GENERAL NEWS.

The auction announcements of W. E. Simes and Co., Pyiie and Co.. Harcourt and Co., Charles Clark, Park, Reynolds, Ltd., Tonks, Norton and Co., Harris Bros., and R. S. McKenzie and Co. will he found on page 15 of this issuo.

The Mayor (Mr H. Holland) has received a table-spread, upon which crocheted a soldier in uniform, with the word "Anzac. 1915," below. This table-spread lias been presented to the Mayor by Mrs Foster (who has five sons at the front) to dispose of on behalf of the Patriotic Funds. A previous table-sprend presented by Mrs Foster realised £-d for the same object.

This evening, on behalf of the Workers' Educational Association, Mr will lecture on English and Continental city improvement schemes, giving at the samo timo an account of the new Australian Federal capital, Canberra. The lecture will be given in the old Chemical Lecture Theatre, Canterbury College, at 8 p.m.

In pursuance of its public health campaign, the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board has arranged for further public lectures in Christchurch on hygienic susbjects. On, Saturday, August sth, Dr. Blackmoio will lecture in tho Alexandra Hall on "Consumption and its Prevention"; on Saturday, August 26th, in tho Colosseum, Captain Pettit, N.Z.A.M.C., will given an address to men only on "Venereal Diseases"; and on Saturday, September 23rd. in the Alexandra Ilnll. Dr. Duncan will give a lecture on "Scarlet Fever." Other lectures will follow in duo course.

The scheme organised bv Mr Duncan Rutherford for sending hares to the Red Cross hospitals in England which are dealing with our wounded boys, has been most successful this season owing to the keenness displayed by the different districts. At the present time there are in the various freezing works 10,821 hares and 592 rabbits, as follows :—Pukouri. 674 hares ; Fairfield, 1963 hares; Islington, 1542 hares, 132 rabbits: Belfast. 1842 hares, 320 rabbits : Pareroa. 1927 hares, 6 rabbits; Smithfield, 2921 hares, 134 rabbits. Two hundred and fifty-two crates have already been shipped to England.

The following officers were elected at tho annual meeting of the New Zealand Licensed Victuallers' Association, held at Wellington on Wednesday:—President, Mr J. Dwyer (Wellington); vicepresidents.- Messrs C* J.- McCarthy (Wanganui). C. Sutherland (Timaru), W. H. Lavell (Dannevirke). W. Devine (Palmerston NorthV J. T. Sutton and F. M. Drcwett (Christchurch); treasurer. Mr F. J. Oakes: secretary. Mr H. J. Williams; executive committee, Messrs J. Dwyer. McEnroe, Kingston, R. Dwyer. and J. McDonald. Tho Canterbury representatives at the meeting were: Messrs F. M. Drcwett. P. Bnrko, E. Nordon, and Charles Sutherland.

The war and the rising value of glass has combined to administer a severe blow to the Canterbury Early Colonists Committee. The gallery of photographs of old colonists in the Museum is feeling the effects of time, and many of the portraits are fading. The idea struck a member of the committee that it would be a good scheme to get fresh copies made of some, or all. of the portraits, and he made enquiries from the Christchurch photographer who had the negatives to see what could be done in the matter. He was amazed to learn that, owing to the value of glass. Sydney agents had been round to most of the photogrnnhers in Christchurch and bought up old negatives nt 3d a dozen, and about 300 portraits of the old Canterbury identities were among the negatives secured.

Tho matter of improving the river Avion for boating purposes was advanced another stage yesterday afternoon, when thp Mayor (Mr H. Holland), r.ccomparied by Mr Dudley Dobson (city surveyor), and Mr E." Cuthbert (engineer to the Drainage Board) made a "tour of inspection. The question to be decided was the cosition of tho experimental dnm or weir. After a most careful inspection, and taking everything; into consideration, it was agreed that, the dam should be nlaccd above Rhododendron Island. Before this temporary woir is built, it is proposed to have a report nrepared of the staff of all cellars in the vicinity, and similar reports will be obtained from time to time before the permanent structure is erected. It is not anticipated that any difficulty will be experienced in carrying out this proposal.

There will be something for all tastes in to-day's issuos of the "Evening News." Prominent among the special articles will be one on England's great economy campaign, and another giving some amazing details of the war profits that have been made at Home. Both these articles are exelusivo to the "News," as is another in lighter vein on "Cupid Conscription." Another of the popular "Sketches from Ahzac," deads with "A Day in the Trenches," and will be found quite equal in quality to the high standard set by preceding sketches. A fine tribute to women war poets, with many quotations, will appeal to many, and an account of the work of Jean Webster, the author of "Daddy-Long-Legs," has a specially pitiful interest, because it tells of her recent death. A letter from Captain Malcolm Ross will tell how the Anzacs moved into the fighting-lino from their base in France-

Tbo Rev. Canon T. A. Hamilton acknowledges the receipt of the following further contributions to H.M.b. New Zealand Boys' Picnic fund: — "Sympathiser" £1, Mrs Crosby 10a. R. 8.8. os.

A Christchurch resident who has received a piece of silk from tho envelope of Zeppelin Lls. which fell at the mouth of the Thames on March 3lst is having it exhibited in tho window'of Messrs Barlow Bros.. Colombo street.

It was alleged in the House of Representatives recently by Mr A. H. Hindmarsh frisat tho sum of about £80 had been spent on extra plumbing work in fitting up quarters for Lady Godley on the transport Maungnnui two years ago. The Minister of Defence stated on "Wednesday that the cost of tho work was £42, but that it was necessary, and further, that the quarters had sinco been used regularly by nurses.

