GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16427, 22 January 1919, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

Tho auction announcements of H. Matson and Co., Anderson and Palmer, R. S. McKenzie and Co., Charles Clark, Dalgety and Co., ~V. E. Simes and Co., National Mortgage and Agoncy Co., Tonks, Norton and Co., Harmon and Si ,<jvons, and New Zealand Loan and M.A. Co. will bo found on page 11 of this issue. At Invercargill yesterday Michael Stanley Dawson, 16 years of age. was committed for sentence for having failed to deliver postal packages while eugaged as a postal official at Edendalo. The evidence showed that 300 letters were found in a sack in an old well at his lodgings. "Tho Avon is essentially a cle|u river," said Mr E. Cuthbert, engineer to the Drainage Board, at last night's meeting of the Board, when the auestion of the discharge of trade effluentß into the river was under discussion. "The bulk of the sewage is out of it now, and what little goos in is in a diluted form.'' At the last meeting of the Oroua County Council Lance-Corporal L. It. Harding, who has just returned from the front, applied for reinstatement as county clerk and engineer, a position which he held prior to his leaving for the front. The Council decided that the request be granted, and that Mr Younger, overseer* who had been employed in the absence of Mr Harding, be given notico that his duties terminate on the 31st inst. Ho would) also be given two months' holiday on full pay. Ih sentencing Norton Thompson, solicitor, of Hastings, to four months' imprisonment, Mr Justice Hosking said he was sorry ho could not apply the Probation Act. He had the police report before him, which showed that for the last three or four years he had not been attending to his business, but had been drinking, gambling, and following up races in the North Island. This has no doUbt caused the whole trouble. It was sad that such a young man should damage his career in this manner. A breach of trust, especially in the case of a solicitor, was always regarded more seriously than an ordinary case of theft, and afc a rule was severely dealt with. The jirrv, however, had strongly recommended in his favour, and he also took into consideration that Thompson had been before the Court since last July, had had two trials, and because of the Court adjournment he had been for five or six weeks longer under this charge than he otherwise might have been.

A resident of Bnlhrnt (Victoria), Mr T. H. flicker, who died m_ England some months aco, loft only £500 to his relatives, and £30.000 to charitable institutions, chiefly those in Ballarat. VI n mooting of the Town Employees' Viiion of Broken Hill (Hotel, Kestntirant, and Boarding-house Section), hekl •i few days ago. it was decided that in future there shall be only cold teas and 110 soup in hotels, restaurants, etc.. on Saturdays and Sundays. The Commission which Sir S. E. McCarthy. S.M., at the request of tlio Public "Works Department, is to hold to enquire into the causes of the tramwnv accident at New Brighton, some months ago, by which Conductor W. D. Owers lost his life, was to have sat this morning, hut has now been adjourned until Monday next, at 10 a.m. As was remarked at last evening's meeting of the Keturne;! Soldiers' Memorial Htiilding Committee, the present club rooms of" tlio Returned Soldiers' Association are now altogether too small in comparison with the membership, which is now leaping ahead at a rapid pace. In tho past two days, no lower than ,')S new members lmvo been secured to the Association. A war-tinio precaution still in operation, though tho necessity for it ha-s, apparently, disappeared, is the regulation requiring that an interpretation of inland telegrams sent in codo must bo supplied to the telegraph authorities b v the sender. Commercial in on generally consider that tho continuanco of this regulation hampers business, and tho Canterbury Chamber of Commerce is in communication with the Acting-Postmastor-General with the view of having tho regulation referred to repealed.

The annual meeting of tho Canterbury Society of Arts was hold yesterday, the president, Mr N. L. Macßeth, presiding over a moderate attendance. Tho following officers wcro elected for the ensuing'yearPresident, Mr N. L. Macßeth vice-presidents, Sir John Denniston and jVli* Wi.'linm Recce; committee, Messrs F. Gurnsey, 13. C. Huie, "W. Menzies Gibb. and K. Barker; lion, treasurer, Mr W. J. Moore; hon. auditor, Mr H, Bickneil- A hearty vote of thanks wns accorded tho secretary, Mr George Donaldson.

The New Zealand University examinations, which arc usually held towards the end of the year, but which were postponed last year on account of the influenza epidemic, opened in Christchurch vesterday.- For matriculation, 20f> .stuJents, and for entrance scholarship 10 entered. These numbers show a slight increase on the figures for 1916, and might havo been a little higher bliti for tho fact that some students are sitting in their homo towns. On the other band, students who are on holiday in Ohristchurch are sitting hero, and the probabilities aro that, in all the circumstances, the figures given above fairly represent the numbers that would have sat if tho examinations had been held in December.

