GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16435, 31 January 1919, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

A civic reception to tho members of tho Science Congress will be accorded by the Mayor of Christcl-'rch at 12.30 p.m. on Tuesday next. The members will be the guests of tho New Zealand Club at luncheon tho same day.

A preliminary meeting to discuss matters connected with tho celebration of peace, and with the Canterbury War Memorial, will be held in tho City Council Chambers next wcok. A public meeting will be hold later.

Some curiosity is being shown regarding the conditions under which the approaching municipal elections will do held in Christchurch, in view of the revocation of tho proportional representation system. It is understood that the coming election of city councillors wiE bo conducted under tho ward system.

On the information of Stanley William Tansley, Official Assignee, action is being taken at the Wellington Magistrate's Court against Garnet Bowen Holmos, on a charge that he, having been adjudged a bankrupt on March 27th' 1918, did between May Ist, 1917, and March 27th, 1918, fail to keep such books of account as would disclose his financial position as required by tho Bankruptcy Act.

Before leaving England in December on her return voyage, tho hospital ship Marama made a trip to Havre, where she took on board a large number of repatriated soldiers from an internment camp in Switzerland. Included in the draft were New Zealanders, Australians, Canadians, and South African soldiers. One of the Now Zealanders, sergeant-major of a Wellinpton regiment, who had been in captivity since tho battle of Messines, brought with him his wifo, a Swiss girl, whom ho had met and married while at the internment camp. All tho prisoners were in good health, having been well treated during their stay in Switzerland, but they told of very hard times while imprisoned in Germany.

With the arrival of tho Royal Mail steamer Niagara at Auckland on Saturday, twenty-four Chjnamcn and Hindoos arrived in that city. These mon had boon held up in Sydney pending the departuro of a boat for New Zealand, and with the arrival of each boat from China their numbers increased until they formed a party and arrived in a body i They rill passod the education test. Of tho sixteen Chinamen who arrived, cloven had been in the country "before, while the Hindoos numbered eight. The former consistod of laundrymen and gardeners, and had been holiday making in their numerous homes in the Canton province, while the Hindoos had come from India via Sydney. On passing their test tho Hindoos slung their bundles into a cart and made their way to the Hindoos' headquartors in Grey street, where they will make their way on to the Auckland streots in duo course.

The news of the armistice was souriy received by tho German residents of Samoa. Some of the better-class seotlers were so convinced of the invulnerability of the Kaiser that they absolutely declined to believe the news. With the German armies well into tho heart of Franco the thought of a German surrender seemed to them utterly ridiculous. The New Zealand officers simply replied: "Wait and see." One of the leading settlers, a planter, when told the news, said: "Bah! You can never beat the Germans. The Kaiser will win. and he will boss the world. I don't believe your news 1 ,, And after formally reporting himself, he went away scowling. In another instance a German, on being told the news, wasseized with an agony of rage, .to appease which he was informed that there were a million and a half of Allied troops already on garrison duty in Berlin, which turned the Hun's rage into a violent flood of tears, interspersed with "Ach, Himmell" and incomprehensible cries of emotional agony in- German.

Some fairly caustic criticism was directed against the Pensions Board at the meeting of the Returned Soldiers' Association on Wednesday (says the "Otago Daily Times"). A member stated that, after being on active service for three years, ho had spent six months in hospital with gas poisoning, and on obtaining his discharge bo had been granted a pension. Ho received notice recently that this had been stopped, although thorb was no improvement in his health, and he wished to know if the association could take any action in the. matter. In reply, the chairman (Dr. Harrison) said the pensions schemo was a very complicated one, and gave a good deal of trouble. Tho committee received a gre'at many letters from soldiers upon this subject, aIL of them cases in which tho pension granted had bsen interfered with. The whole question seemed to lie in pre-war disability and tho consequent action of the Defence Department in not holding itself responsible for these conditions. As far as he could see, if a man were passed as fit by the. department and he contracted disease the trouble was either directly duo to service conditions or very much aggravated bv those- conditions, and that being so the department should accept tlio responsibility. Ho thought the whole scheme stood in great need of revision, and tho present policy of the board also needed some drastic reconstruction. If any man whose pension had been stopped forwarded particulars to the committee of the association it would send tho matter on to the Pensions Board with a recommendation that tho east? should bo reviewed. In all instances of tho kind the pensions were reviewed, asd that was all thoy could do in the matter. No one had any redress at all. The decision restod with the Pensions Board, and it was all a mattei of the opinion of one doctor against that of another.

The general roll for the Chnstchurch North electorate was completed yesterday It contains 8718 names, compared' with. 5602 names on the 1914 roll.

Owin" , to a typographical error, it was stated in yesterday's issue of "Tho Press" that of tho £15,000 aimed at for tho Christ's College Old Boys' Memorial Fund, the sum of £900 in cash nnd promises had been secured. The amount should have read £9000.

