GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16165, 20 March 1918, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The auction announcements of Jones, McCrostie and' Co., Tonks, Norton Mid Co., H. Matson and Co., H. B. Sorensen, R. S. McKenzie and Co., Laurie and Dalton, Harris Bros., Dalgety and Co., and Claridge and Smith will be found on page 11 of this issue.

Yesterday's river report was as under: Waimakariri North clear, Waimakariri South clear, Rakaia dirty, Rangitata diity, Waitaki dirty, Opihi dirty. It is understood (says tho Nelson "Colonist") that Miss Marsden, who died a few days ago, has left a sum of £10,000 in lier will to the Nelson Cathedral Building Fund for the purpose of building the principal spire of the projected new building on Church Hill. The parade state in the Territorial Camp at Burnham last evening was as follows: —Staff, 6 officers, 17 other ranks; E Battery, 1 officer and 42 others; Divisional Signal Company, 3 officers and 28 men; C.Y.C. and Bth Mounted llifles, 1 man each; Ist Canterbury Regiment, 12 officers and 270 other ranks; 2nd South Canterbury Regiment, 4 men; 13th Regiment, 47 men; No. 3 Field Ambulance, 1 officer, 18 men; chaplains, 3. Total, 26 officers, 428 other ranks. Some ocople who make their first appt.aranco in Court, even though thev may not be there as principals, appear to be overcome by the seriousness of having to attend a Court of Justice. During thc sitting of tjio Juvenile Court yesterday, the mother of a small child who was the subject of a charge, addressed a few words to the Bench regarding her son, and then fell, back heavily m a dead faint. It took tho joint efforts of Court officials and others interested in the case to bring her round again. Some discussion took place at tho Drainage Board's meeting last night in connexion with thc charges made by Mr Albert Freeman relative to the recent election. In supporting Mr Freeman's claims, the Mayor (Mr 11. Holland) said that in respect of Mr Freeman's services at municipal elections, Mr Freeman had been found an exceedingly satisfactory returning officer. Some objection was raised to Mr Freeman's charge for polling clerks, in view of the small poll recorded, hut it was pointed out that the returning officer had to make provision in case of a large poll. The Board's Finance Committee having passed Mr Freeman's account, the Board decided to take no aetioii in the matter.

The veil of mystery surrounding tho disappearance of Mr A. J. Thompson, of the staff of the Dunedin Magistrate's Court, was happily lifted to a certain extent on Monday evening by tho discovery of Mr Thompson at Tomahawk, though much remains still to bo explainer] (savs yesterday's "Otago Daily Times"). About G o'clock Air George Coughlan, of Tomahawk road, reported to the Anderson Bay constable that he had found the missing man on tho verandah of a week-end cottage at Tomahawk. Mr Thompson was found to be in a vory weak and emaciated condition, and was conveyed by motor-car to the Ihinedin Hospital, where there seems every prosnect that he will make a good recovery. Ho was able to converse quite rationally, but appeared to bo suffering from serious loss of memory. For this reason and also because of his weakness from lack,of food, he was unable to give any connectod account or explanation of bis movements since he disappeared on February 17th.

The remarkable spectacle of pickets at 1 a church was witnessed at Brompton, near Adelaide, on Sunday .weeK. following upon trouble which has arisen owing to tho action of the Methodist Conference in deciding to remove the Rev. Albert Morris from t he charge of the local church after two years' Service and against the almost unanimous wish of the congcegation (says the "Sydney Morning Herald"). On the occasion of the referendum Mr Morris took the platform as an anticonscriptionist, notwithstanding that most of the Methodist ministers ardently supported compulsory military service. Mr Morris has been allotted no church elsewhere. Great indignation prevails in Brompton. A service conducted by a minister from another circuit was attended bv only 13 worshippers, and Sunday-school had to he abandoned. The stewards refused to officiate. Members expressed a determination to stand by the pastor against the conference.

An important judgment was delivered in the Magistrate's Court, at Waihi, on Saturday, by Air Hewitt, S.AI., relative to residents in a no-license district bringing in liquor not exceeding one quart of spirits or wine, or one gallon or beer in any one day, under the provisions oi' sub-section 147 of the Licensing Act. At the previous sitting of the Court three residents wero charged under sub-section (a), section 147, with having failed to notify the vendor that liouor was intended to be sent or taken into a no-license district. The Alagistrate said he thought the intention of the Legislature was, by subsection (f), to make an exception in favour of residents acting within the bounds" of that sub-section, and free them from tho necessity of compliance with tho general provisions as to purchase of liquor for a no-license district. The information was dismissed. This is stated to be the first magisterial finding on the point.

