GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17120, 15 April 1921, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

Yesterday's river report was as under-. Waitaki, dirty; Waimakariri, north branch clear, south branch dirty; Rakaia, clear; Opihi, clear. The Tariff Revision Commission during its stay in Dunedin heard about forty applications for tariff revisfon. A similar number''is'to be heard in Christchurch, after which the next sitting will bo hejd in Auckland. The" pen and seal that were used by Mr Massey in signing tbo Peace Treaty at Versailles on. behalf of the Dominion of New Zealand, are to be preserved among the historical records of the Dominion. They have been placed i» * particularly beautiful case, the work of the craftsmen who mado the casket of New Zealand woods for the Prince of Wales, and will shortly be exhibited in a shop window in WcUington. At the first meeting of the new Committee df the Cbrtstohurch Amateur. Operatic Societv held on/Wednesday, Sir F, C. Raphael was elected chairman and Mr G. L. Donaldson secretary. It was decided that the next Opera to be produced he "Tho Country Girl" and that it bo put on about tho end of July. May 19th, was fixed for the perfonriing memlbers' dance. Mr A. Lucas was appointed Hon. Conductor, pending a permanent appointment. Tho good name that New Zealand soldiers earned in the war is being sustained in peace (telegraphs our J>nnodin correspondent). They are paying back their' repatriation advances with fine promptitude. Mr A. D. Tennant, District Repatriation Officer, said in answer to a question by a reporter, that of the advances wherewith to purchase tools of trade, the Otago returned men had already paid back 90 per cent., whilst as to business loans, although the returns had not come in so quickly, the evidence Jo hand went to show thatj he could reckon.on repayment of fully 98 or- perhaps 99 per cent. Such a statement is highly encouraging, considering the times and the wbole position. Remembering that most of these men have been, and still are, affected more or less by war service, it is astonishing. A suburban shopkeeper recently bought a quantity of matches at auction and received a shock while carting them ihome, for they burst into flames in a cart (says the Sydney "Sun"). They wero of Japanese make, and bore the assurance or safety, in the words "protection from fire." They were soli cheaply, and the buyer was thoroughly satisfied he (had secured a bargain. H«* placed the matches in a sack, and on his way home hiß dog jumped into the cart and settled on the sack. Immediately flames shot up, but they were quickly emothered. When the shopkeeper arrived home his wife inspected his purchase, and as aho was pulling a box of matches from a packet the friction of the edge of one box against tho edge of another box set fire to tihe packet. Further surprise was caused when her husband was pouring matches from the bag into the ;hop tray, for again some of the boxes burst into flame. The series of shocks and surprises convinced the shopkeeper that it would be unwise to rely on tho label on tho boxes. He stacked them in his back yard and ppured much water on them. No doubt theatres will be hired and plays produced just so long as actormanagers can find authors to minister to their vanity and city men to finance their productions, in exchange for occasional glimpses of life behind tho footlights (writes tho London correspondent of the Melbourne "Argus"). Thene are the productions which account for the rente how charged for London theatres. Even for old theatrical folk, a new production has a jrlamour from which it is hard to escape. Mr Dion Boucicault—ho has many friends in Australia—has produced more play 3 than most men of his time. Yet he hns J been supervising the rehearsals of' "Mis' Nell o' New Orleans" at the Duke of York's Theatre from his sick bed- at home. On Saturday, despite the protests of doctors, Boucicault insisted upon being carried to the theatre on a stretcher. A special rostrum wa'3 erected in the stalls, surrounded by a screen and a series of cliwtric radiators. Nurse 9 wero also in attendance. From the rostrum Dion Boucicault conducted the dress, rehearaal. When it ended, he went home to bed, where