GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16268, 19 July 1918, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

Garden Notes will bo found on page 4. Tho Otago Education Board Yesterday considered a memorandum from the Education Department suggesting that all Sccond Division teachers should no appoaled for bv the Boards. It was resolved that the Board should refrain from appealing for teachers in the meantime. "Dry up, you fat-faced old baboon!" Such an interjection as this in tho New Zealand Parliament would certainly create a sensation, with unpleasant conscquences for the interjector; but in the New South Wales Parliament, Mr R. A. Wright, 31.P. (of Wellington), heard the remark made, and the Speaker was content with calling the member to order.

"I hope, sir, that you will long live to enjoy many a cup of coffee out of this teapot," was a little s.ip of the tongue by ono of the speakers at tho farewell gathering to the Kev. A. T. Thompson in St. Andrew's schoolioom last night. Mr Thompson, in his acknowledgment of the presentation, assured the gathering that he did not inix his liquors aud had, indeed, signed the pledge. It was, he thought, somewhat significant that the gentieiiiau who had made the remark which had caused so much merriment had followed a speaker who had spoken on beiiaif of the Band of Hopel

The Christchurch Hounds will meet at Holmby at 11 a.m. to-morrow, and at Mr Sliand's, Norwood, at 11 a.m. on Tuesdav next.

The Consul for Denmark, Mr H. B. Sorensen, has receivod enquiries for Fred. Gundersen, who arrived at Lyttelton by the American scientific expedition ship Carnegio in 1916, and was discharged in Lyttelton on March 3rd, 1916.

Several bequests to public bo<'ius are contained in the will of Sarah Ann Ruddcnklau. proved at the Supreme Court on Wednesday. A punch-bowl, cups, and tray, and all her Bohemian glass are made over to the Canterbury College Board of Governors to be exhibited in"the Canterbury Museum. Other oeouests are: St. Saviour's Guild Trust Board, for St. Saviour's Orphanaie, £50: the Coal and Blanket Fund, £o0; Queen Mary Hostel for Invalided Soldiers at Hanmer, £50.

There is a possibility, tho "Oamaru Mail" .understands, of the Maerewhenua Domain, comprising 2800 acres, and originally set aside as a pastor-il commonage for the assistance of ire Maerewhcnua miners, being cut up into sections for returned soldiers. Tt is said that a Ministerial inspection is foreshadowed. The qualitv of the land for pastoral occupation is excellent, and ifc now returns a great deal more In beef and wool than, were it all exploited for mining purposes, it wotild ever produce in gold.

Amongst the Maori tribes of oM thero were no Second Division Leagues. "In rcgird to military duty," said "Mr Elsdon Best in a lecture at Wellington on Tuesday night, "ovory man was ready at a minute's notire to defend the commune. Let but the signal fire gleam on a far range, or the doleful booming of trumpets resound through the forest, and every ablebodied man seized spear or patu, girded Up. his loins, and. in single file, the group contingents swung out upon the war trail that leads to victory, or the broad nay of Tane tn the soirit world. Nor did the Second D'vision man stay to claim another 3s a day. He junrned risrht into it. And tvhat is more, Mrs Second Division went along too. She went to cool? tho dinner. And you know what the dinner was."

Something akin to hostility to New Zealand was encountered by Mr R. A. Wright, M.P., of Wellington, during his ttay in Australia. Tho people whose opinion was worth having, Mr Wright told a "Post" reporter, were decidedly friendly to the Dominion; but among others there was the hostility he mentioned. It was based, he judged, upon New Zealand's adoption of conscription. The people referred to were accustomed to say that New Zealand while fighting Prussianism was adopting Prussian metho<ls; that there was lawlessness and so on all over tho country. Thoy would not listen when told that this was incorrect. Mr Wright considered that the unlimited license allowed to speakers in public places, who said almost anything" thr-y pleased, wns mainly responsible for this feeling arisingl

There has of late been somo misapprehension as to tho actual working of the new multi allowance granted by tho Government to returned soldiers. Mr C. W. Green, secretary of the local Returned Soldiers' Association, has, however, received a lotter from the Dominion secretary, Mr D. J. B. Seymour, I which clears up the whole position. In ! the course of his letter Mr Seymour says: "I have been in touch with the Director of Stores and Ordinance, who states that arrangements have been made by which, for the present, the 30s allowance will be made, but will ccaso from operation from August Ist. Tho warrants for the £5 5s allowance are now being printed, and those men who have arrived in New Zealand and had not been discharged by June 80th last will make application to the Director of Base Records for the. balance.

