NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14307, 19 March 1912, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Somo bright pictures of the New Brighton llivcr Carnival, and of Gala Day at Caroline Bay, illustrate in tl-is •week's "Weekly Press" two of onr Canterbury watering-places. Two other subjects liberally treated exhibit New Zealand's bent towards social effort: these are the opening of tho Children's Hospital in "Wellington, and the Citizens' Fete in Dunedin for the beautifying of that already beautiful city. His Excellency tho Governor was present at the Wellington function, and spoke soino noble words upon tho uses of further development of our hospital system, v.liieli ho eulogised. Of special interest to farmers are the pictures of the forldar variety tests, and those of the great dispersal sales at Balmoral and Snowdon—tho latter providing scenes whien. will not be witnessed again. A recent feat of mountaineering is Mrs Thomson's traverse of Mount iSenlv. of which both photographs and a ■.vritten description appear. Another nrt'.c.e of special interest is the "Diary of a rianter in Portuguese Xyasalund"; contributed by a Now Zealander; it, is written with niest agreeable freshnnss and vivacity. This is altogether a strong number of "The Woekiy Press." a representative New Zealand issue.

There aro to be seven or eight prosecutions under tho ; Defence xVct at ihe next sitting of the Magistrate's Court at Temuka. The charge is refusing to lake- the oath of allegiance prescribed under the Act.

At a meeting of tho South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, it was decided to liberate 2000 trout in tho Orari river, and to liberate the balance of the quail ordered from Wellington at Hao Mac te Moana. An extsus-on of the fishing reserve at the Opiln was arranged for at £25 a year ior live ■aores. Tho acting-secretary reported a credit baianco of £118.

Tho judge of the Canterbury Automobile Association's recent reliability trial communicated the following to a reporter yesterday: —"Regarding F. Kibblcwhito's 14-20 h.p. Siddeley-Deasy (W. Vaughan, driver) the officer in charge of the weighing supplied tno wrong weight to the judge and tho weight, instead of being lton oewt 2qr. 71b was lton luewt 2qr. 71b. I'his means that tho petrol consumption given as 32 ton miles per gallon should bo 45.37 ton miles per gallon."

Tho Marine Department have, a! tho request of the Canterbury Ardimatisntion Society, caused a regulation to bo gazetted which provides that the sr-ason for fishing for trout in Lak->s Rubicon, Grassmerc, Lyndon, Miram.iv, and Sarah shall commence on the first day of December in each year, and ei'd on" the 30th day of April in the following year. Tho regulation also states that it'is unlawful to take trout by angling from boats of any description whatsoever on the lakes mentioncl, and that; any person committing' a breach of tho foregoing regulations is Lablo to a fino not exceeding i>2o.

Tho new pipe organ which has just been built by Mr !E. H. Jenkins, of this city for tho Linwood Congregational Church, was usod for the first time on Sunday when Mr A. Owen presided at the morning service,, and m some special voluntaries, and tho Festal March brought out tho characteristics of tho instrument. At tho evening service a largo choir under 'Mr Hough, gavo the "Hallelujah Chorus," and "•The Heavens aro Telling," Mr W. Foster, the church organist presiding at the instrument. Tho Rev. W. J. L. Closs delivered an appropriate sermon. Largo congregations ' wero present at both services. On Friday next tho St. Albans choir will perform the opening ceremony by a short 'recital and sacred programme.

A -week or two ago'a minute insect mado its appearance in tho City Fire Brigade's new station (telegranhs our Dunedin correspondent). They appeared in millions in a.sort of dust, and wero at first thought to be the borer, but when put under the microscope it was seen that they wore quite different. Specimens wore, sent to Mr J. B. Catenby. of Wellington, who says the species belong to tho genus tyrogiyphus, family tyroglyphinso. ■ There is no doubt they wero hatched in the manure at tho okl'stables upon the sito of which-'tho station was built, and must have remained in the ground. Tho family arc famous tho world over for thoir ravages upon stores, ropes, clothes, food. etc.. and ordinary insecticides fail to destroy them. Probably, Mr Gntonby says, spraying with diluted sulphuric or nitric acid would keep them in check as they march up in battalions from the hotbed under the building, but tho only cure for them is to cart out the oJd earth and replace it with new.

