GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16451, 19 February 1919, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The auction announcements of Dalgoty and Co., H. Matson and Co., AY. E. Simeg and Co., Charles Clark, Harraan and Stevens, Han-is Bros., Anderson and Palmer, R. S. McKenzie and Co., and Claridgo and Smith will bo found on page 11 of this issue. '•I am very sorry to say that tho Japanese stockingetto i 6 far superior to the English," said Mr M. P, Murray in giving evidence to the Parliamentary Industries Committee yesterday pn tho textile bag trade. He was stating that the wraps for freezing works wero made from stockingetto which his firm imported from Manchester and Japan. Only the day before, ho said, he had received complaints as to the stockingotte received from Manchester, it being full of holes. The age of tho motor-car is gradually putting an end to the old-estab-lished country custom of fixing meeting nights to coincide with the time of "a good moon" (writes a country correspondent). In the timo of long journeys by horse and trap, perhaps in cold wet weather, "Paddy's lantern" was a friend much to bo desired, but the cars' speed and lights and improved roads have altered all that, and so many institutions have now adopted a fixed night in the month for meetings, independent of tho moon.

A military funeral was yesterday accorded the late Second-Lieute"nanti Frank W. Pauling, who, aftor having returned recently from the front, diedi at the Christchurch Hospital on Sunday from the effects ot wounds received in Ootober last. The interment took plaoo at the Bromley cemetery. The firing party was provided by the local military police, and six members of the Returned Soldiers' Association acted {is bearers. Tho "Last Post" was sounded' by Bugler Simes. of the Boys' High School Cadets.

Under the regulations relating to teachers' salaries, a deduction of 10 per cent, is mado from the salary of head or solo teachers, or those engaged as assistants, who are uncertificated. Recognising that many of tho young men who went on active service probably would have been able to qualify .for a certificate if they had not been absent on sewee abroad, and in order to assist such "turned soldiers, tho Minister of Education (the Hon. J. A. Hanan) has given instructions that for a period of two years after his return, no deduction shall bo made from the salary of an uncertificated teacher who has beon on active service. It is considered that during-that period they will have ample timo in which to qualifv for a certificate.

At the Juvenile Court vestortfay, beforo Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M., a girl 12 years of age was charged with having stolen a girl's costume and three watches, total value £3 4s, the property of Florence Landsdown. On tho application of Mr F. D. Sargent, who appeared for accused, she was remanded for a week. Another girl, 12 years of age, was charged with the theft of goods from Whitcoinbe and Tombs, Ltd., T. Armstrong and Co., J. R. McKenzie, the D.1.C., and Popes, Ltd., the total value being £5 17s ojd. After hearing evidence the girl was committed to the Christchurch Receiving Home, to be brought up in the Church of England faith. Two children who were shown to lack sufficient means of subsistence, wero committed to the same institution, and are to be brought up in the same faith.

A very handsome memorial shield to the late secretary of the New Zealand United Fire Brigades' Association, Mr J. G. Gilberd, who held office from 1878 to 1910 has just been completed bv Messrs Jones and Sons, High street, in whose window it is 011 view. An excellent photograph of Mr Gilberd is introduced into the centre of the shield, in a silver frame, and is surrounded by silver fern leaves ana surmounted by silver ribbon with the raised letters, "J. G. Gilberd Memorial Shield." On top of this are silver oak leaves and representations of a fireman's helmet, axes, and nozzlos. At tho base of the shield is a silver scroll representing a fireman rescuing a child from a burning building. There are two medallions, one representing an old manual engine of 1876, and the other an up-to-date motor firo engine. There are 14 medallions for names of winners. The cliield was won in 1913 by D. Duncan (St. Kilda Brigade), but has not been competed for during the war. Competitive designs for the shield were called throughout New Zealand.

An interesting personal note was struck by the Moderator of tho Presbyterian Genernl Assombly, the Right Rev. W. Gray Dixon, in his inaugural address last niglit. He said that a few years ago when ho visitod his nativo Paisley, ho attended the church in which ho was baptised, and was welcomed by a venerable elder, whom he recognised as tho popular teacher who had made the Bible so interesting to his scholars. "When I told him that I came from Now Zealand," continued the Moderator, "he said that ho would show me something of interest if I would wait at the close of the service. So, when the people had dispersed, we made our way together to the session house behind the church, and there, opening an old minute book, he called my attention to tho following pass a ■ '1839, November 10th. Rev. Mr Brewster preached the church vacant, the Rev. Mr J. Macfarlano having resigned his chargo and sailed for New Zealand, to plant a Presbyterian Church in that infant colony' But,' T said, 'this is the Free Martyrs' Chifrch, and this record belongs to the years before the Disruption. How comes it to be here?' (Jli, he replied 'at the Disruption our minister and all tho elders came out +£ < j arne d the session records with them. So there in the minute book of my father's own Kirk Session in 1 aisley 1 read the official record of the exodus of tho pioneer minister of our Zoaland Church. The discovery stirrod me to a fuller consciousness of I the apostolic succession into which God ! had called me, and wedded me more j happily than ever to the Church of the brighter Britain of the new day." |

