NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14546, 24 December 1912, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY.

"The Press" will not bo published tomorrow (Christmas Day). The collection taken up at the municipal organ recital on Sunday evening totalled £32 Is 4d.

Tho auction announcements rl Charles Clark, National Mortgage r, n d Agency Company, Conway Mat-son and ' - Sons, Farmers' Saleyards Company, P. S. Nicholls and Co., Dalgety and Co ' ' New Zealand Loan and M.A.* Company' H. B. Sorensen, and Pyno and Co. will bo found on page 15 of this issue. There is no lack of variety in tho ' pictures oi "The Weekly Press" this week, and holiday readers should bo satisfied with tho paper f ro »i cud to end. As marking tho progress of the Dominion ihero aro a number of very fine comprehensive pictures of that rising farming district. Murchison. There is an undying sentiment and \U tnchment. among us to tho Pioneers oi Canterbury, and it was a graceful thought which actuated Mr John An. derson to invite, them and their descendants to a gathering at his houso in Christchureh to celebrate the anniversary of tho foundation of the province. "Tho Weekly Press" photographer secured excellent group pictures of the passengers by each of the first four ships, as well- as of sorao of tho descendants of the early settlers; Another celebration of Anniversary Day was tho Monster Fete at Lancaster ; Park, organised by tho sports clubs of \ Christchureh to raise funds for tho re- v tention of tho Park as a sports ground. The feto is fully illustrated, tho principal events, tho crowds on the pike, and a number of snapshots being shown. Other subjects dealt with extensively aro tho Life-Saving Club and life-boat and crew at Sunnier, the extension of tho Christchurch oleetrio tramway to Fendalton. and tho menagerie nt Wainoni. A subject that will appeal to progressives is the formation of out-door schools in England, and many will express the wish that such schools may bo established.in New Zealand. In the literary columns there is a great collection of stories and sketches, some of them by colonial. writers, and all of a high calibre. Among the sketches are two that, will ho eagerly rend, they are "A Christmas Day in London." and "Christmas Day on a Northern Seaboard." In "Tho Farmer" many current subjects ' aro dealt with, and thero is a particularly timely article "Electricity on tho Farm," a subject illustrated in this issue, which should bo read with groat interest in view of tho early completion of tho Lake- Ooloridgfc hydro-eiectrical s-oheme. All tho other pages aro well- , filled, and from cover to cover tho issue sustains tho high reputation established by "Tho Woekly Press." A start has been mado by tho contractors to lay down tho new sewer in St. Albaus, operations having boon put in hand in Manchester street north. Tho other streets in which sewers aro to bo laid aro Canon, Bishop, and Baafurly streets. Our Wellington correspondent telegraphs that the weather has kept Sno for tho Christmas shopping, and most of tho retail stores havo been crowded . with purchasers. Apparently, however, the. amount of money being spent is less than last year. The financial stringency and a slackening of extravagant expenditure aro no doubt factors iv making for tho changed conditions. Tho river Opihi is at present in hotter order for fishing, and fish in it are more numerous than for years past (says our Tituaru correspondent). A fresh mouth was made on Saturday last. Tho river is now running straight out to sea, and it is teeming • with scariin trout. On Sunday night fish up to nino pounds were taken. Herrings of an abnormal size aro also being caught in largo numbers at tho mouth of tho river. [ At tho request of the .Lyttclton Borough Council, Mr G. . Laureason, M.P., recently wrote to tho PostmasterGeneral asking him to reduce tho cost of communicating with Christchureh by ' means of tho public telcphono on No. 2 wharf from fid to 2d. Tho Minister's reply, which was unfavourable, was discussed at last night's meeting of tho Council, and was referred to tho By r law and Legal Committee for further enquiries and report. At the St. Albans Methodist Church on Sunday, tho Rev. H. E. Bellhouso was tho preacher, taking as his subjects "The Mother of Jesus' , and "The Child as Judge." "Adesto Fidelis" was sung as the anthem in tho niornirg. In the evening tho music comprised Pergolesi's "Glory to God in tho Highest," Gounod's "Nazareth." and from "Tho Messiah," "And tho Glory," "0 Thou That Tellest," "Thero wcro Shepherds," "Glory to God " and tho "Pastoral Symphony." At 8 p.m. a carol service was held, when a large r. umber of carols were sting by tho choir. Some months ago the Mayor and Councillors of Christchurch wero the guests of tho municipality of Timaru, on which occasion tho Mayor and Councillors of the southern borough entertained tho visitors right royally. At last night's meotirg of tho City Council Cγ. E. Smith asked when it was intended to return Timnrn's compliment. Tho Mayor suggested that the matter might bo referred to the Finance Committee. It was decided, on tho motion of Cr. E. Smith seconded by Cr. Morris, "That tho City Council invito ths Mayor and Councillors of Timaru to visit Christchurch in the rear future." • Tho Mayor and the chairman of tho . Finance Committee wero empowered to make the necessary arrangements. Christmas and New Year greetings, which wo reciprocate, have been ro~. coivctl by the staff of "The Press" fj'om tho following:—Tho literary staff of the "Auckland Star," "Weekly Graphic" and "New Zealand Farmer" ; the- officers of the General Post Offico, Wellington; Mr J . C. Adams (chairman of tho Canterbury College Board of Governors); Messrs It. Stewart, Harold Ashton, and Bert Roylo (representing J. C. Williamson, Ltd.): Bishop Grimes; Mr T. RonayDe (general Manager of Railways); the Lyttelton Harbour Board; the officers of tho Department of Labour, Weib'n{rtc»i; tho proprietors and staff of tho "Ellesmere Guardian"; and tho telegraph messengers, Christchurch. At a meeting of tho Canterbury College Board of Governors yesterday, Mr W. H. Montgomery said that while in England recently Professor Rutherford had told him that the terms for the appointments of professors to tho University were too strict, and that for this reason many good men wero kept away from New Zealand He suggested that in future enquiries should be made from other universities in the Empire, and so ascertain what were the terms governing their appointments. The Chairman, Mr J. C. Adams, remarked that though throo years was tho nominal appointment, those Mho had been appointed to Canterbury College, and had g've.n satisfaction, remained for a considerable length of timo. Some time ago the Lyttelton Progress League represented to tho Borough Council that the practice of escorting prisoners remanded from the Christchurch Courts or under sentence, through the main street from tho railway station to tho gaol, during the afternoons while school children wore about, was bad, and should be diEcontinued. The Lytti'lton Borough Council referred the matter to the Minister of Justice (the Hon. A. L. Hordman), from whom a reply was received at Just night's meeting of the Council. The Minister stated that ho had made enquiries, and found that tho police did their best to send prisoners to the gaol with the least possible delay after committal or remand, so as to got thero under safe- keeping. Children could not fail to see tho warders in uniform and prisoners in prison clothes every day of the week in Lyttelton. and it could not, therefore be "more obnoxious for children to see polico and prisoners in civilian clothes when proceeding to the prison. Tho letter was received, and it was decided to "forward a, copy to the Progress League

