GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17122, 18 April 1921, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

To-day the sub-enumeratprs will commence the work of collecting the census papers. There is a' maximum penalty of £2O provided for failure to have the schedules filled in and ready for the sub-enumerators, when they-call for them. '•

Giving evidence before the Hospitals Commission, Sir James WjlEan, chairman of th» Falmerston North Hospital Boardj eulogised the skilled medical attention and efficient nursing servuie oiven to patients in the public ho apitals, speaking generally, and added tfhat from his observation lie "Would personally rather go into a public hospital than into a private hoepital. Now and again an incident occurs here which justifies outsiders in regarding this part of the Dominion as tho wild and woolly West Coast (writes the Waiuta correspondent of tilie Gre.vmouth "Star")- The Donnvbrook which took place oij. Saturday, Qthiust., is such an inoident.' To run into n dance room with a rope while the dance was proceeding, and lassoo one of the dancers, would seem* an incident in keeping with a ."Wild West rihow. However, this was oiily a minor feature in Waiuta's revelrv, on Saturday jiight. It was the occasion of a dance, and all went mer"rily until near 11 p.m., when a fight started. The rough-and-tumble must have delighted the assembled crowd, for the desire to get a smack at one another spread like an epidemic, and a panic ensued. It is stated that the contestants set-to with a right good will, and in a few minutes the battle was in progress on the dance-room floor, on the stage, in tho dressing-room, ana out in the street. The disturbance raged until the majority got tired or injured. or sought safety in retreat. .The sequel will be'heard in the Magistrate's Court. • • - •

. The long-standing worker's compensation case,. Joseph Inioni v. Frederick Blogg, was called on at -ihe recent sittings of the Court of Arbitration here, but as there was pc appearance of either party it was'ordered to stand down till tne next sessions of the Court. A largo and influential deputation consisting of Papanui and Riecarton residents will shortly wait upon Mr Frank Sisson, asking him to contest the Riecarton sub-district at the next Tramway Board election. At the Rugby street Methodist Church yesterday, large congregations assembled to hear the Rev. J. Napier Milne. At the evening service Mr Milne expressed his great pleasure at being appointed mihister to a Christchurch congregation. At the annual meeting of the Wellington Savage Club, Lord Jellicoe was elected president, rpr some time past the club has been considering the erection of a memorial to its members who fell in the war. At the meeting it was unanimously decided to allocate the sum of £250 for the purpose, the memorial to be incorporated in some fitting manner ,in tihe Soldiers' Memorial Chapel, to be included in the now Wellington Cathedral.

The Palmerston North railway station on Friday afternoon was crowded with excited Maoris, and every train arriving added its quota. Eventually a special train moved off to Pakipaki (Hawke's Bay) .where Ratana, the faith healer, is to conduct's camp for a week. Maori's from all parts of the North Island will attend, and there will bo present many chiefs and -people of the highest tribes. R-atana himself was on tho platform and was the centre of much interest. Soon he will tour the South Island (says the "New Zealand Times" correspondent), where many Maori people are anxious to be treated.

Wellington lias been given* a new park," the benefactor being; the. Hon. C. H. Izard, M.L.C.', and the park being nearly twelve acres opposite Wilton's Bush on the wireless station side of the main road from Karori to Wadestown. In announcing t|hc gift, tha .Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke) Baid the property was a splendid one, and would provide a fina park and recreation ground for the western section of the city. • On behalf of the citizens of Wellington, ho wished to thank Mr Izard for the public spirit which had prompted the gift. Mr Luke added that the park would probably be called the, Izard Memorial Park, as it had been given to the city "jn memory of Mr Izard's son who fell in the great war.

