GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16434, 30 January 1919, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

Yesterday's river report was as follows: —Waimakanri, north branch discoloured, south branch flooded, Opihi flooded, Rakaia dirty ; Rangitata dirty and in ffood, Waitaki m very high flood.

The Christchurch Gasworks Union, at a meeting on Tuesday night, decided lo affiliate with the Labour .Representation Committee. An invitation from the Christchurch branch of th 0 Progress League to affiliate was roceivod, and it was decided that it should lie on the table lor three months.

While the war lasted restrictions wore placed on the retirement of school teachers on superannuation. Many of those who had reached the retiring ago -were compelled to remain on the active list. It was announced at a meeting of the Wellington Education Board held Tester da v that all retiring restrictions had now been removed.

The North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board's Committee reported to the Board yesterday that tho trustees of the late Lieutenant Deans had paid to the Board a becuiest of £'2-50. The covering letter expressed a wish that this money might bo expended in such manner as to perpetuate the memory of the late gentleman. "This it will no doubt be possible to do as opportunity offers," remarked the committee. In the meantime the money has been invested.

''There is a transport at' Lyttelton with influenza on board," said Mr 0. Bradley at yesterday's meeting of tho North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. "If wo are tho local body, have wo any power to stop the men coming ashore or not?" "Tho public health officer overrides us," replied tho chairman (Mr F. Hlorrell). "Then what is tho use of having a health authority?" enquired Mr Bradley. "To carry out Dr. Chesson's orders," replied another member.

A Nelson tomato grower is reported' to have shipped over twelve hundred cases of tomatoes to Wellington and other places this season, at prices averaging well over £1 per case. Tho season has beon favourable for glass-house tomatoes (says tho "Colonist"), but the cold weather earlier in the season affected tho outside grown tomatoes, causing tho bottom fruit to fall off before maturing. However, the satisfactory prices received have more than compensated growers for the shortage of crop.

Mr P. Davidson, president of tho Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, interviewed the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald, Acting - Postmaster - General with reference to tho regulation thai inland telegrams in code cannot be sent unless a copy of the private codo is deposited with the Deputy-Censor. Ho asked that the restriction be removed, and was informod that this was a matter which must be dealt with by the Defenco Department. Mr Mac Donald promised to see Sir Jas. Allen on his return to Wellington in rogard to the question.

A special general meeting of tho Christ's College Old Boys' Association was held last evening, Mr G. A. U. Tapper presiding over a fair attendance. The object of the meeting was to pass three motions: (1) to have tho Association incorporated under the Incorporated Societies' Act, 1808; (2) to repeal the present rules governing the Asociation, and (3) to pass a now set of rules which had been compiled ii compliance with tho regulations which provido that rules of incorporated bodies must be approved by the Registrar. The new rules, it was. stated, had been so approved. Mr G. 11. N. Helmoro moved tho three motions, which wero adopted.

The North Canterbury Hospital and) Charitable Aid Board's Hospital Committee reported to the Board yesterday that it had considered the application of tho Lyttelton Friendly Society to bo put on tho same footing with regard to hospital beds as are members affiliated to tho United Friendly Societies' Dispensary. Thij committee agreed with the Minister that friendly societies should pay at least half of tho ordinary hoss pital fees, and the Board was recommended. to offer that arrangement to the Lyttelton Friondly Societies, provided that the fees payable were guaranteed by the societies. _ The Board adopted the recommendation.

Once more it is gratifying to be able to reoord an exceptionally good tourist season (writes our Akaroa correspondent). Since before Christmas the accommodation of the town has been •heavily taxed, while tho bookings of some of the' larger hotels and boardinghouses show that the stream of summer visitors will he well maintained until tho end of February, at least. Much of the success of the popular seaside resort's holiday season is again, without doubt, due to the activities of the Akaroa Advancement Association. This body has continued its advertising campaign in the more prominent papers of the Dominion, so. that the attractions of Akaroa have been brought before tho public from one end of New Zealand to the other.

Speaking at last night's meeting of the Christ's College O.d Boys' Association, the lie v. H. H. Mathias asked what was being done in the way of a reunion or welcome to Old Boys coming home from tho front. The chairman, Mr G. A. U. Tapper, said that it would bo at least a year before all the Old Boys wero back. However, there would be a commemoration service in tho College Chapel when peace was declared, when it was expected that all returned Old Boys who could possibly do so would be present. Mr Mathias said that he thought it would be a fine idea when all the men had returned if all Old Boys who had not been fortunate enough to go to tho war were given an opportunity to meet those who had. Tho suggestion was handed on to tho secretary.