Writing from Scheveningen; Holland, to relatives in Auckland, an "Old Contemptible," who was taken prisoner at Mons in Augustj 1914, says:—"They have made great improvements in all the prison camps this past year, and treat the English with a little more consideration than what they did before, but God knows what would become of thom were it not for th© parcels from home. I hope before very long to be able to give you a little idea of what wo have suffered, and what I myself have seen others suffer. Nothing is too bad for tho 'Square Head,' but I wish to forget it. To me it seems out of all reason that such a beautiful country —and it is beautiful —should be inhabited by such an unscrupulous people. We havo a Baying here which we have always carried through that Dante's Inferno, and that is, 'keep smiling.'"

In the course of a tour in Australia, Mr R. A. Wright,- M.P., of Wellington, was greatly impressed with the prosperity which was everywhere in evidence. Statistics gave solid proof of the wealth of the community in the value of products exported, and the people and places of business confirmed the evidence of the statisticians. "It the spectre of drought does not loom up," said Mr Wright to a "Post" reporter, "Australia is in for a boom time; but already the absence of rain in New South Wales is creating r.n uneasy feeling. There has been no rain for five months, and people are recalling the signs and experiences which preceded the big drought of 1895, and the seven -lean years following.". Some New Zealand farmers who had taken stud sheep to New South Wales were unable to sell them for a quarter of the price they were fetching a year ago, just because the dryness of the season had caused the farmers to become cautious, and had depressed the stock markets. For disobeying a lawful command of a superior officer in such a manner as to show ii wilful defiance of authority the following soldiers have been sentenced 'by district court-martial, held at Treiitliam, to two years' hard labour: 81341 Private W. S. Badger, Details; 84173 Private E. J. Conway, Details. For desertion when under orders for active service tho following senterces have been imposed: Private F. Hyde, Details (lote 58th Reinforcements), ftnd Private A W. Hoad, Details (laic 39th Reinforcements), 90 days' detention; Private P. Roclcltfn, (Mto 3Sth Reinforcements), 112 days' detention ; Piivate J. R. Simmons, Details (late'SSth Reinforcements), 90 days' detention : Privato C. V. Smart, Details (late 33th Reinforcements), 112 days' detention For being absent without leave when under orders for active service, another soldier has been sentenced to 42 days' detention. By district court-martial, held at Featherston. Privato W. Bnyle, Details, was found guilty of desertion and loss of equipment, and sentenced to ISO days 7 detention and stoppages of pay amounting to £2 19s lOd.

During June, the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board held 21 meetings and dealt with 94G applications, including 130 reconsidered cases. An official suin- ' uiitry states that 50 applications were ! withdrawn, 178 declined, and 30 deferred for fmther information: 659 grants •n-ere made. Altogether 1091 new applications were received —only 11 short :jf the previous month, in which tho highest figures since the establishment of"the Board were iccorded. The Minister of Defence approved grants in 223 cases during the month, representing an annual expenditure of £!974 12s, including 31 additional grants, amounting to £412 los annually. In ■ addition, "grants have been anproved and are awaiting verification in 548 cases: also 591 grants have been approved for men nit yet in camp. Authority for payment will not prepared* until the Board is officially notified that the it spec-live res?rv : sts have entered camp. To .?oth -June the Board had he'rl "01 meetings, am! had rpnsidered 11,795 applications (comprising 9933 new cases and 107 reconsidered cases). The total grants (->757 eases) to June 30th were at the rate of 1 £179,657 12s a year.

A sitting of the Assessment Court under the Valuation Land Act, 11)08, will be held in Christchurch on Friday, 26th ins + ,., at 10.30 a.m. to hear objections to the revised valuation tolls for Riccarton borough and Waimairi County.

Shortly after 5 p.m. on Wednesday, as a No. 2 car was approaching tne Colombo street north bridge, troin tho south, the conductor was tluown off his balance, and smashed a window with his elbow. At tiic same time a passenger, Miss Lawson. is said to luive fallen off the car. She was- picked up by a motor-cyclist and taken .to her home.

