GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16729, 12 January 1920, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

I Tho consent of tho Government ha; I been obtained by the* local bedies namcc jhereunder to raisp the loan.- stated:i Waimairi County Council, a>: A.-hburun Borough Council, £10.0(}l»: Kyre ( utmtv CVnn il. £.V.(l<). Tho Mamma, whirh had been making fast run- from Wellington la.-t week, capped all her recent performances on Saturday night, and arrived at l.yt-K-lton at S.o!) a.m. yesterday, alter a tr;;> of ll? hours l."> minute.- ;n t• 1.11 -tea'i.mjc time. This is the fa>te.-: trip has made for over two year?. The eoal t;?ed Mas Newcastle. A gold nugget art union, in which there are six prizes ranging in vnlun from £"> to i'lL'j. luis been organised by the Chrisichun-h Domain Board, that necev-:iry funds may he < buiined for the upkeep of the city's beauty .-pot-. Tickets. price Is each, may he obtained from the lion, secretary o! the art union. Mr C. W. Ilonty. The D.irinevithe Borough Council, after receiving a report from Mr J. W lila: k:r..tr., decided to n-k sanction <ft * I;., ratepayers :<» lat.-e a loan of " to purchase tile property of t!i • l.'.innevnko (ia> Company. and to extoiid the mains, services, etc. The pi ice a.-ked I t the property by thi c jinpany i- £l<i.t:(.l >. The lion. J. CI. Coates. Minister in Charge of the I'uii liv Trust. Ofiice, anflounces that a •_< neral .-ehemo lias heen i!e.v.!ed upon Jt.r tl:e expansion of tho erganisation of the Department during the present year. Tile scheme, when i ompleted. will involve the opening of satellite offices in the suburban districts of tin' four principal centres of the Dominion.

At a meeting ot the West port, farmers' I'nion held on Saturday, it was resolved to extend a cordial invitation to tho Prime .Minister to visit "We-.tport at as early a date as possible. A resolution was also passed asking the <ioverument "to repeal cln'.t.-es lfH-10'.f of the Finance Act, under winch the West port llarlonr Board has hivn penalised to the extent of between. and £70,000." Tito ' Auckland Star" in its Jubilee number reproduces a <"opy ot its first, publication o:i .lanuary Xth, in wiiich appears in an hotel advertisement the following delectable choice for a counter lunch: "Cahl luncheon : Chop, steak, plato cold meat, park sausage, pork pie, fried fish, sausage roll, ham or beef sandwich, minco pie, with potatoes or bread and a pla.-s of ale, price sixpence." No wonder they call them J tho "good old days!"' Htrw is this for a gct-rieh-quick (asks Saturday's "Manawatu l>ailv Times"):' A man bought a Palmerston house for LIMJO about six weeks .ago. Tho houso suited him, So he wasn't 'keen to sell. However, sotno homeless wanderer sawit and askc<l a price. Thinking to s:-aro him cfl he modestly asked £1800. "Ilight,'' cam© tho rendy and tho sale was made. Tliat six-weeks increment is financing a trip Home for the lucky speculator. "The worker in the States generally spends every penny ho gets: ho doesn't savo much," said Mr M. J. I'eardon (rccrntly returned to "Wellington from California) to a reporter on Friday. "Ffo lives faster than tho Xew Zealand working man. It is an nnnsunl tiling to soo in this country « worker going to his job in his own motor-ear. Hut such a sight is not infrequently met with in the States. Many workers jx>s«?ss ears, and when there is a meeting of tho San Francisco Trades and T»aIrrur Council you may seo quite a lot of cars drawn up in the street outside. The officers of the Council arc provided with cars at tho Council's expense."