Arising out of the annual meeting of the Lytte'.ton Harbour Board yesterday, the chairman (.Mr H. Frkdlander) tntertained the members and executive officers oi' the Board, nndothor guests, at luncheon at Warner's Hotel, at the close of the business. There wore nearly forty guests present, these including stveral ex-momhors oi' tiic Board. TLe toast of "Tho King" was proposed by the host, and Captain Marciel then proposed "Tho Parliament of Now Ztalfind," tho rcppondfrs being the Ho;i. H. F. Wigram. M.L.C.. and Mt Geo. Laurenson, M.P. Other toasts honoured were: —'"The Chairman," proposed by Mr A. Kaye and responded to by .Mr Fi-iediander; "Kindred >' ( r>oal Authorities," proposed by 31 r Gw. Harper and responded to by Messrs F. Horroll and. Charitable Aid Board) and Geo. Scott (Heathooto County Council); ''The Staff," rrcl>osi'd by Mr R. Moore and responded to by Messrs C. Hood Williams- 'eocrotary and treasurer), Cyrus J. Williams (engineer), and Captain Thorpe '(harbourmaster); "Tho Jhairman." oropoted by Mr W. J. Miller and spoken 7O by Dr. Thacker, Mr Colin Cook, Mr P. N. Christie (assistant engineer to tho Sydney Harbour Trust).

At a general meeting of t'ae Sumner Beautifying Association, Mr F. Pratt presiding, Mr Mouldey expressed his pleasure with the existence-of such an Association, iir.d nromised to give 100 matiix> trees and geraniums when required for planting. r i ho offer was accepted, and Mr Mouldey wr.s accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The officers and committee elected last July were re-elected for the ensuing year, and Mr C. A. E. Ferguson was re-elected secretary. Mr Stevens suggested that tho Association should ascertain'from the Borouch Council what is done on the hill adjoining Captain Thomas's old road, and he also suggested that the committee .should take into consideration tho question of improving St. Leonards square by thinning. out old trees and replacing them with new ones. Mr Allen suggested that the committee should make a tour of inspection of the borough and ascertain the beauty so that the Association would be in a rosition to prevent them being .damaged. It was drcrded to ascertain what are the intentions of the Borough Council in respect to the newly-formed esplanade, and to cooperate with the Council in beautifying it . It was alro resolved:—(l) That the cliffs above Bell's baths be planted with suitable plants;. and (2) that the cliffs from the Marine Hotel to tho knob onpoyte Mr Newman's residence be planted. At a stibsequent meeting of the committee it was decided that ■plahting should commence on Thursday next, at 3 p.m.

Tho quarterly general" meeting of members of the Canterbury of Commerce will be held on Wednesday. 27th inst., at 3 p.m.

The adjourned annual general .meeting of tho old Lyttelton Navals' Association will be held in tho Lyttelton Drillshed orderly room on Friday next, at 8 p.m.

A public meeting will be held in the Rugby street schoolroom, Papanui road, to-morrow, for the purpose , of receiving tho report of tho committee who are promoting the movement to acquire the Elmwood property for a Park.

Tho official car accompanying tho motor reliability competitors to Hanrner and back was a Sunbeam, belonging to Hawkes and Co., and this car performed some remarkably good and fast work during the two days of tho trials, and met with no mishap whatever. The Sunbeam, whfch was towed to Culverden in a disabled condition, was another car altogether.

An election was held yesterday to select a successor to Mr T. W. Rowe on the Canterbury College Board of Governors, Mr Rowe having resigned owing to being appointed assistant lecturer on law. The candidates wero: — The Rev. John Mackenzie, Messrs M. Dalziel, and J. Laurenson. The voting papers will bo opened next Monday, and the result will be announced that afternoon.

Speaking at tho annual meeting of the Lyttolton Harbour Board yesterday Mr R. Moore, chairman of the Finance Committee, stated that with tho present rate of interest the sinking fund would in eighteen years amount to £1G.%000, which would then leave only £100,000 to be redeemed by tho raising of a new loan. . Assuming that tho money could bo raised at 4J per cent., the interest would total £4500, or £10,900 less than tho Board had to provide at present.