Towards the end of the present month the (Joniimssioaor ot Clown (Air VV. ii. aniline!), as Warden, will hear an application lor the issuo ot a coal lease to David Kane, iVi.l.Al.iS., of Osaey streot, St. Albans, VJnnstcnurch, in respect of 7oa lr --P, situated in Block VIL, Alford Survey District. Ihe laud is part of a small grazing run, near Staveiey, occupied by J. H. Buigess, who has given notice of his objection to tho issue of the coal lease.

At tho special meeting of the Canterbury Land Board on Wednesday, when there wei 'e present Messrs If. Macaulay (who presided in the absence of tho Commissioner of Crown Lands), T. Gee, D. StowcH, and W. Cunningham, tho following application for a transfer (adjourned from the ordinary meeting of tho Board) was granted: Section 5, Lyndon Settlement, 6&4 a 3r, from H. Wright to Catherine and Ueorgo Baaven.

The work of tho Government Statistician (Mr Malcolm in connexion with tlie military service ballots is not witiiout its' humorous side. Fur example, he recently received a postcard bearing tne legend: "1 should i,e in Class C. See tUat you call me up to-day." On Tuesday lie received the following telegram: "I wisH to notify you that I have another son. Please ciass me D." In the lajtler case a postcard was evidently considered much too slow a means of communication.

Provision was , made on the Hospital Board's estiinui.es ior the purchase ot i motor-car ior tne u&e of tho Health Inspectors, and tho Board was able, a day or two ago, to purchase a suitable second-hand car. Hitherto the Health inspectors have had to make long jour ucys by motor-cycle, and the car has been obtained to replace the motorcyclo for these long journeys. The motor-cycle will still be used in connexion with visits of inspection not involving the covering of big distances.

In the course of a paper read to the Accountancy Students' Association on Aionday evening, Mr D. Morrison remarked that he had recently tried to get a copy of the Hon. Pointer Re-ves's book, '"Hie Long White Cloud," the standard work on the history and development of New Zealand. Being unsuccessful at tho book shops, he went to the Canterbury College Library, but was astonished to find that it had no copy. "Can you imagine," he remarked, "a finer exa.mple of the scriptural statement that a prophet is without honour in hig own country P"

■ A public meeting was held at Sumnor last evening to consider what steps tho borough suould take to support the Copper Trail Fund. The Mayor, the Hon. John Barr, presided, and there wore also present Messrs Clarkson and Sergeant, of the Chi istchurph executive. Tho chairman outlined the objects of the meeting, after which Messrs Clarkson and Sergeant gave details of the scheme. • Alter discussion it was decided on the motion of Mr G. W. C. Smithson, seconded b£ Mr W. J. Lawson; "That this meeting of iSumner residents adopts tho scheme." It was decided not to appoint a committee, but to adjourn the meeting till next week, when officers will be appointed and complete arrangements made. Meetings were also held at Sydenham and Mairehau, at which committees were appointed and officers elected as follows:—Sydenham—Chairman, Mr Papprcll; seci etary, Mr Spiller; assistant-secretary, Mr G. Mitchell; treasurer, Mr J. M. Mitchell, sen. Mairehau—Chairman, MrW. J. Walter; secretary, Mr L. B. Wilson; treasurer, Mrs J. Haughey.

The advantages resulting from the existence of the Tramwuy Board's subsidiary car-shed in Cathedral square, was evidenced yesterday when, owing to the 4.15 p.m. Riccarton car being found almost on fire, a relieving car was got out and attached to the tiailer and despatched five or six minutes bohind schedule time. The-fire, which was discernible at some distance from the car, was in a portion of the undercarriage in close proximity to the front of the car. Mr John Wood, a member of the Tramway Board, happened to be in Cathedral square at the time, and investigated the matter. The fire, which had not spread to the woodwork, was speedily got under by th 9 application of sand, a quantity of which is carried on the cars.

Apropos of the paragraph published in "The Press" of Saturday, referring to Dt. von Mirbach, who is bdjeved to have been a brother of the German Ambassador in Moscow, who was recently assassinated, a Christchurch citizen, who was resident in Wellington over forty years ago, knew the doctor well. He relates a vory interesting story in connexion with Dr. von Mirbach. A lady had been' ill for some time, and her case puzzled many of the medical fraternity. At length the German medico was called in. and after watching the case for some little time, discovered the patient was being slowly poisoned by absorbing arsenic from a rich g: een paper with which her bedroom was papered. She was removed from the room andi ultimately recovered. A resident of a "town north of Auckland, who somo ten years age was a member of the clerical -staff of a big company, and a prominent lay reader of the Anglican Church, has put up something like a record in the way of making; a most extraordinary effort to do his "bit" in the firing-line (says the Auckland "Star"). Being over the military age, he recngn'sed the fact that a transformation was necessary, so lie p'-ocesd-ed to dispense with his beard and moustache, and then dyed his hair. His youthful appearance deceived the authorities, he passed the doctor, went to camp, going through the marches and drills as well as the best of them, but, alns! the dye wore off, and the authorities began to investigate, with the result that he. was retired from the active service list to that of homo service. It is not his fault he is not now at the front.

