GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16429, 24 January 1919, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The New Zealand hosi 'lal ship Mahono, which left New Zealand about month ago for Suez, has boon reported from Colombo, and the ship has left that port,for the Red Sea. Yesterdn3''s river report was as under : Waimakariri North clear, Waimakariri So'uth dirty, Rakaia clear, Rangitata discoloured, Opilii clear, Waitaki dirty. The first of the Parliamentary rolls to bo used for the licensing referendum was issued yesterday. This particular roll was for Christchurch South, and consists of 153 pages containing 7588 names. Owing to the completeness of the copy supplied by the Registrar of Electors, Mr T. W. Reese, the Christchurch Press Co., Ltd., was enabled to produce the roll ten days before the stipulated time. At a meeting of the Canterbury Printers', Machinists', and Bookbinders' Union, held at the Trades Ilall on Wednesday night, a circular was received from the Christchurch branch of the Canterbury Progress League inviting the union to' affiliate with it. It was decided that the matter be left in abeyance until the union had further information as to the ideals of the League. When it was announced that reservists classed fit A, ivlio were in camp on November 12th, were entitled to ballot for land under the Soldiers' Settlement Scheme, provided they were attached to a reinforcement, it naturally aroused the curiosity of men who were in the CI Camp at Tauherenikau on November 12th, and classed fit A, as to whether they were entitled to the sanio privileges. The matter was brought under tho notice of Mr W. J. Dickie, M.P., who has replied that he is in communication with the Minister. Tho point being raised by Mr Dickie is that the Tauherenikau 'men, through 710 fault of their own were not posted to the 50th Reinforcements before demobilisation set in.

A Christchurch officer .of tne "'f.Z.E.F., writing from Cambrai under late of November 26th, says: "The loor French refugees are now returnng to alj these released towns in *ieat numbers, and it's guite interestng watching them ducking and divng round a town to collect their fujliture, also digging up spots where ;hey buried their treasures over four .'ears ago. To-day at a neighbouring iown—Caudry—one old man heaved ip a tombstone in the- cemetery in jrder to dig down to where the family jewels had been lodged. Very cute, :hese people. The bigger people have private vaults on their own properties, und in the war-ravaged belts these raults appear to have been extensiveV used as Hun dug-outs. The coffin 8 are arranged on shelves like deed boxes in a strong room, and in most :)f the vaults I inspected the coffins tverc pierced, the object no doubt jeing to ascertain if any jewellery rested with the figures. Iu order tliat young army doctors who proceeded to the front dircctly they graduated may have an opportunity of gaining hospital experienco on their return to Australia, arrangements have been made by most- of the big civil hca[)itals (states a Melbourne paper) rn limit- tho appointment of resident medical officers to a period of six months, instead.of twelve months, and to give preference to doctors who have been on active service. It is not compulsory for a medical graduato to "walk the hospitals" before taking up practicß. but tho majority of young doctors real, ise the advantago of obtaining hospital experienco beforo starting in private practice, and positions ou hospital staffs aro eagerly sought after. With the exception of St. Vincent's Hosp'lal. all ine big civil hospitals in Melbourne haw> undertaken to help in this way the young doctors who liavo l>oen to' the front, and Melbourne Hospital Jfoanl has also arranged to conduct a postgraduate course for tho benefit of medical graduates who went to the war immediately after graduating. Dr. William Fitzgerald, son of Mr W. S. Fitzgerald, of Anderson's Bay, Dunedin, has, throughout the war been medical examiner of recruits chiefly at important centres in Lanca- : shire and Cheshire, and lie computes j ■ the number of men who passed through his hands at well over 80,000 (writes i our London correspondent under date of November 2Gth). Dr. Fitzgerald " hold the position of chairman oT Liver- ] pool No. 1 Modical Board, on which he ; had previously worked, and eventually \ he was appointed Area Doputy-Coniinis- . sionor, N.W. region, and given the sole charge and supervision of all the six medical boards in Liverpool. Work- J ing under him were three deputy-cem-missioners. two vice-chairmen, and somo 1 forty medical men. Now that recruit- f injr has ceased, J>r. Fitzgerald is in 1 charge of three pension boards, with a c fourth in prospect. "For the past two 4 years," writes Dr. Fitzgerald, "I, ♦' struck with the poor physique of our I British youths, and with the fact that ' c the health of this nation is not what j £ it ought to be. have engaged mvself in i * a comprehensive analysis of the phy- j I sique of our youths and of tho causes ' a of men being rejected for service or ' E placed in low categories. The reports b 1 have made have all been forwarded e to tho Ministry of National Service. *d That our recruiting returns have given I the authorities cause to think is quite h evident. I would impress on the New 1 Zealand Government the necessity of c at once seeing that our New Zealand t: school children receive attention. School w clinics are a mere waste of monoy if a steps are not taken to treat adequately sucli childron as axe found to require n treatment." I g