The Steward Presentation Committee met in the Waimate Borough Council Chambers on Saturday afternoon, Mr W. M. Hamilton presiding. A balance-sheet was "resented showing that in all £224 los 3d had been collected, and that £4 os promised had S/till to come in. The expenditure side showed that £160 hod been presented to Sir William., and other expenses totalled C 3 6s lid. The- balance-sheet was adopted. It was decided that tho treasurer forward tho baianco in hand, and any further sums that come in, direct to Sir William.

At the Australasian Press Association Conference at Auckland yesterday, a discussion, regarding the competitive press cable services led to tho following resolution being carried unanimously: I —"This Conference takes tile opportunity of the first general meeting of-the Association since the Commonwealth Parliament granted tho cable subsidy, to express its approval and appreciation of the legislation enabling a second Cable Association to exist, which, in the consequent competition, gave freedom to the Press in the matter of cable contract and supply, and provided the general public with largely increased and greater variety of cable news."

The W r .C.T U. Convention ni Dnnedin passed the following resolution:— "That when a person is convicted of sly-grog selling, such conviction should carry with it a-prohibition order for ono year, so that such person should bo unable to purchase alcohol in the Dominion." were -uso passed, strongly urging that all smoking carriages bo placed tHlior at the beginning or the end of trains, and that a congratulaory message be sent to tho Methodist Conference on tho first occasion on which a woman has taken a seat as a member of the Conference. • A motion'condemnatory »>f Great Britain's attitude towards tho opium traffic, was passed.

An interesting "Life" of the late Mr Quong Tart, tho well-known Chinesi merchant of Sydney, has been wn'ttin by his wife, and published "by a Sydney firm. The sub-title is. "How a 7nreigner Succeeded in a British. Community," and few men can have m> won the admiration and respect of an plien community as Mr Tart " Quong Tart is as well-known as the Governor himself," said a Sydney paper "and is qiiito as popular with nil classes." Records in tho book show that this was no exaggeration. Mr Tart, it may be mentioned, did a great deal for his countrymen in Australia. He was foremost in the campaign, eventually successful, for the abolition of the 'n-,----portation of opium. The book Is an interesting account of a most useful life.

Can a telephone conversation be admitted as evidence in court? The question was raised in the Invercargill Magistrate's Court on .Friday during tho hearing.of n civil case. A witness for the plaintiff stated in his evidence that the plaintiff and ho had rung up the defendant —— ■■ " How do you know that it was the defendant at tho other end of the wire," asked counsel for the defence. The witness hesitated. "Because he said it was he speaking," said the witness. (i That's no proof. It might have been anybody using his name," retorted counsel, and he submitted that this could not bo treated as evidence. Tho court smiled. The Magistrate remarked that telephone conversations entered into cases almost every day, and although perhaps they were not very reliable, they were admissible as evidence.

In moving a motion at the annual 'meeting last night of the Citizens' Association apprec ative of the manner in which Mr J. J. Dougall has discharged the duties of Mayor of Christclmrch, Mr W. Hayward, junr., said that, during Mr Daugall's term he had hacl to deal with some very awkward positions, and had den It with them in a manner that showed conspicuous alrliiy. Mr Dougal] had filled the Mayoral chair with grace and dignity: -Mr F. E. Jones, the president-elect'of "tbo'Association, -who seconded the motion, referred to the statesman]:kc manner in which Mr Dougall had dealt with the questions of attracting population to the city and with advertising it.. Such work, lie added, ought to be encouraged by the Citizens' Association, which should initiate a strong campaicn on the line.s suggested by Mr Dougall. The meeting placed on record its appreciation of "Mr Dougall , s past services, -md expressed the fibre that if he offered hinvolf for re-election, the citizens would show their appreciation of those services.

A deputation waited on the Hon. .1. A. Millar at IXinedin yesterday from tho local Chamber of Commerce, with reference to the recently-gazetted special rate of chnrjjps for understatements in consignment notes in rospect to goods delivered by the railway. The deputation did not object to the imposition of a penalty in cases cf fraud," but when a "simple mistakewas made by a servant., it r '" is considered that "a nenaltv should not bo imposed. The Minister, in reply, said the regulation was aimed at the sawmillers, through' whom the Department had lost a considerable amount of revenuo on account of ■misstatements in consignments. "When '." f found an understatement of 1 "CO teat on one truck, it was time to take r.ction. It was not intended that the roKulation should apply all round, outonly to sawmillers. "The rezulatjoa.was gazetted in accordance with tho Act. Tho Department was taking action against two largo sawmillers, ■W" . lt was necessary for the purpose or action to "Gazette" it. When he returned to Wellington ho would look tote-,}?? matter again, with a view to m OOI ing the regulation, though there woulci be nothing introduced in the; way or double payment on x a surplus. ;

The TTairarapa Centre of the New Zealpnd Athletic Union fined a former official £5, and disqualified him for life for alleged "ringmg-in."

