GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16418, 11 January 1919, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

Tho auction announcements of Pyne and Co., W. E. Simes and Co., Harris Bros., National Mortgage and Agency Co., Dalgety and Co., Tonks, Norton, and Co., New Zealand Loan and M.A. Co., Claridge and Smith, Harman and Stevens, Anderson and Palmer, and and Dalton will be found on page 15 of this issue. At Wednesday's meeting of the Otago Land Board four applications were received from soldiers for the purchase of residential properties under tho Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act, and in connexion therewith advances to tho amount of £2305 were approved. At yesterday's meeting of the Canterbury Education Board it "was agreed to inform the Kaiapoi, Kaikoura, and Lincoln School Committees of tho now regulation made by the Department, under which their secondary departments could only be continued with the approval of the Minister, and to point out that unless the attendance increased the Minister would probably require those secondary departments to be closed. It was also agreed to write to tho headmasters in these districts, asking them to co-operate with the committees in an endeavour to increase the attendance, and thus retain their high schools.

A sign of the lateness of this summer seafion is the fact, noticeable particularly along the Bluff-Invercargill road, that tho manuka is only now out in full bloom.

At yesterday's meeting of the Education Board a memorandum wa fi received from the Department, notifying that a compassionate allowance would bo made to the next-of-kin of teachers who died during tho influenza epidemic.

Permission was granted by the Canterbury Education Beard yesterday for the North Loburn Fallen Soldiers'* Memorial Committee to erect a pillar of polished Aberdeen granite in Loburn North sehoolgroundis. as a momorial to eight fallen soldiers, all of whom received thoir education in that school.

Several of the artists now performing at the Opera House visited the Chalmers Ward at the hospital yesterday afternoon, with Mr F. C." llaph'ael. and gave a most enjoyable entertainment for the. sick and wounded soldiers in tho ward. Needless to say, the visit was greatly enjoyed by the men, who save the performers an excellent reception. Colonel AVyne, who is in charge of the Orthopceclic hospital, heartily thanked the artists for their kindness in entertaining the men.

The Board of Trade, consisting of Messrs W. G. Macdonald, P. Haliy, and J. W. Collins (secretary), sat yesterday and conferred with Dr. C. J. Reakes and local business men on the hides, skins, and leather industry. The Board will leave for tho Coast on Tuesday to investigate the coal industry'ar.d situation. Dr. J. Hight and Mr S. Hurst Seager will accompany the Board, the latter to enquire into the housing conditions of the miners. It is expected that the enquiry will last 10 days.

Many stories are still being recounted of remarkable events during the influenza epidemic (says the "Southland Timers"). One of the latest to be told is said to have originated at a lonely country homestead in Southland, where the father and mother, both stricken with the malady, were being looked after by a mere laddie of five. The boy. being unable to manage the job himself, was directed by his father to lay a trail of oats from tho fowlhouse to the father's bed, where the unsuspecting bird was captured at a favourable opnortunity, nlucked by the fatlior, and boiled vnder hfe directions, by the five-vear-old. Tho authenticity of the storv. of course., is statod to be boyond question.

Numerous inquiries have been made at tho Lands Office in Dunedin by soldiers who were in camp and were discharged at the time of demobilisation firs to whether they are oligiblo to take up land under the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act. The answer is that they are not (says the "Otaeo Daily Times"). The definition of "discharged soldier" under tho Act is as follows: — "Discharged soldier means any person who (a) has been a member of the New Zealand Naval Forces or of any Expeditionary Force, (b) has served beyond New Zealand in connexion with the present war, fo") has returned to New Zealand, and (d) has received his discharge from service eithor before or after his return to New Zealand."