\\ ith regard to the constitution of the Repatriation Board, tiro secretary of the local Returned Soldiers' Association, Mr W. E. Leadley, has received a lettor from, tho Department, stating that it is unable to grant tho Association's request for more than one representative on tho < Board, but expressing the Department's intention of seeing that returned soldiers are fully represented on the Board. Mr Leadley" remarked yestorday that this appeared to be a very contradictory statement. It was in the interests of the returned men that the Association asked for two members on the Board, and as the request had not been tho matter had been referred to the headquarters of tho Returned Soldiers' Association in Wellington, to determine any future action.

'•'Work is being found for returned soldiers every day, but as quickly as I place men in positions, just as quickly I gefc fresh applications for employment," said Mr W. E. Leadley, secretary of tho Returned Soldiers' Association yesterday. Positions were found yesterday for five men, Mr Leadley continued, but he had no fewer than ten new applicants during the same day, including a book-keeper, two motor drivers, a grain storeman, a clothing •warehouseman, a photograph salesman, a soft goods traveller, two clerks, and a watchman. The bookkeeper, Mr Leadley added, was a particularly deserving man. Before the war he had been a farmer, but he had lost one arm at tho front, and consequently could not pursue his pre-war occupation. He had thereforo taken a commercial course on his return, and was now a thoroughly proficient bookkeeper, but so far he had been quite unable to obtain work.

The suitability of the poultry industry for the partially disabled returned soldier was touchcd upon by Mr J. B. Merrett at last night s meeting of the New Zealand Utility Poultry Club. J3e said that ho was distinctly of the opinion that poultry-raising presented an attractive field to this class of man. Tho work was not of a strenuous nature, while it yielded a fair living. In Australia, Mr Merrett stated, the Government had allocated returned men who wished to engage in the industry five acres of land each for the purpose. Some part of tho land Was used for the production of fruit. Tho results, so far, had been of a highly encouraging nature. Whilst he realised that land was a more valuable asset in New Zealand, yet he was of opinion that a great deal could be done for the returned men in the direction indicated. •The poultry-keopers' conference, convened by the New Zealand Poultry Association, would be held in Christchurch during March, and he hoped that tho matter would then be fully gone into.

What appears to bo a complete oversight on the part of the Defence authorities in not notifying the nearest relativo of the Boldier being wounded and subsequently expiring has been revealed in the case of a Gisborne soldier, Private J. Hallstead, who left New Zealand with the 31st Reinforcements (says the "Poverty Bay Herald"). His wife, who at present resides in Gisborne, received a letter recently, written by a comrade of her husband's, who waß in a bed alongside his in a hospital in France, and in the course of the letter he intimated that Private Hnllstead was too weak to write. He hnd been wounded and was in great pain, and he thought "the worst was over." No notification was received by the Defence authorities, and later a letter was received from the matron of a casualty clearing station in France that her husband, who was wounded in the thigh and face on October 10th, expired 12 days later. The widow _of the deceased Boldier is still awaiting advice from the Defence authorities. Private Hallstead was formerly employed at one of the local freezing works as a fireman.

A lengthy sitting of the Juvenile Court was held beforo Mr T. A. 13. Bailey, S.M., yesterday. Four small boys, whose ages ranged from 13 to 10 years, were charged with throwing stones in Lincoln road. SuWnßpector Mullaney said that they had done no damage, but the man at whose house they had thrown the stones was very anxious to have them before the Court. They wore all of very respectable parents, and were well-behaved hoys. Each was admonished and discharge!. A boy of, 12 years admitted having stolen 14s worth of collars, the property of G. S. King. He had twice been before the Court previously, and was at present on probation. The police stated that all the children of the family were under no control whatever. The case was adjourned for a week, in order that enquiries should be made. Two very small girls, aged 8 and 9 years respectively, appeared on a charge of breaking and entering a dwelling-house in Hichmond, and stoaling 16s in money. Sub-Inspector Mullaney said that both girls nad been boarded out from a Receiving Home, to which they had now returned. After a talking to by the Magistrate, they were discharged.