Yesterday's river report was as follows: —Waimakariri (both branches), clear; Rakaia, clear; Waitaki, fishable; Opihi. fishable; Rangitata, clear. Mr Clem. Smith, of Kaikoura, had an cxciting experience on Sunday -whilst bathing on the beach near Oara. He was taken hold of by an octopus, and his companion had to go to his assistance ana sever the tentacles in order to release him. They then despatched the octopus.

Giving evidence before tho Parliamentary Industries Committee yesterday, Mr J. A. Frostick. Efficiency Commissioner for Canterbury, said tho statement had be?n made to the Efficiency Board that if the Jand of Now Zealand were scientifically treated the primary production of this country could be increased three fold. Canterbury contained 4000 squaro miles more than JJeigium, declared Mr J. A. Frostick to the Parliamentary Industries Committee yesterday, and yec Belgium contained seven r\nd a half million inhabitants. Why should we he asked, hesitate to push our country ahead because Ave had not tho euiplorment to provide? After the war there would be a great exodus from Britain.

Many a householder has wondered why the men 011 the city dust-carts are always so careful to rescue old kerosene tins from the refuse collected by them. The reason was revealed bv a witness giving evidence before the Parliamentary Industries Committee yesterday. These tins, he said, were sold to his firm for the purpose of converting into oxidised paint, the manufacture of which was recently started in Christchurch. Various members of the Parliamentary Industries Committee have been curious to ascertain the effect of the Lake Coleridge electric supply upon Christchurch industries, and questions to this effect have been asked of many witnesses appearing before the committee. Practically all of them have averred that the securing of Lake Coleridge current has cheapened to them the cost of production, and it has been stated that largely in consequence of this Christchurch has become the chief manufacturing centre of the Dominion. I There was no more highly specialised I trade in existence, with the possible exception of the motor-car industry, than tho boot trade, declared Mr J. A.' Frostick to the Parliamentary Industries Committee yesterday. If we did not take care by shortening tho hours we might reach the conditions arrived ntm certain parts of America, where the only difference between the man and the machine was that the one spoke and the other did not. We had to guard against this by giving the men shorter hours and giving them the opportunity in this extra time of following pursuits which would interest them and broaden their views on life. It was reported at last night's meeting of the executive of tho Returned Soldiors' Association that complaints had been received regarding the poor quality of tho food served out on transports to tho men returning from tho front. Several members of tho executive spoke strongly on tho mattor, and it was ultimately resolved: "That this meeting of tho executive of the Christchurch Roturnod Soldiers' Association expresses strong indignation regarding the quality of the food provided for tho men on returning transports. Whilst admitting that the food in the officers' and sorgeants'_ messes is good, it is felt that tho rations served to the men could he considerably improved, and we strongly urge the Government to mako some effort to improve these conditions immediately."

A visit of inspection was paid to the military police barracks at Christchurch yesterday by Colonel It. A. Cliaffey, O.C. the Canterbury Military District, and Major J. C. Hill, Pro-vost-Marshal for New Zealand. There were 38 men on parade, under Lieutenant J. H. Gilmour, Assistant-Pro-vost-Marshal, and they presented a smart appearance, for which they were complimented by Colonel Chalfey. who stated that the military police in Christchurch had earned a good reputation for their tactful methods and their work generally, and he hoped that they would retain that reputation. Colonel Chaffey and Major Hill inspected tho cells and tho military police quarters, and the artillery stables adjoining, all earning the approval of the inspecting officers.

i The inspector for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Mr D. Wliito, keeps his eyes open for other matters in addition to those directly pertaining to his duties. Recently iio reported that lie had seen scraps and leavings of food being carted away from the Consumption Sanatorium for the purpose of being fed to pigs, and, as far as ho was able to ascertain, tho scraps were given to the pigs without having been first boiled in order to destroy any germs. The matter was brought under tho notice of tho District Health Officer (Dr. 11. Chesson), a letter from whom was before last night's meeting of the committee of the S.P.C.A., stating that the matter would receive attention. It was decided to write again to Dr. Chesson asking if any action had been taken.