A meeting of the Deer Committee of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society was held on Tuesday to deal with the applications for deerstalking licenses and blocks in the Rakaia district. There were thirtyeight applications from various parts of the Dominion, and the following were the succcssful applicants, whoso rights and licenses and blocks wore decided by ballot:—Blocks 1 and 2, right and left-handed branches of Mathias, Messrs G. Gerard and G. W. Gerard ; blocks 3 and 4, north side of Matnias, Messrs Herrick and Taylor; blocks 6 and 6, south side of Mathias, Messrs Nitz Bros.; block 7, Algidus homestead block, Mr G. Sutherland; blocks 8 and 9. head of Rakaia, Messrs Archer and Harrison; blocks 10, 11, and 12, between Totara and Manuka Points, Messrs Bennett. Kibblewhite, and Donald; blocks 13 and 14, norm side of Wilberforce, Messrs B. TTrquhart and T. S. Jessop; blocks 15 and 16, south sido of Wilberforce, Messrs Bavley and another: block 17. Harper and Avoca rivors, Mr C. T. Jessop.

Additional facts concerning the progress of the demobilisation of New Zealand troops were given by Mr A. Harris, M.P., when speaking at a thanksgiving social at Takapuna this week. Mr Harris, who said his information came from a thoroughly reliable sourco, stated that six ships carrying wounded men had loft England in Decomber, while another five were leaving during the present month. These eleven ships would bring about 10,000 men or practically all the sick and wounded, exclusive of the cot cases. It was estimated that there would be 50,000 troops in England and France, and 4000 in Egypt. In addition there were about 3000 wives and dependants, and another 3000 civilian workers and members of the British military and naval forcos. There wore also tho personnel of the Young Men's Christian Association, tho New Zealand War Contingent Association, and the New Zealand Red Cross. If peace should be signed in March, it was estimated that it would take practically twelve months to bring all the combatants and non-combatants back to New Zealand.

Lieutenant Grey Thome Goorge, of Auckland, in a recent letter to his paronts, commenting on the work of the mine-sweepers, states: _ "They have to take the brunts of the job, and get the least of the kudos." Ho adds that the O.C. sweepers is the late skipper of the Hiaemoa, Captain Drummond—"a real good chap." Writing later from Ostend, the lieutenant states that there are thousands of rounds of ammunition, "which one does not like going too close to for fear of booby traps, which are very numerous. There are also plenty of spies in Ostend, and several have been shot. The first three days we wore at Ostend I did not get ashore, because explosions were taking place every fow minutes. At the head of the piers I could count over forty mines afloat at low water, so we sculled around and blew a few up with riflo fire. At present all is clean on the coast of Zeebrugge. so wo can go about with a certain amount of safoty, but it was not cleared without loss. I lost a oouple of good pals during the operation. As far as the town of Ostend is concerned it is not knocked about as Dunkirk was, which shows that our shooting was fairly accurate, and was played upon the lock gates to some purpose." ' A deputation, representing the Christchurch School Committees' Association, comprising Messrs W. Jones, G. Franklin, and F. Colos, waited upon tho Canterbury Education Board yesterday to request that the Board should instal single adjustable desks in all schools. Mr Jones said that tho association did not ask that the old desks should be scrapped, but that in all cases whore new schools or schoolrooms were being furnished, the single adjustable desks should be provided. The Board now had an excellent workshop whore the desks could be made. The physique of the children _ varied considerably, but all had to sit at ono class of desk, with the result that physical defects were developed. After Mr Jones's remarks had been supported by Messrs Franklin and Coles, members of the Board expressed their views, all agreeing, that in the interests of the* children, sufficient space should be given in classrooms for the installing of sinclo adjustable desks. Replying to the deputation, tho chairman (Mr W. A. Banks) said that the Department's regulations in regard to the space allotted each child did not • permit of the use of single desks, but no doubt united action between the Board and the Association would produce favourable results. He asreed that the children's health en mo before educational considerations. The Board decided to refer tho matter to the Committee for consideration.