Two new boarding-houses have been completed at Christ's College during the holidays, "Bowcn House," with .Mr A. E. Flower as house-master, and "lioggs." with Mr Jenkins as housemaster. The College will re-open on January 30th with a considerable accession of day boys. It is proposed to hold C-o mill em oration Day somo time towards tho end of February. An alarming story that has been published regarding an alleged outbreak of influenza on board a transport conveying the Forty-first Reinforcements, is not supported in any respect by official information (savs the "Dominion"). The Forty-first, Forty-second, and Fortythird Mounted Reinforcements left together, and there is no evidence that an outbreak of influenza occurred on their transport. Letters that have been received from soldiers who were aboard the boat make no mention of such an outbreak. A flagstaff recently erected near St. Albans Park, is one of the number presented by Mr Ferriman, of Ashburton, to each returned soldier of the district, together with a Union tJack, and it must be gratifying to the donor to know that his gift was so highly appreciated that it was removed from Ashburton to Christchurch. It was conveyed in company with the household furniture, and had an adventuro at the Selwyn crossing, where it blocked tho riverbed and compelled Sir James Allen and the member's of tho French Mission to wait until tho heavy pantechnicon was pulled out of the stream. Our London correspondent states that in view of the approach of demobilisation, tho N.Z.E.Jb'. authorities in the United Kingdom have set up a Disposal Board, which will control tho sales of all material, ordnance, and! equipment, which are not required when tl;e force evacuates Great Britain. Some of the first sales have already taken place. At the Artillery and other camps where horses wero required for training, they were obtained by payment from the Imporial authorities. Tho Disposal Board came to the conclusion that as the horses are no longer required they should bo disposed of at once, in preference to waiting until the demobilisation of the British Army should glut the market. A sale was accordingly held the other day, and the prices received for the horses were more than satisfactory. "I have no fewer than nine soldier clerks looking for work at present," said Mr W. E. Leadley, secretary of the Returned Soldiers' Association yesterday. "They are going round tho town doing nothing, whilo women aro being employed in largo numbers in clerkships and other positions. _ It certainly does not seem co be the thing. Women filled the positions of men who went away to the front, but the men coming back find themselves blocked for positions because women have filled tnem in the meantime. There are scores of girls filling men's positions in all kinds of offices just now, and when the men come back they fmd themselves without work." Yesterday Mr Leadley succeeded in placing five men in work, and ho also received applications from returned men for positions as a rubber goods traveller, a bookkeeper, and a grocer's assistant respectively. Tho failure of the ferry steamer Maori to connect with tho Arthur's Pass express yesterday resulted in one very wroth West Coaster unburdening himself to a reporter. He explained that this was the second occasion, within six months that he had been compelled to remain in Christchurch from the same

reason. On the previous occasion he had got a motor-car and attempted to connect with the express at Springfield, but just missed the connexion by the proverbial whisker. As the Porter's Pass road is not being kept fit for motor traffic, ho had to return, to the city. On the present occasion the Maori had left Wellington at 8 p.m., and had a good passage, and ought to have had no difficulty in connecting with the 8.30 a.m. Arthur's Pass express. He wound up with dark and indefinite hints as to the probable action of the 40.000 people on the West Coast unless tnings were altered. Centuries slipped away and the age of chivalry flashed back in all its old splendour for a few momentß at the Returned Soldiers' Club yesterday arternoon (says Wednesday's Wellington "Post"). An Anzac had just given a gold badge of It.S.A. life membership to General Pau. The old warrior, very pleased, verv sunny, looked for a moment, at the little symbol, and then began to walk down the room. All eyes followed him with intense curiosity. He halted by the only lady in the assembty, and requested the honour that she would pin the badjre_ upon his breast. So might a Knightf or old have received his guerdon rr°m lady after a tourney. When the badge .was in the right place the General raised the lady's hand to his lips with a simple movement of grace fram tl 1e heart, which' delighted the Digaers. Ihey cheered and applauded warmly. 4i When the nominations for the general election wore announced (writraour London correspondent), it was seen that . 0 Zealqnders who were prospective candidates had not been nominated, namely Mr I. W. Raymond. late ot Invercargill, and Lieutenant W O. Lofryman, M.C. (Christchurch). Mr Raymond, who is chairman of the executive of the New Zealand War Contingent Association, is making a flow recoveiV from a very serious attack of influenza, which has quito prevented jinn from taking pn rt in any campaign. r JSfn i * election nt the end oi IVIO iio reduced the Liberal majority at Carlisle from 1200 to (3-1, and it was believed that he had a very good chance of election on this occasion. In 1910 ho stood as a Unionist, but durinii the last year he had joined the new National partv, under whose banner he would have fought the seat. Mr Raymond's son. Lieutenant Dudley Raymond, was killed in Palestine a few wcoks ago.

