GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17420, 3 April 1922, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

Houses in Wellington are said to be. scarcer than ever. The Mayor Hinted on Friday that tiho legislation of last session which enabled owners to regain possession of their dwellings had resulted in a. good many people being deprived of their homes. On Friday, tlio Inst day of the month, the amount of city rates collected was just over £22.222 and the Council's staff were 'kept working til! almost midnight checking, calculating and balancing the accounts. The trial balance taken that night was only Is out and the final balance established on Saturday morning. Four of the rate cheques received totalled over £7OOO.

Tho conference hot we en representatives of the City Conned and the Tramway Board regarding the tramway layout in Cathedral square is to meet this evening. The Board will be represented by the chairman (Mr S. A. Staples'). Messrs D. Sykes, A. S. Taylor, and J. W. Beanla'nd, and the general manager (Mr Frank Thompson!. At 00.01 a.m. on Saturday, April Ist, the clocks in the offices in tho new Government Departmental Buildings pro reported to have cheerfully responded to the invitation of "Turn on, Old Time," after having "stopped short" for several weeks consilient on the battery cells having become exhausted. The- new financial year having been ushered in at, or about, the time above-mentioned, the necessary funds, said to be about £lO, wore available for the new cells, with the result that the clocks were' started functioning. A few days ago an employee in tho office of the chief motor inspector in 'Wellington was before the Court on a charge of stealing certain sums of money received over the counter for license ices, etc. He pleaded guilty, and is now in the Terrace gaol awaiting sentence. Another employee in one of the Wellington City Council 'departments has been suspended from his ordinary duties owing to the discovery that peculations have taken olaee amounting to a three-figure sum. Court proceedings are understood to be pending.

Mr Justice Stringer had a few remarks to make anient the work of the private enquiry agent in a divorce case that came liefore him at Hamilton. "When," eaid his Honour, '' a town had dirty streets the local governing authority employed a. scavenger to clean them up and bury the garbage. The private detective engaged on this class of caw was what might be described as a moral scavenger, who followed women about and spied on them in order to gather what garbage he could from their immoral acts; but instead of burying his garbage he brought it into Court as the foundation for divorce. A legitimate occupation, certainly," added his Honour, "hub a very uncleanly one."

The l'o*fc Office, by means of a conspicuous notice placed over every post-ing-box in the* Dominion, cautions the public against.sending money and valuable articles in unregistered letters. Notwithstanding this warning, money continues to be sent by post in uni egistored letters in tilie most careless jnanner. Within the last few days (says tho "Dominion"), an ordinary letter that burst open in the post Mas found to contain the- sum of £7O in bank notes. This happened in Wellington. The Post O'ffioe keeps no record of unregistered letters, and persons who post such letters containing money expose to temptation everyone througb whose hands tihey may pass, and ia the event of non-delivery, suspicion is cast on innocent persons.

The case in which two men were charged with theft from a Chinese, was continued on Saturday, at the Magistrate's Court. A new Chinese witness! appeared in company with an. interpreter, and Sub-Inspector J. K. Simpson, addressing the latter, said: "Can you speak English?" "No!" said the witness emphatically. When tho laughter died down, tho examination was gone on. with, but witness continually answered some of the questions before they were put to him by the interpreter, and the interpreter himself seemed to he relying on his imagination to answer the others. Finally tho magistrate ordered the interpreter to sit down, and he replied. "Perhaps lie can spik himself." This idea, however, proved to be unworkable, and the case wns adjourned in order that another «pcuher_ of the two languages could bo obtained.

In opening the conference at Wellington of educational export*, called to consider tho remodelling of the cour.v.'s, the Minister 'of Education (tho Hon. C. J. Parr) outlined proposals for ;i postprimary course. Too many pupils, he said, went to the high. seliooU whci<: largely the' old academic course was given. Many boys and girls were unfitted for that course, and should K: given a mure practical course, whnh, while mainly cultural, should have :i decided bias towards their future vocations. He desired counsel from experts upon the practical problem of drawing up tho new collides of instruction, and :is to what equipment in the nay of buildings and teachers would'.be necessary to" make a start in some of tho main centres by February nvxt. They must not islavisiily follow the ■schools of other countries, but evolve, by experiment and trial, something that would best meet the special ne«'d of our own people. He proposed, so soon as their draft programmes wore ready, to consider them carefully with the oficciYi of his Department and to .submit thorn to the various Educational Institute;, and also to the administrative educational bodies 1 . It was necessaiy that all engaged in educational work should understand the, modem tendencies, ai.d should support any large changes like that proposed. This could only be «S----cured by the education of tho public and ail concerned.

Two new electric cars for the Iramvav Board's service have been delivered by the contractors, Messrs Boon and Co.

On Saturday the Public Works engineer (Mr F. Langbicn) passed' tor traffic the double "tramway track recently laid between Barrragton street imd the foot of Dyer's Pass road. Mr H. G. Ell has received donations (lf v\rft -f-. r iO and a number of smallei nuns, twards the fund for the purchase of Cracroft Hill as a public reserve.

The Woolston Fire Brigade oftuinlly \ime under tho control of the Clinst■bnreh Fire Board at midnight on lmdav when 11. station officer and a tnenian iron, the C'itv Brigade were put in charge of the suburban station, Hits ovemiK' a water display will bo given at thc'lladlev Bridge, and the members of the Christ church i'iro Board will entertain tho members ot the now defunct WooUon l'iro Board at a social gat'hciinff. Harvest thanksgiving services ivcro held at the Durham' street, Church yesterday, the Bev. J. H. Iluffadino preaching in tho morning and the "Rev. YV. Bcndv in the evening. The church was beautifully decorated with fruit, flowers and nroduce, which will subsequently be sent on to the Mothcdist. Orphanage at Papaniu. Special anthems were rendered by the choir, and in tho cvenincr solos we're given by Mrs Meredith, Madame Tc Au, and Mr Papaktira.