The housing problem is very_acuto m Hamilton, and it is said there ,s not an emptv house to be found. Man} firms l.nfo had to purchase houses for their employees in order to p in tho town. Th^re were ten bankruptcies in 'the citv of Christchurch last vear the debtors' liabilities totalling Gs <d, assets £2503 15s sd. secure c aims tir.V' 15s Gd ; and unsecured claims

£5"v87. V ~irl of 15 was charged m the Juvenile Court yesterday beforc Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M.. with tlio theft of £'2. the property of Mrs D. Cliadderton. She was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, on condition that she remained in the Salvation Army Home until she was 21 years of age.

The Scuth Island members of the Expeditionary Fcrcc returning with draft °03 arrive in Christchurch to-morrow mornir.cr. Members of the Automobile Association who can furnish cars for the transnr.rt of the men are afiked to communicate with the secretary, : r >. • Hervev. as soon as possible. The North Canterbury men returning with draft "04 wiil arrive from Dunedm by special train at, 7.30 on Monday night The North Island men will come up by tho exnress, and join the ferry boat at LyU telfon. A military funeral was accorded yesterday to the late Mr A. E. - ' ir " shall a returned soldier, who met his death by falling over a cliff _ at Taylor's Mistake on Tuesday evening. Six returned men, all former chums of the deceased, acted as pall-bearers, and a firing nartv of twelve, under a sergeant-major from the defence Staff," was also supplied by the Keturned Soldiers' Association B"dcr G. J. Aitfccn sounded tho Last Post." The interment took place at Limvond, a.nd tlic funeral was largely attended. An Auckland "Star" reporter was informod by the railway officials that the holiday traffic, as far as the railways are concerned, has boen markedly lisrhter than in previous years. The falling off is attributed largely to the lecent epidemic scare. On the other hand, it is probable that many people decided to postpone train journeying until Easter, in the hope that by then excursion fares will be restored. The Auckland Tourist Office reports a reduction in business _ this season, but a gradual increase is expected in the next few months now that the war is over and there is a sottling down in life s affairs.

The Buildings Committee of tho Canterbury Education Board reported to yesterday's meeting of the Board that it had received a communication from tho Department stating that tho question of standardising school desks was at present under consideration. On the suggestion of Mr C. H. Opie, it was decided to ask the Department to supply full information concerning the standardisation of desks for the benefit of the Buildings Committee in its consideration at its next meeting of the request of the Christchurch School Committees' Association that single adjustable desks should be installed in all new schools.

Yesterday morning, Mr J. J. Dou- | gall, chairman of the meeting on Thursday night in connexion with proportional representation, waited on the Mayor, and asked him to call a public meeting to discuss the City Council's resolution rescinding tho proportional representation method of votine at the municipal elections. After a little discussion on the matter, it was agreed between the Mnyor and Mr Dougall to ask the City Councillors who voted against proportional representation at tho special meeting of the Council recently to receive a deputation from Thursday evening's meeting on'* Tuesday afternoon next. The Mnyor gave it ais his opinion that proportional representation was preferable to the r'cl ward system of government, which tended to foster parochialism.

Reference was made by members of the deputation, which waited on Sir James Allen yesterday afternoon, relative to financial assistance to women and children who had lost husbands and fathers by the epidemic, to the fact that under the Widows' Pensions Act children born outside the Dominion did nob participate in the provision for assistance. Sir James Allen, in the course of his reply, said that they would have to consider the position that would arise if the law were altered in tho direction indicated. He was not prepared to say that the Government of Now Zealand would undertake to provide for widows from all parte of the world. "But the country's most valuable asset is its child lifo,'' interacted a member of the deputation. "Quite so," said Sir James, "but we prefer to get them ourselves!"

"The Opawa school is a disgrace to Christchurch 1" declared Mr W. P. Spencer at yesterday's meeting of. the Canterbury Education Board. The subject under discussion was the proposal of the Department to build three now rooms on to the Opawa. school when at least four were required. The Buildings Committee had recommended to the Board that the Department should a informed that the committee would not agree to only three rooms being built. In supporting Mr Spencer's remarks, Mr E. H. Andrews urged that the Department should be asked what amount it would givo towards the erection of a completely new building. Mr J. Jamieson, Mr A. Peverill, and other members also stated that the school building was not fit for children to bo taught in. It was decided to approve the Building Committee's report.