"Neither an employer nor a worker can contract himself out of the provisions of an award governing an industry made unddr tTio Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Acts," said Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M., in giving a reserved judgment- ir. the Magistrate's Court yesterday. "A provision in such an award providing that no youth undor a given age shall bo employed in the industry governed bv the award is absolute', and it is no defenco that a youth under, looks over, that age. If a minimum wage is fixed by an award, the employer is at liberty to give as much over"as lie pleascvs, but he cannot rely on liis so doing as a consideration for a modification in his favour of another provision of the award. "Whero penalties are proceeded for in the Magistrate's Coi;rt for breach of an award, it is not competent for the Magistrate to ovor-rule '"} n y provision of the award by deciding in equity and good conscience." Chaplain W. Win ton, of the New Zealand Command Depot, Codford, land, sends us particulars of a national thanksgiving service held by General and Mrs Booth, of the Salvation Army, in the Royal Albert Hall, London, to commemorate the signing of the armistice, 10,000 persons being present. Among tho features was a procession representing Salvation Army actinties_ m connexion with the war, and including soldiers and sailors, and children whose fathers were at the front, and also representing the forces of Great Britain and lier Allies. Several speeches were made, one by Commissioner Higgms being applaucled from ' 3C si?,ning _to end. He said, inter alia: ' Tho 11th day of November, in tho year of our Lord 1918, will be remembered and perhaps commemorated for all time, for on that day burdens were lifted, fears were ;ast out, hopes were realised, faith triumphed, sacrifice was rewarded—it ivas Peace. Surely never since the ingels uttered tho word o'er Bethlehem's plains, has it had such depth of neaning or been heralded with suca gladness." .

The Health Department has advised tho Wellington Hospital Board that it will pay for the treatment, of dependants o? returned soldiers until the soldiers are discharged. Last night's "Gazette" notifies that tho Public Service regulations have been amended to provide for the payment of overtime rates from Is 6d to 2s (3d per hour for January and February. "I might say that they wero tho only colonial division picked to go with tho British divisions to occupy the other side of the Rhine," said Colonel 11. A. Chaffey, speaking of the New Zealanders at last night's annual reunion of the Citizens' Defence Corps. A conforenco of representatives of chartered clubs from all over New Zealand was held at Wellington yesterday, i'ho proceedings, which were of a private nature, were, it is understood, connected with tho licensing poll to bo taken shortly. Tho Invercargill Chamber of Commerce has written to tho General Manager of Railways stating that as men nave been released from the camps recently, the Chamber presses for a dciinite pronouncement from him on the prospect of tho daily express service between Christchurch and Invercargill being reinstated. It urges that this matter shall receive first consideration in the restoration of the railway service. Don't suffer with Rheumatism. Try "Rheumatic Pebbles" for the relie'f 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 Schools reopen on Monday, and "wise parents are fitting out their children with reliable Footwear at Hannah's liK per cent. Reduction Sale. 5 Shipment of Australian Boots, puzchased from A. Mitchell and Co. Boys' and Girls' Boots in abundance at reduced prices. Stewart Robinson, Cnsiiel street. 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 lino of gift goods for men that provides many suggestions for pleasing presents. Watsons', Jewellers, limited, 695 Colombo street, Christchurch. 2 We "want a big lot here below, and every item cheap." Armstrong's Annual Summer Sale is on to-day. 1 "No Rubbing" Laundry Help does washing while you rest. Is packet sufficient for seven weekly family washings. Wonderful for labour saving and perfect cleansing qualities. Kincaid's, Ltd. 5 Odd lines accumulated by excess of business during tho week, in any department, will be priced to cut out tuis wepk-end, at Armstrong's Sale. 2 Matting suit-cases, leather bound, strong and light, for week-end use, now ss, 7s 6d, 10s 6d, wonderful value; at Drayton's, 765 Colombo street. 3 Juvenile apparel is an important point. _ Tremendous bargains in Boys' and Girls' Clothing will be found at Armstrong's Sale to-day. 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. 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-spoed), £125: B.S.A. (4J h.p., 3-speed), £110; Excelesior (7-9 h.p., £110. Lamp and horn included. Adams, Ltd., High street. 8