A complete settlement was reached at xhe Conciliation Council in Wellington in the jewellers' dispute. The hours were fixed at forty-six and a half; payment to be made for fixed holidays: wages £3 10s, with a war bonus of ss, and with increases also for female workers and apprentice*. The term of the agreement is two years.

The blight is agfcn in evidence in tho walnuts (says our Akaroa correspondent). The pest first appears as a black spot, which gradually spreads until the stalk is attacked, when tho nut soon tumbles to tho ground. From some trees tho nuts arc dropping like leaves in autumn. So far no specific appears to bo forthcoming; at loast one has not heard of any being tried. This is unfortunate, for there is good money in walnuts at Is per lb. Some few years, ago, when the price was about half that figure, one fino tree in tho town produced no less than £14 worth of nuts! At the present prico, a score or two of such trees, blight free, would return quite a substantial income. Perhaps tho Agricultural Department can indicate a remedy that could be conveniently applied.

Among the flotsam and jetsam rushing down the raging flood waters of the Molyneux river in the vicinity of the traffic bridge at Balclutha on Wednesday was plainly visible by sightseers on the bridge a portion of a tree trunJ: on which, over 20 rabbits were crowded (says the "Otago Daily Times"). They appeared to be hanging on to their plunging craft like limpets until it suddenly crashed against one of the large cylinders of the bridge, with the result that a cargo of bunny was hurled overboard. Two of tho rabbits —one large and ono small—managed to maintain their foothold, and when last seen they were still perched on the log as it rushed seawards. Following closely in their wake but close to tho shore, was a draught horse which strenuously but unsuccessfully endeavoured to effect a landing, and was quickly swept away in the torrent.

Two'of the influenza "contacts" from tho steamer Niagara, Mrs Smart, of Suva, and Miss D. Mclntosh, a passenger to Auckland, have developed the complaint in a mild fonn, since being isolated on Motuihi Island on Saturday (says Tuesday's Auckland "Herald"). The original patient, Mr Smart, of Suva, is reported to be improving. No special precautions appear to have been taken in the course of the examination of those on board believed to he unaffected, upon the arrival of tho vessel on Saturday. Passengers state that no temperatures were taken, and, in fact, the examination consisted simply of the usual "procession" before the doctor. During the fortnight ended at noon on Monday five cases of pneumonic influenza, in a mild form, were reported in the Auckland health district, three of these being in Auckland and two in Thames.

The remarkable popularity of "twoup" among the eoldlers was demonstrated by tlie evidence given before the Sardinia enquiry at Sydney. Ono officer stated: "X have seen 'two-up* played in France. As soon as a bafctery got out of the line and got a few minutes off the game would commence. It was played everywhere. In Egypt I hare seen acres covered with 'twoup, schools, and the same in France. I have seen officers playing -with the men. I remember General Birdwoorl motoring through our fellows' lines at Badencourt when 'two-up , was in full swing on both sides of the road. The General just nmiled and waved his arm in salute." Another officer said:. "Wherever thero are Australian troops there will be gambling. It can't be denied. Why, I liavo seen the 'diggers' at it five minutes before they were due to go 'over the top,' when other men would probably have been praying."

"With the price of building timber ever on the increase, many people believe that the time is fast approaching when wood will have to give place to something else, as far as the erection of dwelling-houses is concerned. One at least with this opinion is Mr W. Branigan, of Moxbam avenue, Ivilbirnie, who, after giving the matter considerable thought, favours concrete blocks. Mr Branigan .explained to a "Wellington "Post" reporter the scheme which he had in mind. BlocKs, he states, could be made in any size, but the standard he suggests is 9 inches high, 18 inches long, and 8 inches wide. The ordinary butt-joint would be superseded by the dovetail-joint, which would give added strength, ana make the structure thoroughly watertight. Mr Branigan estimates that with concrete blocks such as he proposes the cost of erecting' a dwelling would be reduced by about 25 per cent. He has explained his idea to various experts, who, he said, regarded it very favourably. He hores to put his scheme to a practical test shortly.

- Some Jugo-SJava who havo been sponding their holidays in Auckland, becoming enamoured with the joys and gleasures of city life, wero anxious to nd jobs near the city, and offered to reclaim tho Stanley Bay Park area at about £100 loss cost than local contractors had offered to do the work (says the "Star"). li'hey even went tho length of depositing a considerable sum of money as a guarantee of good faith that they would carry out tho work. A rudo awakening camo when the local authority went over to the Jugo-Slav office to see how matters stood with the men. Commissioner Oullen found, when tho namos were referred tohinij that the men had not registered as ho had requested them to do for many months by advertisements in tho leading newspapers. He refused them perniis--sion to do any work outside Government work, and served them with a 'notice to report to the railway engineer 30 miles north of Helensville by 10 o'clock on the 31st inst., for tunnol work. "I wish I had never come to Auckland," said one of the men, "because now Mr Cullen has sent me to a job where I can havo no fun, and only earn about twelve bob a day; at Stanlcv Bay 1 would have earned a pound." Jt is stated that the Jugoslavs are exports at reclaiming work, and building rotaining walls.