According to Mr M. J. Rcardon, of Wellington, who recently returned from a trip to California, tho following is .a story frequently related where Labour men of tho States foregather:—Tho Chicago Plumbers' Union held an election of officers. Members of tho organisation took such a lively interest in the afFair that tho police had to bo called in to guard tho ballot-boxes for thrc« (lays and thrco nights. When tho returns were complete, a ineoting was called, and the results were announced. A member, whoso hand lingered m tho neighbourhood of his hip pocket, had Bomo comment to make. "I am sori-y to say," ho observed, "that this nnion has elected a crowd of men who liavo been stealing its funds." He went further, and pretended to know to what disgraceful purposes the purloined funds luid been applied. Tho vice-presi-dent rose. ,r Do thoso remarks applv to me?" ho enquired. "If the cap 'fits, wear it," was tho retort. Both interlocutors reached for their guns. As it happened, tlto vice-nresident was a triflo tardy, and his office was vacant in an instant. Tho man who sat next the successful gunman did not budgo or blink an eye. "When invited to give tho reason of his nonchalance, lie replied : "It's like this, you see. I've been a member of this union for years." Ik'lated information respecting tho suicide of D'Arcy lite McManawuy, a labourer, 19 y<>ars of age, at llavelock, on December 20th, has been received bv tho superintendent of pulico at Wellington. The circumstances were somewhat peculiar. Tho youth appeared to bo infatuated with a young woman, nnd had informed her tliat if she did not respond lie would shoot himself. On December 10th he attended n dance, and the younc lady was also present, but she was attended by another man. On the following morning MeManawny was despondent, and refused to have breakfast, giving as a reason that ho was not well. His omployer invited him to go to Hlenhcim in a" motor-car, and IWcManawav said that ho thought ho_ would. A little later ho was seen f;oing into a shed, and about two hours atcr ho was found hanging by the nock, quite dead. It appears that tho man secured a ropo from a tree close by, and passed this over a beam in the shed about 10ft from the ground. There was a running noose at one end of the ropo, which McManawnv placed round his neck, and the other end of tho ropo liad been fastened to a stout, wooden pin in an upright post. ITo must have jumped off a -horse stall about 4 J feet from the ground, for when tho body was found the feet were about three inches from the ground. McManawav bad scribbled on the wall in pencil bidding the lady good-bve, nnd hoping that her lifo would bo* a happy one.

A German firm seeking trade with New Zealand hns met with a rebuff from an Auckland company which is not likely to encourage further solicitations. From Lauter in Saschen C'achische Emaillir und Stanzwerko sought orders to the '"Two Swords Braud'' of enamelled waro, the orders to ho placed through a British firm as buying agent, the latter to mako tho necessary arrangements for shipment to ?"n ,v Tho reply was in tho following terms: —"ileforenee vnurs October 30th, 1019. cur brand 'Crossed Swords' is an appropriate ono. for as long as tho writer livea this will bo the firm's attitudo towards you and everything German and - Austrian. After three and a half years' fighting I against vou as an enemy,-with 41 of our employees also assisting, including my two sops, the firm's policy is so rigid that its doors will never be reopened to do business with, or trade in, (tornuin goods. I sincorolv hopo that the Government of this country will put such a tariff on all goods manufactured in Germany and Austria that will prevent any merchants importing «»mo. Wo qui to anticipate tho usual German methods of trying to ovade by shipping through other countries, even, as you suggest, through London buvors. There is no necessity to prolong'this letter, excepting to say that anw further letters will bo unanswered": and this is being sent through our London buyers, so that they sliall emphatic- I ally our attitude towards you, and everything German."

The sultry weather yesterday drove crowds of children into the water, and ail along the Avon, almost from the j Carlton t,ndgo to Armagh street, and i particularly r.ear the Hospital boat i 1 sheds, shoals of barelegged youngsters L | were p.uidimg about 111 the river to k<*ep themselves '001. The river called . ! to adults as well as to the children, but I the grown-ups seem-d to prefer to recline in boats, v. i,.it time the more "iiergetic plied the oars. Some time on Thursday night the South Rakaia Hotel, of which Sir I'. Galhgan is the licensee, was broken into, and the sum of i"j() in sovereigns stolen irom the cash register. .Mr Galligan for some time had been carelully '-ollectiiig sovereigns, which ho kept i:i the cash register. The thief evidently entered the premises via tho ! cellar, he then removed tho register ; from the bar to an outside stable, and broke it open with a crowbar, abstracting the gold, which was tlie only money in the cash register. ; Timber prices have i-oon advanced this week, but the scarcity of material . i-, even more serious than the high (price (says Thursday's Auckland: ••Star'"'. I-Vom present indications it! will be a Jong time before suificient j houses are built to'meet tho urgent re-| <|iiirenieiit.s of the growing |>opulation j 01 Airkland. At the present moment 1 the mills aro short of supplies, and can i i only supply a fraction of the orders j jin hand. Hut the temporary nature of : a local shortage is nothing compared j with the serious position of the indusj try in general. j A boy's remarkable death is told by ! the Sydney •'Telegraph." Willio Mci T.iggart (!') was shot by his grandfather, ■ William McTaggart, at Howe's Valley, I 011 R ixiiig night, in mistake for a flvj ir.g fox. The family had gone over lor I a holiday, and the grandfather had been

