GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16723, 5 January 1920, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

As a result of a minor operating trouble at the Lake Coleridge Power Station last evening, tho currcnt was cut off in the city from 8.15 to 8.22.

A Rotorua tologram states that a now ! geyser has appeared nt W hakarcwarcwo, near Pohutu geyser. It playod to a height of fifteen to twenty foot on Friday night, and again on Saturday morning and afternoon. Thero is 6carcoly any article of consumption that has not increased enormously in prico sinco the war, and whisky is no exception. A brand that before tho war 'could be purchased at Gs 9d per gallon, in bond, now costs 455. Nevertheless, people still manage to got their "drop of tho cratur" when tliey feel inclined that way. Portwino has increased from 45s to 95s por gallon. Arthur Patrick McGuire who was sentenced in tho Supremo Court some sixteen months ago for fraud in connexion with tho alleged roleaso of a girl from the Mount Magdala Home, and who was serving a sentonco iu Lyttclton Gaol, was given a froo pardon and released a few days ago for his action in coming to tho assistance of Warder James O'Reilly when lie was attacked by anothor prisoner named Robert Dickson Warden. The serious shortage of houses in Wellington continues, but if tho forocast made to a "Post" reporter on Friday by an interested party is borne out by tho facts, tho position will bo considerably easier this timo next year. Ho stated that private building and building operation by both the municipal authority and tho Government, would go ahead in the New Year, and that at least 450 new houses would bo constructed within a radius of ten miles of tho city. A conference of Seventh Day Advcntists is being held in Masterton. Tho president, Pastor A. W. Cormack, in /lis opening address, stated that tho Adventists' membership had been increased by 716, representing a good increase during the voar just closed. Tho personal oifcrings of the members for tho support of tho Home and Foreign Mission work totalled approximately £10,000 Tver year, nn amount of £14 per capita, propaganda work had been carried on in moro than a dozen towns, in all of which good progress had been soon. In the several lines of work conducted by the denomination, all reported a Fuccessful year, and the prospects for the year 1920 are high. A correspondent of the "Napier Telegraph" calls attention to a bpoklet entitled "British Trades Alphabet," a copy of which his little girl recently roceived at a local school. On tho opening page is an address by the Minister of Industries to young New Zealanders. Tho gist of tho address is contained in one of the sentences, which roads: "It is easy to see that if we purchase goods made in New Zealand, we help New Zealand ; if wo buy those made in other parts of the Empire we help tho Empire; and if wo go in for those made in foreign countries we help those countries instead of our own." Yet tho girl brought home as a prizo from this school an expensive looking book marked 'Made in U.S.A.' On tho previous day the Port Presbyterian Sunday School went one better or worse (as one may look at it) and sent her homo with a book printed, fore and aft, 'Made in Germany.' " The percentage of votes recorded on polling day, December 17th, in the nine Auckland "city and suburban electorates was remarkably high, illustrating tho unusual interest taken by the public in tho issues at stake. Premier place (states tho "Herald") went to Roskill, where 97.35 per cent, of tho olcctors recorded their votes, which were divided among four candidates. Auckland West e ecu red 87 por cent., and the Auckland Central was a close third with 86.SG per cent. Auckland East and Waitemata tied with 85 per cent., and Grey Lynn and Eden with 83 per cent. Parnell and Manukau were lowest in tho list with only 7G per cent, and 75 per cent, respectively. Tho above percentages would probably bo slightly less if the exact number of those entitled to vote by declaration, 1 whoso names wero off the register by error, could bo calculated in the possible total of votes. Those who so voted have been included, of course, in tho numbers actually recorded, making tho percentages anpear a little larcer than i Tjcag actually txio case.

"To let. a one-roomed whare. Apply within.Such a notice was civen prominence by a land agent in Napier recently. Ho stated that ho had about 40 enquiries, in some instances from people with four or five children.

