GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16225, 4 July 1918, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The Lyttelton Harbour Board, at its meeting yesterday, voted £75 to the British and Foreign Sailors' Society in aid of its work at Lyttelton.

In view of the reported visit of the raider Wolf to the South and Stewart Islands, Mr G. H. Lysnar, of Gisborne, has advised the authorities at Wellington that in March or April of last year from Parikanapa he saw what he took to be either an aeroplane or seaplane travelling between Wairoa and Mohaka. •

The Dunedin Presbytery, at their next meeting, will have the opportunity of discussing a motion, "That the Presbytery overture the General Assembly to take steps to inaugurate a definite movement aiming at a union of the Presbyterian, Methodist, and Congregational Churches of New Zealand, and of such other Christian churches as may find it possible to come together on the basis of a common creed and a common policy."

Entries for tho Royal Academy of Music examinations, to be held in November, clcsed with Mr G. L. Donaldson, secretary, on Tuesday. The total number of entries is 260, made up as follows:—Local centre: Solo performers 9. teachers 2, advanced grade 20, intermediate 18. Schools: Higher division 20, lower division 50, elementary 67, primary 74. Last year about 240 entries were received, and this the total is a record.

Vegetable garden protection leagues are one result of the calling-up of the Second Division men (says the "New Zealand Times"). The spirit of unselfishness that has been created by the war has led to the formation of these leagues. In explanation, it may be said that in one or two suburban districts in the city, ineligible householders have come to the realisation that the gardens of their less fortunate neighbours must suffer as a result of their male owners being' called to camp. The ineligible neighbour b have conferred together and formed leagues to keep their friends' gardens in order during the time their usual supervisors are away at the front;. These leagues have been already formed in two suburban districts, and no doubt others will follow.

The ferry steamer Mararoa made a protracted trip from Lyttelton on Monday night. She left Lyttelton with a detachment of 130 CI recruits on board, and had a very rough passage to Wellington. Her decks were awash practically the whole journey, which occupied over twenty hours. Owing to heavy mists the Wellington Heads could not be picked up until Tuesday afternoon, and the vessel was not berthed until 5 o'clock. On her return trip to Lyttelton, she again experienced a rough passage. Owing to her late arrival at Wellington, and to the fact that she had to bunker at that port, her departure for the South was delayed until 9 p.m. She arrived here shortly before midday yesterday with three days' mails from which had been held up owing to slips on the Main Trunk railway.

In connexion with the apneal which is to be made to the citizens of Chrsitchurch to raise funds on behalf of the French nation as a mark of appreciation of the glorious part taken by France in the war, a preliminary meeting of citizens was held yesterday morning. The Mayor (Mr H. Holland) presided. His Worship 6tated that the Wellington committee was anxious that fyie New Zealand fund should close on July 14th. Liberal promises, of support had been received in this city, and it was proposed to hold a street collection, auring which flowers and French trophies would be sold. It was thought the French people would appreciate the effort, which was not in the sense of charity, but as a mark of appreciation from tho Dominion of the valiant efforts of France in the war. It was decided to hold q. further meeting next Monday afternoon.

In the course of a lecture at Masterton, Mr F. H. Bakewell, M.A,, Chief Inspector of Schools, outlined 1 a history lesson that had been actually given in a German school in the presence of a United States teacher. The engendering of implicit obedience to the Kaiser ("the father") and ardent love for the Fatherland were the end and aim of the German teacher's lesson. Little -was attempted, but that little was thoroughly taught with a distinct end in view. In New Zealand Mr Bakewell thought the teacher attempted to teach too much history. He seemed to think it a criminal offence to omit a reign. What, for example, was to be gained by teaching children the history of tho reigns of Egbert, of Stephen, or of Charles II.? The teacher required to get a broader conception of his subject by wider reading before attempting to teach it. and to have a distinct aim in view when drawing up his scheme of work. No inspiration conld be secured or given by a rigid adherence to a text book.

Tho increasing scarcity of tinplates, which is causing considerable anxiety to local manufacturers of canned meats, fruits, jam, biscuits, confectionery, etc., prompted an enquiry as to whether no substitute could be found for the tins now used (says the Auckland "Herald"). It was ascertained that the Colonial Sugar Refining Company is considering the substitution of barrels for the packing of syrup and treacle, although enough tins are still available for three or four months ahead. Tho use of barrels for this class of goods was very popular "in bygone years, and it seems probable that tho barrel of treacle on the grocer's counter will once again become a familiar sight. With regard to other means of conserving the supply, benzine tips are now being cut down to the required size, and refilled with other goods. The suggestion was mado that possibly biscuits for local consumption could bo packed in stout cartons, but it was stated that this had lieen tried, and had proved unsuccessful. Nothing but tin could be used for packing biscuits in a climate such as Auckland's. There is apparently very little waste of tin in any direction. Empty tins are being refilled wherever possible, and scrap tin, waste from the cutting, is also being collected fcy a local firm.

We have received £1 from J. H. T. Mackenzie and 5s from J.C. for our Serbian Fund.

The 5.8 express from the south, arrived at Christchurch about twenty minutes late last evening, owing to "hot box" trouble.

It is understood that 36 soldiers 'brides will arrive in New Zealand by the next transport which brings men back to the Dominion for discharge from the Expeditionary Forces. During the month of June 158 vessels with a total net tonnage of 81,136 tons, entered the port of Lyttelton, as compared with 156 vessels, aggregating 92.870 tons, during the month of June, 1917.

The mufti allowance for returned soldiers has been increased from 30s to £5 5s per man, and instead of two uniforms a man will bo allowed to keep only one (writes our Wellington correspondent). He will liavo to return the greatcoat also. Tho new allowance will be payable as from June Ist, and will not be retrospective.

