GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17106, 30 March 1921, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

—*— A mail which was brought to Wellington from Australia by the Moeraki will be delivered in Cnristchurch today. There are 97 bags from the United Kingdom and 82 bags and 12 hampers from Australia. The auction announcements of H. Matson and Co., Cant??bury Farmers Co-op.. Association, Ltd., New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co.. Ltd., Craddock's Agency Co., Ltd., W. 33. Simes and Co., Tonks, Norton, and Co., Ltd., H. B. Sorensen, Charles Clark, Wrig|ht, Stephenson and ' Co., Ltd., George Anderson and Co., Harrisßros., P. S.'Nicholls and Co., Dalgcty and Co., Ltd., Farmers' Saleyards, and H. CSmith will be found on page 13 of this issue. ' A good story is,related by a gentleman who recently returned to Wellington from a visit to Taupo. The tale concerned a European Clergyman, a noted Maori. scholar, who uuring the day had "succeeded in taking a good catch of trout from the lake. On hJB return to shore he offered, in excellent Maori, to make a gift of one of his fish to a Native lady, who in equally excellent English thanked him, and asked him to bring the fish to the back door. In reply to a suggestion that the Gor vernment should assume the whole re- " sponsibilitv for secondary schools destroyed by fire, a letter was received from the Education Department by the Auckland Gfimmar School Board, stating that it had not been considered practical to carry out the suggestion at the present time. The Board was therefore requested to see that all its buildings were covered by insurance to their full insurable value. The Government would not accept responsibility for reinstatement of buildings that were not covered as fully'as possible by insurance. The latter added that Wherever * Board held lands the sums paid in insurance premiums may be deducted from the total expenditure on the maintenance of buildings, under section 20 of the Education Amendment Act, 1920. . Reference to the interpretation of the Imprisonment tor Debt Limitation Act, 19U8, was made in a decision given by Mr J- W. Poynton, S.M., in tho iiagistratels Court at Auckland.. Iho ' case was a judgment summons, in whida Mr Waddingham appeared for the credii tor and Mr Singer for the debtor, lhe Magistrate stated that under section i ic)oi the Act, tho Court could make an order for imprisonment m default of payment if it .was satisfied that the debtor had sufficient means and ability to pay the amount since the time of *)no iudement. This had been interpreted in some quarters to mean that the debtor • must possess actual money to pay the f amount before the clause could operate. ; Section 8, said the Magistrate, provided - that no order was to be njado if the , debtor proved that, after providing for toe reasonable maintenance of himselr 1 and family, he had not, since tho date ► cf the judgment, sufficient money to pay , the debt. This put the onus of con- ' vincing lhe Court on the debtor, lhe debtor°in tho present case had failed to 3 provide this proof, and the Magistrate 1 was satisfied ne had the means to pay ' greater- obligations than were provided E m tho judgment. Judgment was given . for plaintiff for £3O, and costs, the Magistrate adding that, consioenng the ' evidence submitted, he could not \\lth- • hold the order for imprisonment in de- • fault of payment. 'Hue alternativoa would be il daja.

