GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16436, 1 February 1919, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

The auction announcements of Pyne and Co., Harman and Stevens, Dalgety and Co.. Tonks, Norton, and Co., National Mortgage and Agency Co., Claridge and Smith, Harris Bros., Anderson and Palmer, "W. E. Simes and Co.. R. S. McKenzie and Co., and Laurie and Daltou, will be found on pages 13 and 12 of this issue.

At a public meeting held at Auckland yesterday, it was resolved, on the Mayor's motion, to appoint a Citizens' I'ublic Health and Visrilancc Committee, to do continuous work on the linos of the work done during the epidemic period.

Dr. Bradshaw will hold a trial of boys' voices at tho 'Cathedral on Tuesday, February 25th, at 10 a.m., for the purpose of selecting boys to fill two or more vacant choir scholarships. The boys chosen will receive education at Christ's College, and also a musical training which should be of value : n after life.

The New Zealand Rugby Union is desirous of completing a roll of honour of football players who have servodl in tho war or iiave fallen on active service. On Thursday night it was resolved, on the motion of Mr George Dixon, that all unions and clubs be requested to prepare rolls fr- their districts, especially of thoi.j. who have "gone West."

In reminding members of tho Canterbury Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Association at their annual meeting last evening that the licensing poll would be held next April, the president (Mr H. H. Wauchop) pictured what would happen to travellers in out-of-the-Way places if prohibition wore carried. The accommodation was now very good, he said, but under prohibition he considered it would be awful.

At a meeting of Christchurch North electors it was decided to form a branch of tho New Zealand Labour Party, and provisional officers were elected. The following resolution was carried unanimously"That this meeting deplores tho action of the Christchurch City Council in rescinding the system of electing the representatives of the people by proportional representation. thereby revoking the most democratic reform yet adopted for elections."

A meeting of the Christchurch South branch of the New Zealand Labour "Party was held on Thursday night, presided over by Mr C. Smith, in the absence of Mr P. Ramsay, who was. indisposed. Tho nominations of si% prominent Labour men for seats in Parliament, twelvo nominations for seats on the City Council, five nominations for seats on the Lvttelton Harbour Board, and five nominations of ladies for seats on the North Cnr/ crbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, were recoived, and it was decided to submit them to the Labour Representation Committee.

Shortly before one o'clock yesterday the sounding of the alarm horn at tho lifeboat station at Sumner caused considerable excitement. A sailing punt containing a resident, Mr W. Clayton, was caught by a strong north-west breeze and capsized in the Estuary, near tho tram bridge. The dinghy was launched from the lifeboat station and was manned by Messrs P. Dick and G. li. Bowron and went to the rescuo. In tho meantime tho strong incoming tido had carried the overturned boat, with the man clinging to it, to the shore. Fortunately, Mr Clayton was none the worse for his wetting, and the boat was only slightly damaged.

Speaking to a reporter at Hastings on Tuesday, Sir John Findlay, Iv.C., M.P., stated that tlio rumour he was not going to seek re-election as member for Rawke's Bay was quite correct, hi* roason "being that he considered an electorate like Hawke's Bay would, in normal times, prefer to be represented by someono resident in tho provincial district. Questioned as to whethor he intended to stand for any other seat, Sir Tohn replied to the effect that he had not yot definitely decided. Speaking regarding the prospects of a general election beforo December, Sir John considered that a general election shortly after the House meets in June is probable.

According to arrangements, tho Muriel Starr Dramatic Comany was to 'have oommcnced a season at Auckland at Christmas, but shortly before tho sailing date the mombers of the company presented a signed memorandum declining to proceed to New Zealand (presumably on account of the epidemic,; .it that time quite stamped out). In view of this ultimatum, the Williamson firm arranged for tho "Business Before Pleasure" Comedy Company to tako up the Muriel Starr Company's dates as soon as steamer communication was restored. The result of this shuffle is that the comedy company is playing in a "clean" city, and Miss Starr and her confreres are in Melbourne, where the epidemic appears to bo 'gaining ground.

Dealing with the proposed efforts of the Commercial Travellers' and Warehousemen's Association to raise funds for Lancaster Park, Mr H. B. Gould, at last night's meeting of that body, said the first prize in the grand rafflo would be a £750 bungalow, and the second prize a £120 section, presented by Mr Charles Clark. Mr Gould added that it had beeu proposed to secure the bungalow out of the receipts of the raffle, but it had Heen ascertained that) this was not allowed by law; the bungalow had to be presented by someone. He had therefore during the past week tried to arrange a syndicate of fifteen fentlemen to give a bungalow by contriuting £50 each. Up till that evening he had secured thirteen contributors. (Applause.) They might think he had had hard work in forming the syndicate, but he could assure them it was as easy as taking a duck off a pond. The bungalow would be purchased on Monday on behalf of the syndicate by Mr Charles Clark.

Mr Trounson's princely gift of Trounson Park, near Kaihu (Auckland), to the nation, represents about 60 acres of the best kauri forest ill the world. Competent authority values the timber as being worth not less than £10,000; or an average value of £166 per acre. One who has just returned from Trounson Park, and who 25 years ago knew the Puhipuhi forest in its virgin state, says that there is a close comparison between the two. The Forest League has published detailed calculations showing that at present rates the country has lost some £9,000,000 in the destruction of the Puhipuhi forest. At the last annual meeting of the Forest League it was mentioned that there is reason to believe that 100,000 acres of bush land is being alienated yearly. The public has a right to know, it was contended, if any more kauri bush is now being alienated, and generally what steps are being taken to stop the further alienation of good forest land, until it ha« been examined by forest experts.