The first meeting of the newlv-electad Tramway Board was held yosterday afternoon. Present: Hon. J. Barr, and Messrs G. T. Booth, A. S. Taylor, W. J. Walter, D. Sykes, S. A. Staples-, J. Wood, T. H. Davey, and H. Pearce. Mr Barr was elected ohairman of the Board, and Mr Staples deputy-chair-man.

It was reported by the Red Cross Enquiry Bureau at yesterday's meeting of the Women's Red Cross branch that in June tho casualties reported were light, and only 366 enquiries had been sent in. Of these 143 were sent to the British Red Cross and 20 to the Croix Rouge for Missing Men. One hundred and sixty reports were received. The month's enouiries were for information in regard to prisoners, and a circular had been sent to thp relatives of all who were reported prisoners.

"Yes, that is so," was the answer given by a witness in the appeal case at tho Magistrate's Court yesterday, in reply to a question -whether, when onco electricity became established as a competitor with gas, gas shares increasod in vaiue. "My friend may have gas shares," commented Mr Raymond, K. 0., "but that has not been my experience." "That has been tho experience," remarked Mr Alpers, "throughout the British Empire and America."

When a letter from the Christchurch City Council was read at the Lyttelton Harbour Board yesterday, to the effect that the Council intended to take advantage of section 20 of tho Finance Act, in connexion with the extension of the loan of £2-3,000 on St. Albans Borough .debentures, the Hon. R. Moore, M.L.C., said he did not think that it was the intention of the Legislature that the provision referred to should be taken advantage of by local bodies. If that wero the position, he hoped tho Act would bo amended so that there might be something Hke n square deal between local bodies. The Board's secretary remarked that the Council was evidently cot quite certain of the position, as he noticed that it was proposing to raise a loan.

The vexed question of the use of fermented wine in Communion services was brought before the Dunedin Presbytery in two different communications on Tuesday. The session of the NorthEast Valley Church forwarded a resolution expressing the opinion that the time had come for the Church to discourage the use of fermented wine at Communion services, in view of the stand the Church bad taken against the liquor traffio and of the attitude nations wore taking against it. It was a seemly and fitting thing that the Church should be without reproach in tho matter, and the session therefore asked the Presbytery t 0 overture the General Assembly strongly to urge all sessions to discontinue tHe use of fermented wine. A notice of motion to the s:une effect was received from the Rev. It. E. Evans, of North-East Valley, ana it was decided to receive the resolution and consider the notice of motion at next meeting. It was stated in evidence in the appeal case before the Magistrate's Court yesterday, by Dr. Lester, that there was an evil custom amongst writers of medical text-books for an acknowledged expert over large areas of medical science, to give his imprimatur to a book on a subject included in his general knowledge, and make himself responsible for special phases of the subject. This had been always one of the reproaches of English medical textbdbks—tho fact that great physicians or surgeons gave their imprimatur to statements which had become a sort of "stock" in tho particular portion of medical science; The witness said that he was open to bet that "hoary old fallacies" could be found repeated fn the latest editions of English medical textbooks. The French and American medical authors were np-to-dato, and would not allow their names to be connected with anything that had not gone through "their brain and pen." Humorous incidents in connexion with the failure of the Lake Coleridge power are many, but it is doubtful if there has been a more amusing happening than that which occurred on Tuesday night at a big private hotel in the city. This hotel found itself altogeuier without electric light, and candles had to be resorted to. The guests Bat in the lounge seeing each other as through a glass dark/y. About 8 o'clock a soldier, who presumably had dined not wisely but too well, wandered into tho lounge, selected a comfortable chair, and fell last asleep. Not knowing that he was not a casual guest who had just registered, no one disturbed him, and he slumbered peacefully until 9 o'clock. By this time some of the lady guests, no doubt induced thereto by tho gloomy appearance of the room, had started what is known as "table rapping," probably with the idea of asking Lake Coleridge when it would consent to "switch on" again. "Silencel" commanded one of them. "Wait for the spirit!" At this moment the soldier awoko, and apparently summed up the situation at a glance. "I am the spirit!" he announced in a sepulchral voice, causing the "spirit-rappors" to jump affrightedly. In the laughter which followed the soldier gazed round the gloomy room as if in amazement, muttered something to himself, and wandered out into the street again.-

All coughs, recent or chronic, in young or old, yield to Loasby's Stop It. Grocers and chemists. 1 The week-end sale of home-made food supplies at the Red Cross Sales Depot, Cathedral square, will be in charge of the ladies of St. Michael's congregation, who will have on offer the usual supply of delicacies, etc. 1 There are a good many photographic obligations you have never paid. Call on Steffano Webb at once, 252 High street, Christchurch. Telephone 1989. 6 Eye Comfort —Those that require to wear glasses can only obtain eye comfort by having their eyes tested and tho correct glasses fitted. Call on Walter J Watson, D.8.0.A. (London), Expert Optician, and get the glasses you require made to order. 1 No ine likes moving, 'but the wor* can be made n-uch lighter if competent men are employed. J. H. Heywoud and Co., Ltd., havo tliem, and three up-to-date pantechnicons. Telephones 250, 1241, and 2174. 6 It is pleasing to see so many thrifty wives paying spot cash —Is 3d —for a packet of "No Rubbing" Laundry Help. "No Rubbing" does away with tho old washboard slavery. N.Z. Farmers' Co-op. Association. 4 GOLD CAR TO LEAVE CITY SHORTLY. The famous Studebakor Gold Car will be on view at Adams, Ltd.'s Showrooms, High street, only a few more days. Those who have not seen it should make a visit to-day. It is an automobile woll worth seeing—the costliest and most beautiful in the world. 6