The necessity for those who invoke the assistance of the law possessing soma little knowledge of court procedure is exemplified by a case which was called on in the Christcliurch Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. Tho parties wore Lucy. E'.len Sullivan and "William Sullivan* and as thero was no appearnnce of either party, the defendant was sentenced to one month's imprisonment for having disobeyed a maintenance order. Both parties received a shock when they road the report of the Court proceedings, but the explanation of the Court oTicinls of the peculiar position shows that both parties in the c"s' , were somewhat to blame for the misunderstanding. In April Inst the case was n-lioTjmed. for three months, upon defendant undertaking to w>no rff the rrrears at a certain rate per week. In the meont'me the parties "buried the hatchet," tho defendant p n id up his arrriirs, and thev forgot thoir past disnrrreemenfs nnd lived together agarn. ITr.fortunitelv they omitted to let the Court officials know, arid as the threo months were up on Tuesday, and as there was no record on the Court's b~ok<s of the a'-rea-s having paid, the case was ''n'y c~l'ed nn. and. in th<i absence of knowledge rf tho amicable settlement of the matter, the Court could nnlv proceed on the assumntion that the arrears were still due, nnd consequently imposed tho penalty above mentioned. Since then tK" pa-ties have explained matters to the Court officials, and the entry in the Court records will be amended.

We hare received 10s from A.J.M. for our Serbian Fund.

The Board of Trade concluded its sittings in Christchurch yesterday, most of the day being deVoted_ to investigate ing matters conacctcd with the operation of the petrol regulations. The members of the Board left last night for "Wellington. It is probable taat the Board will sit again in Christchuroii about a month hence.

At the Aviation School yesterday, five moro pupils qualified for their certificates. They w ere: C. H. Hargest (Mandevillo, Southland), C. W. Packwood (Wangamii River), ]. A. Nicholson (Duiiixlin), E. W. Flower (Kaikoura), and W. E. Norton (Lyttelton). Colonel Chaffey and Major Morrison were the observers. Up to the present, 1] 7 pupils have passed through the school.

Hearty laughter greeted an interruption at the Municipal Theatre, Napier, on Tuesday (says the "Herald"), during the kit-giving ceremony. Mr J. W. Poynton, S.M., was at the time addressing the large audience, and though disclaiming any attempt to prophesy, ho gave it as his opinion that thp> war would he over by Christmas, "Excuse me," came from the audience, "which Christmas do you mean?" Tt was some time before Mr Poynton could resume. '

The Oxford terrace Baptist Church unanimously carried the following resolution at its last church meeting: — "That this church most heartily endorses the work in which the Nc.v Zealand Alliance is now engaged of securing signatures to a demand that a referendum be taken upon the licensing question on the lines of the recommendation of the National Efficiency Board, and is pleased that its minister, the itev. J. J. North, should actively co-operate in the campaign, as he may find opportunity.''

"From an economic point of view jl prefer the big firms," remarked the secretary of tne Butchers' Union at a sitting of the Conciliation Conncil at Auckland on Wednesday. "It is,uot> that they are more generous than the small employers," added Mr W. E. Sill, "but the general conditions are better." Mr T. Harlo Giles, Conciliation Commissioner, remarked that a number of small establishments had nppareinlv dropped out of the trade since the last award, and he was wondering, whether that was in the interest of the third party interested in these disputes—the general public. Mr Sill said he believed it was better for the general public, but the people did not think it was.

For tho first time since the coming into operation of tlie Plumbers' lleyistration Act, the number of candidates in Canterbury was so small this month that the examination was not held locally, but the expenses of the solitary candidate were paid to Wellington, where he was examined. The results of tho examination have not yet been made public. But for the war there would have been three Canterbury candidates this year, but in the case of two of the prospective candidates they were called up for militaiy service. Prior to the war tho Canterbury candidates averaged about eight. Some concern is expressed by master plumbers in the matter of keeping up the supply of plumbers in view of the number • entering for examination locally.