Thieves entered two Palmerston North hotels yesterday morning, and visiting bowlers were robbed of £2OO. Yesterday's river report was as foU lows:—Waimakariri (both branches), clear (clear, light S.W.,wind); Rakaia, i dirty (fine); Opihi, clear (fine); Wai- j takf, fishable (fine). A settler in the Waitahora Valley, giving evidence in the Dannevirke Magistrate's Court, said he had been in the district for nearly 28 years and ] had never known such a dry season as experienced this year. He first started carrying water in October last, and had been dtoing so periodically since then. He was'cross-examined as to his statement, but the witness adhered 4o his story. Very little rain had fallen since October to be of any real benefit. A leading poultry . auctioneer of Auckland, commenting on tupplies and prices ruling for poultcy, stated thaD this was an exceptional year, and that he cannot remember poultry "coming forward in such numbers. Birds of all descriptions, he said, were in heavy ' supply, with low rates ruling. In fact, the market had been glutted, and values this week were almost 50 per cent, lower than they had been for _ sometime. He attributed the low prices to the shortage of feed. The najority of ' the birds sent forward were in poor condition, and in the moult. Some 750 soldiers are receiving treat- : ment in the Auckland military district at present. . Many are out-patients, the staff of the Assistant-Director .of. Military Services dealing with no fewer ; than 250. Some are patients of the ' various civil hospitals, but the practice ' is to send the men who require hospital treatment to the most suitable military hospital. The annexe building-has ] been vacant for some time, tihe only patients there being, a Tew suffering . from tubercular troubles, -who qro housed in shelters on 'he Domain. These men are under the cftre of the general hospital. "Why do I support the present Government? may bo asked," said Mr E. Dixon, Reform candidate for the Patea« by-election, at his first meeting. "Be- . cause the only strong political rallyingpoint to-day wal the Massev Government and Reform Party.'' In view of the alarming spread of Bolshevik methods, added Mr Dixon, there never was a greater need for the Reform Party to stand four square against all disloyalty and unpatriotism. The Government of to-day compared more than favourably with any Government that had ever held office in this Dominion. The Prime Minister had proved himself to be one of the most capable statesmen of the Empire. They looked to the electors to-day- to see to it that in the present critical period of this country's existence nothing wa3 # dono to >. weaken . the Government's position. New regulations have been gazetted under the Valuation of Land Act, 1908. These provide for the valuation of dis- ; tricts and the arrangements to be made i with locaf authorities. A district valuer or other officer employed at a yearly salary under the Act shall not undertake for payment any valuation, assessment, or work relating thereto, except in the performance of his duties under the Act, or with tho previous written . consent of the Valuer-General. The cost of preparing, revising, and correcting district valuation rolls is to be borne in third shares by .the Land and Income Tax Department, 'the Valuation Department, and the local authorities where the local authorities are supplied with valuation rolls, but the charge to tho local body in any year shall not exceed Is per cent, of the capital value of all the property appearing on its valuation roll. Where jio rolls are supplied to the local bodies the cost is to. be divided between the Government Departments. ; What is there in the Australian air (asks' a writer in a London journal) that develops the genius for cartooning? Phil May—born in England; "Hop"—born in America, where he fought, in the Civil War, and used to boast that he was the only man who escaped a colonelcy; and David Low— v born in New Zealand —have all done brilliant work there, while Norman Lindsay and Will Dyson are two of many of the native-born whose fame has gone abroad. In England at this moment, I believe that all those who know his work —not only Australians and New Zealanders keen to exalt a fellow-countryman—would admit that there is not yanother cartoonist to equal Low. Perhaps because he is a New Zealander by birth, his humour and his satire are not so cruel as those of most Australian humorists, but his genius for ridicule }B enormous, and he has wonderful capacity for summing up a* situation in half a dozen lines with his pencil and three words from his