the law, the accused presumed to bo sane about the time the alleged offence was supposed to have been committed, yet the trial cannot bo proceeded with in his absence. What i« to be done under the circumstances is a matter which will bo left for the Judge to decide.

The question of a national emblem for the Dominion was discussed at tho Victoria League Conference yesterday afternoon. Tho Auckland delegates brought forward a suggestion that the yellow kowhai should be adopted as the national flower, but others hold that the fernleaf was universally accepted as New Zealand's national emblem, and that it was too late to make a change. Miss Burt (Dunedin) said that tho Dominion soldiers had made tho fernleaf known abroad as tho emblem of their country : and Mrs Grey (Wellington) suggested that tho kowhai could not serve as the wattle in Australia for a great national flower day, as it was not sufficiently prolific. Eventually it was decided that in tho opinion of the conference the. fernleaf should be retained as the national emblem.

About six o'clock last evening, a largo motor-car came with a groat burst of speed along Manchester street and over the bridge, aiid swung into Cambridge terrace without slackening pace or sounding tho horn. At the end of the bridge two dogs were frolicking. The driver gave them no quarter; ho dashed right into them. One of tho dogs—a fine fox-terrier —was killed; the other escaped without liurt. The onlookers shuddered to think what would havo happened if two children had been playing at the spot at the time. Unfortunately, the speed of the car and the dust were in tho driver's favour — they prevented a sufficiently clear view to enable the number of the car to be taken. The eye of tho police on the Manchester street-Cambridge terrace corner might havo a restraining effect on the speed fiend. Residents in tho neighbourhood, have seen several narrow escapes to foot passengers through, motorists rounding the river bend at full speed, without giving any warning.

Referring on Monday to the conscription of Maoris for militaiy sen'ice, Sir James Allen, Minister lor Defence, stated tlut the registration of the ehgiblo members of all tribes was proceeding, and he expected that it would bo completed about March 20th. "There is no intention," added Sir James, "to conscript Maoris from tribes the members of which havo volunteered in large numbers for service. 1 want to say how splendidly the Maoris have come forward, and it is a great satisfaction to bo able to state that, in the large majcrity of cases, it will be unnecessary to apply conscription. But there is one tribe —th-j Waikatos—who have not volunteered satisfactorily. Tho register now being made will, of course, bo a complete one, but it does not necessarily follow that any will be conscripted. Any subsequent action will depend upon the Maoris themselves. The Waikatos have still an opportunity to enlist, and I hope they will do so. N<> one will be nrorder tin. 11 1 shi'll be if we nevver havo to apply conscription, even to the Waikatos. B;it it is not fair that perhaps IX) per cent, of the Maoris should recognise their plain duty and offer themselves willingly for service, while small section snoulcl seek to evade scrvico."

The ultimate fate of German Samoa was tho subject of a conversation between a reporter and a Christehurch resident who hns had opportunities of siudying tho question in the islands. He remarked that some timo before the outbreak of the war, Germany having failed to buy out tho United States, had placed the Gorman portion of the islands under offer to the United States, but tho outbreak of war prevented tho negotiations being completed. His own personal opinion was that, in the settlement after war. in tho event of tho islands not being" restored to Germany, thev would come under the control either"of Great Britain or of the United States: the area was so small, comparatively, that he did not think two great Powers would divide them. In the event of GVeat Britain obtaining control of the group, and also of the other German colonies in the Pacific, ho thought that Samoa and the other former German colonies would be either linked tin under one federation, or each would" be made a Crown Colony. " He did not think th:!t there was any chance of being placcd under New Zealand's control, or of the other former German colonies put under the control o£ Australia.

