NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13614, 24 December 1909, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY.

"The Press" will not be published tomorrow (Christmas Day). The auction announcements of Dalgety and Co., Laurie and Page. Charles Clark, and Baker Bros., will be found on page 15 of this issue.

The la_ies of Lyttelton have presented the local rowing club with a very fine flag for display at the club's boathouse on New Year's Day.

Owing to the late arrival of the second express last night, and tlie large quantity of luggage to be handled, the Maori was nearly a hour late in getting away from Lyttelton.

A municipal band' concert wiil be given on the 28th inst. in Linwood Park. This will be tho first occasion on which a band concert has been given in the park.

A. Birch has accepted J. Arnst's challenge to race him from Timaru to Christchurch for £50 a side. Tlie conditions are—no pacing, competitors to start within half an hour of each other, tho rider making tho fastest time to take the stoke.

In tlie paragraph in yesterday's paper referring to tho meritorious performance of the lad Arthur Barnett. who has attended the West Christchurch District Hi_h School every school day for eight years, it was stated that for the last three years he had "walked" twelve miles each way every day in order to attend tho school, whereas it should have been said that he had made the journey by coach and tram.

We have to acknowledge the receipt of Christmas greetings from the Hon. Thos. Mackenzie und Mrs Mackenzie, h:.s T.ords',:ip Bishop Grimes, tlie Chairman of the Canterbury College Roara of Governors (Mr G. W. Russell, M.P.), his Worship the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr C. Allison), City Councillors and rrunicipal officers, the officers of fhe Head Office of the New Zealand Government Railways, the officers of th" General Post Office, Wellington, flic littrary, commercial, news, and jobbing staffs of the "Rangitikei Advocate," thf! Christchurch Telegraph messenger Ixiys, and Messrs W. J. Hopkins and Co.

At Kaiapoi yesterday, one boy and four girL> received ''hard luck' - prizes. An accident deprived a promising boy of certain marks, and as ho did not qualify for the first prize, though on his merits he was considered to be entitled to it, he received a "hard luck" prize from his teacher (Mr Oram). The quartet of girls who received "hard luck" prizes were deprived of the school awards through being advanced a standard in the last quarter. Their comrades subscribed their pence and purchased books, which Mr W. D. Bean, head master, said it gave him great pleasure to award. The prizes were banded to the winners amid ringing cheers.

On Wednesday last, at the distrißution ot tho Sydenham school prizes, Mr G. Hall presented the Championship Shooting Belt, which he had given for annr.nl competition among the school cadets. As winner, Sergeant N. Taskcr also received a medal presented to him by the school. The competition tool: place .>n Tuesday, December 14th, at Itedcliffs Range, twenty cadets taking part. Conditions were seven shots each at 100 yds, 150 yds, and 200 yds, and the shooting was extremely close. The first lour boys were Sergeant N. Tinker s_, Sergt. A. Hamilton 58, Sergt. D. Young 57, and Corpl. P. Clark SG. Though the two first boys tied, Sergt. N. Tasker won the competition, as he had the highest score at the longest range.

Steamers running between Lyttelton and Wellington are crowded nightly with the hundreds of Christmas holiday trippers. The Maori arrived at Lyttelton yesterday morning with over 600 people on board, and was followed by the Arahura from Wellington with about 250 passengers. Three boats left Lyttelton yesterday for Wellington, but the Arahura, which sailed in the afternoon had very" few people on board. The Moeraki took away a large crowd, including her through passengers from Dunedin, and the'regular ferry steamer the Maori sailed at 8.30 p.m. with nearly 500 passengers. Three steamers, the Manuka, Mararoa, and Tarawera, are due this morning with very large numbers of passengers from Wellington. The Mararoa and Tarawera will return north to-night, and will both be back at Lyttelton on Sunday. The Maori and Mokoia are coming from Wellington to Lyttelton to-morrow morning.