The members of the Clmpmnn-Alex-ander mission arrived at Bluff from Melbourne yesterday. They hoM a meeting at Invereargill last night, and leave for the North to-day.

At a meeting of the committee of the Union Kowinjr Club held last- ovcinrg. Mr 11. R. Sellers, the district secretary, attended, and laid before the meeting the objects of the Zealand S;x>rts Protection League. \tt<# consideration it was decided to affiliate and forward a subscription.

Tho lending section of the Carnegie Free Library in Dunedin is pwnig a great success, over 9000 volumes being distributed monthly. The librarian states that this compares very favourably with tho lending libraries with which ho was associated in the Old Country. The majority of tho books are, of course, -works of fiction, a fair percentage deal with more profitable matter.

The Minister of Railways has acceded to tho petition of the. Gornldino district, niado through Mr W. Nosworthy, M.P., to re-instate the service of tho two expresses at Orari, both from Christchurch" and Dunedin. Tho new time-table will take effect from the Ist of April. Mr Nosworthy has also been informed that the expresses -will stop at Winchester on March 28th for tho local A. and P. Show.

Tho inaugural meeting of tho Christchurch Junior Stamp Club was held last evening. An interesting discussion took place regarding the best means of encouraging junior stamp collectors. Many excellent suggestions wero brought forward, and several of these will be acted upon at the monthly meetings. This Club hopes to do much useful work amongst the younger stamp collectors of this city and a Rood programmo is being prepared for tho winter months.

The annual exhibition of tho Canterbury Society of Arts was well-at-tended yesterday, tho public generally evidently appreciating tho high standard attained by the majority of the works exhibited. The sales effected so far have been very satisfactory. The exhibition will bo opon to-day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. This evening tho diplomas awarded in connection with tho Arts and Crafts exhibition, and in connec-. tion with the Students' competition, will be presented, and the members' art union will bo drawn.

The committee of tho Christchurch Navy League met last night. Present — Professor Blunt (chairman), tins Rev. Elliott Chambers, Mrs F. W. Robinson, and Mr T. H. Foster. Tho following were selected as essay subjects for the year:—Secondary schools: Senior, "The Influence of the British Xavy in the Anglo - Napoleonic Wars" ; junior, "Show how a strong British N:ivy tends to keep Great Britain at peace." Primary schools: Senior, "Why does the British Empire need a strong Navy?"; junior, '''Describe the dofoat of tho Spanish Armada, and what that defeat meant for England.". Tho Chairman stated that matters in connection with the coming bazaar -were well forward.

The Railway Department recently forwarded a letter to tho Waima : ri County Council enclosing a- letter appearing in a Christchurch newspaper calling attention to the danger caused at the Styx railway crossing by a h'gh fence there. The Department pointed out that the Council had power to deal with tho matter if necessary. At the meeting of the Council last night Mt W. Nicholls informed members that the Church Property Trustees had decided to take down the fence, and replace it with a more suitable one. Mr S. Bullock, referr'ng to the latter portion of the Department's letter, pointed " out the Council now had power to order tho removal of any fences that obstructed the view down any road of a person coming aloirg a cross road.

In dealing with the proposed extensions nnd improvements to the water sutmly at the meeting of the Lyttelton* TBorough Council last night, Cir. S. R. Webb spoke- at some length regarding tho delay in installing tho tip-to-date pumping machinery which, according to a circular issued to the ratepayers before the recent poll, was going "to affect a saving of £250 a year. Tho Water Supply Committee was now recommending tho new reservoir bo £one on with, instead of getting a pumping machinery installed, and working to effect this great saving. He doubted if the committoo would save anything like £250 per year. Cr. Cook interjected that he would show how the savins would bo made. "You're very smart," replied Cr. Webb. ''I'm not so smart as you are," retorted Cr. Cook. "I know that;" said Cr. Webb.