The Rnnpitata was dirty yesterday, but the other principal fishing rivers wero reported olonr. The City Council offices will bo rlosod for the Christmas holdiays from the 2.> th to the ilSth inst., both days inclusive. The annunl distribution of prizes rained by the choristers of St. Luke's, will" take place in tho schoolroom this evening at S.lo, after a abort carol service. A Dunedin message says that enniiiries locally show that there is no inrreast> in tho price of * {»ittor. and it is the'-iK'nt that, tho riso in AVellington is Vliui to the Christinas rush. The Gisborno Harbour Board yesterday decided to proceed with a scheme of inner harbour improvement to extend over several years; also to raise i loan of £17,000 for breakwater expansion, to improve tho conditions at tho entrance to tho inner harbour. On Saturday afternoon, at tho Lin- ° wood Salvation Army Hall, a Christinas tree, laden with toys, was the scene pf great excitement amongst tho 150 diiiijren who woro invited by Major Colrin to bo present. Each child, on receiving a toy, was presented by Father' Christmas with a hag of lollies. Mrs Colvin desires to thank all theso vho gave donations. A good baj was secured by a local angler in the Waiinakariri on Saturday ninnt. It included an eleven and a hall-pounder, two nine-pounders, and a seven-pounder. Another angler fishing with tho fly in the Wniinaiariri obtained three fish, weighing 3ib and lib. Plenty of trout, weighing up to 31b can now bo secured with tho fly from tho Cust at Fernside. Fishing at Little River, aa angler secured fourteen perch, weighing up to Sib. At the annual breaking-up ceremony of tho Linwood North School, the garden plots of both boys and girls came in for special commendation from the committee and parents. Rome eighteen months ago tho Hoard of Education acquired a quartor-acrn section in connection with tho agricultural class at tho School. The whole of this is now under cultivation, and tho display of flowers, vegetables, and fodder plants reflects great credit on tho scholars and their instructor, Mr D. M. Shirlaw. An information iras duty laid yesterday by Mr Cropp, one of tho City Council's inspectors, against "tho Mayor, councillors, and burgesses" of Christchurch for a breach of tho city by-law prohibiting tho overcrowding of places of amusement. The broach of the by-law occurred at tho municipal organ recital in his Majesty's Theatre ou Sunday evening. The hearing of tho case is set down for .January Bth, 1013. A Maori woman who appeared as a Judgment debtor at the Magistrate's Court on Thursday; morning, occasioned much amusement by hor lack of familiarity with the English language (says tho "Now Zealand Herald"). When questioned in tho witness-box Bho gave no answer but a smile. This induced Mr Kettle, S.M., to enquire "Are- you dumb?" to which the lady smilingly answered, "Yes." Ultimately an interpreter was obtained, but ho Boon discovered that the lady was hard o f hearing, which added considerably to tho difficulty of tlto examination. An amusing instance of the selfpossession of the- young New Zealander occirred at Lyttelton one day last week. A little chap, seven, or eight years of age, was teen to be fishing; off ono of tho wharves by a visitor from town, who, soon after, noted that whilst tho fish wero on tho wharf tho boy had disappeared. Going down sonio steps tho visitor saw some air bubbles, unci was preparing to go to tho boy's assistance when the youth "bobbed up serenely" within his reach. •Ho was got ashore, and after ho had got the fcalt water out of his system, tho visitor asked him how ho felt. Tho dripping youngster replied: "All right, thank you, sir; I think I'll tako my lish homo I" V When tho clock • strikes ton to-night .Messrs Hastie, Hull and Pickering will jelpse their door.s, and the opportunity ;Will bo gone of obtaining dainty and useful "Gifts of quality" for presentation on Christmas morn. 6 W. S. Robinson, the Boot Man, 225 Cashel street west, is distributing Children's Toys to-day to every customer, irrespective of amount spent. Ho thanks his numerous patrons for past favours, and wishes them a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. 6