A young man who was in lodgings in* Christchurch, and whose belongings had been impounded l by his landlady in lieu of payment of six weeks' board, bit on a rather ingenious, though bold, method of releasing his property. After pointing out the seriousness of her action from a legal point of view, he remarked -he would see Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., about the matter. Later a young man, who stated he belonged to t\\ n Magistrate's Court, came along, and informed the lady that Mr Bishop disapproved of her conduct in taking p<ss*ssion of the articles, and he said she must return them to the owner, i The proper wav to proceed for the recovery of the board was by summons. She agreed to return the belongings, but on making enquiries from the police later, she found the whole mattar was a scheme to get the better of her, and that the young man representing himself as an officer of the Court was an impostor Consequently she still retains the prcjperty as security for the debt.

A visitor to Christchurch is at present in a quandary regarding the recovery of 25s which he lent to a 6tranger on an alleged gold and diamond ring. He stepped into a local tobacconist's shop yesterday to purchase a (packet of cigarettes. A genial young man, apparently a customer, who was standing in the shop, reoommen_ed a certain brand. The visitor resolved to try the cigarettes, and then the parties entered into conversation. The visitor disclosed the fact that he was going to Wellington in the evening, and his new-found friend remarked that he also was journeying north, but he w-a_ at present rather short of cash, and if the visitor would advance him 25s on a golci and diamond ring be could pay for his passage. The amount was to be refunded at Wellington. The request was complied with, but the lender subsequently ascertained that his security was brass and paste. Tlie matter was put in the hands of the police, but they could do nothing as the reci_*ient of the 25s said the money was lent on the ring.

An application for a writ of Habeas Corpus to the gaoler at Invercargill to show cause why C. J. Thurston should not be discharged from custody, was heard yesterday at Dunedin before Mr Justice Williams. Thurston was convicted at Gore for keeping liquor for sale, and was sentenced to three months' imprisonment on the strength of a previous conviction. Mr Hanlon's contention waa that the warrant or order of detention was invalid and was made without jurisdiction. Thurston pleaded guilty, and Inspector Mitchell wanted to prove a previous conviction and called the Clerk of the Court to produce the criminal records book, but did not put him on oath. The book was handed to the Magistrate, who asked if Thurston admitted the previous conviction. The reply was "Xo." Then the Magistrate asked if he admitted being the same person, and the reply was "I don't know." Mr Hanlon wos asked if he denied, and he replied that he neither admitted nor denied it. Counsel proceeded to contend that the Magistrate should have proved tlie previous conviction in the ordinary way in the manner provided by law. This was not done, and it was never proved that Thurston was convicted of a previous offence. After Mr J. F. M. Fraser, Crown Prosecu-cr, had replied, the Judge said he would decide the matter in a day or two.

-- V: The matron of the Refuge desire* to V *«. acknowledge with thanks a donation <rf : % £3 3s from the Hyraan Marks Trust.- 'r-\ It is Mr Harold Edgar, who passed Vth- first section, law professional, E£ the law examinations for 1909, and not T sf W. T. Edgar as was stated in Mon- ji day's issue. £ During tbe progress of a bush fir* which was raging fiercely on a farm at Molong (New South Wales) last • !"'■ week, a sheepdog displayed wonderful sagacity by taking charge of 200 sheen " almost from tho thick of tho flamoi,and landing and keeping them out__J| the scope of fire. He remained witfc them until tlie flames on his master** . • prop_Tty were subdued.

A special meeting of the Papajrai " , School Committee was held on Wed- 'X. nesday to make arrangements for -'" annual school picnic. Tho choice <jf placo fell on Motukarara, and £ta> H chairman reported that he had booked : a train for Thursday. February 17ft that being the first Thursday avail*. ble. It was decided to have the trtift .•',. run to Styx station for tho convffljj. - once of children and parents residing ■ in that district. A vote of apprec*. - *•- tion was accorded the police for the efforts they had made to regulate the motor traffic on the North road.