. The tailoring business is not very •brisk in Wellington-at the present time. According to a gentleman who feas long been intimately connected with the trade, the local houses are or. the average down to three-quarter time (says the "Dominion"). While New Zealand soldiers were returning to the country the tailors had a very bu3y period, buci in October, 1920. the usua} summer rush did not set in, and overtime was tho exception rather than the rule. . A local tailor .informed a reporter recently that his house (which is quite a larga one) was going through tlhe slackest time it had experienced for several years. • There is not much unemployment, however. Two or three Wellington men aro out of work, sfnd the union secretary states that lie is unable to-* place them. The operatidns carried out in late years for the re-establishment- of oyster beds in Whangaroa Harbour have proved entirely successful, states tho "New Zealand Herald." In the early history of New Zealand, Whangaroa was famous for the richness of its oyster supply.' Owing to the ease with which 'the "shellfish were obtained, however, they .were taken away in enormous quantities for export .to Australia, and stripped from; the rooks bv such wasteful methods that the fishery was entirely destroyed. Three or four years ago, however, oyster spat were transplanted from the Bay of Islands by the Marine Department's officials, in conjunction with Mr J. C. Martin, of Russell. The young oysters have since grown and multiplied, and spread to such an extent that there is reason to hope that within a year :or two Whangaroa will contribute on a liberal scale to the Dominion's oyster supply. "We may call ourselves Englishmen or Scots "or Britishers,, or South Africans, Canadians, Australians or • Nejv Zealanders." said Earl-Haig in his'addregs to the delegates at the Empire conference of ex-Soldier organisations, held at Ope Town recently. "Wo may possess, and we should possess, each if' us, deep gride and loyalty for the land of our birth or of our choice. We may love and honour a flag that contains other emblems besides the croeses of St.-George, "St. Andrew, and St. Patrick.. Yet because -we are equal ,in.a common heritage, the Empire :a ours. I feel that it is primarily because of that, arid because we believe that the well-being of each constituent part of our Empifre ia bound up in the future prosperity of thq whole, that we are met here together to-day. It is because we .are all of us convinced that in the maintenance of the feelings of lsinship and affection among us, and of a mutual realisation of common interesta, aspirations and ideals, is to be found the surest safeguard of the liberties and happiness of each of us." \ A keen debate took place at Canterbury College on Saturday evening, on the' question of the Anglo-Japanese alliance. Messrs J. Laurenson und E. D. R. Smith supported the motion: ''That the New Zealand Government should vigorously oppose the renewal of the AngJo-Japariese alliance.'' The opposition was led by Messrs A. E. Osmers and J. H.* Harrop. The subject was/debated "at considerable length, eighteen speakers participating. The views were expressed, on the one hand, •that the pre-war circumstanced justifying the alliance had now changed, and that the alliance would endanger our relation's with America. The opposition relied on the facts that tho refusal .to renew the alliance would be an afront to Japan, to whom we owed 'a debt of gratitude for her services during the war. On a vote being taken* the motion was lost by 24 votes to 27. The judge of the evening was Mr J. R. Cuningham, a past-president of the Society, and one of the Canterbury College debaters who won the interUniversity debate in 1903 and 1906. The first five speakers in order of merit were: Messrs E. G. Archer, A. K. North, J. Laurenson, E. D. R. Smith, and L. D. Page.

Mr E. C. Shepherd, of Devonport, Auckland/ who recently spent a week grass-sowing on his bush property* in inland Waikato, say a the impression grows more and more on him that not many before the advent of the Europeans, the fastnesses in the district must have been densely populated by Maoris (says the Auckland "Star"). Especially near the many waterways and lakes are found evidences of .the closest settlement. Traces of the Natives are to be found everywhere, and this time he discovered huge heaps of shells, that at one time would have been thought to haye been deposited there by Mature, but really they were the fresh water pipi shells that had been carried there by the Maoris, By investigating closely he often found Maori weapdns and tools right in the centre of these heaps where thev had been covered up by the accumiuations that were constantly being added. , Maori clearings and cultivation showed that tho aboriginals were not devoid of the secret of manuring, and that intensive cultivation was very common amongst them, 'because the soil had been deeply worked. Broken <stone axes were very plentiful, and this proved that their implement makers, to supply the demand for tools, could not have been idle men. Hia last visit, with its discoveries, deeply impressed him, bocause he realised that -what he and other pioneers were trying to do ha 3 already been done, and perhaps better by those who preceded us in the occupation of this fertile country.

