GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16426, 21 January 1919, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

At the annual University- tournament to be held at Dunedin at Easter, there will Ijo competitions in athletics, ton-' nis, shooting, and debating. The Athol Hudson Cup will be given for tho Three-mile Flat Race. An enquiry was made at yesterday's meeting of the Tramway Board respecting amending legislation affecting the Board's operations, and the general manager (Mr Frank Thompson) stated that lie had been in communication with tho Board's solicitor 011 the subject, and the Bill would be drafted immediately. At yesterday's meeting of the Tramway Board it was reported that eight tenders had been received for the erection of tho Board's new offices in Cathedral square, and that the tender of Messrs L\ Graham and Son at £18,722 had been accepted. The contract had been signed, and work commenced on the 16th inst. The chairman (the Hon. J. Barr, M.L.C.) stated that the highest tender was £24,9i:0. The report was adopted. A wharf labourer pleaded guilty, at tho Central Police Court at Sydney a few days ago to having stolen a pair of corscts and three pairs of socks, valued at about 22s (id, from the steamer Durham. It was stated that when the defendant was arrested ho was wearing tho corsets around his leg, and that tiiov were secured there by means of a bolt. In imposing a sentence of one month's liard labour, Mr Adrian, S.M., said that the amount involved was small, but tho only way to meet such cases was by impnsonmert. lleference was made at yesterday's meeting of the Tramway Board to che recent judgment of the Supreme Court in respecst c<F the Board's special rating areas, and Mr W. J. "Walter asked if the comment of the Board's solicitor had been receivod. Tho general manager said that it was expected in the course of a few days. Mr Walter said that he had advised the rate-

payers in liis district not to pay. Mr Sykes remarked that they all knc.v what the ruling of tlio Couu£ was. "A. man's a fool that pays the rate," he added, "there are no special rating areas except St. Martin's." The use bv the city engineer's department of the Melbourne City Council of bitumen as a street dressing is looked upon as a success (says the "Argus"). It is calculated that tho bitumen surface lasts approximately two years, whereas the tar- covering, which it is designed to supersede, requires renewal every siv months with heavy traffic and every twelve months with light traffic. Last year the Oity Council laid about 80 tons of bitumen, which is practically non-dust-produfcing. When the price of the material, which is a by-product of oil, declines, it is expected that much larger quantities will be used on tho chief Melbourne streets. Some time ago JVIr Arthur E. 6. Rhodes gavo a strip of land for tho purpose of widening Rhodes streeb, the narrowness of the street having proved dangerous in the past. At yesterday's meeting of the Tramway Board, Mr T. H. Davey asked regarding the progress being made in the matter of securing additional land In order to still further reduce the danger. Tlie general manager replied that just before tho holidays he communicated with tho Town Clerk on rue subject, who had stated that the City Council was awaiting a communication from the owner of the land. It was decided that further enquiries be made on the Subject.

The Tramway Board yesterday Jiacf before it the question of erecting n shelter at the Coach corner, on the Jliccarton line. The chairman (the Hon. .J. Barr, M.L.C.) said that ho had been informed that the local bodies interested were prepared to find one-quarter of the cost, but there was no official undertaking to that effoct. It was decided to ask the local bodies what proportion of the cost they were prepared to pay. 'Mr T. H. Davey referred to a comprehensive report on the subject of shelters which the Boaid, some time ago, had instructed should be submitted. The general manager stated that the report was being prepared, and would bo submitted shortly. During the time which the express from Dunedin stopped at Christchurch last evening, General Pau and M. le Commandant Andre, members of the French Mission, strolled up and down the western end of the railway platform. As it happened, a country train departed during that timo, on which were a number of men in khaki, and all of them, as they looked cut of the windows, or stood on the platform, respectfully saluted tho two distinguished Frenchmen. The fine politeness which is .an indispensable quality of the French, was manifested by the manner in which the two high officers received the salute. Not a soldier was missed, and to each and every one, the General smilingly raised his cap, while tho commandant 6aluted in the mpst finished military manner. It was obvious that the "'diggers" greatly appreciated the attention paid to them.