It is an incident of the stressful days of the influenza epidemic now happily past, and so far has escaped record (says the Wellington "Free Lance"). One day an old lady was making slow progress along Constable street towards Kilbirnio struggling with some heavy luggage. One of the male helpers in the epidemic campaign, although bearing aji urgent iparcel of medicine, went to her assistance and carried the luggage for her until their several 'ways parted. He looked round for another volunteer to take his place in helping the old lady to her home. A solitary horseman was approaching, and he was promptjy up and invited to take over the bulging portsammy. He made a gracious reply, and, having ascertained from the old lady where she lived, l u Sgage, poised it on the saddle in front of him, and accompanied her to her cottage in Kilbirnie, where lie duly delivered the goods and received profuse thanks for his trouble. It subsequently transpired that the oblionns cavalier was rone other than his Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Liverpool.

The disputo between the Jewellers', Watchmakers', and Clockmakers' Union and the employers was before the Council of Conciliation yesterday. The Conciliation Commissioner (Mr W. H. Hagger) presided, the employers' assessons were Messrs W. Bridgman, E. Delahunty, and E. A. Young, with Mr H. Broadhead as agent, and tho Union's assessors were Messrs C. Renn, G. S. Stubbeifield, and A. Tongue. The principal demands were: —Roduction of hours of work from 47 to 44 per week, and inci ease of minimum wage from £3 to £4 per week. The employers, as a counter-claim, .submitted the old award in regard to conditions, and offered £3 5s as the weekly wage. After discussion, and after an adjournment, the Commissioner announced that the Union had rejected an offer of an increase of 10 per cent, made by the employers. It was .agreed that the rates for apprentices sliould be increased by 2s 6d per week during the first four years, and by 5s per week for the fifth and sixth yoars; it was also agreed that all tools required to be used by apprentices should be provided bv the employer. Tho question of wages was deferred until a decision is reached in the cases before the Conciliation Council in Wellington, and the Arbitration Court in. Auckland.

*ft er a fine though windy day yesterday rata set in about- 11 P-m- and conf« »m. houn,. 11- «,o/»+;n<r is to bo held in St. JchoolroomT Opawa on Monday jiarh. s sl association to care of district.. \ Masterton soldier, writing to his poiWti by tho last m«il, stands that the doctors n.ne ueciarect that nine-tenths of the members of the permanent injury to the S The North Beach Gala, to be held m, fh« 05th inst., gives promise of being on the _otn » various commithidilv successful, tl r ls in hand tees who have the arra fe ; s & nUmbe being at present husy « - H , . of hichlv interesting n nd no\u naiuris. Tuw-thirds of the proceeds of the gala is be devoted to the formntion ot the nucleus of a fund for the oreconofa shelter and hand rotunda on the foreshore. Tho furtherance of an object for tho general good should , c ", s " r £ ? g attendance of the public at t g>

The cdiieativo value of the school libraries system in vogue in Auckland has been impressed upon teachers at the schools already iucludcd under the scheme. One of .these gentlemen informed tho chief librarian, Mr J. Bar, that in order to lest his scholars as to the impression left upon their nunds bv tho historical works the.v. had lib 6ct them an essaj T , requiring them to state who was their favourite character in history, and why. When ho read the resultant papers he was, Jio said, surprised by the amount of Knowledge revealed therein. Another teacher stated that the pupils at his school had crained a much wider vocabulary as Tesult of their use of the school library, in addition to which their style of writing and their spelling had boen improved. AVhen Messrs Watson Bros., fishermen, of Waikanae. went to haul up their nets at Kapiti Island the other day, they found that a large shark had become entangled in the meshes, ana had been stranded on the beach. Mr AV. E. Bendall and Professor Kirk, who visited the island during the week-end, saw the monster, which is 28ft oin long, loft in circumforence, and its jaw is 2ft lOin from side to side. The shark belongs to a strange species, the bone being soft, transparent, and easily brokfcn, the teeth small and curved inward, the eyes as large as a tea-cup, were Bet close togethor. The fishermen stated they bad 1 never seen a similar specimen. and Professor Kirk has taken a portion of the tail to Wellington in an endeavour to establish the identity of the species.