he expects to remain for soveral weeks. This is devotion to professional duty. Wells will have to write another comedy, "Dion sees it through." The new Commissioner of Crown Lands, Mr G. H. BuUard, who is also chairman of tho Summit Road Scenic Reserves Board, paid his first official visit to those reserves yesterday, and was accompanied by Mr A. W. Duncan, secretary of tho Board, and Mr H. Q. Ell, Inspector of the Reserves, Mr Ell explained to Mr Bullard the proposed additions to the "Sign of the Kiwi" and Kennedy's Bush Rest Houses, for which plans have been prepared. Mr Bullard expressed himself as extremely pleased with the quaintness and beauty of the various rest houses, and said that he entirely endorsed the suggestion wade by Mr John Strachan, when Un-der-Secretary of Lands, that the whole of the hilltops should bo reserved for tlie public. Mr Bullard went as far as Cass's Peak, on the other side of Kennedy's Bush, and appeared to be particularly impressed by tho good grading of the roads. He was introduced to Mr O'Shea, caretaker of the Kiwi Rest House, and Mrs O'Shea, and to Mr Bushel, caretaker of the Ken- ' nedy's Bush and Cooper's Knob reserves, and Mrs Bushel, and had afternoon tea at the former building. Mr Bullard was so pleased with the rest houses that he expressed his intention of writing to the secretary of the Mt Egmont National Park Board suggesting that that Board should proceed on simflar lines, usine native stone when building new restjiouses or extending those now in existence.

A Savage Club has been formed at Blenheim, with Dr. J. F. Bennett ps the nrst president. The club starts with a membership of sixty. The aJmual meeting of the Wairarapa Returned Soldiers' Association passed a remit to conference urging the Government to enforce the compulsory clauses of the Finance Act in order to provide money to complete the settlement of soldiers on the land. An Order-in-Council gazetted .Yesterday provides that the following species of birds indigenous to New Zealand are not to be deemed protected:—Paradise duck, pukeko. toal, grev duck, spoonbill duck, wild geese, and black swan. Major Warren (soys our London correspondent), principal architect for Mesopotamia to the Imperial War Graven Commission, told the members of the Royal Institute of British Architects an amusing story of how a number of Britons climb'ed tho Tree- of Knowledge in tho Garden of Eden and smashed it to the ground. "The reputed and quite indefensible Garden of Eden" was situate near KurnahSerpents were there, and probably some Eves, but certainly no garden, said Major AVarren. The Tree of Knowledge stood in the pardon, but was by now completely withered and deadWbhing to test tho strength of its branches, a number of demoralised and inebriate Britons had climbed into the tree, and more rapidly they fell to the ground with it. The tree had since been set up in concrete. In view of the amalgamation of the New Zealand Shipping Company and the Federal Steam Navigation Company (says our London correspondent), it has been deemed ospediont to consolidate in the service cap badges and buttons tho emblems of both lines, ho that the officers and men serving on tho vessels under the control of the company may be readily interchangeable. It will bo remembered that both linpa had cap badges very similar in design—an anchor crossed with the flag, of the respective company, in a setting of palm leaves. Now, however, tho badge common to both lines is formed by nn upright anchor with tho Federal flag on tho left and the New Zeoland.Shippng Company's flag on the richt, within tho usual settipg of pnlrri lenvea. In the case of the sorvico button tho two flags are also combined, the flap-poles being togrt)ier and the flags unfurling outwards. Both the amalgamated doaiirns lack nothing of tho grace of the orinrinal badges and buttons they consolidate. "It was a fino piece of bravery, and his plucky action certainly saved many lives." In this way Captain G. L'Smith, R-N-R., of the B. and A, steamer St, Albans, which was at Sydney a few days ago, referred to.the action of .Captain E. R. G. R, Evans, R.N., 0.8.i D.S,O„ in rescuing the survivors from the steamer Hong Moh, off the China coast. Tho Hong Moh and those