pen. Low must be worth a, mint of money to the "Star," and 1 hope that it duly appreciates the fact,. ' Inconstant Point, where the scow Magic Went ashore on Saturday afternoon, is about three-quarters of a mile inside Pencarrow Head, on the same • side of the entrance to the harbour, and is directly opposite Barrett's Reef (savs the Wellington "Dominion"). The point derived its name from the barque Inconstant, which in negotiating the narrow part of the entrance—narrow for sailing craft, which are more or less at the mercy of the wind—struck on the rocks off the promontory, sprung a leak, was towed into. Wellington, and beached in a sinking condition on the To Aro foreshore. There she was sold by auction to the late Mr John Plim- ( mer, who removed her to the present site of the Bank of New Zealand onLambton Quav, where after being embedded in sand and earth she was con- - verted by Mr Plimmer into a warehouse, which was known as "Noah s Ark" by the early settlers: Some ot the furniture in the bank's board room is manufactured from the oaken planks t of the Inconstant. Delegates to the Presbyterian Young Men's Bible Class Easter Conferenco struck camp at Purau yesterday morning. On Monday afternoon a seyen-a, side Rugby tournament was held, St. James's (Wellington) defeating St. Andrew's (Christchurch) ir tho bnal game by 11 points to nil. In a fullsided game, North Island (S> defeated South Island (0). At the final businew meeting, an appeal for JL'9OO (£6OO to be raised before June), for the purchase of a hall to carry on the Maori Mission work at Nuhaka, was considered. It was decided to refer the matter to tho Missions Committee, which will receive subscriptions. This work is not to interfere with tho regular mission aim of the Y.M.B.C. movement, which is to Taiso £IOOO per annum. At a conference of the young men's and young women's executives with tho Assembly s YoutH Committee, it was decided that.. hereafter, tho annual summer ence should be controlled by the young women, in conjunction with the Yourh , Committee. It will now do for tho i young women to say what means shall be adopted to keep the conference from becoming unwieldy. Mr J. French, the caretaker of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's grounds, while taking his usual early morning walk yesterday, discovered an incipient fire on the verandah of the pavilion. During the night a ball, in connexion with the inter-University tournament, had been held in the pavilion, and the verandah had been converted into a lounge, several chairs and couches having been hired to furnish this portion of the building. Possibly, through the carelessness of a late sitter-out in the dance, a lighted cigarette had been left on a couch, with the result that a couch caught fire. Mr French's early visitation—it was about 5 a.m.—was fortunate, for when he arrived at the pavilion the couch was in flames and a portion of the floor was scorched, the carpet covering it having also caught fire. The burning couch was immediately thrown into the minia- | ture lake nearby, and what remained of the fire was quenched. Mr French considers that if the fire had started in a part of the verandah which was exposed to the wind nothing could ha\e| saved the pavilion.

Ten per cent, will be added to all City Council rates unpaid after to-mor-row. The Council office will be open each morning at 8.30. During tiho hearing of a (harge cf drunkenness at the Auckland I'ciiee Court, when. Messrs S. Hill pnd W. K. Howit-t were the justices, Ihe defendant stoutly denied tho offence. The police quoted Sir Robert Stout as jo what constituted drunkenness. This, however, says an exchange, did not cirry veiglit, for the presiding justices remanccd that Sir Robert Stout admitted that he knew nothing about intoxicating liquors and had never been drunk; therefore, how could he be an authority on what constituted drunkenness? The charge was dismissed. Speaking at the luncheon to the Australian cricket leam at Wellington yesterday, Mr Massev said he hoped these matches would become an annual fixture. He would like to see arrangements made whereby an Australian team will visit New Zealand every second year, a Dominion team to visit Australia in a similar period. This exchange of visits would bo the means of bringing the two British countries in the Pacific even more closely in touch with each otheu. National games* had •a great deal to do with the formation of the national character. Professor Worley, a member of the Kauri Gum Commission, asked Mr T. W. Rhodes several questions as to tho Austrians and Dalmatians vho used to