Old-time Maoris had a system of "compensation for accidents" exactly the opposite of the present statutory scheme. Instead of the individual obtaining compensation from the community, the community took toll from the individual. The Maoris believed in tho Socialist lines —"on injury to one is an injury to all," and the "right to work." If a man. by his own or another's fault, injured nimself, and thus reduced or checked his "right to work" for the community, he was punished by the custom of mura (a plunder raid). The whole of his portable' property, even growing crops, might be carried off by his neighbours., "For example,'' said Mr Elsdoh Best, at Wellington on Tuesday night, "if a man's wife de-,. camped with somo. man, the hapless bereaved husband might be plundered of his property. If a man met with an accident, thus depriving the groun of his services for a period, he was robbed. If a mnn came and took your daughter as a wife, rob him down to the groundline: he has deprived you of a worker in the field and cook-shed. Thus any person who committed, or suffered,' any act, voluntary or otherwise, that injured the welfare or activities of the tribe in any way, was liable to bo robbed. The individual mieht suffer, but the welfare of the tribe was paramount."

All kinds of trasses at Loasby's. Stocks getting short, and no supplies arriving. Purchase now. Loasby. 2 A persistent rumour was in circulation some time ago, and has recently been revived, to the effect that Broadway's had sold out. W. and E. Broadway desire to intimate that the latest report, as in the case of the former, is entirely without foundation. 682 Our readers are reminded that the Winter Sale of drapery and clothing, that has proved such a great benefit to buyers, notably wage-earners, will close to-morrow at noon at Armstrong's, Ltd. 1 There are a good many photographic obligations you have never paid. Call on Steffano.Webb at once, 262 High street, Christchurch. Telephone 1989. 6 What are Torio Lenses P They are lenses which are ground scientifically to fit the curvature of the eyes. They give wearers a larger field of vision, and are most becoming. We fit Tone Lenses for all sights. Walter J. Watson, X>.8.0.A. (London), Expert Optician. 2 A Is 3d packet of the famous "No Rubbing" Laundry Help is sufficient for seven weekly family washings. Truly a wonderful bcon to every, housewifa. Royds Bros, and Kirk, Ltd., wholesale agents for "No Rubbing." 5 Those immediately in want of drapery and clothing should avail themselves of the time remaining—and secure the 3alo end sacrifices before noon to-morrow. Armstrong's Sale then closes down. 2 Asbestos Irons —for the housewife who studies economy. They heat quickor and keep hot twice as long as the ordinary kind. Tiiey are strong and beautifully nickelled, and will last a lifetime. Call in and see thcui at Ashby, Borgh's, Ltd.,. High street. 4 FIRST CAR TO REACH LAKE COL^uliXi^—THiii til ui/EuAj^lilll.

iiy tiic courtesy of Air Lu\vraice laoveiuuioiib eiectiicui lutti Jir J. robKcvt, niobor uriver ior me ruunc V\Oiiis JUepai lineal,, a reporter'was yestuiday aiae uj gieau. a icw iacls cuuceinujg the uiOLOnttg expeiicui.es oi tue ■L/epurtmeui's ouiceri uurmg tuo fortnjfc,ut loiio*ing uie heavy snowstorm wuich tiisiocuied tne Lai;o Oo»enage transmission line. Tue car useu dunug Uns tiymg period was a 4-uyiindor tounug aiuuuuuner, wnich since its purchase Oy tuo Dcpanwent, a lit tie over a year ago, Has iun miies. During the loitnigiit atter tuo storm tho car ran old limes, mostly m tue snow country, The car openea its innings by 1 unurng tJirougn to Coalgato on Monday, July Ist, being tho nrst car to make the passage. On the way back two cars of other makes wi.ich had attempted to make tlic journey wore I found snowed in at the Hawkins. For the rest of the week tho btudebaker did "valuable work, patrolling and carrying ; ropair gangs and gear in tile neighbour- ' hood of Hororata. The following week, fitted with a snowpiough, the car was taken right througn to Lake Co.eridgo, being again the first car to mako tho journey eince the storm. These performances are a fine tribute to .Mr Poskett's ability as a driver, and also to the sturdy reliability of the Studebaker car. It may be added that the Department has recently purchased I another 4-cylinder Studebaker. 6