Thus the Hon. C. Louisson, M.L.C. on tho Race Meetings Bill:—"Some people think that horse-racing should be stopped. Why, to them it vji wrong to go to a dance, to a theat», even to smile. For my part I beliwa we are here to make the best ofthiara as we find .hem, and to enjoy oer* selves in a reasonable manner. If * referendum were taken in the DomutioQ to-morrow as to whether there shook! or should not be any horse-racing, ft would result in an overwhelming verdict in favour of tlie continuance of " the sport."

A singular incident occurred las. week at Wollongong (New South Wales). About four years ago a box of jewellery, valued at £200, was stolen from a safe at the Wollongong Hotel, the safe having been temporar_y left open. Two individuals were suspected and arrested, but nothing ,could be proved against them, and they were discharged. While a drain pipe belonging to the hotel was being cleaned out 'ast week, the box was discovered, and the jewel* ; lery, which belonged to the wife of the *. licensee, wtqs returned to her intact. \; : j During the last quarter, the work ; of the Supreme Courjt at Christchttrch - ' j comprised 130 motions, etc., in chain- ; bers, on which 124 orders were issued, ' five appeal cases and one special cats heard in Banco, nine divorce petition! (seven decrees nisi being granted), fiftjw ono probates, and seventeen letters of administration, also the registration <rf 178 chattels securities. Tlie Court &VS ing the quarter sat five days in criminal jurisdiction, twelve in civil, twenty in chambers, five in Banco, seven ia divorce, and three in bankruptcy. The - total fees for the quarter amounted to' £512 15s 6d, bankruptcy £50 7s, other' *'- fees £ .62 8s 6d. * ' ?

One of the most important engineer- .J; ing contracts which has been let durinj the year is that of the Golden Bay •% •] Cement Works. These works are about V i to he erected at limestone Bay or T«r* _<"' akohe, (situated! between Cape Farewell /[ and Nelson, and will be electrically, -* -. driven throughout. The contract fcr ;r; the complete power plant, which ."-3 amounts to about £15,000, has been lafc . s : \ to Messrs Tnrnbnll and Jones, Ltd., „.' the well-known local firm of electrioal "-. engineers. This will be the first cement _ _ company in the Dominion to in_tal its. - \ own private' electrical plant for driving . _ the cement-makine maehinfiry. It is not always safe for a publio /'- ---speaker to take his audiences much ." into his confidence. The unexpected/* . happened at the Kaiapoi District Hijrii -- - School prise distribution yeaterdajjiv when a reverend gentleman began mi - > address by asking if the scholars wotfld. ,"fe like him to make * long speech. Tie *_, ,- reply waa a chorus of "Noes.'' he continued, " do yen want anjK;; speech from ma at ell?" And tot&V' "Noes".were equally emphatic. >"v he went on to say, "it is good .' children to receive sometimes what do not want." and be proceeded to a forciblo address on the need for bwip ing up a sound body, training the m__v.{:jSj and establishing a good character, &'/*s% very hearty round of applause grwtii ,*£.s*; the speaker's remarks. *i£3S - Detective MeLeod arrested a last evening on a charge ol ing to extort money from a _*_y ill -vse New Brighton. It is alleged that Jfr accused wrote an anonymous letter to. |; the lady diemaßding; 50s from her, ____?/,:§■ that if the amount -was not forwards* v ;£g to certain initials, caie of the Office, by. a specified time, Be ed to mate certain charges against __£';£ss to her husband. The lady, kaamin&rM} the charges to he false; showed the '-*|J letter to her husband, who eubeequesfe ly laid the matter before the pofica.. -;i, At their suggestion, the lady rajtied* if: the letter, and yesterday Dateetxre ;■.,? MeLeod kept watch at the Peat.oßo*; .*= to see who called for the letter. _•* A •," 1 younc man came along in. tl»t'aftor«oon - j for the letter, end, _obseqoe_4flv « .*, his information, another x_a_y*w»>i*_ .* alleged had sent him, ▼*» * rTt, *_f^^. The special 19 pajpe £ edition of the "Evening News,' jBR' •$. will be published! thia week in «M*' " s <t the ordinary Saturday Jastte, ia to **"_-:._: tain xnaiiy attractive features. '__W> f ±- stories include "The Battle of }&_*___&& fcftlow," "A Christmas-Dinner." u Q*__Ml' bye," *»Id Bill," file. Will at *gi|* Bobb," etc. Several topical ***____& will also appear. On the WooufifgH Page, readers will find wane *"*_*_s>§£ tions for Christma* parties, an eating view of modern mamage the n«n of Lady Violet Grerille/ useful hints on deportment guidance of musical amateuw, and "3jif usual budget of dress and sip, household hints, etc. Y_2__3!? "News of the World," an mterrt-twrgl account will be given of the """•J",«! the Steinheil trial, which has ajtraCMlff.. such world-wide attention, and •__J£||L iety of other first-class reading *WfpF ter. The snorting columns wfll» usual, contain all the latest localJWsK sip concerning outdoor games, W ™?\S the news columns will furnish 'T*»aoogr with-all the latest telegraphic ana _*•£& eral intelligence. JM£

