NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13744, 27 May 1910, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

It is notified in last night's "Gazette" that the Government offices will not be closed on King's Birthday, June 3rd.

A mishap which appeared to be of a serious character happened to a traction engine at the intersection of Cashel and Manchester streets yesterday. The damage done necessitated tho partial dismantling of portions of the machine.

The quarterly meetinc of tlie members of the Chamber of Commerce will be held to-day, at 3 p.m. In the absence of Mr F. M. Warren, tlie president, in England, Mr H. J. Marriner, the vice-president, will occupy the chair.

.Mr Firth, the organist of the Dvr T ham street Wcsleyan Church, gave a very successful organ recital last night in the church. An excellent programme, selected from the works of the great masters, was given very artistically throughout.

The Christchurch delegates to the Dominion No-license Convention will be appointed at the Prohibition League meeting to-night. The Convention will be held in Wellington, commencing or. June 22nd. Important notices of motions affecting the pojicy of the party will be discussed at "the meeting to-night.

A Press Association telegram from Wanganui states that a "Herald" representative visiting the Momouhaki State Farm found everything in good order, and the recent allegations • respecting mismanagement unfounded. The recent retrenchments have somewhat narrowed farm operations, but the best use is being mado of the means available.

In connection with the recent threatened trouble in the boot .Jrade owing to the action of the employers in discharging their girl apprentices the day belore a holiday, a report was received at Wednesday evening*s meeting of the Christchurch Bootmakers' Union from the executive of the New Zealand Boot Trades' Federated Union, to the effect that the executive has decided to take legal advice on the matter.

A parade of Imperial veterans will take place on Sunday next, 3t 3 p.m., when addresses will be given by the Mayor and several clergymen.

The secretary to the Bickerton Association, Mr R. J. Ecroyd, requests that those who have suhsciipisn lists lor the National Shilling Fund will return them to him, together with the amounts received, not later than June 6th.

A sitting of the Supreme Court in Chambers and Bankruptcy will he held at 10.30 a.m. to-day. A sittin- in Vice-Admiralty jurisdiction will follow, when m application relative to the barque Solgran will be heard.

The manager of the Industrial School, Burnham, desires to acknowledge with thanks the . gift magazines and periodicals from Mr S. Manning. Christchurch. and the Templeton Public Library.

Notice of motion has been ghen by the Rev. W. J. L. Closs that the North Canterbury United Charitable Aid Board should set up a Policy Committee to outline the policy of the Board with lespect to (I) the hospital and (2) charitable aid work, .in 1 report to the Board as early as possible.'

.The annual smoke concert of the Christchurch Sailing and Power Boat Club was held in the Forpsters' Hall last night, and was attended by a large gathering of mcnf~ers. The Commodore, Mr George Lorimcr, presided, and there Were present all tlie flag officers and tHe members of the committee. Several toasts were honoured, 'and an entertaining pros ram mc of musical items was presented by members and visitors. *

The first organ recital by Dr. Bradshaw under the new arrangements made by. the Organ Committee for Thursday afternoons, instead of Saturday, will . be; given on Thursday next, June 2nd. Tho programme, in addition to other numbers, will contain the items forming the yen- fine programme given by Dr. Brad.haw last" Friday as a memorial of the late King Edward. This will enable those who were unable to obtain admission on that occasion to bear the pieces.

When a report on Bottle Like Infectious Distf-si.s Hospital was Leing discussed at the meeting of the United Charitabh Aid Board yesterday, Mr W. W. Tann-?r (chairman of the Hospital Committee) snoke'in high praise •jf the work .lone under adverse condition.? during the past six md a half year**- by M**s Seymour (the* purse in charge). He said she. had given thoroughly loyal service., and tho Board owed a great deal to her economical management It was recommended that.she bo granted a mouth's holiday annually.