Speaking to memoers of tb e ItarotoDgan contingent at tho "Wellington Salvation Army Citadel on Sunday, tho Minister of Defenco (Sir James Allen) referred to rumours that the soldiers from tho Pacific Islands had not giyen satisfactory servico in the field. H 0 said that he could give tho report an emphatic denial. The information eceived by him showed that the Rarotongans had don© particularly good work in Palestine, where thoir knowlodge of tho handling of surf boats had been of particular valuT>: The officers under whom the island troops had served appreciated tho • :eo!lent servico that had been rondrr-'d. and lie felt sure that the people of Rarotonga would bo very proud of the way thoir boys had acquitted themselves in the great war. The Minister mentioned that he looked forward to a poriod of development in the islands. The Now Zealand Government was anxious to improve the conditions as far as possible in the island dependencies.

A campaign of public moetings throughout tliq l>ominion for th 0 purpose of acquainting tho people witli the changes recently mad© in tiie licensing law and ihe consequences that will follow tho voting at tho special poll to bo held on April 10th, has been organised by tho Now Zealand Moderato Loague, which lias its headquarters in Wellington. A public meeting will be held in the Theatre Royal on Sunday, at 8.15 p.m., when addresses will bo delivered by Mr D. M. Findjay, president of the League, and Mr It. A. Armstrong, Dominion secretary. Mr Findlay is a prominent barrister and solicitor of Wellington, and is well known in general commercial and professional circles. Ho was president of tho Third Wellington Military Sorvieo Board, and is a nvember of the Commer-

cial and Professional Advisory Comruitteo of the National Efficiency Board.

He has made a close study of the liquor question and licensing law in New Zea-

land and also in other countries. Mr R. A. Armstrong is also well known as a student of public affairs and a speaker of particular ability. He is probably best known through his work during the war period a s national of the Second Division League, which organisation, under his direction, brought about n betterment in the conditions of service for all soldiers and their dependants. lio will also be remembered as a member of the committee of speakers who toured New Zealand some years ago on the Knyveit defence case for the purposo of inducing the Government to give the right or free trial by court-martial to everv unit of the defence forces. He is also well known in art and literary circles | and was first president of the Auckland ! Arts and Crafts Club. la nd

Thpre« is at present a distinct shortschoofbooks used in the primary ■schools Enquiries made m Chris, church and consequence is that second-hand books are at a premium.

Commemoration clay m connexion with Christ's College will be held on February 27th, commencing with an earlv service in tiie chapel in the morning. The annnal cricket match between the Old Boys and Present Bovs will occupy the greatej- part of the day, and the Old Boys' dinner will be held in the evening. Givin" evidence before the Parliamentary Industries Committee yesterday afternoon, Mr J. A. Efficiency Commissioner for Canterbury, controverted the statement that Zealand timbor was not suitable for newspaper making. ,He claimcd that there were tens of tnousauds or acres of timber on tho West Coast suitablo for paper making.

In the coursc of his evidence to the Parliamentary Industries Committee festerdav, Professor J• Scott stated that it was not generally known that ivith p picco of steol or iron which failed it was nossible in nearly nil cases to definitely state if that failure was due to either inherent badness or to being lmbituailv overworked, or to an accidental or usual blow. This information would bo of interest to courts of law.

It Is stated that with tho close of tho war, and tho release for sale of largo numbers of motor lorries, tho Education Department will probably purchase some for tho purpose of conveying children to the larger schools in the country, and so enable the Department to close some of tho smaller, outlying schools. This method of centralising is much in vogue in America., where it is increasingly popular.

"I have been considering tho question of differential penalties for sundry 'drunks'," stated Mr F. V. Frazer, S.M., at the Wellington Magistrate's Court on Monday. "I think it only right that a man arrested after, say, 10 o'clock on Sunday morning on a charge of drunkenness should bo charged double rates. That will be my practice in tho future." Mr Frazer put his decision into effect 011 Monday.

Respecting tho new site for the Papanui Post Office, at the corner of Harewood and Papanui roads, which is being purchased from the Church Property Trustees, tho Post and Telegraph Department having suggested that the Waimairi County Council should pay tho difference between the amount realised for the old site and the amount paid for the new one, the chairman of the County (Mr S. A. Staples) has written to the Department stating that tho Waimairi County would be responsible for' the difference.

The following remit from tho Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association will be considered at tho Dominion Conference of such associations to be held in Christchurch in May:—"That the active membership of the Returned Soldiers' Association be thrown open to all British veterans in other wars, providing that they can show good discharges." It is considered that, if the conference adopts the suggestion, a largo number of men who went through the Boer war will take advantage of tho opportunity to join the Association. The report presented to the Senate of the New Zealand University yesterday respecting the arrangements necessitated by the influenza epidemic stated:—"The committco feels that it should not conclude its report without expressing its keen appreciation of the service rendered during the epidemic by professors and students of tho University Colleges, and ospecially the women, who showed.that when the opportunity was afforded them they were as willing to sacrifice themselves and to face clanger and death as their male comrades have been ever since the call to arms first sounded." The steady stream of visitors to and fro still continues uninterruptedly (writes our Akaroa correspondent). On

Saturday four large boarding-houses in the town had, to report "not another sparo bod." It would appear as if the time had arrived when the suggestion made by some of our visitors front North Island centres could very well be put into practical effect, the erection of a large, up-to-date private hotel on one of the charming sites overlooking tho harbour. After tho experience of the last half-dozen summers there is littlo doubt that such a concern would turn out as a good business proposition.