A number of childron charged with various offences were dealt with by Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., at the Juvenile Court, yesterday. A boy of ten was charged"with the theft of los, of which he admitted he had spent lis chocolates and afternoon tea at New Brighton. Ilis father was ordered to pay the amount, and the boy was warned that another offence would result in his being sent to Burnham. He was also ordered to report to the probation officer for six months. Two boys and a girl aged ;), 10, and 11 respectively, were charged with breaking panes of glass valued nt 10s in a vinery, and stealing grapes to the value of £5. The boy who was apparently the ringleader of the affair, did not appear, and was oidered to do so next Tuesday. Of the three who appeared, the parents of one boy and the girl were ordered to refund 10s each, and those of the other boy ss. A girl of fourteen years was admonished and discharged for damaging trees in the Rawhiti Domain, New Brighton. Two indigent infants were committed to the Christchurch Receiving Home

We have received 10s from Mrs R. Moore. Cashmere (monthly) for our Serbian Fund. A Press Association telegram states that thc Gisborne railway station - was partly gutted by fire yesterday morning. : A meeting, of Justices of the Peace ( in'the jury district of Christchurch, to revise the'jury list for the district, will be held on April sth. Judgment will be delivered by Mr Justice Herdman a t the Supreme Court •n 10.30 this morning in the case ot Miller v. Union Steam Ship Company. Yesterday's "Grev River Argus" stited: There will be no work at the State collieries to-day. The T. nion officials are evidently "marking time. Even the work of erecting the new bins at the Liverpool mine is at a standstill. Yestcrdav afternoon the Fire Brigade turned out to 48 Tuam street west, a two-storeyed buikhng owned and occupied bv Mrs J. A. Auton The. aieoccurred in a bedroom on the first floor, the contents of which were destroyed. A cable message to the Australian papers, under date of the 11th inst., read:—"General Birdwood, commanding the Australians, left a strong post vest-erday a minute before a shell b.ew it and its occupants to atoms.' Mr Walter Hill, chairman of the Christchurch Drainage Board, was, at last night's meeting, appointed to represent the Board at the conference respecting the proposed Advancement of Canterbury League. In view of the fact that public accusations have been made by responsible Ministers against the 14 deported conscientious objectors of being filthy in their personal habits, the Canterbury Women's Institute has asked the Minister of Defence for a public enquiry into the conditions under: which these men were kept on thc voyage to England. The Chief Postmaster, Christchurch, writes to Us to say that a list of the articles which cannot be imported into thc United Kingdom, except under license of the Board of Trade, appears in "Gazettes" No. 115 of July 12th last and No. 111 of September 13th last. "You will see therefrom," he adds, "that even sugar can be imported under such license." Anions the soldiers who returned to New Zealand last week were about twenty sergeant-instructors, who have returned for duty in New Zealand, where they will replace men holding similar positions, who have not yet had an opportunity of going away. These men have had experience of active service conditions, and should' prove _ a valuable addition to the staff of instructors. Relative to the scheme for the sewage of the areas in the vicinity of the oitv at present not included in the drainage system, Mr E. Cutlibert, the engineer to the Drainage Board, stated at last night's meeting of the Board that the taking of the levels was still in progress, and it would be at least three months before the work was done. He did not anticipate that the Board would be able to discuss a scheme in connexion with the niattci for at least nine months. The defendant in a licensing case at the Magistrate's Court, Stratford, last; week, cicated some amusement (says tha "Post"). He was giving evidence in connexion with the number of employees in the hotel, and said that the barman was something like himself in personal appearance —"only not so good looking," added witness with a smile. The laughter following was promptly suppressed, and the sergeant of police sharply ejaculated: "No joking here; this is* a Court of Justice." The witness (without a smile): "I'm quite s:r'ous, Sir!"

Canvassers, no matter in what direction .their energies may bo expended, are never certain what success is about to crown their efforts. At the annual meeting of tho Albion Football Club last evening, it was stated that a member had gone round to a certain young man's house with a view to enlisting him in the ranks of tho club. l ,l ar from meeting with any reverse, the member succeeded in recruiting not only the object of his attentions, but the father also. The club showed its appreciation last evening of the father's interest in the club amPin football generally by electing him a vice-president.

A Riverside Carnival in aid of tho Red Cross, Lady Liverpool, aud Y.M.C.A. Funds will bo held at Kaiapoi on Saturday. A most attractive programme has been arranged, including rowing races, swimming races, bicycle races, motor launch races, side shows, produce, fancj' work, flowers and sweets stalls, and. "Grandmother Surprise Packets," conducted by Mrs Bruges, of Christchurch. The Christchureh Caledonian Society's pipers and the 13th Regimental Band will supply the music. In the evening there will bo a picture benefit and a concert and dance. The midnight train from Ran gi or a will pick up passengers at Kaiapoi for Belfast or Christchurch.

