GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16419, 13 January 1919, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The heavy galo which blew early last week destroyed several of the young oak trees planted in Fitzgerald avenue? Replying to a request from the Mayor of Invercargill, Sir James Allen stated he would do what was possible to arrange fo r a returning transport to make Bluff the first port of call m New Zealand, but he could not hold out much hope. At a meoting of tho trustees of the Auckland Savings Bank held last week, the question of making a further investment to tho war loan was considered, and it was agreed to invest a further sum of £80,000, making the bank's total investments in war loans £830,000. Sir James Allen, Acting-Prime Minister. on Saturday visited the Cashmere Hills Sanatorium and found tho institution, as he has always found it—excellent. Ho was especially pleased with the attitude of the soldier inmates. All Mere full of cheery oonfidencc and high spirits, and none had any complaints to make. "It was quite a pleasure to bo there and sec them in tJuit happy condition," said Sir James. "Most o'f them aro improving in health, and I hope they will soon 'be able to leave." The number of criminal cases dealt with in tho Ashburton Magistrate's Court during the past twelve months shows a marked decrease when conipared with tho previous year. Tho number of arrests for various offences in 1918 was 65 (including two females), as agamst 8S (including four females) in 1917. These figures includ arrests for drunkenness, of which t. ore woro 48, the same number as last year. Eleven juveniles woro convicted during the year. The ferry steamer Mararoa arrived late at Lyttelton yesterday, as on several trips previously. Tho vessel, under ordinary circumstances, should have reached her berth at Lyttelton auout 9 o'clock, but her oode signal indicating that the vessel was sighted from the Heads, did not appear until 9.45, and; slio passed through tho moles an hour later. The inferior quality of coal used, consequent upon the present coal shortage, is tho principal cause of tho recent slow passages in tho ferry run between Wellington and Lyttelton. By tho public-spirited generosity of Mr James Trounson,' the owner of a large area of forest in the Kaihu district, tho State's kauri reserve has been extended by the jjift of a very valuable section of kauri forest. Two years ago members cf the Parliamentary party that toured North Auckland, visited Mr Trounson's Woodland property, and they spolco in warm admiration of the kauri nobility there. A hope was then expressed that the Government would buy this piece of forest, but Mr Trounson has settled the matter handsomely with a gift. Sneaking at the • deputation which made a request to Sir James Allen on Friday evening for financial assistance to victims of tho influenza epidemic, Mr E. J. Howard stated that ho knew of a widow (rendered so by tho epidemic) who had eight children and was expecting another, and did not have a penny piece to go on with. Mr Howard has made similar statements elsewhere. In conversation -with a "Press" representative on Saturday, the Mayor (Mr 11. Holland) said Mr Howard was the chairman of a block committee, and it was his duty when necessitous cases came under his notice to report them to tho Central Committee, which w:is still dispensing relief, having not yet run out of funds. The Mayor read a list of casos in which relief had been granted during the past couple of days, and lie said the Education Department were also assisting in tho case of children. A remarkable instance of fidolity in circumstances where it might not havo bnen expected' is recorded by the "Samoa" Times." Faasou, a Samoan police mossenger, was despatched from the court-house, accompanied by a certain prisoner who was serving his sentence on a conviction for threatening to shoot another Samoan. On their way over the mountains both became ill with influenza, and it was with difficulty that they were able to reach Atifaga, where Faasou's relatives lived. There Faasou" died. His companion wift also very sick and unable to move about for several days, but as soon as he was able he returned-t-o Apia, where he arrived 12 days from tho-date of his departure, bringing with him some official reports, together with the uniform of the dead messenger. The man had' somo three months of his term of imprisonment still to servo, but the Commissioner of Police has recommended his release, and ho will then be offered a post as messenger in tho department. An interesting statement regarding the earnings of theatrical people was made in a Sidney divorce court recently, when Phil Smith, a comedian, was proceeded against for alimony. In his affidavit Phil Smith denied that for the last six years ho had received a salary' of £40 per week. His present contract with Messrs J. C. Williamson, Ltd., was at the rate of £40 per week for actual playing time, but the company did not pay him when he was travelling, and they had the right to put him off for seven weeks a year without any cause whatever, nor was his Salary paid during illness, strikes, epidemics, riots, or any other period durinsr which tho theatre might Ik> closoa. His gross earnings from October Ist, 1916, to September 30th, 1917, amounted to £1526, and from October Ist, 1917. to September .30th, 1918, to £1347. During the first part his nominal salary was £32 10s per week, and during tho second part his nominal salary was £35 per week. His business expenses for the salary of a dresser and theatrical requisites" amounted to £2 por week, and that amount, was allowed to him as a deduction from his gross earnings by the Income Tax Commissioners.