Maori enrios are realising good prices at the auction sales in Auckland. A | carved slab was sold for £16, a kuinara I spade and gcd for L 7. and meres for £7 to £'9. Carvid p-vldlee cha:r_'d hands for sums varying from £2 to £>">, ! wl:ile island kava b nvls brought as much C-l 10s and £0. "We in'isr have smaller classes.'" said Mr ('. Tl. Munr.i President e: tho iS .Z.E.1.) while addressing di Vcntes to the r.nntinl*r.:ee:ing of th«» Instituf '.::st j v.or-!:. "L-.rg r ur> to ]10 arc; (O'-f.vinly a:r.i-nal>'e t<i instruction by: ■':\lle-'l t":i: ::ors. li'it not to education m _ the! rc.ni and social sens •. Mass methods, and discipline, a recent, i writer had said. (->,ll never pr-'duco j social individuality. In the large classes I in th.e scho-'ds ef this country there it i no scope for "and indi- j vidua] spontaneity. Wore tho country to reali.so the great social and educational waste nr'duccl Ly the present system, no nrinirront -a-ould block reiorm. Tho Institute would hp failing in the in'e-o-ts of th o children of the Do:nini-:» were it not to insistently demand smaller classes where children c.'.n M efficiently edu-ated and trained for their e:v:c and social rcsponsibiiit'es. instead of being merely instructed in herds for examination purposes." Cleanliness is nest to godliness, and in the school, particularly in cities »r to.vns. it is an absolute essential as well as a very praiseworthy virtue, i The Grey branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute has not been satisfied with ih.e sanitary conditions of ail its schools, though schools in the (Irev district are no doubt as eloan u,s those in any other education district, and, accordingly, their delegate intrnI d'u-ed tin- two following motions, both | of which were passed, nt the annual conference of tho New Zealand Educational Institute on Friday:—(a) That specific requirements be laid doiyn (by the medical inspectors or Public Health Departments with respect to \he (-loaning 01 schools, which at present does not ensure that the schools are kept in a sanitary state, (b} That provision should he made for paving caretakers a wage that would enable them to conform to these requirements, and in tho case of the larger schools, to give their whole time to the cleaning of tho school and the maintaining of the school premises in a proper state of repair. Muss Toting as a means for dealing with the liquor traffic is very unsatisfactory. The experience in New Zealand should be a warning to Victoria, whose excellent system of licensing reform has lieen favourably commented upon in many parts of tho world, and is being followed in other Australian Str.tes (says the Mell>oumo "Argus" in its issue of December 22nd). In a poll in which 500.000 voters are taking part

in New Zealand slightly more than onehalf so far are against Prohibition. It would be a poor compliment to tho capacity of tho people for self-govern-ment to suggest that thero is no alternative to the coercion of one-half of the community except tho stolid resistcnco by the othor half to any and every reform. Legislation must in tho eiretimstanecs take a middle course. In Victoria next year there is to be a poll in each licensing district, and it is jiossible that in two neighbouring districts ono will "go dry" and another will voto for Continuance. This arbitrary and costlv pystem is very weak in eopuwrison with the sane measures which have been taken sinco IDOG under tho reduction schemo.

All tho agony of Rheumatism can bo avoided and tho disease itself remedied by ridding the system of excess urio acid. , For this purpose nothing is so good as Loasbv's Rheumatic Pebbles. Piico 2s 6d a box, at all chemists and stores, or from Loasby and Co., Chemists (opp. Ballantync's). «

"Characteristic," " distinctive, "true to life," arc expressions wo hoar by those who havo their portraits mado bv Stcffano Webb. Wo are particularly successful with children's portraits. Petersen's Buildings, High street. Christehurchc. Telephone 11)89. G Important to Buyers.—Armstrong's Great Annual Summer Sale commonoes at 10 o'clock on Wednesday next. 1 Those requiring Drapery or Clothing may easily satisfy requirements from Wodnc&dav noxt. Armstrong's Annual Summer Sale is timed to commence at 10 o'clock on that day. 2 January and February are our best months for sen bathing. Ladies should see our stocks of Bathing Caps and Boach llats.' Colours to match any costume, and nricos moderato. Tho Beach Hats aro also ideal for motoring. E. Cameron Smith, chemist, 90 Worcester street. 6 Nothing reduces tho letting or selling value of a houso or furniture so much as the ravages of wood borer. Exterminate it w'th Whcelband's Fly Exterminator. 519 Colombo street. 6 Washboard slavery sciontifically abolished —thanks to "No Rubbing" Laundry Help. Is packot docs seven weekly washings. J. Rattray and Sons, Ltd., Iloyds Bros, and Kirk, Ltd., wholesalo agents. 1 Pictures for presents. A choice selection at Gibb s Art Depot, Cashcl street, opp. Ballantyno's. 4 Anything at all offering in the way of Soft Furnishings, Drapery. or Clothing, purchaseablo under rating rat eg, shoula bo bought at onco. Note—Armstrong's Salo commcnces on W r cdncsday. with bargains in every section. 3 Ring Drayton's Emporium for jam jars, lib size us fid, 21b 7s 6d. Mason's fruit jars, all sizes, 10s Gd, 13s Gd, lGs 6d dozen. Orders delivered promptlv. 'Phono 200-1. 6 Notwithstanding an excellent Christmas "ran" on their unique stocks, Messrs Hastie, Bull, and Pickering announce tho opening up of many attractive lines suitablo for New lear and Wedding Gifts. C STUDEBAKER CHASSIS ARRANGEMENT. There are varying practices as to chassis arrangement, but thero is only one best practice, the essential features of which aro tho placing of tho gearbox immediately behind the engine, under the drivor's feet, but with tho gear-box constructed as a separate unit. This is tho method used in the most cost]v English cars, and it is adopted by Stndebakers because it is the best, irrespective of cost. The foreportion of the chassis frame, also, is narrowed considerably, giving tho front wheels a wider radius of movement. Tliis is another feature to be found in top-notch Ensilish and Continental cars—and in Studebakers. This method of construction —amidships gear-box and narrowed front, produces a magnificently strong, light, nnd rigid chassis framo, a fit foundation for the tromendously powerful though economical Studo&aker motor. See the Studebakers in our special Xmas Exhibition. Adams, Ltd. Showrooms, 152-154 High street. ]3