The'question of septic tanks, no new subject, by the way, was the subject of a short discussion at tho meeting of the Drainage Board last night. There has been some idea of installing septic tanks in connexion with the unsewered area in and about Christchurch, but the opinions expressed last night were distinctly adverse to iliis method of dealing with the problem. Mr H. J. Otley very emphatically opposed any idea of the establishment of additional sewage farms, and strongly urged the extension of the present farm. Mr H. Holland "(Mayor of Christchurch) considered that the installation of large septic tanks would bo false economy, and said that the proper course was to extend the present sewage farm. The chairman (Mr Walter Hill) spoke in favour of a limited number of small septic tanks, and said that these, when properly cared for, were. entirely satisfactory. He referred to the system in voguo in Wellington of disposing of tho sewage by the Shone system —the sewage being elevated by means of compressed air—and suggested that the engineer should submit a report on thai, system. The engineer (Air i£. Cuthbert) expressed the opinion that the Shone system was not economical in cases where electricitv was available for pumping purposes.

One of the oldest and best-known | football clubs of C'hristchurch is the Albion Club. Its name figures largely in football honours, and it has t>roduced some of the finest footballers New Zealand has yet been able to boast. The club originally started in the western end of the city, and at the annual meeting last evening, the chairman. Mr S. F. Wilson, moved that in future the name of the club be changed to Albion-Addington. Mr Wilson said that he was wrapped up in the club, the only Christchurch one to which he had ever belonged, and from a sentimental point of view he did not wish to see the name changed. However, there was no club specifically for the west end of Christchurch, and to catch the young men of the district to Rugbv football it would mean a very great deal if the name of ''Addington'' was added to the club name. It would have a sentimental value to boys leaving school, etc., and he thought it would be in the best interests of the club and of football generally if tile name were ehanged in the direction indicated. Some such method of instilling local interest into the club and into the game would have a very beneficial effect on Rugbv football generally. Some considerable discussion for and against the ensued, one member stating that the strength of the Addington League Club was due to the fact that there was such a League club in the district, while there was no such inducement for young men to tako up the Rugby game. *n amendment to the effect that the mattor be deferred till after the war v as defeated, as also was another that the new name be ''Albion-est Christchurch." and eventually Mr Wilson's motion was carried.

The Mavor (Mr H. Holland! states that he has received no refusals trom those public and other bodies in Canterbury who wore invited to send delegates to the conference, to be held tomorrow at which the question or tne> steps to be taken to ensure ment of Canterbury -will be discussed. The indications are that the conference will be largely attended, and will be fully representative cf the whole community. Want a Truss? Let Loasby Ft you. Large assortment just land-?.!. Why suffer? Come and "ask Loasby about it." Advice and medicine, lis 6d; children. 2s. I Keep your feet dry and savo doctors bills. Stewart Robinson, of Cas.iel street, can protect your feet irom the wet. Call in to-day for a pair at saving prices. Bradbury's Glorious Sweet Peas. New seeds now ready. Plant now to secure strong, long-tiowering plants in the spring. A great variety in 3d and 6(1 packets. Catalogues free. Hastie, Bull and Pickering, Cashel street, sole agents. 6 Somo very special attractions in Armstrong's blouse show rooms'. Beautiful crepe de chine blouses, square neck, trimmed spoke stitching, hand embroidered, 39s Gd; Jap silk blouses, heavy weight, «11 new styles, 12.s 9d, los 9d, IDs Gd; art silk sports coat, full loose style, with sash bolt and pocket. 39s (id, 49s (3d; nil-wool sports coats, 355, 19s 6d, 57s <3d. 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. 1959. 1 Wet feet are not desirable ; they generally lead to trouble. Purchase a pair of good boots to-day at Stewart Robinson's, Cashel street. Every pair reduced in price. 2 Eye Strain. —Persistent headaches are m most cases the result of muscular eye strain. Have your eyesight scientific"ally 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. 6 Workingmen's wants at low prices, Buckskin trousers 8s lid, overalls -Is lid, strong tweed shirts 3s 6d, knitted socks Is 3d, at Armstrong's. 2 For progressive people! "No Rubbing" laundry help. "Golden Ruie" soap, "Golden Rule" candles. lvincaids, Ltd. 3 FOR SALE—BUICIC SIX-CYLINDER FIVE-SEATER, PRICE £350 2*ET CASH. We have for immediate sale a Buick six-cylinder five-seater (1916 model). This'car is in exceptionally good order, having recently been overhauled and repainted. Complete, with electric lamps, horn, and self-starter. Price for 1 quick sale £350. Adams, Ltd., 219 Tuam street. 6