Discussing the question of profiteering, Mr J. A. Frosticls informed, tho Parliamentary Industries Committee yesterday that whereas the prices (export values) of primary products showed a 75 per cent, increase in 1916 over the 1910-11 period, in the secondary and manufacturing industries it was only 43 per cent. He was not going to try and find out who was the profiteer, but the figures he had mentioned were worth considering. They apnoarcd to disprove any suggestion that the secondary and manufacturing industries had profited during the war at the expense of the primary producers.

Speaking at tho meeting of the committee of tho S.P.C.A. last night, Mr J. H. Paiker referred to tlic experiences in connexion with prevention to cruelty matters ho met with during his stay in Sydney. Mr Parker found that severali matters connected with the traffic of tho city required polioe intervention, and on "approaching the police authorities on the.se matters he was sympathetically roneived. Another direction in which ho had interested himself was the question of provision for watering horses. He mentioned that it was quito a common thing to see horses in dravs and similar vehicles fall down from sheer exhaustion. As the result of Ixis

representations to the municipal authorities, facilities ior watering horses were provided at points where they were much needed.

Returned soldiers who have been recently discharged have made several complaints as to the form of tiio ciiscliaige certincates with wliicli they have been issued, owing to the tact that 1 there is on them no indication as to the character the recipient has borne dur- [ ing nis army career, and that no record is given of the total amount of service, boin of which records appear on the certificates formerly issued. This matter was discussed at last night's meeting of the Re tinned Soldiers' Association executive, and it was stated that the only reason advanced by the Government- for the change was that it was following the example of the Imperial and Australian Governments. It was pointed out that a soldier who returned to-day was ju>,C as much entitled to receive a good conduct record on his discharge if he had earned it as a man who returned 12 months ago, and the secretary was instructed to take up tho matter with the I>efence authorities.

Falling hair after influenza needs special treatment. The first thing is tone up the blood. Rich, red biooct is essential to the proper nourishment of the roots of the hair. Loasbv's Nerve Tonic and Blood Enricher makes rich, red blood. Be sure and take it if your hair is falling out. 2s Gd and 4s 6d all chemists, or direct. Loasby and Co., Chemists (opp. Ballantyne's). 3

Reductions to-day in boots and shoes. Secure your footw'ear before the wet season sets in. All lines reduced Tor seven days. Stewart Robinson, Boot Importer, Cashel street 1

Accumulated oddments, such as dress, cotton goods, and furnishings, remnants of all descriptions, and odd garments ■have been marked at clearing prices ior sale this week at Armstrong's. 1

Men's ready-to-wear suits_ are priced low at Armstrong's sale. Strong, durable tweed sijits, in small sizes, 32s 6d, 39s 6d; any sizes, 39s 6d, 4os 6d, 55s 6d. These are good fitting, well lined suits, too. *

Santa Clau ß urgently requests housewives to make liberal use of "No Rubbing" Laundry Help, also pure "Golden Rule" Soap, to ensure cleanliness and a happy Christmas. 3 Folding push-chairs, with reclining backs, so handy for trams, reduced price 4os; on view at Drayton's, /6o Colombo street. 2 The latest idea. In Ladies' Handbags Messrs Hastie, Bull, and Pickering are showing a choice selection, including the latest laced and tooled bags in several styles. 0 Just to hand by post from America— a really choice assortment of Bathing Caps. For variety in style and colouring these are hard to beat. Prices are low to ensure a ready sale. li Cameron Smith, Chemist, S6 AVorcestor street -(just off Square). q TO OWNERS OF TRIUMPH MOTOR-CYCLES. .Wo are prepared to make liberal allowances ou Triumph motor-cycles taken in part paymeut for latest model "Triumph," "U.5.A.," or "Excelsior" motor-cycles. Adams, Ltd High street. 6 TO OWNERS OF B.S.A. MOTORCYCLES. The same olier holds good to owners of "8.5.A." motor-cycies. Wo can give delivery of tho now ' Triumphs" in February, "8.5.A." in a week or two, or "Excelsior" at once. Adams, Ltd., High street. 0 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 0-9 h.p., 3-speed), £110. Lamp and horn included. Adams, Ltd., High street. 8