NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Issue LXVIII, 31 December 1912, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

While bathing in tho Ashburton Do* main bath two or three days ago, a" boy had his foot so badly cut with broken glass that lay embedded in the silt at the bottom of tho deepest part of the bath that several stitches had to bo inserted.

A Press Association message states that during the year just dosing tnere havo been eighteen bankruptcies ; n Wellington—ono moro than in 1911. -' Tho total number of fires in tho city tins year calling for the services of the Brigade was 254. Tho most serious was at Whitcombo and Tombs's, tho damage ther© amounting to £70,000. j

Gisborne claims that moro children . } were born thero this year than in any : other borough in the Dominion. Up to ■ dato 631 little strangors have been pre- ';■ sented to proud fathers, as compared with 527 last year, and Gisborne held v, the record number of births for tho boroughs each month so consistently, -'> that the cla:m for the voarlv record will « ■." almost certainly bo found" to bo well - * sustained. Tho number of deaths during tho year was 179, leaving a natural ,; increase in births over deaths of 152. "+' >o less than 203 marriages were * solemnised during tho year. -.*

Year by year tho Christmas work 'n the P'ii-t OUiro increases, but this year it has niacin a phenomenal increase in 'the Christchurch Office, where ail previous records havo been easily swept 'aside. Kveu the finest description gives but a faint idea of tho work done by ■ those who iirinii our Christmas greeting, ' 3Ut *'"-' I'ietures in this week's '•ncckiy l'i-'.->!s"' bring it homo to all of vis. i'.i'-- Hurry, tin? tuistle, yot ail with a"sv.-iwii:, ana tm» huyeiies* vl tlic work caii i>'> -'in iiy a giancu at those pic"turi-.-." v.iiicn piaci.i it bcloro us as no leui'i'i"'•-- 1 t'ouiu <lv. In the. early days "tho 1..-;' <■ i.-ir-secitig <>t mo pioneers - judged ilif i-MiaiiMOii oi Christ-church, amT built tin.'ir uou.sos in the .suburbs. lXall.u4i.tll was iavourcd by many, an i to-day liejio aro houses there, which oven in ;i youn_; country deserve the 4itki historic. A muulx r of these aro shown, ami a well-written account or tho suburb which accompanies the pictures make* them doubly interesting. The arrival in Wellington and ssveariugia of iMrd Liyerpool, tho new Governor of New Zealand, aro historic events, - "and "The. Weekly Press" has given v* pictures of the ceremony that will he .treasured ; n thousands of homos. The visit of the Australian swimmers, whomade such gallant attempts at rescue -at Sumner on Saturday last is dealt with, as well as a number of other loc-il events, including snapshots of tho Formers' Day at Lincoln College. Tho War in tho Balkan?, 'which seems likely to bo resumed with rcdnubl'-d "*.vigour has considerable space allotted I'to it, and there aro many other educational pictures. Bright and well written aro the literary contents, which include tho first chapters of a now serial, "A Queen in Hiding," and the first of a. series of sketches of tho far north oi , New Zealand, this ono being entitled "Tim Maori Dives for Crayfish," and making a most promising beginning. v The Christchurch Professional Band, ,; unci or the conduetorship ol Mr T. 'iaa- ' kurd, wnl play a heiect, programmo if music, ou tiio lawn of the Onristchurch Working Men's Club's promises in Opioid terrace this oveuiug (.New 1 ear's Eve;, from 10.30 to 1~'.3U a.m. A block in tho Toviotdale Survey District —pastoral run _4_, Bicck 3—is noiv open for settlement, and will bo offered by public auction at tho Christchurch Lauds and Survey OHico on Thursday, January 9th, at If a.m. The land consists of deep gullies and wido spurs which are ploughable. A part has been inughiy grassed, and in its present state woiiid pasture- about 440 sheep, but would carry more with cultivation. , Tho latest additions to the Museum , consist, of two wry bills (tho only bird known with its bill bent to ono side), presented by Mr F. Stead, a - - flightless duck from tno Auckland Islands, a diving petrol, presented by Mr Arthur Minson, a white ch:nned petrel, from M. Parkinson, and a demoiselle crane presented by Messrs Bickerton, of Wainoni Park. Tho Museum .' has been very largely patronised by visitors during the past fow days.. At tho instance of tho New Zealand police, Walter Edrnond Harvey lias been arrested at Sydney on a chargo of per l jury (says an Auckland message). It is alleged that on December 14th, at Waihi, Harvey did falsely swear that ho had 110 revolver in his possession, and Mid not point a revolver at William Hunt, at Karangahake, on November 10th. ' Harvey left by tho Wimmera last week, and was detained on his arrival at Sydney. Detective Sweeney . left Auckland for Sydney last night.ro ' apply for Harvey's extradition and escort him back-to Now Zealand. At tho present tinio tho Botanical Gardens aro looking very well indeed, „ though tho ohiof work being done is a " general tidying-up for the season. The second bloom of tho roses is coming on well, .and a really good showing shou.'d be ready in a fortnight's time. By per■y sistent spraying tho drying effect of T tho. past month has been successfully \ combated, with the result that the s . gi cat est admiration of tho green tints and tones lias been expressed by the many visitors of the last few days. Ou Sunday, thanks to the playing of the band,--a specially big crowd patronised tho grounds. A peculiar position, it is stated by . tho "Now Zealand Herald," has arisen in connection, with tho granting of two wholesalo liquor licenses at Taihape. Tho licensing committee granted the applications at a recent meeting, and it is understood that the chairman lias sinco notified that this was not in accordance with the la 4-, and that tho continuanco of the. salo of liquor after a certain dnt© will incur a prosecution. In the meantime the two licensees have laid in largo stocks, which cannot be got rid of in the time allowed by the , chairman of the committee. Tho position j therefore, is interesting. In connection with tho cricket match at Lancaster Park, special trams will bo run as required. Tho fares will bo 2d single; 3d return. To-night, on all lines, Saturday night timetable will be run. Tho last cars for nil lines will