It was rocontly announced in "The Press" personal notes from London that amongst tho postings of chaplains was that'of the Rev. William Bullock to No. 1 Now Zealand General Hospital. Mr Bullock was appointed some time ago organising secretary of the Church of England Men's Society in New Zealand, and was expected to take up his duties oarly in the present year. The January number of the New Zealand Supplement to ihe "Men's Magazine/' contains the explanation _of Mr Bullock's appointment a 9 chaplain. On October 18th tho Rev. Gordon Savilo wrote to the general secretary as follows:—"The position that has developed is as follows: On enquiry we.found that it was impossible get a froe passage for Mr Bullock. We had hoped that he might be appointed as temporary Chaplain to'a transport with returning wounded New Zealanders, but this is impossible. There aro also great difficulties about his getting a place on an ordinary' out-goihg ship, and after negotiations with the Archbishop of York, the Bishop of Nelson, Canon Burton, and our own committee, we all came to the conclusion that New Zealand and C.E.M.S. would be far better served if Mr Bullock was accepted at once as a New Zealand Chaplain, and began his work among tho_ men who are here in camp and out in France. Two main reasons guided our action, a) That the young manhood of New Zealand is now in England and France, and not in New Zealand, and that Mr Bullock would be getting to know jn s t the typo of men amongst whom his work would be most fruitful in future years. (2) That ho will prove far more acceptable to the men of New Zealand when they know that he has shared with them, or with their sons, the hard-ships-und perils of the great war. Ho is to joir. up as chaplain at once, and has already attested, but he wants you to undorstand that this period of service will in no wise affect his agreement to sorve the Men's Society for two years in New Zealand. That period will only begin when he has landed in your country."

Afr V 7 H Skinner, Commissioner of rwn Lands left yesterday morning to join the classification Committee m tho°™rk of classifying pastoral runs in North Canterbury. It is understood that Studholme's Coldstream Estate, Hmds, con*istin" of several thousand acres, is underoffer to the Government for soldiers' settlements. The Minister of Justice has in mind a scheme for a visit of members of Parliament to the Waikena Prison Farm (says a Wellington message). Tho prison authorities claim that tho prison Fs the most up-to-date «n the and are anxious that tho work boin 0 done should be seen and understood. "With reference to the recent influenza epidemic, Cr. A. D. Ford at last night's meeting of the Ricwrton Bor ou"h Council, moved: ''That in view of Iho widespread belief that the -wta statistics as issued for ■ December are incorrect, this Council respcctfullv requests that the order of reference "of the Influenza Commission st/ould include a full m into vital statistics for those two months of 1918." The motion was carried unanimously, and it was furthe decided to send a copy of it to the Acting-Prime Minister and to all local members of Parliament.

"Most of the coal mines in the Auckland Province are being worked shorthanded at jirosent (says tho 'Herald). One local company could easily employ another 100 men. These conditions have obtained almost constantly during tho last threo years, and considerable difficulty is now being experienced in filling local requirements, tho shortatro having been made more acuto by the absence of supplies from overseas. The local companies hope that the portion will be relioved by the return to employment of many miners, who enlisted for the front m the early days of the war as tunnellers and engineers. It is from this extra labour that tho companies anticipate being ablo to meet the increased demand for ~.c 0, n - during during the coming year, which will b® occasioned by the prospective increase in shipping to this port-.

A letter was rccoived by tho Riccarton Borough Council at its meeting last night from the District Health Officer, stating that some time ago complaint had been received as to tho accumulation of rublAsh on certain premises in Lincoln road. A visit by one of the Department's inspectors had revealed the fact that the Borough Council collected rofuse in the district only onco a month, and Dr. Chosson suggested that weekly collections might be made, particularly as regarded hotels, board-ing-houses, and promises in tho nioro thickly populated parts of the district. Some members of tho Council pointed out that the Council's collection of rubbish referred only to tins, etc., and not to what might bo termed "perishable matter," and the majority of the councillors wero of opinion that some much more comprehensive scheme was necessary. Eventually it was decided to refer the whole matter to the Works Committee, with power to act in regard to the Lincoln road question, and to submit a report as to estimates, tho value of rubbish, etc., as far as tho remainder of tho borough was concerned.