There was only one bankruptcy m "Wellington during January. jsssawss. andlli flood: Waitaki, m high flood. Special church anniversarysennces wi U,; conducted to-morrow at Syden--1 Church bv the Rev. J. K. Uriicr Tliov "ill bo continued on Sav evening, when a publ*^.ko.nc social will bo tondorod to the R«v. J. K. and Mrs Archer. \t Durham street Methodist Church to-morrow, "Weloomo H°me sen-icM will be held for returned dlcrs - tho evening scnMCo Mrs Ernest Firt will sing two sacred solos. O Lord, Thou hast me out'' Sterndalo Bennett) and Abide ith Mo (Liddle). "If aceuracv is .07, and time .05, and the ship is in'latitude 69, what are the provisions of the grocers award. Tho above was the amazing proposition pro pounded by Mr O. T. J. Alpers to T)r !' Coleridge Farr at tho Magistrate s Court yesterday. Dr. I'arr received tho invitation to solve th* proposition in unsmiling silence. "On this weighing-machine it would be quite possible for an unscrupulous TCiso" to give short weight!" declared Dt C. Coleridge Farr during the hearing of a caso at tho Magistrate's Court yesterday. ""Would the doctor show u.s how?" asked Mr O. T. J. Alpers, who represented tho plaintiff. "I am not an unscrupulous parson!" returned Dr. Farr. Referring to the interest taken by ths Wellington Oity Council in afforestation and beautification, Mr R. Nairn, of Christchurch, stated on Thursday at the Nurserymen's Conference that ho could see in that city the result of such work undertaken thirty years ago. Trees planted then were now of good size, ana added greatlv to the beauty of pubhe places. Wellington had at times difficulties to contend with in the matter of boisterous weather. Necessity often gave riso to good work, as wrts to be l seen on the Canterbury plains, where settlers were obliged to plant to obtain shelter.

"When will the amusement tax bo lifted?" That is a question which at. present is agitating the minds of several people connected with the show business (says the "Dominion"). The matter is not so much the ratio of increase entailed in tho price of admission as it is the awkwardness entailed upon tho public nnd the management in dealing with the odd nonce at the ticket-boxes. jThe total yield from this tax approximates £40,000, but what it costs to collect that sum may discount the value of the tax. It is generally supposed that this is one form of taxation which will bo reconsidered as soon as peace is formally signed.

No time was lost by a gentleman «jf the name of Schneider in getting into commercial toucli with New Zealand. He -wrote on November 4th, a week before the armistice was signed, giving an address in Dresden, and informed a weiiknown Wellington firm as follows: — "I am indebted to an American friend of mine for the address of your esteemed house," and he requested the representation of the esteemed house for the whole of Germany and Austria, adding, "I am an American citizen, well versed in kauri gum, and can promise excellent results." Tho letter arrived m Wellington uncensored ir. any way (says the "Fost").

The renovation or rebuilding of the Anglican Church at Russell, one of the most historic buildings in New Zealand, i-i a question that soon will have to be faced. The old church has seen upwards of 80 winters and summers, and the foundation blocks and portion of the weatlierboarding on the weather side are in a state of considerable decay. Bishop Averill, who recently inspected the church, states, however, that a great deal of the timber in the church.is still quit© Bound-. He has discovered that there is an objection on the part of many people to the removal of the church which forms such an interesting link with the early missionary days in the Bay of Islands. "If," Dr. Averill says, "the church is thoroughly restored now there is no reason why it should not stand for another 50 years, but it is a work that needs doing well."

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

Messrs Jones, McCrostie Company, Ltd., are selling >hy Public Auction this morning, in their rooms at 11 a.m., by order of tho Registrar of the Supremo Court, about 3J- acres and tho fine residence, situate Rossall street, Merivale, that was owned by Mr W. Goss and disposed of by him somo little time ago. 5

The wear and tear on table-waro is a problem that is continually cropping up in the household. There is no advantage in buying cheap tablo-ware, for it i" dearest in the end. Silvor ware and electro-plate of proved quality is always a feature our stocks. Watson's, Jewellers, Limited, 695 Colombo street, Christchurch. 1

Akaroa, of which General Pau says, I was delighted with its beauty and scenery, the visit made one of the happiest days of my tour. 8

Santa Claus urges everyone to sing their cheeriest songs now that the war is over and the flu flying quickly away. "No Rubbing" Laundry Help still obtainable from all grocers. Is a packet. 6

Matting suit-cases, leather botind, strong and light, for week-end use, now ss, 7s 6d, 10s 6d, wonderful value; at Drayton's, 765 Colombo street. 8

General Carrying of all sorts undertaken by J. M. Heywood and Co., Ltd Their plant of horses and vehicles is one of the largest in New Zealand. €

The latest idea. In Ladies' Handbags Messrs Hastie, Bull, and Pickering are showing a choicc selection, including the latest laced and tooled bags in several styles. 6

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. ECameron Smith, chemist, 96 Worcester street (just off Square). 58464 —213