on board were in a sad plight when the .wireless news was received on boardthe light cruiser Carlisle, on the China Station. The cruiser hurried to the scene, and a naval pinnace, in charge of Captain Evans, was despatched to render assistance. Owing to'the heavy sea the launch was unable to.get alongside. and Captain Evans promptly jumped overboard, and swam with a lino to tho wreck. By this action, over 100 lives were saved. When he got back to the naval pinnace, after his fight with the big seas, it was found that a ror>o had fouled the propeller of the launch, and' sno was at the merer of the wind pnd sea. Captain Evans acted promptly. He attain jumped overboard, and oiepwl the nrnnpller, arid all got back safely to H.M.S. Carlisle. First a sniff—then a sneeze —neglect \t, and probably you will be plagued with a cough and cold all the winter. Banish all risk by taking "Stop-It," tho successful remedy, at once. Is 9d, 3s, and 5s 6d. All chemists and stores. Loasby and Co., chemists (opp, Ballan.tyne's). ; ... '•: ■>'• G Ladies! Why pay 3or 4gns' for ydqr New Hat? AVJiy pay even 2gns, when it's quite possible to obtain the very latest ideas in hats at Armstrong's r Ladies are invited to inspect the many beautiful Millinery Models at 29s 6d. and also smart ready-to-wear straw and folt hats at 8s lid, at Armstrong's Up-to-date Millinery Salons—both at Colombo and High streets. Don't postpone your visit. 5 The best selection of materials for both artist and art student is at Gibbs' Art Depot, 105 Cashel street, the'shop which artistically frames pictures. G5426-50Q1 "Chester" Dinner Sets, English make, now arrived, stock pattern, 32 pieces Dinner Set £5 os. "Drayton's," without delay, Colombo street (north). 3 Ladies and gentlemen, whenever or wherever you find a storekeeper doing his utmost to satisfy all demands for the famous "No. Rubbing Laundry Help," load him with your.befit wishes. H 5414-6797 Pilkington's motors run twice daily between Christchurch and Akaroa. 8 i Farmers needing ready cash will find it in their plantations. Here are our special prices for circular saws: 22in 70s, 24in 80s, 20in S(h r 2sin 100s, 30in 110s. Quality considered Ahe cheapest in the Dominion. Ivorys, Ltd., 21 Manchester street. 15382 WE WANT YOU TO TRY THE NEW "TRIUMPH." To-day and to-morrow we aro continuing street demonstrations of tho now 1921 "Triumph," with side-car.' Wo have beeA -absolutely surprised by the performance of this wonderful all-chain-driven new Triumph, and, in our own interests we desire to share with a* many motor-cyclists as'pos'siblo the knowloclge of its capabilities. We don't care a brass farthing what make of machine you ride, or whether you are likely to buy a "Triumph" or not. All wo ask is that' you give* us ten minutes of yotir time to tost for yourself what tho new "Triumph" can do. We know | that it is tho most efficient, most economical, most easily-controlled machine capable of side-car service yet designed. Wa want you to know it too. Scores of motor-cyclists tested the new "Triumph'' yesterday, and formed their own opinions. We want your opinon, too. Stop the driver of ,tho outfit with the "Triumph" fla,? and take a ride. Adams, Ltd., Motor- ! cyclo Department, 152-154 High street, Christchurch, BO ITS A GOOD TURN! Street demonstrations of the new 1921 "Blue Excelsior" will be continued to-day and to-morrow. It's an American twin-cylinder machine; very powerful, and with a frame set so low that risk of skidding is eliminated on the sharpest turns.. From our own experience we consider this new "Excelsior" not only the finest motor-cycle America has yet produced, but tho most speedy, the most powerful, tho most economical, and the most easily controlled. Take a run through city' traffic on top gear and do us a favour. We ■showed this more than sixty motor-cyclists yesterday, and they all agreed that we had something really worth talking about. Can't we enlist your services as an investigator. Just stop the driver and ask for a ride, and you will be heartily welcomed. You'll know the outfit by the "Excelsior" flag. Adams, Ltd., Motor-cvcle Department, 152-1-54 High street. & 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 Saville's, near Theatre' Ro««l. SBB3B-483 I