• With Christmas now ]rs.« than a week off, residents of and visitors to Christchurch should -ava:l themselves of the few days still remaining to inspect tho special exhibit of oxquisito and inexpensive gifts now showing at Graham, Wilson, and Smcllies—Tho People's Place For Value —tho store you can dopend upon to siipniy - jur every uocd &t the lowest possible price. 6

Tho public aro appreciating tho good things provided by Messrs Armstrong and Company for tho present genial season.- "It is more blessed to" give than to receive." The generously disposed will find in endless profusion articles elegint, wcarabk , , useful and ornamental, priced—as usual with this popular firm—at rock bottom • rates. -This year tho goods offering have been personally selected m England, bought in sonio instances afc a heavy discount. All advantages secured am passed on. Everything at Armstrong's is priced at salo rates just now. . 6

Do your feet perspire- this weather? Disagreeable, isn't it? A tin of Berry's Antiseptic Talcum Powder will cure tho trouble. Splendid for tender feet, too. Is or post free Is 2d. Jno. Borry, 156 Colombo street. 1

"Unless the rnmcval of Furniture- is systematically carried out the process will bo worrying you. Therefore, entrust your removal to J. M. Heywood and Company, Ltd., whose staff are, above all, systematic and careful." 6

The perplexing question "what to give for Christmas is easily solved on visiting John 11. Proctor's optician, 200 High street, Christchurch, as tho large stock carried includes steam and clockwork engines, boats, and motor-cars, and a host of other mechanical toys, also magic lanterns, cinematographs, telescopes, field glasses, baromctji'S, microsconos, magnifying glasses, etc.. etc. " (>