The Tariff Commiauon «P en 3 u , s *£, tings in Christchurch to-day, »" d meet in the room m the i:ew Government Departmental Buildings previously occupied by the Valuation Department. The proceedings, as in other places visited, will not be open to the Press. About a year ago designs iVero invited for a suitable war memorial to be erected at Gisborne, on which thtf sum of £4OOO is to be expended Mr « . Feldon, sculptor, Auckland, submitted a model design, which was accepted, and last week the contract was dulj signed. This memorial is to bo constructed of marble.

"In Westland," stated a witness at Friday's sitting of the Hospitals commission, "we nave to maintain by charitable aid no fewer than sixteen Chinese. Since the State saw fit -o admit these people on payment or a poll tax —insignificant though it may be —the greater part of the cost ot their maintenance should be met t>y the -Government." i

The question of municipal pictures was discussed at a meeting of tno Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, ino opinion was expressed that such a venturo would help to reduce the rates. It ■\vas decided to ask the council to cousider the feasibility of taking over tne Town Hall as a municipal picture theatre on the termination of the present lease. .

"Is a weekly wage of £4 13s low for Auckland?" was a question asked at the Supremo Court in that city recently. Tho Probation Officer said ho did not know that it was low, but he did not know how a man with five children could live on it. In such a caso it must bo a hand-to-mouth existence. The price of food alone for five children was heavy.. The subject during the hearing of a caso in which a. married man had committed theft. The fall in prices was reflected in a report to" the Auckland City Council on Thursday, evening by tne _ water works engineer on a tender received for waterworks supplies. He stated that with few exceptions the prices were down considerably as compared with last year. Angle, stop, and hose taps showed a reduction of 30 per cent, and oil nearly 200 per cent. Only one tender had been received, «nd_ while the market was so unsettled, tho engineer thought it wou|d be better to accept that fonder.

A witness before the Inland Waterways Commission -at Ngaruawahia 'last week stated that willow trees in the Waikato were first brought to Taupiri by a Mr Ashwell in 1837. The snip that he came to New Zealand in called at St. Helena, ayd seeds of the willow wero taken off Napoleon's grave. The witness said the seeds spread from .Taupiri' and covered tlie banks of the Waipa'. The chairman, Mr Ferguson, laugned heartily (gays the Auckland "Herald"), remarkjng that he .heard the same ■ explanation all. over New Zealand regarding the importing of willows.

The imposition, of duty upon eight invalid tricycles imported from London for the use of totally disabled soldiers, was recently tho subject of a protest by the Auckland Victoria League. The tricycles arrived two months ago, and have been stored in the Harbour Board!s.sheds pending settlement of the question of payment .of .duty. It was announced at the annual meeting oj the League last that advice - had • been received from the Minister for Internal Affairs, the ttyii. W. I>. Stewart, that the League must pay the duty, but that provision would be made in the estimate next' session for a re» fund to bo made.

Discussing matters of interest to aportsmei?, Major John Whitney told the members of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society at the annual meeting this week that in every county in England a number of men are employed to do nothing else hut jkill vermin. On one area of 10,000 acres 14,000 head of vermin had been killed, three-quarters of that number having.beon rats. Next came the'hawks. He said he thought the best endeavours pf the Society should be directed to the destruction of vermin, including common cats, stoats, and weasels. In. England, he said, the raising of pheasants )>ad actually ceased, as nobody could afford to continue it. As a result, hospitals, invalids, and all who enjoyed a good dinner, suffered. "A rough district like Wegtland gets physical wrecks in comparative .early fife that inore comfortable districts have no conception of/ J . remarked, a West Coast witness at Friday's sitting of the Hospitals Commission. "We have-in our hospital, ope man who went in twenty-three years ago. He went in a man in the prime of life, without any means, suffering from a spinal complaint- We have had another in the hospital for thirteen years, and another for seventeen yeara. Not one of theso patients could pay a sixpence. 7t will be seen from tlw how different the position is from many other, districts, where the averago health is much higher, and yet where very little more than half our charge for maintenanceis made."' In connexion with the recent fatal accident to a jockey on the Riccarton racecourso. and the subsequent correspondence between the Canterbury Jockey Club and the St. John Ambulance Brigade,, the following resolution has been passed : "The officers and members of the ; Cbristchurch sub-i district of the«S(.' John Ambulance Brigade, comprising the Christchurch Corps, tho Christchurch . Ambulance Division, the Railway Ambulance Divi-* sion, thb Christchurch, Selwyri, Avonside, and'Beckenham Nursing Divisions, desire to placo on record their appreciation of the Assistant-Commissioner'a-firm attitude on behalf of the Brigade, | and to state that they are in complete; accord with his actions in the matter. They further regflet the fact that support in quarters where it would bo most naturally expected was not forthcoming." ,

