NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13683, 17 March 1910, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

To-day being St. Patrick's Day, will be observed as a holiday by the banks and in the various Government offices.

The annual exhibition of the Art Society will be opened this evening in the Art Gallery by the president, Mr J. Jamieson, at eight o'clock, when thero will be a private view for tho members and their friends. The exhibition will be opened to the public on Friday morning.

The Hawarden Show takes place today. The number of entries is very large, totalling 1840. There are no fewer than 300 entries for the cooking competitions, and 32 for tho cake competition. A special train at excursion rates leaves Christchurch at 6.35, and Hawarden on return at 5.35 p.m.

Derry's Private Band will play the following programme on Victoria square rotunda to-night, commencing at* eight o'clock: —March, -*The Irish King" ; overture, "Masaniello" ; clarinet solo, "Desolation" (soloist, F. Woledge); humoresque on '*The Merry Widow"; overture, "Light Cavalry"; flower song, "Hearts and Flowers" ; cornet polka, "Ethelinda" (soloist, E. Sullivan); overture, "Morning, Noon, ond Night in Vienna."

The St. John 1 Ambulance Brigade will go into camp at Farnley, Cashmere Hills, to-day. The railway corps will encamp at 3 p.m., and the ordinary camp routine will be proceeded with. In the evening snecial instruction will bo given to the" newly-enrolled members in infantry drill and lectures, dealinz' with the work of field hospitals, will also be delivered. On Saturday tho remainder of the Christehurch Division will go under canvas, and they will he followed by the Kaiapoi, Ashburton, and Timaru Divisions.

Speaking of the new post and telegraph office buildings for Auckland, Mr Jame3 Jamieeon, of the firm of J. and W. Jamieson. who has just returned from Auckland, states that some delay has occurred in connection with the building. This has occurred owing to the ferro concrete piles for the foundation having to stand three months before driving. There will be 256 piles, of an average length of 42ft, and an average weight of about five tons. The general foundations will soon be ready for the granite superstructure. Mr Jamieson noted that building was very brisk in the northern city. Generally speaking, matters throughout tha Auckland Province were very prosperous.

false alarms of fire have been specially numerous lately, the local j respondin! _ te two at short intcrvas - a f cvv evenings ago. Last mg'it again another fake alarm was given from the box at the corner of Hazeldtan road and Onslow street, foyden-

Miss Gillett Culliford, who has achieved considerable reputation throughout the Dominion as an artist, is holding an art union of her oi! paintings, which is to bo drawn by the Hon. H. F. Wigram on May 30th. The work done by -Uits Culliford has received considerable commendation alike in Otago, Auckland, and here.

Tlie provisions of the Industrial Schools' Amendment Act were brought into force in Wellington for the first time yesterday. The Act empowers tha police to bring any uncontrollable child before a magistrate, to be committed to an industrial school. The present case was that of a girl fourteen and a half years old, who had run away from home thrice. Tlie mother stated that tho girl was beyond her control, and she was committed to St. Joseph's Orphanage.

Tho resourcefulness of the young New Zealander was strikingly exhibited by a young man who was engaged, to take a mob of sheep from the sale at Orari Gorge station on Tuesday (says tho "Timaru Herald"). He had no horse, and as the sheep were fat and could not bo driven fast, he took tho precaution to possess himself of an empty benzine tin before starting, and ever and anon he uprighted this on the roadside and sat upon it to rest his weary bones, picking it up and carrying it under his arm when he had to walk on again to catch up to the sheep.

Before the Chief Justice at Wellington yesterday, Robert Bertling, superintendent of the Wellington Zoo, claimed £20OD from John Norton, proprietor of "Truth," for alleged libel. Tlie case was tried before a special jury. Defendant denied that the words complained of reflected on plaintiff in his occupation, or had been published falsely or maliciously, br were Hbelloii3 or defamatory, and that in their natural ordinary signification tbpy were true in substance and in fact. It was stated that an apology had been published, which was said by tho plaintiff to be no apology at all, but :v case of adding insult to injury. Tho case had not concluded when tho Court roso for the day. ,