Tho elections to fill the vacant seat on the Lyttelton IJarbour Hoard and the two vacant seats on the Lyttelton Borough Council will tr.ko xilace to-day Thero art three candidates for each contest, those for the farmer being Colin Cook, exMayor of ']_yttelton. who has held o s6fit on the Harbour' Board for five jnai-s. J. R. Webb and H. H. Voyce, the Ipst-named being tho Labour candidate. The candidates for tho scats on tho Borough Council are 'Messrs Colin Cook, J. R. Webb, and J McConchie. A considerable amount of interest is being taken in tho --ontosts, and there will probably be a heavy poll in each diction

At tho annual mooting- of the State Assembly of the Prcsbytcrim Church of Victoria Inst week, the Moderator, the Rev. John McXair, paid:—"Our church, as you are aware, is at present carrying on negotiations with other denomini'tions having union in view, un-l some ol ns arc sanguine enough to anticipate a* f,ut-ce*-slul issue in whole or in part. No doubt the lions in the path are many, and formidable, but if the thing is of tho Lord they will all be overcome sooner or later. Of this 1 feel certain, that whenever tlie time for decision arrives it will, not be forgotten", cither, by ourselves' or-by the othei.**, tliat the Presbyterian Church to: her great honour initiated tho negotiations, and did so in the full conviction-, that* tho union is right and dutiful in itself when it can bo compassed without sacrifice of essential principles, and that it is manifestly called for in tbe interests of the religion of the Christian peoplo, snd of the community At large."

Tho Provincial Conference of the Farmers' Union listened to a short discussion yesterday on the political uses of the co-operative and other Government labourers. The subject was brought up by Mr Get). Sheat, who said that labourers were employed by the Government prior to and during the elections in order to secure tho return of Government candidates. Ho statr-d that he had been credibly informed that at Addington workshops, where tho ordinary complement of men numbered 300, there were 800 men employed at election time. Directly the election was over there were numerous dismissals fro...'the'workshops. The same remarks applied to the employment of co-operativo workers, and he had heard that in one place the men had practically nothing" to do, and filled in their time by pitching stones into a riverbed. As far as the "Workshops -were concerned, he claimed that there should stilj be work for men there in building trucks, as farmers found that if applications were made for trucks later than Saturday, morning, they could not get them to convey their ttock to Addington.

Recently protests came from Taranaki farmers concerning the interference of the State Fire Insurance Department with settlers who have had business with tbe Advances to Settlers Department, tho interference, of course taking the shape of 'do-niands to insure with the State Office whore the money had been lent by the Advances to Settlers Department. A motion condemning this method of business was supported by the great majority of delegates to the district conference of farmers at Marton, an 1 eventually carried on tho voices, but one solitary individual rose up ond ventured the opinion that thero .ides to the story. "Is the State Office doing any more than private enterprise doos?" he asked. "The question must occur to every thinking mind. We 'ire asking the Government in other respects to come into line with private cut-.uprise. Are they doing more in this matter of insurance? If you go to an institution for a loan it stipulates every time whero yen- are to insure. If you get a loan f:om an individual he does the same. ' don t tliiiik the Government is doing more or lets than privato institutions." Mr J. G. Wilson. "Except that one department ._■• giving information to moth jr."

An instance which goes to -show that British manufacturers are not always so lacking in adaptability as they arc oft<|a said to be is to be found ;';n a recent development of the boot trade. Several large English boot manufacturing firms nave studied the American market, obtained workmen from America, and are now successfully exporting bcots and shoes in fairly large quantities to that country. The* "Boot and Shoe Recorder," writing of some of th-i English boots and shoes now- upon th.; American market, says:—''They have the general characteristics of a high-grade line. The renowned English oak soles are used, the workmanship is painstaking and uniform, the upper stock and linings are of first grade stock, and in price they arc somewhat lower than similar *grndc American shoes. . . . They are careful copies of American footwear, not exact, but near enough to be related in style. . . .'. The general workmanship is in all probability equal to that of American manufacturers." Of 3 line of ladies' goods made by a Leicester firm the same paper says the price to the retailer is 3dol 75c, to sell for odol, and the goods compare favourably w ; tli American makes to sell for Odol an-1 7dol. when durability and material aro considered. Tlie journal adds that the cost of .production in England is tho reason for the cheapness in price.

Yesterday morning Mr G. Humphreys, French Consular Agent, paid an official visit to the .French barque Mario at Lvttelton. The French ling •♦as hoi.ted end Mr Humphreys was leceived by Captain . Grondin.