The North Canterbury Education Board havo introduced an innovation in connection with applications for positions on their teaching staff, in the shape of a printed application form, which candidates for appointment .in any school have to fill in. The particulars to bo supplied include age, condition (married or single), classification under the Education Department, any other qualifications, . nature and place of present appointment, how long held, grado of salary, present salary, previous experience as pupil teacher, probationer, student in training, and subsequent applications, evidence of ability to teach singing, drawing, agriculture, drill, handwork and any branch of technical instruction, list of inspectors' reports, certificates and testimonials submitted, whether applicant is a contributor to the superannuation fund, and at what rate por cent.

Evidence of the prosperity of Invercargill has been brought out in a very curious way (telegraphs our correspondent). The Old Ago Pensions Court is to sit in a day or two, and the Registrar (Mr B. Murphy), informed a reporter yesterday that there would be a number of pensions considerably reduced. The reason, he said, was that tho inauguration of the new tramway service had raised the values of the properties held by several pensioners to above the standard set. In one caso tho Government valuer had valued a section oi land at £00 in 1911, but its new valuation this month had been placed at £275. Another section valued at £190 had been raised in value to. £565. In each case the land was held by pensioners and the pensions would bo considerably reduced, and in other cases would have to be refused. Not only had the tramway service been tho cause of th fi rise, but- there seemed to be np end to the boom in property which was at present making tho progress of mvercargjll very marked.

The Superintendent of the Advances to Local Authorities Branch of tho New- Zealand State Guaranteed Advances oifice has written to the Wainiairi County Council acknowledging receipt of an application for loans oi £3100 foi- asphalting, etc., and £125 for forming and shingjing. The writer informed the Council that tho Advances Board had decided " that in granting loans to local bodies preference shall bo giveii to those to whom loans have not already been granted, tho limit to remain £5600, and the rate to be 32 per cent." As the'Coun<cil had exceeded this amount, both as regards payments and provisional approvals of loans, the Advances Board could not entertain the apolicatious mentioned. Regarding applications for loans of £680 and £'230, the superintendant wrote that the application for tho, former had lapsed owing its. having been made eight days too late, and tho application for the latter lyul never been provisionally approved by tho Board. Tho department, it was added, could nob finance local bodies for the time being at a lower rate than 3$ per cent.

All the Canterbury trout Tvore reported dear yesterday teoming."Js£ A line fault was the caUM> of the City Fire Brigade making a curried'call ; #-; to Church square, Addaigton, shortly fe before noon yesterday. '.^,.- The first . Waikato Territorial camp '"*? broke un on Sunday. Good work was hV done, and the camp was honoured by ■£? a visit from his Excellency the- Govern "'■*■' nor and General Godloy. * - >.v'-

Friday, April 12th, is tlio dato fixed '•'■■ for heariftß objections to tho recently. ; "i prepared juo' list, which is at present '■*'•'■ open for inspection. Tho objectioaa ■"- will bo heard at tho Magistrate's Court ' ; - an 11 a.m. %

A sitting of tho Juvenile Court wae held at noon yesterday by Mr H. \\\ / Bishop, S.M., when two small boysj charged with not being under proper control, were committed to tho ChrieU church Receiving Homo, to bi> brought up in tho faith of tho Church of England. At a special meeting of tho Napier • Borough Council yesterday mo-rnitig, jt, "; was decided to raise a further loan of " " £10.000 for electric trnmwnys, power, ?■ and lirjhtingf- Tho tender of tho Brush'" -r Electrical Engineering Company tvns .'' accepted for rollins stock, subject to i *-. the loan being sanctioned by the rate- -" payers. For the first time for many a day ' there was no sitting of tho Polico Court i, yesterday—there was nothing for ie to do. The city xiolico cells remained empty on both Saturday and Sunday ' nights, and there wore no summonV ""•'' cases for the Court to deal with. It being St. Patrick's Day tlie civil sit- -• tings wero not held. An anti-military enthusiast who aN »' tempted to address an open-air meeting - at Napier on Saturday night had 3 rough experience. A great crowd collected, and hustled him all through the town. Ho sougL« refugo in a shop, ,- bpt on his escape the crowd picked him up, and ho had to tuko refuge in «v stable. Ultimately, iho police got ' him. quietly away. The Northern Wairoa of tlio Auckland "Herald" reports tbat *' wasps, which, it is believed, were in tlio . 4 , fkst instance imported to- Hokianga * ' from Australia, have multiplied rapMJy, , • and are playing moro or less havoc/ with certain fruits. If they go m.',", creasing, they must soon bo n visy-, grave pesfc to orrhardistc At- their present rate of progression th«s TOsjm will soon invade tho oJclurds.