Arising out of the abolition of the Trani.wav Board's special rating areas, Mr A. S. Taylor asked at yesterday's meeting of the Board whether any consideration had been given to tho question of future extensions and modifications. He mentioned the projected duplication of a portion of the Riccarton lino, and extension of the Spreydon line. He took it that the Board would approach future extensions from a different standpoint than it had approachod them in the past. The chairman (the Hon. John Barr, M.L.C.) said that the general manager was well forward with a report on the subject, which would give members an opportunity of going into the whole subject. Mr' D. Sykes remarked that the Spreydon extension had been listed as the first work to be undertaken at the / close of the war. Mr W. J. Walter put in a plea for the residents of South New Brighton, and hoped, if the line was not extended, that a motor-bus servico would bo provided. Mr A. S. Taylor suggested, jocularly, that the Board should have a report in respect of each street in the area. Mr J. Wood asked respecting the extonsion of the Cashmere Hills line to the Dyer's Pass Rest House. "Have you Mr Ell's permission?" asked Mr T. H. Davey, and tho. chairman remarked that the extension would not do—it would do away with the stage coach!

It used to be e-'aid that you must know a man at least seven years before presuming on your friendship with him to the extent of stirring his fire with tho poker. But in these days (writes a London correspondent), no friendship however long standing would bear the strain of 'seeing a visitor stir the fire. The poker has suddenly become a signal of domestic oxtravagance and unpatriotic indifference to victory in the war. The Coal Controller has not worked out in figures how many thousands of miners are required to keep the poker in full play, but ho has let it be known that the man who plays with tho poker at his own fireside is as undesirablo a member of the community as tlie stranger who invites you to play a game of noker on a railway journey. The Coal Controller has assured the public that many coals burn' quite as well without tho application of the poker as with it, and that some coals, such as anthracite, will not burn at all if stirred by the poker. It is not the blaze caused by tne application of the poker which hoats a room, but the radiation from tho fire. It lias been scientifically estimated that with coal at £2 a ton a man who "persistently stirs his fire with the poker sends £1 6s 7d btraiojht un the cnimney without any return in tlio way of heat. All self-respectir g householders are urged to hido the poker or to convert it mto a harmless weapon of peace—say, a burglar's jemmy.

A peculiar case was dealt with at Hamilton last week by Mr Rawßon, S.M. A resident of Pukuhia named Richard John Phillips, a married man and the father of seven children, was charged with wilfully damaging a motor-car, the property of Mrs Clara Penniket, by cutting the tyres, hood, and upholstery. The damage was assessed at £14 10s. The only evidence for the prosecution was given by a youth named Walter Taylor, who had been .working with accused, who has been managing a farm for Mr Horace Gray. Taylor swore that on J*ew Year's Night he and Phillips went to Penniket's and removed the front gates, which they carried for a distance ol some 21 chains and deposited them at Mystery Creek. Phillips then ® U S" gcsted that they should go to Mrs Penniket's garage and puncturo the tyres of the car. Taylor at first demurred, but afterwards consented, and he stood at the door while Phillips entered the building and slashed the four tyres on the wheels, also the spare one at the rear of the car, and cut the " 00 " T> ? 1 ? 1 upholstery. On the way home "hulips stated that could he hav*e found another car belonging to Mrs Penniket he would have treated that similarly, and next morning he expressed re Kr®J~ that he had not taken a hammer him and smashed the carburetter. H. H. Ostler, for the defence, called accused, who swore that he was in bed on the night in question at between o.oU and 9 o'clock, and did not leave the house till next morning. In * e was corroborated bv his wife, who stated that she had-not slept at all during the night, and she was positive that her husband had not left the house during the night. Mr Rawson, in dismissing the case, said it was a most unusual on ej but he was satisfied that no jury woulu convict on the evidence, even if a true bill were returned. Taylor was subsequently arraigned on the same charge. A plea of guilty was entered, and lavlor was remanded for sentence at tne Supreme Court.

Oallo^. The Canterbury Sweet Pea and Carnation Society will shortly conduct their cottage and factory garden competitions, entries for which close on Saturday nest. Returned soldiers continue to become members of the Returned Soldiers Association in large numbers, and no fewer than sixteen joined the association yesterday. For the week ended noon yesterday, the following cases of infectious diseases were reported m the CanterburyWest- Coast Health District Inangahua, 1 scarlet fever, 1 influenza; North Canterbury, 6 scarlet fever, - diphtheria, 2 tuberculosis, 1 measles. South Canterbury, 1 scarlet fever, 1 influenza, and 1 hydatids. Tho Manawatu Patriotic Society unanimously resolved to sugges to the Minister of Defence that girls who are being displaced from vanous employments by returned soldiers, should be given an opportunity of being trained for work as nurses in soldiers homes and hospitals, thus liberating able-bodied men for productive industries.