The terms of the settlement of the drivers' - dispute were contained in a telegram from Dnnedin published on Thursday.. According to the secretary of the Drivers' Federation (Mr A- Parlane), the hours agreed v to were 48 per week all round, and this point was erroneously stated in tne telegram (says the "Dominion"). By special arrangement an employer can work the men nine hours a day and four and a half hours on the day of the weekly halfholiday, but the total for the week must not exceed forty-eight. There is, only one alteration, in the hours clause —a provision that work shall cease at 12.30" on the day of the halfholiday instead of at 1 p.m. The wages' have been increased on the average 6s per week all roundj and several obnoxious clauses in the old agreement—not? ably references to the Shops and Offices Act —have been excluded.

A debate, arranged by. the North Beach and Waimairi Burgesses' Association, was held in the North Beach Pavilion on Saturday night. The subjeot was "Should New Brighton Join Greater Christchurch?" 'Mr A. It/ Blank led for the affirmative, and Mr J. B. Whatman was 'chief speaker for the .negative., A number of ,those present took part in the debate, and at the conclusion the following resolution was carried unanimously:—"That the North Beach and Waimairi Bur? gesses' Association are in [favour of joining up with Greater Christchurch as soon as possible." It was further resolved to start an active campaign, and tho following were elected a subcommittee to make arrangements" for organising the movement: Messrs Lcckie, Slater, Goodland. S. C: Thompson, Blank, Whatman, and Lamb. It was decided to hold a public meeting in the Pier Hall at an early date, ana to ask the Mayor of Now Brighton to pro side. Dr. Thacker, M.P., Mr D. G Sullivan, M.P., and Mr J. I. Jenkin ■will be .asked to deliver addresses. Mr J J. Longton, of Christchurch, delivered an address at the meeting on Saturday night on the advantages of amalgamation. He was accorded a hearty vote of -thanks for his addreis.

. of sdhool commitfe Canterbury Education District will be held to-night. All meetings commence at 7.30 o'clock.

tt S? to S? invitation from the ST3SL nion ' Sl - r Thomas Mackenzie v -w'l® a ™eeting of farmers in tho W i, ealand Co-operative ' Cashel street, on "Wednesday qfternoon, at 1.30.

17 an< M ß and men u ™ tl | o a S°s of 18 and 22 years, moL™ t , acce P. te d for training ;»s B 3"°. r s'°kers m H.M.S. Philomel. P 6llOO nearest tlu> candidate s place of residence. r feme system of fir» f endalton was shown on Saturday night, when a fire broke out m a shed on a residential property in • vu' 00 , Fortunately, "the neighbours, by strenuous efforts, were to u the outbreak to the shed, but had a wind been blowing the probabilities are that three adjacent residences—representing property worth about £lo^oo0 —would havft been destroyed. By the time tho fire m tho sued had burnt out, the avjlilable water supply in the neighbourhood was exhausted, and had the flames spread to one qf the residences, they would have held undisputed sway. _ First a sniff-—then a sneeze—neglect it, and probably you will be plagued with a, cough and cold all tho winter. Banish all risk by taking "Stop-It," the successful remedy, at onco. Is 9d, 3s. and 5s 6d. All chemists and stores. Loasby and Co., chemists (ont>. Dallautyne's). ' 6

Reduced prioes—lo per cent, off Drills, Slag and Lime Sowers, Broadcasters, Tine and Disc Harrows, Trees, Disc Cultivators, Clay <Jrubbers. Our chilled castiron plough shares improved fin pattern, with solid socket, are practically unbreakable, even in stonv land. Made to iit C, RNF, an.d R. nnd-G hesds. P. and D. Duncan, Ltd,, Christchurch. 82592