| trying to got ;i flying fox for the | youngster, lie saw one flying over on j Kjxing evening. and brought .1 gun jont. In the meantime voting McTag- ! cart had climbed a poach tree near the I 11011.-0 after fruit, and his grandfather j saw a movement in the tree, and, I thinking it a flying fox, fired. The boy | died a few minutes la tor. | The doath of Mr I'. B. Morison, j K.C., recalls tiie stirring football days of the Wairarapa. About thirty-fiva yof.rs ago the lato .Mr Morison was cap- ! tain of the Ma.sterton Football Club i (says the "Ace"). His team was rom- | posed of the Bannisters, IVrrys, "Welch s», [ and others. 011 one occasion a match was played on a ground in Worksop road against a native team. The play I>ecnme very rough, and ultimately developed into a free tight, in which Maori maidens, with umbrellas, took a prominent part. The natives were overwhelmed largely through' tho agility displayed by Captain Morison, nnd tho match was abandoned. A draft of over nine hundred "Government passengers"—presumably pnssengers whoso berths have been arranged by the Repatriation authorities in England—is en route to the .Dominion by the Australia-bound steamship Bremen. Advice to this effect was received from Cape Town by tho Defence Department on Friday. Tho Bremen, which is also bringing Australian passengers, left F.ngland on November 2Gth. and is duo at Hobar on January 23rd. As that port is he; destination, however, tho Xcw Zealanc complement will have to tranship, prob al>ly reaching "Wellington about tho enc of tho month.

A Magisterial recount of the votes polled in tho Stratford olcction has just been concluded, tho Magistrate being Mr T. A. B. Bailey. Tho result of tho recount, it is understood—for ther© is no official information available—is that Mr Hino has mado a gain of six votes by tho recount. This means that Mr Masters, tho Liberal candidate, has still a majority over Mr Hino of (51 votes. It is common knowledge (says tho "Dominion ") that tho supporters of Mr Hine propose to take advico as to whether any further action by way of olcction petition is possible. Such a petition would Ik> heard before an Election Court, consisting of two Judges of tho Supremo Court.

Yesterday aftersfoon tlio Christchnrch Centre of ilie Dominion of New Zealand Rowling Association entertained a largo number of visiting bowlers and their lady friends to a motor trip to .Motukanira. The day being delightfully fino, thero was a far larger attendance than was expected, consequently thero wero many disappointments. Tho president of tho Centre, Mr E. Henderson, did his best for tho visitors that wero left behind, and they wero sent down to New Brighton. Over fifty cars left the city, and after an onenjoyablo run of nn hour arrived at tho reserve, where afternoon tea and refreshments wero provided. After a stroll through tho Domain tho return trip to town was made about 5 p.m. Everyone enjoyed tlio outing.

Thero was a regular field day in the Juvenile Court on Saturday, and Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M., had u round dozen of small boy offenders up before him on charges ranging from trivial to serious. Three boys, whoso apparent leader was a youth of 17 yoars of ago named Percy & 'league, were arraigned on a chargo of breaking into a dwelling nt Limvood and stealing goods t-o the value of £3 10s. Chief-Dotectivo Mellveney aske<l for a remand until the 17th inst., as thero were a number of other charges pending against ono or moro of tho lads. Four other boys, whose ages ranged from (1 to 11 years, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering tho Textile Bagand Sack Company's premises and stealing £8 17s -Id; also to setting fire to a motor garage and a motor lorry belonging to tho NewZealand Express Co. and stealing cortain electric bulbs. Tho hoys wero committed to tho Receiving Ilo'me, his Worship remarking that if tho homo life of the I>oys was all bo these kind of tilings -would not happen. Four other brys—only ono of whom appeared—were charged with wilful damage to New Zealand Government property. This case was remanded, and warrants were issued for tho arrest, of the defaulters, A rather snd case of destitute children concluded the morning's business. In this oaso a mother had boon left in a destitute condition, with six small children to look after by her husband, who liad gono to Napier on ail alleged liolidav. Hj s Worship committed the children to the Ro co.vmg Home in be brought up in tho Roman Catholic faith.

It would have been hard to find two more disappointed men in Melbourne recently than Chan Lai and Chan Mq printer and night watcluuan respectively trom the steamer fit. Albans, or to hud a richer lining in a suit of'clothes than that which two watchmon and .se.irchers of tho Customs Department .succeeded in discovering (states tho Melbourne "Ago",). At about 11 30 p.m. tho two officials in question were onboard tho St Albans at Victoria Dock when tho Cluueso returned from -up town. Much to their pa i nec i astonishment they were detained and searched by the two oflicors. Thou f o ] lowed an interesting spcctado—a sort of golden rain of sovereigns and halfsovereigns many of which were concealed in tho legs of underpants, in boots, and m rant pockets. Upon Luan L»ai was discovered °00 halfsovereigns and two sovereigns" and 'on Chan Mo 64 half-sovereigns and 38 sovereigns. Ihe sequel occurred next day, whon the Acting Collector at the Custom House held an enquirv into the case. under section 15 of the Customs Ac., and heard evidence, which disclosed tho ajovo facts. The exportation of bullion from the Commonwealth is proof July 14th 1013. unless tho assent in writing of the Minister has tint been obtained. No such permission having been granted in the present caso. Mr Green is making a recommendation regarding the matter to the Minister for his decision. In the meantime the -whole of tho sovereigns and half-;overeigns are being held by the Customs authorities.