A Christchurch soldier, writing to a member of "Tho Press" staff, under date of December 13th says:—Wo roached Montignies-sur-Sambre on 7th. This is about 8 kilos, from Charleroi, and 1 had a look around tho town. .Business is going on as usual. Ihero are innunicrablo inhabitants, and some very fine buildings. The population is over so you can guess it is some place. Thouco we marched to Vclaine on Bth, St. Denis on 9th. We left the latter place on 11th, and wen* to Louze, another small village. While at St. Denis 1 went into N-amur, which is about tho size of Charleroi. Lie it .Leuzo for Burdinnc on 12th, and on 13th reached Vinalmont, where 1 am writing from at present. This is a I small village, about 15 miles west of Liege. It has been raining fairly consistently during the last few days, but a march of ten miles in the ram is nothing. Tho roads arc for the most part good. We continue tho march lor three more days from the 1 < th, and i about the 20th will probably take tram , from the German frontier to our des-; tination, wherever that may be, pro- ; bably Cologne Wo will have marched ; by that time 140 miles (approximately), . and right across Belgium. "Some wall;, I can tell you. We march three days, : and then have a spell, and it 13 quite all right. Wβ are in full marching j order, less blanket and leather jerkm. !

A New Zealand Expeditionary Force mail, per the Briton, was delivered in Christchurch yesterday. Yesterday's river report wasjuj.follows r-Wafmakariri, both branches, discoloured; Opihi very dirty.and flooded; Rakaia, dirty; . 1 dirtv and in flood; Waitaki, in high flood.

The proceedings at the sitting of the Supreme Court were characterised by „;ij s a ber of applications for probato o f *» ls « * stato of things due to the number of deaths during the influenza epidemic.

The following nominations have been tion takes place on February 12th.

4. meeting of the Returned Soldiers' As'soSonSlemorial Committee was held last evening, presided over by Mr 0 T. J Alpers. There was a good attendance, and satisfactory progress was reported. Various details m connexion with tho committees appeal were discussed.

A Masterton tradesman told an "Age" reporter that while motor-cars and parts could now be purchased in America on consignment, English ana Scotch , firms required spot cash on delivery. "Is there any wonder, Ho asked, "that America is getting a etrono- hold on New Zealand trade? '

The total inadequacy of the present premises of the lleturned Soldiers' Club was exemplified yesterday, when the Association gave ft reception to the men who had returned by the Briton and the Marama. In the first place, the reading-room was altogether too small to accommodate all the soldiers who wished to attend. Some 200 vrere crowded into the room, and quite as many more went away owing to lack of accommodation. Further, there were a very large number of men on crutches amongst the visitors, and they found themselves quite unable to climb tho stairs. The?e facts, by themselves, were sufficient to make the returning men consider favourably the suggestion for the erection of new club rooms.

Tho "Aussies" have free and easy ways and little respect for persons or traditions. One of the funniest sights m London on Armistice Day was seen in Whitehall. The lofty equestrian statuo of the late Duke' of Cambridge will bo remembered by mauy. It stands in the middle of Whitehall, just outeide the Horse Guards. It is a big statue, and the proportions of the horse upon his pedestal send it towering high above the street. But on the horse's back sat two Australian soldiers, and a third had climbed oven higher until he sat astride the animal's head—and all three waved Australian flags to the roaring abyss below, when thousands of demonstrators surging along the highway shouted their joy at this adventure in progress far above their heads.

The following is a passage from a letter written by Private Fred Jones, editor of the "Oamaru Mail:"—"London is particularly busy just now, and uniforms of every regiment of overy nationality loom up through tho fog wherever one moves. Yet tho people appear to have forgotten the war already, and to have settled down again to the old routine. Business proceeds as usual, and tho soldier is 'pluckod' by every hand. Prices for everything rule very high, and colonials, because of their ignorance of market rates, pay more than anybody else. . . . We are provided with free railway warrants and ration tickots for the period of our leave, so that we are able to oblnin meat, .sugar, butter, etc., without any trouble. The ration book consists of so many coupons, of which one is handed in for every meat meal served."