Lieut-Colonel Hawkins. 0.C.D., Major Richardson, and Captain Potter, A.A.G.. left for South Canterbury by the first express yesterday morning to hold an enquiry into the alleged behaviour of tno Territorial. officers nt v memorial service in the district.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that it is understood that the police have recovered the ••Leader" picture which was stolen the second time from the* Wellington Art Gallery sevoptl weeks ago. Tho picture is valued at about £600.

The secretary of the Lyttelton Harbour Board has received a cable message announcing the departure from England for Lyttelton of the new Priestnuin dredge Tiwaku, purchased for the Board on May 21st. She is expected to reach Lyttelton in July next.

It i-i probable that a few, families ■who lost their breadwinner in the Penguin wreck will roquiru relief lor some time tc come. For this purpose the Penguin Wreck Committee has a sum of £1500 at interest. Thero aro still a few cases receiving assistance, and in this connection letters are being received trom England.

Yesterday afternoon, by the kindness of the management, some of ihe inmates of the Sunnyside Mental Hospital and a number of children belonging to the various charitable institutions, wore given an opportunity of atfending the matinee of "Peter Pan." Tt is iie3dle_s to say that tho treat was highly oiijoved. and the generosity extended to them greatly appreciated.

The con -e-.-ration jubilee celebrations in connection with Holy Trinity Church, Lyttelton, were concluded last, night with a social gathering* iv the schoolroom, at which there was a large attendance. Several addresses were given and musical' items contributed, The Rev. Canon ,l*"nowJes, who was v:car of the parish filly years ago, gave .some . interesting reminiscences ol church work and of Lyttelton in tho csrlv (lav,.

Accounts for maintenance at the Wellington Hc&pital totalling £022 10s lOd have been written off by tlie Board. It was stated that- somo of the account, had been outstanding for four years or more, and it was hopeless to expect payment now. Tlie Dunedin Hospital Board has also decided that* A sum of £100 2s fid be written off the books of tho Hospital Committeo. This represented sums owing by persons who had received treatment, which sums had come to bo regarded as irrecoverable.

A- lecture was given by Mr S. Hi tellings, of tho Sydenham Observatory, las', night, in St. Andrew's schoolroom, in aid of the Young Men's Classjroom Fund. The Rev. J. H. Lain? presided, and there was a large attendance. The n.bject of the lecture was '.'Halley's Comet, Comets and their Origin and JiesLinv. and the Marvellous Universe The speaker's remarks -were of a highly interesting nature, and their effectiveness was greatly helped by the free us« of lantern slides. The originality of the lcc.nrer enabled him to give ai number of har.p'v touches to his remarks. On the motion of Messrs R. Nairn and A. M. Wright, a hearty vote of thanks "was passed.

Tho Puniho toll gate (says the Taranaki "Herald") has been removeu from its hinges, carried some distmico away, and chopped up and burned. A councillor, in reporting tho matter to the County .Council , said the perpetrators had gone prepared with crowbars, screw wrenches-. and even a tin of kerosene to assist in the burning. Whilst this was being .done the. toll collet-tor and his wifo were sleeping m the toll house about five yards away and were not disturbed from their slumbers. It was "a neat, trick w:e!J done," said the councillor. Tho Council decided to rla*-" 0 tlie matter in tbo hands of the police and,to offer a reward of £10 for such information as will lead to a conviction.

A conference bf the Church of.England Men's Society was held in tho St. John's Schoolroom last night,, when there was a large attendance of_members and friends present. . Bishop Julius oresided, and in the course of an introductory address, explained the constitution of the first Diocesan Council and the nature of the work to be carried out by that Council dunng tho coming year. -. The Rev. W. W. Sedgwick s-noke on the subject of how to start a* branch of the Society; Mr I". George detailed the qualifications <>f membership, while the subject of the conduct of meetings was dealt with by two sneakers, the Rev. H. Purchas speaking on the -olaco of prayer, and the -Rev. P. B. Eaggitt on other points relating to the subject.