I | One channel through which numbers of undesirable characters might enter NV.v Zealand if a very strict watch were ii. .t empl'iycJ, v.ms disclosed in the Police Court at Auckland, last week, i when four seamen from England, two of whom, it was stated. had i-eii '-logged" on their vessel, were brought before Mr J. K. WiNon. S..M, on a theft charge. Alter they had been convict, ii. I I tiie 'master of tlie ship said he did not! [wish them to come ntmard again, intli-1 ' eating that it would not matter if. hv! imprisonment. they missod their vessel*, j ••((li, that i- very nice for you." ;! n-! swertd the magistrate, "hut New Zea-j land h:ipp<n ; to want these men oven less than von do. I cannot prevent yon I frcin discharging them here, hut I think : van should know that we have no room | for them in New Zealand." The men I worn not imprisoned. j All the agony of Rheumatism can he avoided niuf the disease itself remedied hv ridding the system of cscess urio v. id. Fc- this purpose nothing is so ••nod as Loasbv's Rheumatic Pebbles. Price 2? Oil .1 at all chemists and ' ?to res. or from Trashy and Co., Chein-1 '.Ms (opp. Hallantyne'sV ®j Keen buyers r.re alive to the stir- I prising values that feature Armstrong s I Sales. Their present .sale prices •arttypical of tlie power of the concentrated worth of iheir two big stores largo, well-bought stocks. such arf Armstrong's at sale prices, at the present time should make the people glad^. Armstrong's Annual Summer Salo To-day. " Characteristic,'' " distinctive,' "true to life,'' are expressions we he-ar by those wiio have their port raits 111 ado 1 bv StofFano Webb. We are particularly successful with children's portraits. | Petersen's Buildings, High street, j Christchurchc. Telephono 1959. O |

lting Drayton's Emporium for jam jars, lib sizo us 6d, 21b 7b 6d. Vinson's fruit jars, all sizes, 10s Gd, 13s (id, 16s Gd dozen. Orders delivered promptly, 'i'hono 2004. 0 Gibb's Art Depot for Picture Framing, Pictures, Artists' Colours, and Drawing Materials, 105 Cash el street. G Ebony Brush waro and Hand-Mirrorß. ! Messrs Has tie, Bull, nnd Pickering announco the recent arrival of a vory i> n o I selection of theso goods, and solicit inspection. Tho lines are of excellent quality and value. 6 Nothing reduccs tho letting or colling value of :i house or furniture so much as the ravages of wood borer. Exterminate it wth 'Whoolhnnd's Fly Exterminator. 519 Colombo street. 6 Boys' Holiday Clothing.—KnicKcrs, dark tweeds, nuv size, 4s lid; Email boys' Strong "Washing Tops, 4s lid. At Armstrong's Sale. 2 January and February are our best months for sea bathing. 1 ,adios should see our stocks of Bathing Caps and Beach Hats. Colours to match any costumo, and prices moderato. Tho Beach Hats aro also ideal for motoring. E. Cameron Smith, chemist, 9o "Worcester street. 6 "Washboard slavery scientifically abolished —thanks to "No Rubbing'' Laundry Help Is packet docs seven woekly washings. T. 11. Green and Co., Ltd., Eoyd Bros, and Kirk, Ltd., wholesaio agents. 1 STUDEBAKEIt PETROL SUPPLY SYSTEM. A great part of tho ploasaro and comfort of mind in motorinc donends on

STUDEBAKER PETROL SUPPLY SYSTEM. A great part of tlio ploasuro and comfort of mind in motoring depends oil an efficient And well-considered system of petrol supply. Such a system as incorporated in all tho new Studebakere. Tho tank, situated at the tail of tho chassis, where it is most cnsilyy accessible and best protected from harm, is of lenk-proof construction and ample capacity. Tho filler-pipo is hig and efficiently stoppered. Stewart Vacuum Feed is installed, and the supply of petrol is thus a positive one, alwavs at tho Bame pressure, always safo and always to bo dopended upon. Tho supply reservoir is eouippod with positivo float action, and the condition of tho petrol supply can be ascertained in a moment, even in tho dark, being shown accurately by an infallible indicator. "Hicso aro small details, but small details count greatly with the motorist. See tho Studobakor Xmas Exhibition at our Hfigh street Showrooms. Adams, Ltd. 19,