A motion which left no doubt as to its intention was moved by Cr. T. J. Stokes at last night's meeting of the Riccarton Borough Council. Tho resolution had reforence to the recent epidemic, and read as follows: "That tins Council strongly protests against tho Influenza Epidemic Belief Fund as voted ]>y Parliament, being • administered by the Charitable Aid Board, tho Public Health Department, or any Department under the Minister of Public Hoalth. In our opinion, viewing the most unsatisfactory way tho Ministor of Public Health dealt with the epidemic, liis Department should not now administer this fund. The proper channel through which to administer a fund, and the one which will appeal to the public confidence, is the local bodies, in whoso area the different cases are at present situated." The motion added that a copy of this resolution be sent to tho Acting-Prime Minister, to Mr G. Witty', M.P., and to every local body in New Zealand, asking for their endorsement. The motion was carried.

The formation of an Anti-German Commercial League was urged by the Auckland branch in a communication which was considered by the executive of the Auckland Provincial Farmers' Union last week. Major D. H. Lusk moved that the remit be adopted, md expressed the opinion that it was desirable to prevent the Germans from dumping their goods in New Zealand upon the cessation of hostilities. Mr G. O. Jounneaux seconded this motion pro forma. He said he felt that the matter should be considered carefully, as the question of protection was involved. To do as suggested would quite likely mean increases in the prices of goods. during tho war, had been compelled to pay anything from 50 to 300 per cent. more, for goods, while the prices of their produce bad been fixed. It might bo the proper thing to do as proposed, but he thought it only right to go tnore fully into the whole question. Mr Wynyard: Personally, I am quite willing to pay 50 to 300 per cent, more for my goods, if it will prevent the entry of German goods into the country. I would like to see a scheme for educating the public upon the subject, so that the Germans would be prevented from doing as they have done in the past; that is, buijding up their army and navy on the proceeds of their trade in British possessions. Ultimately, on the suggestion of Major Lusk, the matter was referred to the Standing Commiteo for a report, to be presented at the next meeting. Don't suffer with Rheumatism. Try "Rheumatic Pebbles" for the relief and cure of Rheumatism and allied complaints; such as Lumbago, Sciatica, etc. Price, 2s 6d a box, three boxes 7s, from chemists or direct. Loasby and Co., Chemists (opp. Ballantyne's). 1 At 10 o'clock this morning.—Armstrong's Annual Summer Sale. 1 The wear and tear on table-waro is a problem that is continually cropping up in the household. There is no advantage in buying chean table-ware, for it i*a dearest in the" end.* Silvor ware and electro-plate of proved quality is always a feature of our stocks. Watson's, Jewellers, Limited, 695 Colombo street, Christchurch. 1 Bargains to-day from 10 o'clock, at Armstrong's. Every department participates in the Annual Summer Sale. 2 No me likes moving, but the wort can be made much lighter if competent men are employed. J. M. Heywood and .Co., Ltd., have them, and three up-to-date pantechnicons. Telephones 250, 1241, and 2174. 6 For washing hospital linen use "No Rubbing" Laundry Help regularly to ensure perfect cleanliness. Is packet sufficient for seven weekly washings. Wardell Bros. 2 Hanckomo, new Neckwear, under half-price, received late for Christmas, but in -time for Summer Sale; latest style and colourings in crope de chino and Georgette makes, 10Jd to 3s lid; smart muslin goods, 6d, IOJd, Is—a great line. At Armstrong's, Ltd., today. 3 TO OWNERS OF TRIUMPH MOTOR-CYCLES. Wo are prepared to make liberal allowances on Triumph motor-cycles taken in part payment for latest model "Triumph," "8.5.A.," or "Excelsior" motor-cycles. Adams, Ltd , High street. 6 TO OWNERS" OF B.S.A. MOTORCYCLES. The same offer holds good to owners of "8.5.A." motor-cycles. We can give delivery of- the new "Triumphs" in February, "8.5.A." in a week or two, or "Excelsior" at once. Adams, Ltd., High street. 6 TO OWNERS -I)F EXCELSIOR MOTOR-CYCLES. Excelsior owners are also included. Prices of nev; model motor-cycles are: Triumph (4 h.p. 3-speed), £125: B.S.A. (4i h.p., 3-speed), £110: Excelesior (7-9 h.p., 3-speed), £110. Lamp and horn included. Adams, Ltd., High street. o