leave tho Squaro at 11.10 p.m., <»s » usual. No-later' cars will bo run. Tomorrow (Wednesday) a holiday time- • table (15 minutes service) will bo run on Cashmero Hills, Edgeware road, Sumner, and Woolston lines; tho or- . dinary week day timetable,on all other lines;' Seaside nincpence return. Excursion tickets will not bo issued. There willprobably-bo a shortage of ears for ' .the return traffic from the seaside from about 4.30 b.ni. to 6.30 p.m. For th* ' Trotting Club's Mcetins at Canterbury Park a special service of trams will leave the Square for Sockburn every quarter of an hour, from 10.10 a.m. After an absence of eighteen years, Mr W. S. Quinn, first officer of the •' White Star liner Zealandic, is paying his second visit to Lyttelton. In 1804, Mr Quinn-was making his first voyage as an apprentico on bpard tho Liverpool barquo Bankhall, oiy. which his father ' was master. The Bankhnll was flng- * ship at the Lyttelton Regatt-a on Jan- " nary Ist. 1895; and the apprentice boys had the "time of their lives" that day.

Captain Quinn went to considerable pains to have his fine ship as spick and span as new paint and holystone would * mako her, and he w«s presented with an inscribed silver cignr-caso by tho Regatta Committee in commemoration of the event. Captain Quinn died soino threo or four years ago, and among the treasured possessions of his son aro tho cigar case, and a flagship and a luncheon ticket of tho 1895 Lyttelton Regatta. Tho Zealandic is leaving Lyttelton this afternoon, and, much to his regret, Mr Quinn will bo unable to witness the Regatta of January Ist, 1913.

In past years there has generally been a warship in port at Lyttelton on ReDay, but only merchant shipping »'ill bo. represented* to-morrow. En- • \ deavours wero made to securo a war- * »hip, and tho Mayor communicated vith the Prime Minister asking him to his iniluenco in the matter. H.M.S. Torch was in port for a weelc or more, but she sailed early on Saturday morning for Sydney. Evidently a mistako arose regarding tho date of tho warship's departure, for on Saturday night ■ tho Mayor of Lyttelton (Mr* M.J. Miller) received tho following telegram - from Go Prime Minister: —"Have much pleasure, in informing you that 1 have received a rnessajro through his Excellency tho Governor, stating that if the Torch has not already left iustruc- ' tions will be given for her to remain , "at Lyttelton until after tho 2nd of January, in order to lie present on the occasion of your annual regatta." The telegram was received at 7.20 p.m. on Saturday, but H.M.S. Torch was then well on her way to Sydney. Our Wcl- ;" lingtou correspondent telegraphed last ' night ;■—"Apparently tho ToYch got away from Lyttelton before the Admiralty order for her stay in Lyttelton for tho regatta was received on board. \o doubt tho vessel will bo recalled by ' wireless."