A paragraph from the "Otago Daily Times," which was reprinted in Saturday's issue of "The Pross," stated that soldiers who were in camp and were discharged at the time of demobilisation wore not eligible to. take up land under the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act. This statement is, however, quito contrary to fact, for. such men are eligible to do so. The paragraph referred to gave tho definition of "discharged soldier" undor the Act, but evidently overlooked section 18 of the Repatriation Act, 1918, which reads as follows: "In addition to the persons referred to in section 2 of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915. the following persons shall be deemed to be discharged soldiers within the meaning, and for the purposes of sections 2 and 3 of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Amendment Act, 1917, namely, all discharged members of an Expeditionary Force who, having been classed as medically fit (whether absolutely or contingontb) for service beyond the seas, have served as members of that force—a camp of military training, and remained attached to that camp on tho 12th day p{ November, 1918, being the date of the cessation of hostilities with Germany." Thus, if a man went into camp oven as late as November Ist last, was classed as fit, and was in camp on November 12th, he is entitled to take up land under the Act.

On Saturday mornwg 2.Bdee. of frost wore registered, and Yesterday morning 3.Sdeg.. an unusual occurrence for this time of year. The annual show of the Canterbury Sweet Pea and Carnation Society will be held in Market square on Thursday. Entries close to-night. The tender of Messrs Graham and Son, of £18,722, has been accepted for the erection of the Tramway Board s new office building in Cathedral square. Eight tenders were received, but one was informal. A Press Association telegram states that the New Plymouth Taranakt Oil Wells Company's refinery plant has bj~n acquired by the Anglo-Persian Company, in which the British Government is "largely interested. A man who came to Masterton just before Christmas with a cheque for •£l°o has completed his holiday and exhausted his savings (says the "Age"'). He returned to his work last wo ok, without sufficient money to pay his coach fare. The executive of the New Zealand Educational Institute expresses its view of "art unions" in the following terms: —"While recognising the laudable intentions of those who have organised art unions for patriotic poses. we cannot but express tho opinion that from the educational, which is the national point of view, the method is a bad one, and its effects will b© bad. It is the duty of the State, a duty it is well able to perform, to see to it that the children of our soldiers are properly eared for. and that their welfare shouid not l>o allowed to depend on such an agency as this." Superior perfumery at Loasby's make splendid gifts. Atkinson and Yardley s 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 seta in unexcelled variety and value at Loasby's, Chemists. 1 A great purchase. Ladies' ready-to-wear straw liats, of high class, usually priced at from 15s (id to 3os. We are soiling at 4s lid, 5s lid, and 8s lid. Armstrong's, Limited. 1 Tho display of Engagement Rings that we are making is easily one of tho very best ever seen in the Cathedral city. The designs are in all cases most original and artistic, exquisite gems are set in flawless and in every particular these rings cannot fail to give the utmost satisfaction. Watson's, "Jowellers," Limited, 695 Colombo street, Christchurch. 2 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, Cashel street. A Strong Suit Case of particularly good value is priced in two sizes at 18s 6d and 21s respectively. 6 Armstrong's, Limited, have effected a big job purehaso of hand-made India and China laces, all widths, with insertion to match. These are selling at about half current prices, BJd, 10£ d, Is, Is 3d, Is (id yard, and a lower range at from GJd to is lid. 2 Royal Doultoii Waro just arrived. Have first choico for Christmas. Plaques 4s 6d, jugs 4s 6d, teapots, salads in Dickens, Shakespeare, coach scones, etc., on view at Drayton's, 765 Colombo street. Q TO OWNERS OF TRIUMPH MOTOR-CYCLES. Wo are prepared to make liberal allowances on Triumph motor-cyclos taken in part payment for latest model "Triumph," "8.5.A.," or "l£xcelsior" motor-cycles. Adams, Ltd.. High street. 6 TO OWNERS OF U.S.A. MOTORCYCLES. Tho same offer holds good to owners of "8.5.A." motor-cycles. Wo can give delivery of the now "Triumphs" in February, "8.5.A." in a week or two, or "Excelsior" at once. Adams, Ltd., High street. 6 TO OWNERS OF EXCELSIOR MOTOR-CYCLES. Excelsior owners are also included. Prices of new model moto !•-<•> vcles are: Triumph (4 h.p. 3-sp £125; B.S.A. (4J h.p., 3-speed) 10: Excolesior. (7-9 h.p., 3-speed), £. 1 0. Lamp and horn included. Adams, Ltd., < High street. q