A tangled skein of Ted tape *£&_* brought to light at the QuthaCouncil's meeting on Friday (say» "Clutha Leader"), when letters■ *_?. ; ;,? read from the District Health 235.* and the secretary to the Ho_pM» : ; v Board, in connection with a ac-Ogv. fever case at the railway wor_»_/g",v; Tawanui. It armears that Dr. _SPm reported on vhe 27th November tb»»=J man, living .nth his wife and chiKt g -f a two-roomed tent on the TajwWy.S'g works, was suffering from scarlet and on the notification being at the District Health Office in din the Council _ot notice to h* v * *Rp£ man and his wife and child all temjt&i.. the Fever Hosnital. Of course this _ES? date had to be cbeved, and the <*_h| Mr McDonald, made the best and W**| careful arrangements possible ' a *_^ a circumstances. But on the ° ac L'2;<||j this came a notification from the pital Board that the family h«£J*;|| rived, and were received at the Fgv«N|f Hosnital, but that the medical in charge (Dr. Fitchett) advised _g_B Board that he "could not pass the.lfmM and child as suffering from **|KJ|| fever." And the secretary '°""3§|| notified the 'Jouncrl that private 4"rf§j|| ters would nave to be found fo f _*S|i wife and child. Of course, the __f*Se and child were never reported -* PE||| fering from scarlet fever. "'r^^H

<• *;,--1 of Hogmanay (New .*& £.S will bo duly, observed by flub ar.d Caledonian Societies, the *» ttiie 1910 in the true Scotwho wi.» _ tish fashionw W. Bishon, S.M., yesterday Mr for plaintiff with C* ve u J !Jp."_-_lt in the case of Thomas 'j&VrGorman) v. T. McDowell, < Hl BI |..« been found impracticable to U Sf for a Flower Show of the •Sf Horticultural Society in conCm *ith the Domain Fete m FebSJrTand the project has, therefore, * meeting of bakers and pastrycooks it heh on Saturday to arrange for !_ .Innl Picnic and a committee was t <nrrv out all arronge»Pff' DW T! ,e picn.e will he held at AmgSey' Mr J- S. Wilson has been appointed -secretary. _ Press \«ociation telegram from %t _f- «Vvs the awkwardness of the ■'■-JfsoK Wand railway time-table - -!« made arp.irent yesterday, when -. SpaSngcrs and mails from Gisborne fcfled to reach Xaoior in time to catch "Sewrrcss r or Wellington. Theßpv. J. K. Archer, of Hawkes P., declares that he will carry his A&listk- principles into practice come •f He -ays his father ut Homo is a &cldn-, and he will some day in£it the property, which is to be worked'on Socialistic lines. , Mr Justice- Williams _nve. judgment ftDnncdin yesterday, on the motion of 5e Oamarn Harbour Board to sp?nd flogOO His Honour considered that it was in tho bost interests of all con- ■ <_me_ that the order should be made . in terms of the summons. ■The secretary to the Charitable Aid B«ard begs to acknowledge with thanks donations to Christmas fund, from Mesdames Bridge and Twen yman the "Empty Stocking" Fund, the Marks Trustees, Meiers Fletcher, Humphreys and Co., Lane and Neave, and A. J. White, Ltd.

