GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16412, 4 January 1919, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

The Chief Postmaster advises that tho sailing of the Makura from Auckland for Vancouver has been indefinitely postponed. Mails fo r United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Continent of Europe will close in Christciiurch this afternoon at 4 o'clock, per the Maori, to connect with tho Navua, which sails from Wellington on Monday afternoon.

Tho auction announcements of W. E. Simo3 and Co., R. S. McKenzio and Co., Now Zealand Loan and M.A. Co., Laurie and Dalton, Harris Bros., Harman and Stevens, and Tonks, Norton and Co., will be found on pa go 13 of this issuo.

Late on Thursday night or early yesterday morning the residence of Mr If. C. Hughes, 40 May's road, was entered by a burglar, and a sum of £18 in notes abstracted, from a desk, which was broken open. Nothing else was taken. •

A matter that calls for attention is the neglected condition of a cemetery at Camp Bay, which was tho site of tho Lyttelton quarantine station in tho early days, before Quail Island was secured for quarantine purposes. Thero is no fence surrounding the cemetery, and no railings of any kind around the graves, tho only indications of which aro a few weather-beaten slabs, the graves being entirely overgrown with grass and weeds, and expos I to desecration by cattlo and sheep.

"The good conduct of the members of the N.Z.L.F. who mako use of the club has been a source of great satisfaction," states the annual report of the N.Z. Soldiers' Club in "Tho appreciation shown hv tho men ; is most cheering to the voluntary workers, whose efforts have been tho making" of the club. Though the Now Zealanc'er like the Englishman, is chary of showing enthusiasm, a large number of men liavo personally thanked the ladies in tho canteen and the workers in the office, and many grateful and appreciative letters of thanks liavo been received."

Thoro is much comment and come wonderment (says tho Wellington "Post") at the exclusion of medical men from tho personnel' of the Epidemic Commission, -which consists of Sir John Donnifiton (late of the Supremo Court Bench), the Hon. E. Mitchelson, and Mr D. McLaren. This matter was mentioned to tho Minister of Health (the Hon. G. W. Russell). He replied that it was not nocessarv to have a medical man on the Commission. The Health Department would be represented by medical experts at all sittings of the Commission. Every caro would be taken to bring out all available evidence (including tho roports of bacteriologists) for the diagnosis of the disease.

The Education Committee, -which has beon assisting Mr J. A. Frostick, Canterbury Commissioner on the National Efficiency Board, in classifying and digesting the mass of evidence given in Christchurch before the enquiry into national education held by the Commissioner, as part of the enquiry hold throughout the Dominion, has just completed its work. The Board will probably discuss the evidence at its mooting to be held shortly. In matters regarding -which expert witnesses show a strong divorgence of oninion, it is likely that tho Board will call upon advocates of the divergent opinions to thresh matters out, with tho view of agreement being arrived at. Tho enquiry gives promise of results that will affect the future -wolfaro of tho Dominion.

An Australian report says that fiftyfive transports will arrive in Australia between January and April. The majority of the transports will bo steamers v which have formerly visited Australia, representing units of the White Star, Blue Funnel, Commonwealth and Dominion, Aberdeen, Federal, and other lines, and also, vessels belonging to companies which have no regular connexion there, such as the Union Castle. About thirty former cargo vessels, averaging 5000 tons deadweight each, the majority of which are British standard ships, are also included in the total referred to. Practically the wholo of the vessels will jiroceed to Australia in ballast for the purpose of loading wheat for Eastern Mediterranean and elsewhere. In addition to the list mentioned twelve other steamers, units of the Commonwealth Austral fleet and enemy requisition, will be trading regularly betwoen the United Kingdom and Australia.

Prohibition of importation of grapes into New Zealand, except from lia, has now boan relaxed as regards the United States of America and Canada, under the following conditions (states the "Journal'of Agriculture")':—Every shipment of grape 3 must he accompanied by a certificate signed by the shipper, setting forth the number and kind of packages, the shipping-marks, the name of the grower, the locality, and tho State or province where grown, and certifying that no! phylloxera is known to exist in or within one mile of the vineyard, that no grape-vine foliage or wood is attached to the grapes, that no grapes from any other vineyard have been mixed with tho consignment, and that the grapes aro contained in clean, new packages not previously used for any purpose; also by a certificate, signed by .an officer of tho Department of Agriculture in the State or province where tho grapes were grown, certifying that they are clean and free from disease, that no phylloxera is known to exist in or within one mile of the vineyard where the grapes are certified by thp shipper to have been grown, and that no grape-vine foliage or wood is attached to them.

