GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16411, 3 January 1919, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

All tho Canterbury rivers were reported clear yesterday.

"Joe" Carter was a woll-known figure about the streets of Wellington ui.til he fell victim to tho epidemic several weeks ago (says tho ''New Zealand Times"). Many people who knew his short, jorky walk and his inevitable cry of "See you to-morrow," learnt by a short paragraph in tho paper that "Joo" had gone to happier fields. Not a few will oe very surprised to know that "Joo," in spito of his apparent hand-to-mouth existence, was able to leave a small fortuno of £2500 behind him. This fortune was not accumulated by tho odd shillings that the wellknown characlor earned in pulling down houses, etc., but accumulated, apparontly, mainly from a remittanco of £1 a week, received from England.

The loading on the tramways yesterday was very heavy, particularly on the liurwood lino, which carried the raco traffic. The cable feeders wcro not equal to the demands made upon them, and some of tho cars were a long time in reaching tho course. It would cost about £4000 to make the cables efficient, but this expenditure is likely to foe undertaken, as it is on only a few days in the year that such traffic has to bo catered for. Notwithstanding the fact that the road near tho course has been widened, congestion was again evident yesterday. In addition to a large number of tram cars, there were about 75 motor-cars packed near the gates. It is understood the Trotting Club officials have a schcme in hand for providing more space.

For somo days early in December a police campaign has been carried on against small boys in 31eIbourno who have earned a precarious income by importuning people for money. Thoir tales (says the ''Argus") hare been many ancl various. Sometimes they were "saving up for Christmas," or ''wanted a new suit of clothes." A favourite device was to haunt the doors of cafes late at night to profit by the generous impulses of persons who" had boon put into a benevolent frame of mind by a good supper, and many of them were caught in the act. Constables Goodson and Portingalo, in plain clothes, and Mrs Connor, one of the policewomen, would remain outside the cafes secreted in hansom cabs, and thus many of the youthful offenders, whoso ages ranged from 6 to 14 years, were trapped. About 20 had been gathc-rcd in up to the 12th, lo of whom were doalt with by the Children's Court as neglected i children, and given into the charge of ' their mothors on a promise that stricter supervision would ne exercised. It is understood, however, that further offenders will be sent to the industrial schools. All the 'boys have been ill a dirty condition, and" have had to be given a hot b.ith at the Gordon Institute. The plain-clothes officers soon came to be known, and the offending urchins would fly at the sight of them.

The French Mission will.be given a civic reception on their hrnval at »»ellington on Monday. At a recent London promenade concert, Mr Howard Carr conducted orchestral sketches which sought to interpret the deeds of two V.C. s, O'Leary and Warneford, and of Captain Oates, of the Scott Polar Expedition. Music of an Irish character typified one, melody descriptive of flying another, and tho atmosphere . of Polar wilds was suggested m the third. The pieces had a cordial reception. "Thore is no possible hope of the Minister giving: the public back their suburban services with the P re^ staff of locomotive men," says the Locomotive Engineers'" Journal," ' and there is 110 prospect of getting any mor© to an appreciable extent unaer present conditions. Never in the history of the railways was the locomotive department m such a deplorable state as it-is sent, especially in tho North Wand, where the men aro almost out of control The whole blame for a breakdown will Test with the Minister of ltailThe weather for the .holiday yesterday was by no means propitious in the early morning, but as the day wore on it improved, and tho afternoon was perfectly. seasonable. All the °®. ' , most of the shops were shut, although some of them were open until noon, and on the whole, January 2nd, 1919, was, to all intents and purposes, a ge - eral holiday. There were not a great number of extraordinary . attractions, tho chief beinsi the Trotting Carniva at Now Brighton, which drew many thousands of spectators from Christchurch. The seaside reports had then full complement of visitors, _ "J Sumner. New Brighton, and Cashmere Hills trams wore all crowded during tho dav, while Kennedy's Bush, Governor s Bay,' Taylor's Mistake, and various other popular picnic places were all wei patronised.