The "Otago Daily Times," commenting on the case of "the firm of "E. A. Smith," of London, says:—"We have the direct statements of those responsible in London for tho establishment of the connection that the Government was made aware of the whole of the circumstances. Further, w» havo an assertion by Mr Kennaway, that he received certain fixed payments from the High Commissioner's department, upon shipping work performed by him. Sir Joseph Ward sheltered the Government, a few weeks ago, behind the assertion that no payment had been made on behalf of the Dominion to the firm of 'Smith.' The conflict between tho statements of the Primo Minister and of 'Smith' on this point, constitutes another of those discrepancies concerning which the public may reasonably seek some explanation." The old saving that brevity is the' soul of wit was amply demonstrated by Mr J. T. Turtle, president of tho Amalgamated Hotel and Caterers' Employees' Association, at the annual picnic of t'he Association near Sydney last week. Mr Turtle made only three speeches, anel all were models of conciseness, while two were humorous. The first was, "Ladies and gentlemen, The King'"; and the second was, "This is not a technical college, so speakers to the toast will please cut their speeches short." The third was forced upon the president, who had to respond to the toast of hist health. Mr Turtle said: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is tho third time you have called rue out of mv shell. If I get out again I am afraid I won't fit it when I want to get back. 1 thank you." Mr Turtle is one of the few men who can make a joke at their own expense. At last year's picnic he remarked that "the'turtle was a slow bird, but it was always in time for the soup."

' The "North Otago Times" states that local sea fishermen wonder why Oamaru should be the only place along tho sea coast infested with hordes of sharks, and sharks, too, of phenomenal size. One of the fishermen on Monday morning armed himself with a spe-cially.-made lance with which to try conclusions with the enemy that was stripping his lines of the hooked groper. A shark that had bitten off the body of a groper followed the head up to the side of the boat; and received a prodigious jab with the lance. It mado off like a flash. Another one, about 17ft long, repeated the performance, and when it came up alongside tho launch it' received a thrust from the lance that was well driven home. Tho shark made for the boat, and evidently bit at it, for when the launch was hauled up on the beach a large tooth of a shark was found embedded in the wood, and there were evidences of teeth marks along .the planks. The shark was evidently unable to grip the boat, for the bite had glanced off. The fisherman recovered his lance, badly bent.

Great amusement was afforded many peoplo who attended the Orari Gorge sale on Tuesday (says the "Timaru Herald"), and much annoyance was caused to others—those who. had the misfortune to bo •in motor-cars. On the road to the scene of the sale and not far from it is a creek known by the name of Scully's. By reason of the recent rain, this creek was pretty high and it brought many cars to grief. Car after oar got half way through the stream and then stopped. How to get out was the next problem, and as the water was deep it was a rather difficult ono to solve. It was highly diverting to see a well-known Timaru solicitor with his trousers off in midstream pushing his car, and equally mirth-provoking was the spectacle of an ex-member of the Legislative Council, as he divested himself of part of his clothing, and appealed to passersby for help. Ho was helped out, but did not como out of the ordeal as dry as he would have liked. Finally, a horse was sent down from Tripp's station and kept at the stream for some time to pull out all who required assistance.

In the Supreme Court at Wellington yesterday, judgment was delivered by tho Chief Justice in the case of F. J. Mac Donald v. Mutual Life Association of Australasia. Plaintiff (according to a Press Association message) claimed £50 under an accident policy. The facts were that in September, 1908, while opening a tin of cheese somo liquid mattcT spurted into one of plaintiff's eyes, with the ultimate result that he lost the sight of it, after being eleven weeks in a private hospital. The company offered a sum of £5 10s in settlement, claiming that Mac Donald had not been "permanently partially" disabled, and was therefore not entitled to full compensation, inasmuch as Dr. Hislop had certified that claimant had still "'perception of light" and the "ability to perceive in a very blurred manner tho outline of prominent objects." The question involved was as to whether if a man "loses" the sight of cne eye to the extent that he has only a blurred perception of objects, was his disablement a "permanent partial" one within the meaning of an accident insurance policy? In this case his Honour said that the question turned wholly on the words "complete loss of the sight of one eye." The doctor did not say that there was complete loss. Judgment was entered for the defendant company. Costs £5 as, with disbursements, were allowed.

At Hastings the Leather-Rubber Company has accepted a tender for the erection of a factory to bo completed by the end of May. The Gisborne Borough Council has lodged formal application with the State Guaranteed Advances Board in respect of a proposed £i*o,ooo loan Tor municipal improvements. A Commission —cunsistint* of two engineers—will be appointed by the Government in the course of a day or two to enquire into the brake system adopted on the Auckland tramways. As a result of Sunday's boating fatality, a representative meeting was held at Greymout'h on Tuesday, and it was decided to form a lifeboat association, and to convene a public meeting of citizens to-morrow. Tho proposal was most cordially taken up. It has been decided to relax the condition which prohibited holders of land in the village settlements of Wellington land district from holding more than one allotment. In future there is to bo no such limit in nuinoer, but the total area held by one person must not exceed 50 acres.

The Women's Christian Temperance Union recently forwarded to the Education Board quotations for the supply of a number of temperance wall sheets for tho Board's schools. The Appointments Committee recommended the board yesterday to permit tho Association to supply these wall sheets for display in tho public schools. Tho recommendation was approved of.

Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons' secondclass (theory) certificates havo been received for tlie following students of Gilby's College, as tho result of an examination held last December, when everyone present passed. The following were successful, tho three firstnaiuec 1 being in order of merit: — Misses Dorothy E. Wilson, Anna E. Christensen, Violet Garland, Ivy Robson. May Lockwood, Hazel Martell, Frank D. Cronin.

The miners at Waihi havo decided that when a fatal accident occurs in a local mine, work in that particular mine shall cease until alter the funeral. Last week two men were killed in the Waihi Company's mine, and for two days subsequently no underground work was carried on, all tho deceased's fellowemployees refraining from labour until after the remains of the deceased were interred.

A meeting of men was held in the Merivale schoolroom on Tuesday evening to consider the advisableness of starting a branch of the Church of England Men's Society in the parish. There was a fairly good attendance, and it was unanimously decided that a branch should be formed. A small committee was appointed to draw up a schedule of rules for the branch, attend to other details, and bring down a report at a later meeting.

The Education Department has -nformed the North Canterbury Eduction Board that as regards the staff at the Phillipstown School, the Minister was -willing to treat Phillipstown _s a new school, as under that arrangement the staff would consist of four adult teachers and three pupil teachers. The Boarel has agreed that the additional mistress temporarily allowed must be withdrawn; tho committee to appoint another pupil teacher.

A letter from Mr F. Seelen referred by the Education Board to tlie Normal School Committee, and having reference to the formation of bands in connection with the schools, was considered by the committee, who reported to tlie Board meeting yesterday that the matter was one for the school committees, and the Board was, therefore, recommended to inform Mr Seelen that it had no objection to his approaching the committees and bringing his proposals before them. The report was approved of. With this morning's paper we issue a circular for D. Stock, Ltd., announcing a Great Re-organisation Boot Sale, which starts to-morrow (Friday) at 10 a.m. The premises of tho firm will be closed all day to-day to mark down the stock to sensational bargain prices for the opening of the sale. 6 The sale circular issued with this morning's paper for D. Stock, Ltd., should be carefully scrutinised by every reader who wants reliable, comfortable, and stylish footwear, But at a lot less than usual prices. 6 AH who are in search of smart clothes for Easter wear should read the announcement appearing in another part of the paper over Graham, Wilson and Smellie's name. It tells of. great values in autumn wearing apparel. 4 Sight-Testing.—For spectacles and Optical Repairs, consult Walter P. Watson, D.8.0.A., London, Qualified Optician. Satisfaction Guaranteed. Address: Above Watson, -eweller, 230 Colombo street, near Armagh street. 6

Messrs Fountain Bros., Dentists, have removed to Wardell's Buildings, Cashel street. Principals: E. C. Fountain, R. A. Dearsley, dental surgeons. 6

For Health, Comfort, and Economy, tho High-class Non-irritant "Hygeian" Washing Flannel is now in stock in various qualities at the _>.I.C. Guaranteed all pure wool and thoroughly shrunk, and is unsurpassed for wear and value. Tlie "Hygeian" is mado of softest wool and is eminently adapted for ladies' and infants' day and night wear, or for gentlemen's day and night shirts. 5

By rail or sea we now check travellers' bacgago. Wo collect from your house, deliver at your destination. It a.*rives as soon as you, and costs less than the old cumbrous method. The N.Z. Express Company, Ltd. 6

.To Farmers and Mill Owners.—We guarantee to snpply the best of Lubri eating Oils for machinery, also Suction Hose, Grease, and Force Pumps for filling tanks. McCieHand and Anderson, 224 Cashel street, Christchurch. 8

Who can 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 choice. This stimulus to intellect is offered by our enterprising contemporary "The Weekly Press," which publishes full details of the competition in ite current issue. 6 At Lord Kitchener's arrival the brilliant effectof the lighting was a subject of frequent complimentary remark, we learn on enquiry that Excello Arc Lamps were used, and these were supplied by Messrs Turnbull and Jones, Ltd., the sole agents for New Zealand. 6

It is to the advantage of importers to allow J. M. Heywood and Coy., Ltd., to clear their goods through Customs. They have a large staff constantly engaged at that work, and have every facility for giving quick delivery from railway. 6

On few subjects are there so many popular delusions as in regard to the eyesight, and the results are often serious. The defect which is by far most general comes with advancing years Although the sight may remain perfectly good for distance, yet the eye cannot accommodate itselt to near objects; consequently glasses are needed Consult John R. Provtor, Oculists' Optician, 180 High street, Cliristchurch. 4