More than, one motorist has appeared at the Police Court chargedw:th driving at an excessive rato of speed over the Bank of New Zealand crossing. \ osttrday, v., however, a motorist was driving $o r slowly that his car stopped altogether ,'/■* on the tram line in the mfddlo of tho crossing, and refused, despite all efforts, " 4 i to budge, a tram being held up meanwhile. Finally, the car, by tho united ', efforts of two or three men, was shoved - = off the crossing, Will that motorist .-1 now appear beforo tho Polico Court ,| charged with obstructing tho traffic? -<. ■.£ In order to prevent tho oy&tcf beds- ,5 ,!! in tho Hauraki Gulf and North ot rt 3 # Auckland from being depleted by con--/./' tinned picking, the Government mnda *;£' tho season for rock oysters last year a | V V short one, and it is probable that simi- / lar action will be taken by the authori- ,'«* ties this year. Rock oysters will not ,' make their appearance in Wellington- ■. ' until tho Ist of May, and the ordinary;-* season concludes on 31st October, lx , , is reported that tho best beds for the ~' new season..will be those on Waiheko , . and Raugitbto Islands, and that neaf Russell.

Two cornel's described as dangerous were brought under tho notice of tlw - Waimairi County Council last night. A ' 1 letter from the North New Brighton Burgesses' Assoc'ation aeked tho Coim- -J; c:l to improve the dangerous corner at , ',!/ the Racecourse road nnil**** River road (Bower Hotel corner). The?-; , , engineer reported that ho had visited J- ;.*, the spot, and could ccc nothing danger^ , - 1 I ous "about it. Tho letter -was i without discusß : on. Tho other corner/"" I referred to was the ono afc the inter- ~ ! section of North Avon road and New- •-> • Brighton'road, "where the tramline- wa«« •' J" alleged to encroach on tho footpath , . some'eighteen inches. The Richmond I'Citizens' Aesociat'on .wrote directing *'' the Council's attention to tho matter. v Tho Council decided to-write to tho "„• Tramway Board, and call their atten- ]j; tion to tho corner referred to. I Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., deliverpd '\ ; re&erved judgment on Saturday in th**:,',, enso of Mcßao (Mr Greseon) v. (Mr Hunt). .The case was heard Cheviot last month, and was one which *_ ■" by consent of the parties bn« been re-*, , - , moved from Kaikotira. The plnintiff - / I sued for damages for'injuries wnich ehoi'V? had received, through the defendant's , J" , neprHcent. riding of a horse through Kaikmira streets, and the defence that it was n case of mistaken identity, ,}»{■, The nblntiff nrid two -witnesses ly identified the oV»£endant as the who cansed the irjury, and the V ant denied that he w«j on in nupstion. and cnl'ed witnesses, who deposed to fncts" which. if true, would have shown that it imroßsibl* l for the cl<?fend->nt io '{'*> "bren nt the scene, of the at tin* timft in quesfc : on. The .Ma"i r trnt« heH' that the evidence of the " r djvv her witnesses was true, and tint tho defendant's wore mistaken ifl.jj.y) the. ficts to wbMi they d^o^o , . Jtiflcc- '->£' with coats and witnesses' expenses. .' •■?£s A good deal of delay has occurred in connection with the scheme to cs-' r 'l tablisb a settlement at the Terrace End by tho Advances to Workers Depart-'- l -| ment (says a Pi-ess Assoc ; ation;' telegram from • Palmerston North); , V\ Intimation has now been received jj£ tliat the authorities are prepare©-"A to commence 1 tiding, but tho--r' assurance has como so late and such circumstances that it is likely* > . that most, if not all, of the prospec-,j» * tivo householders will withdraw, frpO'/ - 1, their engagements. The disappointing:-' feature of the affair is that the mates havo turned out to bo nowhere- ■> .: near the actual cost of tho The experience of ono local rcfideat' ' illustrates the inconvenince to which _ residents havo been pul . In Juno lasij/"' ho applied for.a four-roomod housedC, bo erected on a. section OOft by 145 ft. He was told by the authorities - tho cost of the building would bj' , £28.">. to which had to bo added £"?- - ' for tho section, and a few pounds for , * *,- administrative expenses. The applicant paid his deposit of £10, and now,'. tho Department has intimated-that* tho cost of a four-roomed dwelling' would be £'371 and the total cost in-V. eluding tho land and csncnsth, £4oS 7s. ' . ~ . .', Baggage is a bother at any time, hut doubly so during the Easter ru h. To- -,; escape nil trouble, chock your baggage ■< y throiii;h us. We call foi % check on by rail or steamer, t.ike it :f> off. and deliver it at once. Our -y«t«in is reliable, most 'iflpful. iijexjjcusire. __ * ,"| Tho Xe'.v Zeuiand Expicj.<s C«nipa:>.Vr" Limited. 6 When in Abbburton, call at G. H. ■' t \ Carson's cycle and motor depot for -' i% motor and cycle accessories, tyrr-s, etc. \ Mr Carson is district agent for Ford „ * Vulcau, and Cadillac cars. ■* When moving, employ J. M. Hejvrood and Co.. Ltd.. as they omployt'-;•; none but careful men to handle your ,'_•■£ furniture. They h'nve'threo large pan* (| «' technicons, so that no job is too ' ar 6* "!.-' or small for them to undertake. * ■ i^ l>o your fet't perspiie and become ( disagreeable to yourself and othersPerhaps the pores have become uo* , ;,■ healthy. Remove the cause. Sprinkle - „ a Httlc of Berry's Antiseptic Toilet ' v f Potvder in your &ocks. It removes excessive , rerspiration and cures tender " feet, and promotes a healthy ««nsu' ~y Only Is tin. Is 2d post free. Jnd.^ Berry, 670 Colombo 6treot (oppofijt*. r-,j£ Recce's).