- eablo message has been sent (says the Auckland "Herald") to tho British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Lloyd George by Mr F: M. King, on behalf of the Land and Taxation Reformers of New Zealand, wishing him God-*p*ed in his gallant struggle against land monopoly. A Press Association message from ' Wellington .totes that the new scale oi tailwav fares on the lines announced in tho Bud_ct, namely, first class, l_d per mile: second class. Id per mile; was gazetted last night. The price of monthly tourist tickets is increased by _*._ for each island. The new scale comes into operation on January 9th. The Frimley canning factory shelled with their machinery on Thursday six tons of peas, which were all canned and put through the various processes and made ready for the market. Another three tons were dealt with similarly on Friday. At present fifty pickers are employed, and this number "» expected shortly to bo increased to ' one huntlted. .

The material for the new destination tignak for the Tramway Beard's cars has arrived, and will shortly be affixed t.~ to tije'cars. It is intended to place tho ' f tignals in front of the cars on top, . % wjth a lamp to light them at night % . time. Under the new system _each line ,--' will be known by a number, which x in - iddition tp the name of the. line, will r _ fo displayed on the destination signal. ■-' ' White giving evidence on a judgment ~-vtnmmons at the Feilding Court the y -\ other n-orning, a debtor stated that bo .-.Vtad a' daughter 21 years of age, but ir"l~be could not go away from home to '? because . _he - suffered from a r-.jjetk heart. Later, he,admitted that : , 'w.girl helped' him to cut wood with ? " -(jrjfar when he had contracts for cutP""* wood, and. also assisted him in l& gorte.."'_:"*'..-."., "* V #%fc- The Dunedin Friendly. Societies have '^^fomafded-to the Prime Minister a .-/.'gtfong protest against the abandonment '•% of chases lo and- 16 of the Friendly■'s-. Societies Bill.'» They express the hope ii- that tho Government will bring jV Un»td .an amending Bill next ■M JUamon to allow th© position f|rt*- v b. reviewed on its merits, sfCai a small minority have succeeded in &£ jareventing the adoption -of adequate •ontribntrons. jjS'Afc tho Oddfellows' Hall, Lyttelton, ~-£r_j&- Wednesday night, the Rev. ssm** Eliot Chambers gave an ' inlecture, under the au«ff&kes Of the Navy League (Canterbranch) descriptive of modern' rhere was a good attend\|U«K-, the boys of the Lyttelton public being present. The lecture, was greatly apnreoiated, was ilwitb limelight views, Mr E. lSp*f* Seager doing the operating. Post and Telegraph Offices sus||»i_itted a long and continued rush of ti&tttsmesr- yesterday. Th© public rooms Sip I *'* thronged with people wishing to :«ipeorl seasonable greetings, in the shape J|§«. cards, letters, or telegrams, to ■s||faends in other parts of tho country. -^llP 6 P rc6SUI * lato in the j||sjeniixig, and, continue 4 without interuntil late in the afternoon. The - ; ' : T_s n g: benches in the Post Office were f 'Sit xaa.es insufficient to accommodate at if____» wno es^re< i to "S® tQ em » »nd had to wait their turn. There '32g_5K;-Hvays a changing group in ,-front letter-boxes, keeping up a never-Zi|_-f*uig flow of-missives into the-mail-"