In the House of Representatives yesterday, the Minister of Defenco stated that arrangements had been made with the Dental Association to attend to tho dental requirements of recruits for tho Expeditionary Forces on the basis of reduced prices. In a general wav tho services of members of the Association were employed, but there was no bar to the employment of any oualified dentist who was outside of th c Association.

Sproj-don, which is a comparatively poor district, is pluming itself on having done its "'little bit" for the_ Empire. It has subscribed some £500 in cash, has presented large quantities of goods in kind, and in work, while its residents, both men and women, have done great work in contributing bandages and goods to the lied Cross. The ladies assist the men in their bandaging classes, and the greatest enthusiasm is manifested.

Mr "W. H. George, who is giving an interesting account of tho stewardship of the Y.M.C.A. Commissioners to Egypt, shows by tho slides the distribution of comforts to the New Zealand men furnished by patriotic societies and individuals, and "distributed by the Y.M.C.A. Field Secretaries. Tho 40(X) feet of film used i s shown for tho first time in New Zealand. Mr George uives his lecture in Christchurch on Wednesday next, at tho Theatre lloyal.

A sarcastic answer was given by an expert witness in tho Rua trial in the Supreme Court at Auckland, on Tuesday. Mr J. R. Lundon asked witness why, in the lattcr's grammar on the Maori language, tho word "patu," meaning "to strike with an instrument," had been omitted from the vocabulary. Witness replied that the word "patu" was probably omitted when tho grammar was nnblishcd three years •ago, for fear that its inclusion might have clashed with the Rua trial! (Laughter).

On July Ist the new British Board of Trade regulations with regard to life-, jackets were put into force, and tho death knell rung of tho old-fashioned type of lifebelt. Time was when all that was considered necessary was that a lifebelt should be able to support a given weight for a certain number of hours, but it is now recognised that a good deal more is needed, states an English paper. Accordingly, the now regulations require the use of lifejackets which will automatiwilly keep tho wearer's face clear of the water, even if he or she be unconscious.

The Executive of the Christchurch branch of the Women's Christian Temperance Union has passed a resolution emphatically protesting against tho powers (as suggested by the Hon. G. W. Russell's speech) in regard to venereal disease, being vested in the Governor-in-Council. The Executive holds "that the unlimited power which the clause ya the War Regulations Bill confers on tho Governor-in-Council would, if passed, not only open tho way to State regulation of vioe, but would also tend to the creation of a bureaucracy, which would be a grave menace to democratic government."

Tell your friend you don't feel wellten to ono ho will say: "Go and ask Loasby about it." Adults 3s 6d, children 2s. 4

Cooking by Electricity.—Miss Trent will give a series of public demonstrations at her electrical kitchen, over Messrs Turnbull and Jones, Ltd.'s, commencing on Tuesday., August Ist, at 3 p.m. 1

Any boy is free to enter John R. Proctor's Great Meccano Competition, published elsewhere in this paper, and the following boys have won electric torches: —Master Raymond O'Danield, Cecil street, Waltham; Master Neil! Ross, King street, Sydenham; Master Raymond Greaves, Priory Farm, Lincoln; Master Arthur West, S Huxley street, Sydenham; Master Herron, dd Harper street, Sydenham; Master W. Duder, 21 Watts's road. Riccarton; •Master William Tyson, 6

19th Reinforcements. Fresh stocks of presentation goods jußt opened up. Wristlet Watches; Ebony Belts, Safety Razors, Hair Brushes, Combination Knives, Photo Wallets, Writing Wallets, etc., all of approved quality. Lewis and Anderson, Ltd., Cashel street. G

Your home pets photographed in a manner you will appreciate, and reaults will last for ever. Steffano Webb. 252 High street. 4

The Six-Cylinder Buick, with a full load, went 3 4-10 miles on a Pint of Petrol, equal to 27 1-5 miles to the Gallon. u^j

Our favourite i 8 "No Rubbing Laundry Help," because it lightens women's toil by washing all clothes spotlessly clean without rubbing or injury. Christchurch grocers. 7

Heat withont fire! Hot drink any time and anywhere. Messrs Hastie, Bull, and Pickering. Cashel street, aro showing the "last word" in vacuum flasks. It is a beautifully finished pint size, fully nickelled case, at 8s 6d complete, ig

Expert knowledge, is the only kino that counts. Over sixty years' experience- in Customs, Shiupmg, and Forwarding Work, including Furniture Removals. Call or tf ■>. J. M. Heywood and Co., Manchester street. Established 1851. 2 TWO MOTOR DELIVERY VANS— £100 AND £150. A -well-known business firm i n this city has placed in our hands for sale two smartly-finished motor delivery vans. One of theso vans has a twocvlinder engine, and is offered at £100. The other, with four-cvlir.der engine, is offered at £160. Both have capacious bodies, fitted with deep wells and veil-covers. In each case the tvres arc in good condition, and the finish is exceptionally neat and tasteful. In each case, also, chassis and engine are bv well-known makers. Either of these vehicles offers the country or suburban storokeeper, or any other business man interested in economical delivery, a chance to kill rapidly increasing delivery expenses, whero delivery has previously been dono by hired expresses or bv tho trader's own horse-drawn vehicles. These two motor-vans carry full road equipment, and are ready to start work right away. The economy attained by motor delivery docs not need to be demonstrated at this lato date. Every big firm in this city has proved that motor deiivery is cheaper, quicker, and more satisfactory than tho old methods. We will be pleased to forward photographs and full description to anyone interested, but strongly recommend personal inspection. Adams.. Ltd. Headonartens Garage, 219 Tuam street. Ctristchurch. G