In a letter to the London "Tablet" the Bishop of Salford says: "I wonder how many will remember at this tragic hour the strange fateful prophecy of the late Pope Leo XIII. with reference to him who was up to recently Kaiser Wilhelm 11. ? It impressed itself so vividly on my mind at the time, that it has haunted my memory ever since. The story is as follows: During the reign of the old Emperor Wilhelnij his grandsons, Wilhelm and Heinrich. accompanied by Bismarck, paid a visit to Italy, and whilst in Rome had* an audience of Leo XIII. The Pope received the two young princes privately in his room, and it was said that the elder of the two had behaved in a very rude -manner to the Pontiff, so that as the visitors left, thte latter, turning to his attendants, saidi: 'That young man will come to a bad end.'"

Several/soldiers were tried by courtmartial at Palraerston North on December 23rd on charges of committing offences against the Military Service Act. Three of the men were convicted, whose sentences are now announced as follows: William Henry Bolt—Convicted of absenting himself without leave from medical examinations at Marton on March sth, 1918. Sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment with hard labour. James Henry Burns —Convicted of absenting himself without leave from concentration of 47th Reinforcement draft at Wanganui on October 11th, 1918, arrested by civil police at Christchurch on December 16tn, 1918. Sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment with hard labour. Robert McCallum —Convicted of absenting himself without leave from medical examination at Wanganui on December 10th, 1918. Sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labour.

Superior perfumery at Loasby's make splendid gifts. Atkinson and Yardleys perfumes in cut glass bottles and presentation caskets. Old English Lavender Water and Eau de Cologne. Best English and French hair brushes for ladies and gentlemen, and manicure sets in unexcelled variety and value at Loasby's, Chemists. 1 If you have the faintest suspicion that your eyesight needs attention you should not hesitate to have tin examination made right away. If you have this done your life throughout 1919 will be happier and brighter. We are qualified opticians, and apply the beet scientific tests, which will tell you just what is wrong with your ey©3. Watson's, "Jewellers." Limited, Opticians, 695 Colombo street, Christchurch. 1 General Carrying of all sorts undertaken Dy J. M. Heywood and Co., Ltd Their plant of horses and vehicles is one of the largest in New Zealand. 6 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 Santa Claus urges everyone to sing their cheoriest songs now that the war is over and the flu flying quickly away. "No Rubbing" Laundry Help still, obtainable from all grocers. Is a packet. 6 With the present shipping troubles, it is only a pharmacy doing a. big dispensing business that can be relied upon to accurately dispense a prescription nowadays. We hold good stocks of drugs, and charge moderate prices. E. Cameron Smith, chemist, 96 Worcester street (just off Square). 58464 —213 For Holiday Makers.—A very fine lot of Suit Cases, Kit Bags, etc.. is just now on offer at Messrs Hastie, Bull, and Pickering's, Caehel street. A Strong Suit Case of particularly good value is priced in two sizes at 18s 6d and 21s respectively. ' 6 Royal Doulton Ware just arrived. Have first choice for Christmaß. Plaques 4s 6d, jugs 4s 6d, teapots, salads in Dickera, Shakespeare, coach scenes, etc., on view at Drayton's, 765 Colombo street, q HANDY 2-SEATER FORD, £140. Now on view—Two-seater Ford, newly painted dovo 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 sale, 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 STUDfEBAKER. £215. Ready for delivery—Threo-eeater, 4-cvl., 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