Paint Boxes. , Splendid ''Mjpiortments, from Is upwards, at Gibb's ''&_*s De - > 5t ' 226 High street." 6 raiml-e Robey Combine and Traction |||ggine now arrived. Intending Purcan ;e© same being erected, ' Station. McClellaod and ! 224 Cashel street, Chri.tlast lap! Notwithstanding the of the last few days, to-day's will be well up to the mark. IllJjHul hands back last night looking out choice novelties- for to-day's Hastie, Bull and Pickering, I||£jJips_ito Ballantyne's. Open till IP 4 is one bright, up-to-date store IggJ*', festive -eason'in Christchurch— They have gone to trouble and expense in securing' #-S«W~able goods and otherwise planW »I_JB for the biggest trade yet done in li- l *-___i urtrict - haVe tne right ?* eve, T description marked at .*afe*v* prices right through. Their stores K,-t-*JJJ treasure-houses of beautiful gifts of every possible sort, and -,*■•_' want you to call and see theih. 4 Ijp . That the public appreciate the roomy H of the D.I.C. is proved crowds that throng this favouramporium daily now. The thoupretty and useful presents in ** ir 1 * '*»ncy Department help hundreds the "What shall I get?" prob--0 *keir en *ire satisfaction, while ~{f; •W'toys, m usual, aro an endless source W'-M extraction for the voir young. &?**!™ r Christmas, too, still holds daily Bring the children. D.I.C. 6 have been requested to announce $p •wi'flur old friend, Father Christmas, .$& ■•M* to-day inspect the principal streets *^ ; -'SJ__** cit J' taking his departure, per ii-j**wr car. from Messrs Armstrong and Ltd.. High street establishl&Viifni at half-past two o'clock, and art the same firm's Victoria shop in due .course. The kindold gentleman, will distribute p ; -*Ovenirs of the occasion en route. Ashe is with the popular firm, <W ? -*_' B *' lir '-lly aelvises everyone to buy _s* r ~j** a Messrs Armstrongs extensive

Carrying. Packing, HouseijJWd Removing, Fr.rwarding, and Cush**s Clearing is found to be done, and >'*_* H *- W ell, when undertaken by J. M. . »7*ood and Co.. Ltd. 4

Lewis and Anderson, 221 Cashel street, are showing a unique selection of novelties in Sterling Silver, Art Enamel, Leather Goods, and General Fancy Goods., suitable for Xmas 1 resents. *

When Travelling, avail yourself of our Checked Bng-a-c System, as now carried out from door to door between the principal towns of the Dominion. Our system enables you to travel in comfort, free from the trouble- of personally looking after your linkage, and free also from the risk or 10.-s involved in carrying your luggage unchecked. Call or give us a ring, and wo wi 1 arrange for -.our baggage being col lectcd, checked, and delivered at jcui destination. Note this specially :— .ou obtain all these benefits witncut any extra cost to yourself. Tho New Zealand Express Company, Ltd. Offices throughout tho Dominion. Christchurch office, corner Hereford and Manchester streets. 4

Remember Clarke and Proctors for High-class Christmas Lines in Art Metal, Silver Plnte. and Quaint Goods at lowest prices, 118-120 Colombo street. "*

No sooner Ls one Christmas past tnan another is here, and ono oi the? greatest problems lor parents .with iorge families is to moke a crtain .sum of money buy a certain quantity «f toys. By purchasing them from John R. Procter, oculists' optician, ISO High street, Christchurch, you procure strong serviceable toys at a minimum cost. Large assortment; inspection invited. 6

Messrs Fountain Bros., Dentists, have removed from Colombo street to over Wardell's, Cashel street. Painless Dentistry in all its branches; fees moderate ; all work guaranteed. °

Silver Charm Sets for Christmas Puddings at ls yd, 2s Gd, 3s set, at Lewis nnd Anderson's, Irc.imongers, 2-1 Cashel street. 2

Who con name the New Zealand Dreadnought? Well, the Cabinet can and will name it, but there is a five pound note awaiting the man, woman, or child who first anticipates the Cabinet's chcice. This stimulus to intellect is offered by our enterprising contemporary "The Weekly Press," which publishes' full details of the competition in its current issue. "

LIVE SHELL IN WHITEHALL

Tho Press Association says:—A strange discovery was made on November 7th at the Horse Guards, Whitehall, when a live shell was found under the main archway at about 7.30 in the morning. To the' shell was attached a postcard bearing the address of tno Anti-Socialist Union of Great Britain, while on the other .side the card was also addressed to the Inspector-m-Clief, Army Stores Department. The shell is described as of an old "four-tcen-pounder" pattern. With it a letter was found stating that the writer had found it and had deposited it under the archway for safety; hut where it had been found originally was not mentioned. The matter was reported to the Home Office, and both the shell and the letter are now in the care of the War Office.