An amusing instance of evasion of the extra railway freight on imported timber by a backblocks farmer was brought under the notice of the Farmers'" Union Provincial Conference yesterday afternoon. The farmer imported some timber for hurdles, and was informed by the railway authorities that ho would have to my freight and a-half io get it sent to his district- He protested, but as he gotno satisfacion, hf resolved to go another way to work. H» had the timber made into hurdles in town, and the timber in its mannfuctnred form was.sent on to him. The huidlrs took up three trucks, while the unmanufeetured timber would only have becunied one. The farmer, however, got * his hurdles at half freight less than he would have had to pay for the timber in its original state.

The sub-commiti.e appointed to arrange for a lecture in Christ-church by Mi R. McNab, in aid of funds for a rational memorial to-Captain Cook, met the Pathe Pictures Proprietary v.sterday. and came to a satisfactory agreement. by which His Majesty's Theatre will be available for the purpose, on the evening of. Friday, July Bth, and the afternoon of Saturday, July 9th. It was decided to communicate with the Memorial Committee in Picton, asking that these dates should be set aside in th? itinerary for Christel.ureh. It is -proposed that Mr McNab should be "asked to give a special lecture for children at, a matinee on the Saturday afternoon. .Educational, scientific and other rcoieties, representinz different classes of the community, will b* asked to give their patronags to the lectures, and The headmasters <;f schools will be invited to bring the subject before the children.

Mr H. G. Ell, M P., recently wrote to the Minister of Justice drawing attention to the I'iitidy condition of tho ground:, surrounding . the Samaritan Home. The matter was referred to Mr H. W. Bisnop. S.M., hy the Minister, with a request that he should arrange- to meet Mr Ell and a representative of the North Canterbury United Charitable Aid Board on the ground and discuss any proposal that might be made. At yesterday's meeting of the Board the chairman (Mr F- Horrell) reported that, iv company with Mr Bishop and Mr Ell, he had inspected the grounds as the repretentati.e of the Board, and had informed Mr Bishop that the Board did not intend to carry on the horns in its present form and would not undertake the support of criminals. Mr Allison objected to this ?s a statement of tha Board's policy, made before the Board had corao to a decision, and he proposed a motion to the effect that" Mr Bishop be informed that thp questions referred t--> it his conference with the chairman of the Board, particularly with reforeuce to the alleged abandonment of th. S.tmariUn Home, had not ye; been considered by the Board. The chairman explained that lie took it from conv-rsations at the Board table that they intended to make other provision than existed, and he told -Mr Bishop so. -Mr Wolfe proposed that the chairman's action bo approied of, and this was carried.

It was stated at the meeting of tho United Charitable Aid Board yesterday that it would be- six months hi-foro thY Children's Ward at th»> Hospital would be ready for opening.

The Ruahine. which is due in Wellington from London on Sunday or Monday, brings 167 passengers iii tho third class, and II in the second. Thero aro thirty assisted immigrants, seven being children. Tho remainder are domestics, and wives rejoining their husbands. The Sussex, due. on the 1-lt.h June from Liverpool, brings ;j{j assisted immigrants.

No fewer thun 18-1 r.pplications were received by the Auckland City Council for the position of the Art. Gallery attendant. The salary to bo received by tho successlul applicant will be £_2i> per annum. _>ne councillor stated that at of) would-be attendants had inti-.viewed him in refcronco to the matter, and he was certain that among thorn there wero at least 20 of whom-the Council would approve". •

The executive committee of the Musi, cal and Literiry Competitions' Societyare to be congratulated upon tho com. pletcness of their arrangements in cor*, nection with the conip. titiens just closed Some of tho competitors who, • have competed elsewhere -speak aj laudatory terms of the admirable man-* ncr in which their conveni. iu*o and comfort have been looked after. M r Sweney, the stage manager, is entitled to higii praise for the excellent milliner in whu-n he discharged his very onerous duti.\s throughout. The annual presentation of certificates in connection with the St. John Ambulance Association to students in " first aid, home nursing, etc., will tako place at the Choral Hall tomorrow evening. The programme arranged for the occasion is as follows:—. Opening remarks by tlie chairman (Mr A. J." G. Rhodes), presentation of a farewell address, signed by representatives of the Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin Centres of the Association, to his Exeellcucy th.. Governor as president of Now Zealand Centres; presentation of first aid and homo nursing certificates, etc., by liis Excellency tho Governor'to successful students. There will bo no charge for admission, but those holding tickets will be admitted from 7.10 to 7.45 pm., tho public being admitted from 7.43 to 8 p.m.