A suggestion that country members of the Education Board -were "little more than nonentities" was made by Mr A. W. Ho<jff. at Wednesday's meeting of the Wellington board. To a large extent, he asserted, country menv bers are merely called upon to say yes or no to somo proposal or other submitted by the executjve. Very often, and especially in regard to city matters, they voted quito in the dark. He did not liko the system at all. There was too much business donoby the committees. Mr J. P. Shand spoke for the city members. They, ho said, were in tho dark as to country problems. He thought it would he a verv good idea if those members of tho 'hoard who could spare tho timo were to pay a periodical visit of inspection to all the schools. Such .1 system was in force in Auckland. The board would then have first-hand knowledge regarding all tho schools and tho disabilities under whioh. the teachers were working.

Speaking at the civic reception at Wellington to the delegates to the New Zealand Association of Nurserymen, Dr. A. K. Newman, M.P., said that he was confident that the people of New Zealand were waking up to the value of trees, and that the work of the nurserymen would beoome of greater .importance. One thing which retarded their work was the bad habit they had of enclosing their houses and grounds with ugly gafvanised-iron fences and palings. He hoped that the time was coming when this habit would be and they would allow their grounds Ho be open to the streets, as they.were in San Francisco, where they were beautiful for miles. As a man who occasionally bought trees, he hoped that tho nurserymen would do their best to introduce new varieties of treea and shrubs. There wore also new vegetables which might with advantage be introduced here, instead of r.mging the changes on peas, beans, and carrots.

The Dunedin Returned Soldiers' Association seems to feel strongly in the matter of homo service men or civilians being given preference to -, returned soldiors when appointments arc Being made to the Defence Department. Sox'eral cases of this kind were mentioned at a meeting of the association held on Wednesday night, and instances were cited of men who had gained promotion in the field being forced to accept subordinate positions on their return to New Zealand. The matter was introduced by Mr J. H. McNish. who moved the following motion, which was received with applause and carried unanimously:—"That a telegram be sent to the Minister of Defence, asking him to state why the positi/jn vacated by Captnin Myers was not filled by a returned officer instead of by Major Shand, who has been on home service since August, 1914. and has not been on active service."

The membere of the "Women's National Reserve came in for a special meed of praise at yestorday's welcome bv the local Returned Soldiers' Association to tho men of tho Briton and the ■Marama. The tea for the function was provided by the members of the Women's National Reserve-, and in returning thanks to them. Mr W. E. Loadley, secretary of the Returned Soldiers' Association, said that the hospitality extendod bv the Christchurch women to returned men was almost un-' paralleled. Those men who had just ' come back would havo experienced tho hospitality of the English women but they would find the New Zealand i women no whit behind their English sisters. (Applnuso.) On evory possible occasion tho local women had done overything in their power, and, i n fact they had provided afternoon tea for men just returned, and for returned men out of work practically every afternoon. In fact, when approached the women had expressed the opinion that they were unable to do enough for tho returned men. On Mr Leadloy's mo tion, a very hearty and spontaneous motion of appreciation was passed to and a "digger" in +ho back of the room rose to his feet a'nd announced that the best treatment he had received in England was from Now Zealund women—members of tho Xew '< Zealand War Contingent Association i (.Loud applause.) !

The following ore the resnlts of the examinations for mine manager*' certificates: First class, J. Neilson; partial pass, W. C. Daviea. Second class, par* tial pass, J. Brcnnon and Alex. Cain. 'It appears to me," said Mr W. ii'isher, when Masterton accounts for wages in connexion with the influenea epidemic were under consideration by the Hospital Board this week, "that tho female workers volunteered their seryicos, while the male assistants all claimed wages." Don't suffer with Rhenmatism. Try "Rheumatio 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. Baliantyne's). 1 Record-breaking salo of boots and shoes. Original stocks fast diminishing. To-day we place on sale, at astounding prices, a further shipment of first quality goods. . Call to-day and inspect the stock, at Stewart Hobin6on's, Cashel street west. 1 Armstrong's Sale Bargains appear to advertise themselves. The astonishing values and extremely low prices are increasing business day by day. Fresh bargains make their appearance every morning. 2 "No Rubbing" Laundry Help does washing while you rest. Iβ packet sufficient for seven weekly family washings. Wonderful for labour saving and perfect cleansing qualities. Kincaid's, Ltd. o 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', Jewellers, Limited, 695 Colombo street, Christehurcb. 2 Nice neckwear novelties at- next>-to-' nothing prices. A shipment of smart stylish stuff for sacrifice at Summer Sale. Smart muslin goods, all shapes, at 6d, IOJd, l s to Is lid; crepe-de-chine and georgette makes 10Jd, Is, ls 6d, 2s <3d, 3s lid, at Armstrong's, Ltd. 3 TO OWNERS OF TRIUMPH MOTOR-CYCLES. Wβ 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 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., S-spe-ad), £110. Lamp and horn included. Adams, Ltd., High street. . 0