IS MARS INHABITED?

Tho result of Professor Lowell's observations indicating the presence of oxygen in the atmosphere of Mars (says the "Daily Express") is regarded in scientific circles as another circumstance in favour of his contention that the planet is inhabited. The following explanation has been made by an authority at ths Solar' Physics Observatory, South Kensington:—"ln the first place," he said, "Professor Lowell proves the presence of water vapour in the atmosphere .of Mars by taking a spectrum of Mars and the moon on the sam© night. In the case of Mars there are water vaooiir lines very much intensifiedi proving that water vapour is in the atmosphere, of Mars. What Professor Lowell has now done seems to be this, judging by the message. He has taken another spectrum of Mars, and he finds that all the oxygen lines show distinct absorption, indicating the presence of oxygen in the atmosphere of Mars. He has formerly proved tho presence of water vapour,, and now, by independent means, he proves the presence of oxygen. Ho may next prove independently the presence of hydrogen, and this- is all confirmatory of the contention that the atmosphere of Mars is consistent with life on the planet as life is known on earth."

POPULATION OF FRANCE.

For the third year in succession there is evidenoa of a declining birth rate and of a permanent exctss of deaths over births in France. For the first half of 1909 the births are 398,710, or 12,592 fewer, arid tho deaths are 426,913. or 25,019 more, than in the corresponding period of 1908; and there is an excess of deaths over births of 28,203. Thus, without any great "positive check/ such ..as war or pestilence, the population of France will probably have declined during tho year by about 50,000. This startling situation is commented on by M. Leroy-Beaulieu, the well-known economist, in the "Journal dcs Debats." He points out that whoreas there were 1,000,000 children born annually in France in 1861, the number dropped in 1907 to 773,000, and is likely to be stiji lower in the future. At this rate the French population of France, by the end of the century, will only be 30,000,000. M. Leiroy-Beaulieu proposes to stimulate population by reserving all paid post 6in the State and municipal, Civil Service in the future for married men with three children at least, anel to give a bounty of 500f for the third child of every family, without distinction of class. This, however, will cost £6,000,000 or £7,000,000 annually.

VICTORY FOR ENGLAND.

Everybody remembers how the team of British Talbots defeated all makes of cars at the last four days" Christchurch reliability trials of 547 miles — 37 competitors—result, Talbot Ist, Talbot 2nd, Talbot 3rd. What a victory for British Talbots; defeating all the French, American, and English cars in the trial. The 15.28 h.p. Talbot proved to be the champion, and is sold complete at £725. This magnificent carriage, certainly the best in the world, is rather expensive for some motorists, who, consequently, nave bought inferior makes of cars, owing to the fact that the 15-28 British Talbot was tho smallest model then made by Clement Talbot, of England. We are glad to say that this is now all changed. The firm of Clement Talbot have now made a new model, 12-22 h.p., medium-sized car. It is a masterpiece of clever design, extreme simplicity, has plenty of horse-power, and, what is very" important, is light on tyres and economical on petrol. The new 12-22 model is sold complete, fitted with side entrance body to carry four or five, cape hood, wind-shield, four lamps and all extras, at £600. The price is very reasonable for such a high-class car. The upkeep over a period of three or four years will be practically nil, due t- the excellence of the material and workmanship, of course excepting tyres. It is admitted by experts in England that the new 12-22 British Talbot is the best medium-sized car yet manutactured. Trial runs on the new car can bo arranged, and samples inspected at Adams. Limited, 138-140 Hi_;h street, Christchurch, or at our garage close to | above address in Tuam street. Tal- | bot cars for hire at garage. 6