It is a mistaken idea with many neople. to put off wearing spectacles Llonc -ns possible when they require thorn They strain their eyes more : "'*«d more, and irreparable harm can Kf dene, which fosses, in some cases, n'.ver entirely overcomes. I'or epecZr'Z «insii!t John 11. Procter, ■ Oculists' Optician. 200 High street. : Christchurch. The tstorlhiß Patent Automatic rcn'acenicnt system makes domestic tolooiwn'es indiaiwnsabie to :i modern bu«We guarantee these mStr'uniftnts to jrivo every satisfaction. . TuSnbnll and Jonos. Ltd.. eolo New Zealand a^r-:s. EXCITING CItICKET. Cricket is generally put down as a "slow"" game, but those who wit-,-sskl tlio closing stages of the Ncwi'nciton Colleßc-St. Joseph's match at <<*dnev last week would raost ; certainly «l«nut"e that statement (says the "Daily :/ Te&b")- , N-cwinston College prin'tmllv overhauled that total, until «t'tost hut two runs were required to uln/with four wickets in hand. Six for 1-13 stood the score when Brown T.-as put °n to bowl. His over was electrify ing to both batsmen and spectators.' First ball, a wicket; second I all, a wicket; fourth ball, ft wicket; pnd off the last ball one was scored. \ 'hundred nnd forty-four all nnd ono wicket to fall. Four balls were carefully watched, the fifth was played to rover-point and tho batsmen sped down the wicket for tho winning run. Vrear f-ott however, dashed in and with a muck fast return, down the stumps with tho bntsman yards out. Thus tlie match ended with each side 111 runs to their credit. 100 MONKEYS AT LARGE. A few years ago the municipal authorities at Mino-machi, in the Province of Gifu. spent a good deal of ' money in laying out a public park and adorning it with a magnificont monkey- ! house, in which a large number of apev, were installed for tho amusement and education of tho nitives. On New Year's Evo (writes E-euter's Tokio correspondent), during tho absonco of tho night watchman, who bad gone, to the celebrations, the monkeys dug a hole through tho floor of their house and escaped, the "gaol-delivery" was discovered in due course, and a search, instituted, but without success. On New Year's Day. however, when the guests arrived at the District Commissioner's office to pay their respects to that, official they found tho building in tits oessossion of a band of over one hundred monkeys, who, not content with destroying tho records and books, .had eaten 'ur> tho fruits and sweetmeats which had been prenared for the -commissioner's friends, The local defences wcro duly manned, and a storming narty succeeded in drivinc out the invaders, making prisoners of Mine, but the greater number got off to the woods.' EGYPTIAN NATIONALISTS. An extraordinary incidont happened at a charity performance which was given recently at tho Opera House, Cairo, under tho patronage of his Highness tho Khedive, says the "Pall Mall . Gazette," "When, just prior to tho raising of tho curtain, his Excellency Hussein Pasha Rushdi and his Excol- . lpncy Ali Boy Chahine, representing his Highness, entered the house, the Khodivial «j|jpithem was, of course, played. Everyono in tho audience remained standing, with the exception of . the Nationalist leader, Mohammed Bey Farid, who was seated in a box just opposite tho official' tribune. Such, a public act of disrespect and disloyalty : could not be allowed to pass unnoticed, and so Rushdi Pasha, who is Minister for Foreign Affairs, at bnce sent for. Farid Bey and upbraided him for his behaviour. Tho Nationalist leader replied most insolently ■ that no law obliged him to rise, if he wished to remain seated, even when tho Khedivial . Hymn was played, and he refused to apologia?.' The Minister thereupon ■ ordered him to leave the house, which he did. The incident wae then reported to tho Prime Minister by Rushdi l'asha, and tho Khedive was apprised of what had happened. This overt act of disloyalty on the part of the Nationalist leader has aroused a .great deal of comment. of course, to tho nvorago intelligent mind it speUe its own condemnation, to the ignorant or mentally unbalanced native it has a certain significance, and it is felt that for this reason some stern step should be taken to put a stop to such unfortunate incidents. RESULTS OF THE RELIABILITY TRIAL. Principal interest in the Canterbury Automobile Association's reliability trial on Friday and Saturday last cpn+red in the performance of the four Silent . Knight. Minerva cars. The trial was the first in Now Zealand in •which cars . equipped with tho famous Knight ilccvo valvo engine were entered. Everybody fcaiKvs that the Knight engine makes an absolutely.silent-running car, but its reliability, efficiency and petrol economy had-not hitherto been demonstrated in competition against the old-fashionnd f tappet valvo engines in this country. The result of tho, trial was the complete vindication of all claims made on behalf of the Silent Knight Minerva car. Every.one of the four cars cn- ~ iered made a non-stop run, and the 'winnings of the team included.tho JOO--guinea Star Cup, a £30 trophy giffin by the Association, three gold medals, and a silver medal. In the private owners' class, in which there were , eighteen entries, Mr X. C. Gilflhcist, driving a 26 h.p. Minerva, won first prize in the class, the Star silver oup, awarded for the best record for relia- • buity and economy of petrol, and a pold medal for a non-stop run. Gold medals were'also won by Mrs It. A. Greeu, . "jrith second lowest petrol consumption (26 h.p. .Minerva), and Mr R. O. Dixon «fi h.p. Minerva). Messrs Adams, - -Ltd.'s 16 h.p, Minerva gained a silver vandal and made a non-stop run in tho trade class. .The success of the Minerva ■Hi the hands of private owners demonstrated that the oar does not <lcp*>nd on expert handling to secure in competition the most important prizes, and proved that the Silent Knight engine » not only reliable, but most in the consumption of petrol. Minerva cars aro sold at tho English price.- plus actual cost of importation, and we can give immediate delivery from stock of . cars which aro admitted to be the best w tho whole world. Adams, Ltd.. sole agenis for Silent Knight Minerva cars. Garage, Tuam street, Christchurch. 6

OBSERVER NOVEMBER sth, SAYS: "The motor show at Olympia was . fioteable for tho fact that it witnesses the introduction to Europe of tho 1012 tadiUac car with an electrical selfsEartin« apparatus, fitted as n standard and with the starting handle superseded. It is a bold move that might ' , SHestioned if any tinn other thnn j JD , Cadillac were bringing it forward. Jt has won a unique position for itself. •»>eiter and Crozier, Ltd. 6