In tho course of an eloquent and moving address delivered in at a luncheon arranged by Dr. bleary, General Pau expressed his thanks, and the thanks of the mission, for the marked honour extended to them at bt. Patrick's Cathedral, and at the Bishop's residence, and extended a graceful appreciation of the tribute paid that morning to tho work and worth of France during the late titanic struggle. Tho speaker took occasion, from Dr. Cleary'fi work as chaplain in the trenches, to eulogise the labours or all the clergy who, as "other soldiers, went on the battlefield and m tho midst of doath, not to destroy but to # build up both in the bodily and the spiritual order. He also paid a noble and feeling tribute to the Catholic clergy ot France, who in tens of thousands, as chaplains, strotchor-bearers, and combatants, displayed a heroic courage and devotion which France could never forget. Tho work of tho Allied fighting soldier—that of destroying life—was rendered all the more urgent in the la to war because he was not merely the defender of his country —he was also the avenger of bitter wrongs, of systematic violations of those elementary laws of humanity and those sacred conventions which stood as a barrier between Christian civilisation and utter barbarism.

The suggestion that among the warships to be sent out to Australia on the occasion of the peace celebration should be included the new German Emden, as a war trophy and a tribute to the work of the Australian fleet, is'to be submitted to Mr Hughes by the Acting-Prime Minister. The Commonwealth Government has no doubt that Australia will receive a share ot the war trophies, and already messages have been sent to Mr Hughes supporting the proposal that a fleet, including British and Allied ships of war, should visit Australia when peace is signed. The attention of the Act-ing-Prime Minister was recently drawn to the proposal that in view of the Sydney's fight the new German warship Emden, surrendered tc Great Britain, should be sent with the Allied fleet to Australia. "J am forwarding the suggestion by cablegram to Mr Hughes," was Mr Watt's comment. Mr R. B. Orchard, Minister in charge of the arrancemente for the forthcoming peace celebration, stated that there was not the slightest doubt that all sections of the community would feel gratified if the German cruiser Emden were dispatched to Australia. The name Emden would be associated with Australian naval history for all time, and if + he British Government acceded to the request now made the people of this countrv would take it as a graceful compliment.

Superior at Loasby's make splendid gifts. Atkinson and Yardley s perfumes in cut glass bottlee and presentation caskets. Old English Lavender Water and Eau do Cologne. Best English and French hair brushes for ladies and gentlemen, and manicure seta in unexcelled variety and valuo at Loasby's, Chemists. , 1 Colonial Travelling Rugs, in nice, soft fawns and greys, beautiful patterns, 29s 6d, 425, 555, 755, 84s, at Armstrong's, Ltd. 1 "No Rubbing" Laundry Help does washing while you rest. Is packet sufficient for seven weekly family washings, i Wonderful for labour saving a nd perfect! cleansing qualities. Kincaid's, Ltd. 5 New Stock.—Ladies' Silk Ankle Hose in black, white, putty, champagne, Copenhagen, mole, tan, .navy, and greys. Special value, 4s lid pair. Armstrong's, Ltd. 2 The display of Engagement Rings that we are making is easily one of tho very best over seen in the Cathedral city. The designs aro in all cases most original and artistic, exquisite gems are set in flawless gold, and in every particular these rings cannot fail to give tho utmost satisfaction. Watson's, "Jowollers," Limited, 695 Colombo street. Christchurch. 2 Boys' Holiday Suits, tweed and washing, cheapest at Armstrong's. 3

HANDY 2-SEATER FORD, £140. Now on view—Two-seater Ford, newly painted dove grey; electric lights and new tyres. Suitable for commercial man. £140. Adams, Ltd., Garage, 219 Tuam street. 6 LIGHT 4-SEATER TOURING CAR, £235. For 6ale, a bargain—Neat-looking, light 4 cyl., 4-5 seater touring car, finished in dark blue. Magneto ignition. "Hoodite" seat, covers, and full equipment. £235. Adams, Ltd.. Garage, 219 Tuam street. 6 HANDSOME 3-SEATER STUDEBAKER. £275. Ready for delivery—Threo-seater, 4-cyl., Studebaker, beautifully finished in 'cream. Elostric lighting and selfstarter. Five good tyree and usual equipment. Sound investment at £275. Adams, Ltd., Garage, 219 Tuam street. 6