Tho protracted shortage of coal has resulted in severe inroads, being made on tho Auckland Gas Company's reseive | supply, and "unless shipments oome to hand early in tho New Year the position is likely to become serious (says Wednesday's Auckland "Herald"). The company's* supply-is stated to have been gdu dually lessening for several years past, owing to shipping difficulties, tho shortage of labour, and increased demand for coal for the Navy. At present stocks are lower than they have "been for ten years past, and it would take fully 10,000 tons to bring the supply up to the pre-war average. A shipment of 000 tons was received from Westport on Tuesday, but this will afford only very temporary relief. The fact that- bituminous coal i a used almcsfc exclusively hy the company limits its source of supply to Westport and Newcastle. The manager stated yesterday that ho had no definite news of any shipments likely to arrive within the next few weeks, so that the present outlook is by no means hopeful. The position as regards the domestic coal supply is equally acute. Supplies from Waikato are exceedingly short, and the greatest caro is being exercised in tho matter of distribution. The deereaso in output occasioned by the holidays and tho shortage of trucks duo to the demands of tho season, are held to be mainly responsible for the present position.

All the Canterbury rivers ware reported clear yesterday.

Nearly throo degrees of frost wero registered in Christehurch yesterday, but no damage was done.

The main Parliamentary electoral rolls to be used in connexion with the licensing poll, tc be held in April, will closo on Monday.

The monthly meeting of tho National Efficiency Board is to bo held in Wellington in a week or so. There 15 a large amount of business for the Board s consideration, and it is anticipated that tho meeting will last over a week.

Owing to tho absence of tho Conciliation Commissioner, Mr W. H. Hagger, who is engaged in Dunedin in connexion with the tramway.dispute there, the hearing of the conciliation case between tho Canterbury Watch and Clockmakers' and Jewellers' Union, which was to have been heard on.Monday, has boen postponed until Friday.

Quartermaster-Sergeant A. G. Davidson, writing to his father, Mr P. Davidson. president of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, on tho day that the* armistice was announced, states that amongst the troons the news was received at first with incredulity, but bofore the dav closed: it liad been confirmed bevond dcubt. "Thero wasn't a cheer, hardly a laugh," ho adds; "but wo looked into each other's faces and thought of home." At present Q.M.b. I)avia&on is on leave in England.

Tlio Canterbury Horticultural Society's annual Sweet Pea Show will bo hold in the Art Gallery on Friday. Special interest is attached to this show on account of the large number of cups and trophies being competed for in the carnation and sweet pea classes. Entries for the show will closo. with the secretary on Monday evening at 8 o'clock at tho Society's office, 7 Baker's i.iuildiugs, Manchester street. Entries for tho cottage garden competition close at the Sweet Pea Show.

Mr 11. Hunter, secretary of the National Council of the New Zealand Federation of Labour, has been instructed by that body to call a conference ox representatives of all national organisations affiliated to the Federation, which include the Miners', Drivers', Freezing Works Employees'. Bqot Operatives', and Watersiders' Federations, and the Railway Servants' Society. Tho conference, the object of which is to decide on a-com-mon policy, will meet in Wellington about the end of tho present month. It lias long been claimed that beestings cure rheumatism, but apiarists are now going one better, and arguing that they prevent influenza. Tho immunity of beekeepers is at present a subject of much discussion among members of that gentle craft. The Apiary Instructor at Auckland, Mi' G. V. Westbrooke, in mentioning the matter at a meeting of tlie Auckland Bee Club, said that the acid of the bee-sting was a strong antiseptic, and 110 was able to confirm from his own observation that remarkably few beekeepers had contracted influenza.

According to somo authorities theTe is a likelihood of an extension of the hours at moving picture theatres in Christchurch. It is noted that some of the Auckland moving picture theatres liavo announced their intention of being open at hours during which, according to last session's Act, they should) bo closed; in Wellington, also, it is reported that it is intended to depart from the hours laid down in the Act. The explanation advanced foy this deliberate violation of tho law is that in somo eases the moving picture theatres ■will more than recoup themselves by their additional takings for tho maximum fine of five pounds a day for failing to observe tho hours stipulated by the statute.

A Wellington firm with an agency for tho best Italian marble has received cable advicc recording an increase of 80 per cent, since the armistice was signed. The manager of tho firm is not aware of tho reason for this enormous increase (says the "Dominion"), but he surmises that with the cessation of hostilities tho demand for marble for the rebuilding operations in those cities which have suffered structural damage through gunlire or bomb-dropping will be very heavy. It is taken for granted, too, 'that the wages of quarrymen and marble workers in Italy nave been increased through the exigencies of war. As the result of the increase several orders have been cancelled, and the usual buyers are said to be holding back.