We have for sale, at less than half cost, several second-hand Gas Engines by leading makers, guaranteed in good order. Enquiries solicited. Turnbull and Jones, Ltd., Cashel street. 1 Special Christmas goods for tho young folk:—Tricycles, velocipedes, bats, tennis racquets, footballs, etc., at Lewis and Anderson, 112 Cashel street. 6 During holiday rush, don't bring Tour baggage to* the station at tho last moment. See the New Zealand •Sxpress Company the day before, nnd get them to check it. Tho compatf,collccts baggage, checks on by rail oi sea, delivers at far end —all for a small fee. 9 , *EVERYWHERE~AND NOWHERE." A railway collision at Kidderpore, India, was described by a babu stationmaster in tbe following terms: —"I have the honour to report that yesterday morning tho I un ran into V down. The two trains were inextricably commingled. Carriages to the right of them, carriages to tho left of them, carriages everywhere and nowhere. Thank God, no' lives lost, except guard ef I uns left eye." A TWOPENNY-HALFPENNY PAYCHEQUE. Tho "Railway Magazine" tells the story of what is probably the smallest pay-cheque ever issued by tho Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. This cheque Wis made out by James Moore, paymaster on the Santa Fe, to the order of

William SpauMing. It is for the sum of five cents <2*d). in f"U payment ot his wages for September, 1832, and lias never been cashed. The five cents cominc to Mr Soau'ding was what remained after his board bill bad boon naid, as tho agreement between tiie railroad company and tho construction contractor was to the effect that the amounts of tho various board bills should bo deducted from the men si paycheques. Soaulding apparently did notsec that tiie cheque was ill any way worth mere than the five cents specified on the face of it, but Mr O'Roiirke, the present holder, who had a penchant for collecting odd things of every kind, struck a bargain with him to secure, the cheque in exchange for twenty-live cents plus a square meal 1 MOTOR-CARS. MOTOR-CYCLES AND Ci'CLES FOR TiltCHRISTMAS TRADE. At the garage and shops of Messrs Adams Ltd., a special Christmas exhibition is being made of motor-cars, motor-cycles and cycles. Large stocks aro always carried, and immediate delivery can be given of any of tho cars or cycles listed below. In the garage wo aro making a special show of tho famous light-weight Clement Bayard cars, noted for their simplicity, spacefill appearance and absolute reliability. Theso "French Talbots" arc guaranteed to run 100,000 miles with a minimum of attention. The 8-12 h.p. 3-seater Clement Bayard, with full running equipment, sells at £"295; the 10-15 h.p. 3-seater Clement Bayard, fully equipped, .sells at £399 14s Gd; and thc 10-16" 4-5 seater Clement Bayard, fully equipped, sells at £426 4s (id, these prices being inclusivo of everything usually sold as "extras."' Those splendid light cars of the Studebaker manufacture, which have earned siijch a wonderful New Zealand reputation 1 for giving satisfaction and ''making good" aro offered as follows: 20 h.p. 2-stfater Studebaker-Flandcrs, finished in French grey and completo with hood, ivind shiold, fivo lamps, clock and speedometer, £275; 20 h.p. 4-seater Stude-baker-Flaii'Tbrs (samo finish and equipment), £205; 30 h.p. 5-seater Studebaker E.M.F. (samo equipment), $375. In motor-cycles wo nave the world'sbest, tha "Triumph," fixed engine £70, free engine £80, 3-spced £87 10s, and that popular machine the "8.5.A." fixed engine £70. free engine £80, 2-speed £85. In cycles wo offer tho best in tho world —tho "Swift" at from £12 10s, and the ever-popular "Star"' at £7 10s. We welcome inspection of our wide range of motors and cycles, and anyono interested is cordially invited to enter our doors, whether an intending purchaser or an owner of one of the cars or cycles for %vhich wo hold agencies or not. Adams Ltd., Motor t.nd Cycle Importers, High street and Tuam street, Christchurch. 6 IMPOETANT~~TELEPHONB NUMBERS. The only telephono numbers of Smith's Taxi-cnbs, Ltd., aro 1838 and 1337, which ring direct to the Company's Head Office. Open day and nignt. C B.S.A. Silent Knight Cars, fitted with Daimler Engines. We have just landed one of these marvellous cars, which will be on v : ew at our Garage today and to-morrow. A. W. Smith and Son, Central GaragOj Worcester street. 6