The North Canterbury Hospital- and Charitable Aid Board's Hosiiital Committee reported to that body yesterday that it had received tho following letter from the Wairewa County Council regarding the complaint made against ©r. Cantrell at the last meeting of the Board: "I am now directed to state that this Council has no wish to make any trouble in the matter, its enquiries having been prompted chiefly with a view to the interests of the district in the event of any future epidemic. At tho same time this Council would be pleased to receive official intimation as to whether or not Dr. Cantrell received) any instructions from the Hospital Board to refuse admission to the Akaroa Hospital to Little River patients." The committee stated that a letter had been forwarded to the County Council stating that on no occasion "had Dr. Cantrell received any instructions from the Board to refuse patients from Littlo River admission to Akaroa Hospital.

"It is a matter for congratulation," said Mr G. A. U. Tapper, at last night's mooting of the Christ's College Old Boys' Association, ''that we were new so near peace, and it is also a matter for congratulation that so many Old Bovs of Christ's College have.helped to bring the war to such a "glorious conclusion. I hope that a very suitable memorial to those who have fought will bo erected."' Later in the evening, the treasurer of tho War Memorial Fund, Mr N. L. Macbeth, stated tho present financial position. The actual cash in hand for the fund, ho said, was £2027 2s 7d, and there was £1150 in war bonds. Promises and the actual amount received totalled about £8800. In all, 2300 noticcs had been sont out to Old Boys, and 242 replies and contributions had been received. The chairman remarked that the influenza epidemic had interfered considerably with the collecting campaign, but a very complete canvass would be made during the present year At present, there was almost £i) 00 in hand in cash and promises, and it was hoped to raise at least £15,000.

A Palmerston North telegram states that tho proposal to ratoon unimproved values in the Manawatui County was carried by 679 votes to ttM. At Wanganui yesterday a poll of ratepavers decided against a proposal to raise a loan of £12,500 to purchase a town property for a site for a municipal theatre. The "Wellington Education Board yesterday decided that the annual confer- i ence "of Education Boards should be . held during the first week of the next session of Parliament. •• i Heaw rains melting off the winter ( snow and silting up at tho junction of tho Kawarau and Shotover rivers have made Lake Wakatipu higher than at 1 any period since the 1878 flood. The i water was lapping over tho old break- . water on Tuesday morning. Mr W. Barrington Miller, goremmg director of Union Theatres, Ltd., arrived from Sydney by the Niagara on Saturday, and will spend some time in New Zealand before going on to America and the Continent, on a lengthy health trip. Starting from February Ist, tho wholesale price of milk in Christchurch will be raised to Is per gallon, the figure decided upon last spring as the maximum summer prico. The winter price will again como into effect after .\lav, but what that price will be is not absolutely certain. The present wholesale prico is lOd per gaJlon, and the retail price od per quart. The despisod gum land areas north of Auckland, after coming _ into tho hands of experts and being scientifically treated, are now stated to produce oil. gum, and timber to tho value of from £4000 to £20,000 per acre. These, said tho president of tho Whangarei Chamber of Commerce at the annual meoting, are truly stupendous figures for land worth £1 per acre face value, and as there are largo areas of gum land in the North the output, if markets can bo assured, must result in handsome returns. Pon'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). l Tho wear and toar on table-waro is a problem that is continually cropping up in tho household. There is no advantage in buying cheap table-ware, for it i« dearest in the end. Silver ware and electro-plate of proved quality is always a feature of our stocks. Watson's, Jewellers, Limited, 695 Colombo street, Christchurch. 1 Santa Claus writes:—"Wash your clothes clean with 'No Rubbing' Laundry Help and pure 'Golden Rulo' Soap, then the flu won't bother you any." 4 You can depend upon everything being done promptly and well if you only hand your shipping documents to J. M. Hey wood and Co., Ltd, They are recognised as experts at this work. Telephones 250. 1241, 2174. <J 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," "8.5.A.," or "Excelsior" motor-cycles. Adams, Ltd, High street. 0 TO OWNERS OF B.S.A. MOTORCYCLES. The same offer' holds good to owners of "8.5.A." motor-cycles. Wo can give delivery of the new "Triumphs" in February, "8.5.A." in a week or two, or "Excelsior" at once. Adam 3, Ltd., High street. Q 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. (4J h.p., 3-speed), £110: Excelesior (7-9 h.p., 3-speed), £110. Lamp and horn included. Adams, Ltd., High street. 0