It is estimated that since Thursday last the State miners have lost £IoOU | in e-arnings as a result of their self- i enforced idleness owing to the levy question (says Wednesday's "Greymouth Star"). On the other hand, averaging the earnings at £5 per week per man, the aforementioned sum has been lost to enforce tho payment of about £10 in levies from the 40 dissentients. At the sitting of the Military Board at liangiora yesterday, the chairman stated that a new arrangement had been made in the case of men exempted on account of being engaged in essential work. In future their appeals would be referred to the Efficiency Board, and the appellants would, have to report to the Board from time to time, and to show that they were still engaged in essential wort. It is reported that tho first salmon was caught by the nets of tho Government fishing boat- on Tuesday off tho mouth of the Waitaki River. It was a 1 ii!h female lish. devoid of roc._ and from that fact (says yesterday's "North Otago Times"), providing that thi s is not°aii isolated instance, a late run may be anticipated, as the salmon enter the river only when full of roc. . One would hardly credit this, but it is true, say.? the "Western Star' (Riverton). A local boy, on active service in France, while watching German prisoners passing by, was greeted with tho salutation : "What-ho, how's Tuatapcre?'' Glancing in the direction of the voice, he was astonished to recognise a German with whom he had worked in the bush out west.' An interesting souvenir of the German raider, Sccacllor, is in the possession of Mr Walter Martin, now of the civil staff of tho Administrator of Samoa, but previously clerk of the Court in.,this city. Tho souvenir consists of a bunch of rusty keys taken from the wreck of the Seeadler bv ono of .tho ship's company of H.M.S. , by whom they were handed to Mr Martin. Tho keys arc those of the Seeadler's motor-room, and there is inscribed on the tag to which they are attached: "Motoraum V." Is there such a thing as "unconscious bias" against motor-car owners in connexion with claims for damages? Mr J. A. Cassidy, ivho appeared for defendant in such a case at the Magistrate's Court yestorday, submitted that the result of recent cases had demonstrated that the motor-car owner was "a gentloman who doesn't get the benefit of tho doubt." It was useful to remomber, he added, that tho same rules respecting the value of evidence appliod in motor-car cases as in other cases. Mr Bailey, S.M., roferring to tho remark that motor-car owners did not got the of the doubt, said that ho did not think counsel could say that "so far as this Court is concerned." Mr Cassidy said that he was speaking generally.

The Hotel and Restaurant Workers' Union views with considerable alarm tho recent decision by the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) in tho Sunday trading cases involving tho various marblo bars in the city (says the Wellington "Post"). The position thus created was discussed at considerable length by tho executive of the union last evening, and the opinion was expressed that tho judgment left the door open for almost any shop to do business on Sunday. The secretary was instructed to writ© to the Minister for Justice (Hon. T. M. Wilford), forwarding the decisions of both Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M., and the Chief Justice, and requesting that the case should bo taken to tho Appeal Court. If the Minister cannot see his way to direct this, -he will be asked to amend the law in order to rectify the various anomalies which the judgment has, in tho oninion of tho union, revealed.

A well-known Auckland resident received an urgent cable message on Tuesday which read as follows:—"Send to Codford Post Office £30. Urgent." Thi3 was signed with a name of someone with whom the recipient is entirely unacquainted. Needless to add, the £30 was not forwarded (says the "Star"). The applicant must have had a lot of faith to pay for a cable and think there were patriotic people in Auckland sufficiently simple to forward £30 to an unknown person. At the same time there is reason to fear that this may indicate an organised system for robbing relatives of me n who have gone to fight for the Empire. One Auckland gentleman some few weeks ago received _ a cablegram signed by the namo of his nephew. He promptly sent £10, but has since learnthat no request for money had been sent by his relative. Other cases are known where money has been sent from Auckland in answer to cable? received, and it has since been learned the sums had neither been asked for nor received.

Want a Truss? Let Loasby ft von. Large assortment just landed. vVhy suffer? Come and "ask Loasby about it." Advice and medicine, 3a 6d ; children, 2s. 1 Easter Holidnys.—The Retail Drapers have arranged to keep open till 9 p.m. on Thursday prior to Good Friday (29th), and till 6 p.m. on Easter Saturday. 1 Busy scenes are witnessed at Stewart Robinson's Cashel street Boot Stores, where the staff a re assisting in the disposal of the Boot Stock Bargains. 1

Messrs T. Armstrong and Co., Ltd., extend an invitation to ladies to inspect the beautiful now millinery just placed on view in their respective show rooms. Ladies wishing something quite exclusive for races and Easter wear should make a point of 6eeing the latest models. The firm's famous low prices are, as usual, in evidence. 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. 252 High street. Tel. 1989. 1 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 rimless designs. (} Interesting values in beautiful heavy winter coatings are now being shown at Armstrong's—s4inch winter-weight coating tweeds, all-wool, 76 lid; extra quality, all-wool colonial coating tweeds, 8s lid, 9s lid, 12 s Gd, in checked and plain materials. 2 "No Rubbing" laundry help, "Golden Rule" soap, "Golden Rule" candles, "Golden Rule" writing tablets. Winnine on their merits. Royds Bros, and Kirk. Ltd., wholesale agents for "No Rubbing" and "Golden Rule." 5 STUDEBAKER 4-CYLINDER o-SEATER 1910-17 MODEL. ' PRICE £325 NET CASH. Wo have for sale Studebaker 3scater 1;)1G-17 Model. Has full roa d equipment, including Auster Rear Windshield, o New Detachable Rims and Tyros, Speedometer and Clock. Price £325 net cash. Inspect immediately at Adams, Ltd., 211' Tunm street. 13