SERIES OF COINCIDENCES. An iuiusu.il celebration occurred at Lincoln (England) last-.month. It was the golden wedding-day of Canon and 3lrs H. W. HHitton, and the wedding day of their only daughter. Miss Hutton was married to Mr W. H. Mence, tho son of a St. Ivos medical man, by the son of the man who married nor father and mother fifty years before, Tho wedding was ' solemnised .at fet* Peter's, \Eastgate, Lincoln, vbich, although a comparatively new huildins, stands on tho site of the church of tho samo name in irhi.cb Canon and ;ur& ; r Button .were married. CARD-SHARPEiriT PHOSPHORUS." . The repiarkitble trick of a Mosrow -. card-sharpor, who for thirty years past has played for high stakes in the ohi*f <'. clubs has (according to the "Daily , Mail" correspondent) been revealed, ■ , He had made a full confession. Explainin" that his eyes were woak, he invariably wore dark spectacles in tlit» evening. Hα .generally took part in a game called '"hank," in y-luch tho . - eights and nines of each suit ar<> the chief cards. In his waistcoat pocket he kept a preparation* of phosptiorus, and by touching the backs of tho rarcw r Trliich he wished to mark he rendered them slightly luminous. By means of his dark spectacles he recognised them, whereas nothing was; apparent to tho ether players. After a few deals ho • would piny with absolute certainty, • ( and, of course, won large sums. SITUATION WON BY PLUCK. Nurse Shotton, whoso home is at . Salisbury (says the "Daily has won the position of assistant superintendent .nurse at Uraintree "Workhouse - -Infirmary by a notable exhibition . of pluck ancf determination. s j" iShotton, who was one of three selected candidates,- travelled from Salisbury - to London, only to find th.it s.he was ~ . just too lato to catch a train from , L'iverpool-f.treet to Braintrec fche . ■ pscertaiued that the would bo too late . if she waited for the next tiain, *=o she t«legrapheJ to the guardians, that ■ she, had missed her train md - . coming by taxicab. She set on »y taxicab, but before slio had rovererf. halt the *orty-mi!ft journey ihroagh' Essex somnthing went wrong v.itb ine ■■ J motor, and the taxicab stopped, tone ■ waf. determined to get to IJ-r-intrw , -, fnd helped the driver to letiair th* i motor. After some delay the toxical) I started again, and Miss Shotton I loaclicd the Braintroe Work'nt'fr jujv - lin time. The gtiardiaiis were impress-. v<l by her spirit of determination, aim unanimously elected her to the post. £5 REDUCTIONS. We have to-day made a special window disnlay of 24 bicvclcs, and to in* I durc quick sales wo have dec:<l«i > _ v> \ make a substantial reduction oi £j> on , , S each machine shown in our windows. Star Cycles are well known.as reh3b|o and practically everlasting cycle?. "J ; are offering four standard Star road . . racers for boys or youths who want ™ ride fast, usual nricn ,£lo, red""™ to _ , £10 We are exhibiting * , ' ad Star roadsters, fitted with free wheels, .

K.rk-PcdaUing brakes and guards, adStca to Tie the best gentleman's SoVole irauorted into New Zealand; J ,l i.ri-e C-20. reduced to £15. For Sd-ra'cinc oychsts we have reduced the inmeri.i- Star road racer from £20 to A • "and we have six in our windows f r cilo The most expensive bicyclo is certainly the Beeaton Humber, and we are offering four ladies . all with free wheels and brakes, usual once £24, 11 ii" at *W- ' Io eompleto the win■w exhibit, w-- are cutting the price of ,C Bet-ston flu ruber road racer from !">*> to £17. Any "f the machines Town in our windows can be bought on rprv esv-v terms. Deposits from £1 and instalments of €1 per month. Good hit-vcles taken in partpayX" " Adams. Ltd., 138-140, High IK*. Cbrulchurch. 6