To further the appeal being mado to the public of Christchurch for funds for the Port Hills-Akaroa Summit road, a finely produced and most interesting booklet has been issued. It is embellished with illustrations of the "Kiwi" Rest House, Dyer's Pass, and of the Rest House at Kennedy's Bush. Very full information is given respecting the Port Hill-Akaroa Summit road, and also regarding the numerous 6conic reserves situated on or within easy access' of the road. Tho committee of the Summit Road _ and Reserve Association state that in publishing tho booklet the intention is to make known to the publio the fact that the committee has in hand an exceedingly valuable public work, which will bo of untold benefit to future generations of people, not only of Christchurch and Canterbury, but of New_ Zealand as a whole. The booklet, which was priuted by the Christchurch Pms Company, 'should prove of great value in arousing interest in the development of this great public asset. Some few months ago, with the object of having investigations made concerning the idea of a bomb that would travel any distanco from one mile or less uj> to 100 miles or more, Mr Wil-. Ham Alloo, of the mechanical staff of tho "Taranaki Daily News," communicated with Sir Jamos Allen, requesting information as to whether a bomb'such as tho inventor had been testing (in modol form) had ever beon in use or received the consideration of the Defenco authorities. Sir James Allen referred the matter to Major Smyth, of tho Defence Department. Whilst the latter officer gave every consideration to details of the invention, ho stated that he was not prepared to give a final decision as to its practicability, and instructed Mr Alloo to submit his plans, etc... to the Military Invention Board, London. This the local mechanic did, and he has now received advico from the secretary of the Board of Research and Invention, that his communications have been referred to tho chairman of tbf> Air Invention Committee, where it will receive every consideration. Mr Alloo claims that his invention requires no aid to propulsion: that it can be directed to any particular spot, and that it will travel at ten times the spoed of the fastest aeroplane.

Sergeant Hugh Eraser, formerly of "The Press" -staff, is on the staff of tho publicity department in connexion with Now Zealand affaire at Home. Writing to a friend in New Plymouth by the last mail he says:—"Even if the wai should end this year our work will not be over, because "the demobilisation of tho New Zealanders is going to take at least twelve months, and eo there will still be plenty of copy for us. Whatever may be the results of our work in New Zealand, it is not too much to say that we have" achieved wonders in England, for both in photos and news matter Ave have put out a great deal of stuff, and have gained a much wider publicity for New Zoaland than ehe enjoyed before. I think the Government ought to be induced to establish such a department after the war. A certain amount is done by the High Commissioner already, but I do not think it goes far enough, and what we are now doing could be made tho nucleus of a department that I have no doubt would fully justify itself. New Zealand is much before the people now —our position in this respect is much better than it was when I was in London five years ago—but I feel we can advertise better, and I have no doubt that unless the Government does something wo »are going to be beaten by Canada and Australia in our quest for new population in the years to come."

No damage was dono. Amongst the May e * HoUang «. §£ Irishes', has £ feting "Kia On," Wireless messages in language ♦ and between merchant vossols Pacific and Indian Oceans vessois iu Ll ' , , w jthout restriction. The tern "merchant vessels" does not include. ships Carrying troops, or hospital ships. Superior perfumery at Loasby's make splendid gifts. Atkmson Yordley's perfumes in cut glass bottles and presentation caskets. Old Eng.ish Lavender "Water and de 6 - Best English and French hair brushes for ladies and gentlemen, and manicure sets in unexcelled variety and value at Loasby's, Chemists. For Holiday Makers.—A very fine lot of Suit Cases, Kit Bags, 'f, jus k now on offer at Messrs Hastie, Bull, ana Pickering's, Cnshel street. A btrong Suit. Case of particularlygood value> is priced in two sizes at 18s od and 21s respectively. ®

Evervone in Chnstchurch . knows "Watson's," but thero are still some people who do not avail themselves of tho opportunities offered by this enterprising firm in the matter of obtaining tlie most artistic jewellery at moderate prices. Tho firms New \ ear stocks invito oarJy inspection. Watson's, "Jewellers," Limited, 695 Colombo 6treet, Christnhurch. 3

Akaroa, healthiest town in Dominion, proven by no deaths of citizens from epidemic. The famous General Pau visits the old French settlement on January 9th. 1

General Carrying of all sorts undertaken oy J. M. Heywood and Co., Ltd Their plant of horses and vehicles is ono of the "largest in New Zealand. 6

Santa Olaus urges everyone to sing their cheericst songs now that tlio war is over and the flu flying quickly away. "No Rubbing" Laundry Help still obtainable from all grocers. Is a packet. 6

Nowadays a sovereign doesn't go far, tand one is sot a rare tack in choosing Christmas: gifts. Dainty perfumes, soaps, bath salts, and face powders make pleasing and inexpensive gifts. See our stocks. E. Cameron Smith, Chemist, 96 Worcester street (just off Square). 58464-513 Royal Doulton Ware just arrived. Have first choice for Christmas. Plaques 4s 6d, jugs 4s 6d, teapots, salads in Dickens, Shakespeare, coach scenes, etc., on view at Drayton's, 765 Colombo street. 6 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 stroet. 6 LIGHT 4-SEATER TOURING CAR, £235. For eale, 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 streot. 6 HANDSOME 3-SEATER STUDEBAKER. £275. Ready for , delivery—Three-seater, 4-cyl., Studebaker, beautifully finished in cream. Electric lighting and selfstarter. Five good tyres and usual equipment. Sound investment at £275. Adams, Ltd., Garage, 219 Tuam street. 6