Yesterday's river report was as follows : —Wamiak'ariri Wm : maknriri South, clear: Opihi clear. Temuka. cle.nr: . Bangitata, duty, m flood: Ralcaia, dirty. Reporting to the Drainage Board Inst night, the engineer at- the Board s pumpiim station stated the rain all during December (as obsened at the station) «as l.lOin, as compared with 3.Soin in Dee-ember, 1917. In tho account of the working of tho Red Cross Shop in yesterday sissue ot •'The Press," it was stated that the total amount of jjross rc r vo "l 1 ,? shop reached the iigure of _l.),o<j< 14s 4d. This sum. however, represented iho not revonuo. Tho Canterbury Drivers' Union received at their quarterly meeting on 'Mondav night a letter from the Christchurch* branch of the Canterbiirv 1 ropress League psking tlieih to affiliate. It was decided that the letter should he on the table for six months. Application is still being made to the shipping companies by many yoople desirous of going Home. It may be dolinitclv stated (soys the ellmgton "Post") that the only ioute open to thoso wishing to travel under saloon conditions is via America. This will probably be tho case for some time. Fishing off the New Brighton pier on Monday evening, Mr C. 'Wilson, wh> was with Mr V. J£sselborn, the caretaker of +110 Municipal Buildings, caught a shark, which on being measured was found to bo oft 3in long. When tho shark was opened there were found 44 dogfish ''all alive." A serious scrub fire broke out at noon yesterday between Breeze's and Wainoni roads. Tho flames raced through the dry scrub at great speed, and at 0110 tinio it looked as if live houses were doomed, the fire being only a chain away from one house. However, a bucket and shovol brigade, after working for an hour and a half, got the (ire under control, and saved the houses. Mr J. McCombs, M.P., yesterday sent tho following telegram to the Hon. W. ]L. Herries. Minister of Railways:— ''At a meeting of the. Lyttolton Borough Council last evening, the question of Sunday trains was discussed, and the cooperation of other local bodies invited to secure the restoration of the pre-war service. Will personally undertake to find suitablo men to do the work if jour Department is unable to do so. " Citizens who accepted the statement that curtailment in tho railway servico was necessary in the war period are strongly of opinion that tho servico should now be restored."

A very peculiar case is reported from Otaki, whore the postmistress at Ohau pleaded guilty to " charge of opening fifteen postal packets. The evidence showed that only one of the letters opened contained anything of value, aiid the contents of this packet were intact. Tho opened letters were left about tho office, and no attempt was made to hide what had been _ done. When interviewed by Detective-Ser-geant Rawle the accused admitted her guilt, and said she had opened other letters and forwarded them on. /"The only ronson I can give for my action is that tho surroundings are dull, and my curiosity, together with a breakdown of nerves, caused me to do it. I knew when I aid it it was wrong."

The following communication las been received bv the local Inspector of Factories from Mr I\ W. Rowley. ChieP Inspector, Department of Labour, Wellington:—"ln reference to the wages of employees who last time during the recent influenza epidemic: Following upon the Solicitor-General's opinion— copy of which haa alroady been forwarded to you—l have to state that he further advises verbally that employers should be required to pay wages, oven in those cases where the employees havo been absent on account of illness (whether or not the employer's place of business has been kept open ana his usual work gone on), until the engagement is terminated by the expiration of the customary notice."

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. Ballatftyne's). 1 Armstrong's Annual Summer Sale commenced yesterday. The low prices created a distinct throb in theJDrapery and Clothing Trade at each, end of the city. 1 Stewart Robinsen, of Cashel street, having made a large purchase of Australian Boobs from A. Mitchell and Co., commences to-day a Monster Boot Bargain Sale. 1 A man is always pleased to get a gift of a match-box, a pouch, a good pipe, or a cigar-holder. We nave a special line of gift goods for men that provides many suggestions for pleasing presents. Watsons j Jewellers, Limited, 695 Colombo street, Christchurch. 2 Armstrong's Sale provides Bargains indeed in Boys' and Girls' School Clothing. 2 Santa Clau s urgently requests housewives to make liberal use of "No flubbing" Laundry Help, also pure "Golden Rule" Sottp, to ensure cleanliness and a happy Christmas. 3 Folding push-chairs, with reclining backs, so handy for tramß, reduced price 455; on view at Drayton's, 765 Colombo street. 2 Large stocks, great selection, and small prices assured big business duiing Armstrong's Sale. 3 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. & Cameron Smith, chemist, 96 Worcester street (just off Square). 58464 —21<3 Bradbury's Gold Medal Carnations— Special display. For the next few days Messrs Hastie. Bull, and Pickering will show a fine range of specimen blooms, for the purpose of booking orders. 6 Armstrong's Summer Sale is on today. Full catalogues are available on application at either of their stores. 4 TO OWNERS OF TRIUMPH MOTOR-CYCLES. We are prepared to make liberal allowances on Triumph motor-cycles taken in part payment for latest model "Triumph," "8.8.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 OF EXCELSIOR MOTOR-CYCLES. Excelsior owners are also included. Prices of new 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. Adamß, Ltd., High street. B