Sportsmen can • secure their twentytwo calibre ammunition and shotgun cartridges for the shooting season, from Hastie, Bull, and Pickering, 113 Casljel street, without having to obtain a permit from a'police station. Smokeless cartridges from 22s 6d per 100. 6

Put a hot-water bottle in the bed on cold winter nights. New stocks just; received by B. Cameron Smith, Royal Exchange Buildings, 96 Worcester street. • 776

The Port Christchurch. League decided at its last meeting to support Dr. H. T. J. Tkaoker for the Mayoralty, and also to support Messrs Geo. Scott, H. P. Sorensen, E. J, Howard, and Dr. H. T, J, Thicker, wlho are candidates to represent tho city oh the lijttelton «Hnrbour Board. If you consider Chriwohurch should be' provided with better transport facilities to compete with the other seaports for trade and commerce, vote for tho Port Ohristchurch Candidates, and you will promote your own interests.

Ladies! Why pay 3 or 4gns for yotir New Hat? Wjby pay even 2gns, when ifs quite' possible to obtain the very latest ideas in hats at Armstrong's? Ladies are invited to inspect the many beautiful Millinery Models at 29s 6d, and also |mqrt ready-to-wear and felt Imt.y at 8s lid, at Armstrong's Up-to-date Millinery Salons—both at Colombo juid High streets. Don't postpone your visit. 5 The best of materials for both artist and art student is ait Gibbs' Art Depot, 105 Cashel street, the shop whiph artistically frames pictures. G6426-5001

"Chester" . ; Dinner Sets, English make, now arrived, stock jmttern, 32 pieces Dinner Set £5. os. "Drayton's," without delay, Colombo street (north).' 3 Pilkington's motors run twice daily between Christchurch and Akaroa. o

Farmers needing ready cash will find it in their plantations. Here are our special prices for circular saws: 22in 70s, 24in 80s, 26in Sua, 28in 100s, 30in 110s. Quality considered the cheapest in the Dominion. Ivoryß, Ltd., 21 Manchester street.• 16382 Gratitude abounds on every hand for the wonderful labour-saving aild. perfect cleansing qualities of "No. Rubbing" Laundry Help. Is packet does seven weekly •washingß perfectly. Wardell Brop. and Co., agents for "No Rubbing' ' Laundry Help. - 5012

Mason's Fruit Jars can be delivered at once, quart size. 13s 64 dozen, lib Jam Jars 6s 6d dozen. Ring 'phono 2004. Drayton's, Colombo street (north). , 1

ESSEX ROADSTER: SALE PRICK £550. This beautifully finished 4-eylmdor, 8-seater Esses Roadster has been •used by Mr G. 6, Aitken, of 94 Hereford street, and according to tho speednmetor has run 4232 miles. We allowed Mr Aitken £550, on this car, in part payment. for a new Studebaker Economy Six, 3-seater Roadster, The -Essex is finished in a mauve-grey shade, has lights and self? starter, fivo wire wheels," etc., and is practically w\r. -Mr Aitken will bo glad to give any information. His 'phone is 226 p. .We suggest this car as -p. good investment for a commercial firm overstocked with goods, and needing, to send a traveller to remote country districts where business is still good. (1Q67). Adams, Ltd,, Showrooms 162-154 High street. Garage, 219 Tuam street. fl

DODGE TOURING CAR: SALE PRICE £260. We took this up-to-date Dodgo car from Mr Clements, of Hokitika, allow* ing him £2OO on it in part payment for a new Studebaker Big Sixi Tho Dodge requires repairs' and adjustments, but wo want to clear it quickly, so flffer it at net .trade prico, Any motor mechanic, engineer, or handy man can make money Dy buying this car, which has electric light and self-starter, ana fivo nearly new Michelin tyres, and making it good at very ' small cost. (1065.) Adams, Ltd., Showmflfiis, 152-154 High street. Garage, 219 Tuam street. "

DEPENDABLE BICYCLE TYRES. Sayille 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 Ronal. SBB3B-4«3