That osmiridium exists m New Zealand is the belief of Mr H. H. Scott, curator of the Victoria Museum, Launccston, Tasmania, expressed to a "Standard" representative at Palmerston North. Mr Scott, who ia on ct tour of the museums of the Dominion, said that this mineral wast here, but had so far not been located. He had been told that the gold here was often too hard to roll. This fact pointed to t''he> presence) of osmiridium, which is worth £4O an ounce.

Thursday's race traffic on the Wel-lington-.Hutt line gave a thorough working" of the newly-installed electrical interlocking signal system, which had been in operation since the beginning of the week, and tlie results of that test .are considered by the chief signal engineer for the Railway Department, Mr H. J. .Wynne, to have been altogether satisfactory. The Otira, tunnel lino is shortly to be equipped with the system, which'is claimed to be the most modern and efficient of "safety first" installations in railway practice. The Medical Officer of Health for the Canterbury-West Coast Health District, Dr. T. I<\ Telford, states that several members of the medical profession have informed him that gastro enteritis has made its appearance in and around the oity. The extent of the visitation is not at all comparable with its prevalence in Auckland and Wellington. Although there is a slight wave, in Tiniaru, no serious cases have been reported from that centre. Cases of mild influenza or of gastro enteritis are not notifiable under the Health Act; but one case with pneumonic symptoms was reported last week. The nights are getting colder, there is a dampness in the air, everything is ripe for the contracting of a winter cough that will plague you for months. Don't allow even a slight cough or cold to make any headway, but nip it in the bud by taking ."Stop It," the most successful cough and cold cure. Sold by all chemists and stores, Is 9d and 3s a bottle. Loasby and Co., chemists (opp. Ballantyno's). 6 We look back with pardonable prido to tide part we have played in abolishing • Washboard Slavery through the scientific discovery of "No-Rubbing" Laundry help. Ivincaid's, Ltd., Agents for "No-Rubbing." 4

Disc Harrows, heavy colonial type, made by Howards, of Bedford, Cft (12-18 in blades)., reduced from £34 to £2O for cash orders only, before March 31st. Nearly £lO less than even American or Canadian discs. Quality unsurpassed, and fully guaranteed. Ivorys, Ltd., 21 Manchester street. ,15828-8801

Colds are reported to be very prevalent just now. The best remedy is claimed 10 :ie Kofgo, the (ireat Cough Cure, obtainable from E. Cameron Smith. 96 Worcester street. —1615 A shopning event of more than usual interest is now in progress at Armstrong's two shops, Colombo and High streets, where the great sale of Giil •and Co.'s stocks is daily attracting crowds of satisfied, shoppers. Manv of the lines advertised are now limited in Quantity, and an early visit Till repay those in search of seasonable goods at much below usual prices. We quote a special line which is selling rapidly. All-wool Colonial White Blankets, single bed siz-?, Gill's Price 39s 6d : now selling at 28s 6(1 pair; Double Bed size 59s 6d; now 43s pair. —9— "The glory of the garden." Prepare for early Sweet Pea blooms by sowing Bradbury's Famous Seeds now. Full stocks of new season's seeds in great variety are now available at Hastie, Bull, and Pickering's, Cashel street. Ask or send for free catalogue. 1437 Implements at cost price 1 To quit large stocks of implements and _raw material we have again reduced prices. Before purchasing elsewhere bo sure vou get our No. 36 March Ist, 1922, price"list. P. and D. Duncan, Ltd , Ttnini street, P.O. Box 124, Christ-

church. "° Reductions in Best British Shares—reduced below cost. R.N.F. 48, 38s per doz; R.N.F. 52, 38s per doz; R.N.F. 92, 40s per doz. Reduction for cash lots; railage paid on £lO orders. Get in early. Reid and Gray, Ltd., Moorhouse avenue, and Burnett street, Ashburtoii; or Arthur Burke, Box 43.' Amberlcy. 'i

Pilkington's motors run twice daily between Christcburch and Akaroa. 6

TO FARMERS' SONS-NOW THE HARVEST IS OVER, WHAT ABOUT' A MOTOR-CYCLE: J Farmers' sons and larm hands generally are now coming into the city with their pockets lined with money. It is the ambition of most young men in the country to own a motor-cyefc, an that they can easily get to the city 'with its "attractions in the way of theatres and picture shows. Adams, Ltd., are now holding a sale of used motor-cycles at very low prices, which should prove interesting to country visitors. For instance: — £lB will buy a British-built Premier, 3?. U.p., a very mount lor a novice in motor-cycling. £3O will buy a line 7-9 h.p. tirii'icylinder '•Reading-Standard" (nil chain drive)', a powerful and speedy solo mount. £6O will buy a splendid "Big X" (electric model). 7-9 ii.p. twin, 3-speod gear. A line machine for a plucky rider, and oifored at £OS, under new price. too will buy a. B.S.A. (3-speed countershalt model), in fine condition; £6O under new price. £7O will buy u B.S.A. (3-specd countershaft model), looking like new, at £55 under new price. -£SO will buy a magnificent late model Triumph (3-speed countershaft model;, at £6O under new price. £125 will buy a late model JlarleyDavidson. with side-car, in splendid condition, the outfit being about £luO cheaper than new price. Many other bargains of equal attraction. Adams. Ltd.; Motor-Cycle Department, 152-154.High street. 0