work on the field. The had gone, said Mr Rhodes. _ Tliev had worked the fields verjr persistently, had discovered good gum, and -had made big wages. As to the Dalmatians, Mr Rhodes said that, generally peaking, they were a decent, law-abiding pec pie. Thev were not skilled, and onlv their industry made them successful diggers. If land could be set apart in f.fty-r.cro blocks and Britishers induced to n'ake homes on them, devoting [art (f 'heir time to gum-digging, it would le a good thing. An impoverished condition of the blood is generally responsible for unoxplainable lack of energy, lassitude, etc. • The remedy is to strengthen _ your blood with Loasby's Nerve Tonic and Blood Ehricher—it makes rich, red blood. Ss 6d and 6s 6d a bottle, all chemists, or from Loasby and Co., Chemists (opp. Ballantyne's). O The Prince of Diggers is doing a great work in helping potato growers through the present difficult season. The Aspinwall potato digger cuts the cost of harvesting by two-thirds, and savos sufficient hard cash to'pay for itself in digging 10 acres of potatoes. The Aspinwall will dig under any condition of soil and it gets all the potatoes. Catalogues, prices, and terms from Ivorys, Ltd., 21 Manchester street. 6 ■ Every woman loves a real bargain, and no woman has yet been disappointed in the remarkable bargains always procurable at Armstrong's two shops. Hers they will find the latest ideas in seasonable clothing,, and the finest selection of household' drapery and furnishings, all marked at the lowest prices in town. There are always one - or two extra special Bargain Days at Armstrong's every week. Make a note of these special days, and do all your shopping then. » Who wants strong Cups A special line is offered without saucerß, 7s 6(J the half-dozen. Drayton's, Colombo street north. Plates equally right. 2 Always use "No Rubbing Laundry Help" for washing clothes during summer, owing to its wonderful sanitary and nerfect cleansing qualities. Frank A. Cook,' Limited. - H 54146797 One never tiros of the rich beauty and graceful lines of Doulton waro, particularly the new designs which have Just reached Hastie, Bud, and Pickering, 113 Caahel street. Eminently suitable for wedding gifts. Call and inspect, . '9 ( For the best in Face Powders, Perfumes, Bath Salts, and Corsage Sachets —products of Morny Freros—call.on E. Cameron Smith, Chemist, 96 Worcester street. 5 In addition to making a full line of • high-class Agricultural Implements, Machines and Vehicles, also attachments and accessories for same, we do repairs of all sorts, from Lawn Mowers to Traction Engines. P. and D. Duncan, Ltd., Tuam Btreet, Christchurch. P.O. Box 124. . .' D 2992-9395 For artistic pictures and pictureframing, patronise Gibb's Art Depot, 105 Cashel street, opp. Ballantyne's. Big stocks of artists' colours, brushes, and materials. 9 Pilkingtori's motors run twice daily between Christchurch and Akaroa. 6 Tho celebrated '"Mass'ey" Cycles, guaranteed for 12 months, price £l2. Terms arranged. Johnston and Son, sole agent, N. Canterbury. P.O. Box 1. •Phone 4. JSOOB-4619 HIGH - POWERED', HIGH - SPEED MOTOR-CYCLES FOR STRONG, PLUCKY RIDERS AT HALFCOST PRICE. The Excelsior motor-cycle (7-9 h.p., twin-cylinder) is not the sort of mount we would recommend for nervous men, or weaklings. Running solo, if you give her her head, she will eat up eiglvty miles'in an hour on the road,.and with . a side-chair she can still do a milo a minute. It takes both pluck and strength to control such tremendous power and speed. Tho usual objection to machines of such capacity, that they cost too much for petrol and tyres, does not, however, apply to the Excelsior. On a recent careful test, with side-car, oh a trip from Christcnurch to Dunedin, the average petrol consumption was 74.9 miles to the gallon, or under jjd per mile, while a 6et .of good tyres—say, Fisk tyres—will run 5000 miles. A new Kxcelsior costs £145, but we have remaining in stock four.perfectly up-to-date machines which have seen some usage, which we offer at £BO, £B3, £BS, and £BS respectively. These machines are perfectly sound, and if you want a side-car to correspond we can fit one, built on a genuine Excelsior chassis, and with local coach-built body, for £43 10s. Don't tarry'too long in making up your mind, for these four machines will bo sold this week. Adams, Ltd. Motor-cycle Department, 152-154 High street. 0 DEPENDABLE BICYCLE TYRES. Saville and Co., direct importers of highest quality bicycle tyres—British manufacture, 12 months' guarantee, 17» 6d. Michelin and Dunlop tyres also obtainable at Savillo's, near Theatra