A Nelson message says that MrPercy Adams haj> _iven £150 towards tho Salvation Army Building Fund. Ali tho Canterbury trout streams "wero reported clear yesterday morning oxcent the Rangitata, which was reported fishable. ~ A labour agent informed a "Guardian" reporter yesterday thai there was aa unsatisfied demand lor general farm labourers in the Ashburton County. In tho latter part of last week large quantities of kahawi were caught at tlio mouth of tho Ashburton River, in fate so many that numbers wero left to decompose on tho sea-beach. Tho ratepayers' poll on the proposal to borrow £120,000 to cover the cost of tho Lake Coleridge reticulation and other works in the-city, will bo taken on Thursday, February 20th. Yesterday Major-General Godlcv, Commandant of the New Zealand forces. \-r?>"cd tha camp of instruction for Junior Cadet officers, which is being hold at Redcliffs Tho Corinna, having got her necessary complement of firemen, (eft 'Dunedin yesterday for New Plymouth and Onehr.nga T} JO v.-s.H'l will be obliged to leave Wellington out as a port cf call. A Dunedin telegram states that tho "Star" has raised tho £2000 necessary to obtain the tyrant of £2000 by a donor for tho f Angucan Cathedral 'Building r und. The anonymous donor, it wa.'; announced yesterday, is Mr William Dawson, of Messrs Speight and Co. A Wellington telegram states-that it has boon decided by the Govornment 1.0 send Mr W. S. Short, Assistant UnderSecretary for Public Works, to Australia, to report upon tho Publio Works systems of tho various States, in so far as they relato to roads and bridges. As a number of the bandsmen will bo out of town to-morrow, the programmo set down to bo played by the Woolston Brass Band at Sydenham Rotunda tomorrow evening, has been postponed. The town dork has kindly arranged for tho programmo to bo played ou Wednesday week, January Sth. Forty officers of tho Senior Cadots commenced their course of instruction on tho Redcliffs Rifle Range yesterday morning, and the camp will continue until January 4th. Captain CritchleySalmondson is in command, assisted by Captain Kclsall. Tho Camp Quartermaster is Sergeant Heald, and Staff-Sergeant-Majors Henderson and Redmond aro tho Musketry .Instructors. Tlio reckless manner in which drivers of taxi-cabs propel their vehicles through Cathedral square has long been tlio subject? of nd verso and tho wonder is thnt no serious accident has yet occurred in this respect. Yesterday morning a taxi ran into a boy riding a cycle. The boy, luckily, escaped with but a few minor injuries, but the bicycle was buckled .and broken about to a serious degree. Information so far resulting from police enquiries touching the letter received at tho Devonport Police Station on Saturday, shows that a man named J. J. Burrows has been missing for some timo (says an Auckland Press Association message). Tho letter was signed f'J. J. Burrows," and stated that tho writer was starving on Christmas Day, because he could not got any work. It has been ascertained that a man named J. J. Burrows, who is a clerk by occupation, has been missing from his boardinghouso in .Picton street, Ponsonby, for about six weeks. Ho is about 60 years of ago. Sandwiches (freshly cut): Pick up on your way to Lyttelton Regatta, lid doz, ls 8d 2doz (packed) "Gem" Gill Tea Rooms, 107 Manchester street. Open 7 a.m. to midnight on New Years Day. Supper till 1 a.m. New Year's Morn; fish, steak,- etc., Ice Cream (pure), strawberries, fruit salad. 6 Cherries, Cherries, Cherries.—A very fino display of this Cho'co' Fruit, in all the leading varieties, carefully gathered and my own .growing; such*fino fruit, •well worth seeing,, at F. Feavers. 0 For the next fe«7 days Graham, Wilson and Smellio are making a special display of Ready-to-Wear ap T parel.for the approaching holidays. If you ate in doubt as to what costume, suit, or hat. to wear just pay this store a visit. One purchase will suffice to convince you that tho quality is right' and their prices also. 6 Tho perplexing question "what to givo for New is easily solved on visiting John R. Proctor's optician, 200 High street,'Christchurch, as the large stock carried includes steam and clockwork engines, boats, and motor-cars, and a host of other mechanical toys, also magic lanterns, cinematographs, telescopes, #eld glasses, barometers, microscopes, magnifying glasses, etc., etc. 6 The bonefit of sixty years' business experience is at tho command of all Importers who employ J. M Heywood and Company Ltd., to clear their fjeeds 'through. HM. Customs. All tho eading firms employ them. Why not you? <* Do your feet perspire this weather? Disagrcoablo, isn't it? A tin of Berry's Antiseptic Talcum Powder will cure the trouble. Splendid for tender feet, too. Is or post free ls 2d. Jno. Berry, 156 Colombo street. 1 Wo have for'salo, at loss than half cost, several second-hand Gas Engines by leading makers, guaranteed in good order. Enquiries solicited. Turnbull and Jones, Ltd., Cashel street. 1 During holiday rush, don't bring your baggage to the station at tho last moment. Se© the' New Zealand Express Company tho day before, and get thorn to check it. The company collects baggage, checks on by rail oi sea, delivers at far ond —all for a small feo. 9

MOTHER OF CIVILISATION

Man and woman stand for two different principles (writes Edith M.Woods, Capetown), and if human civilisation is to develop along the best lines, those two principles must- be given equal play. Man is the fighter —woman tho preserver. Take the picture of the begnning of civilisation, which wo have at our very doors. The pure Kaffir arms himself for tho.fight, and hunts when he cannot fight. Whichever ho does, ho is engaged in destruction-r----oven when tho destruction is a necess'ty. In tho meantime the woman stays at home and hoe,s the mealio plots. Sho has planted the garden, and in doing so sho has planted tho first seed of a settled and peaceful life. She is pointing the way from a lifo ot savage warfare and constant destructon ; "towards a higher stage of soc:al development—towards agriculture and settled habitation. She is not only the motherof men. She is the mother of civilisation.

"A BEAUTIFUL BISHOP."

A quaint letter, written from Norfolk Island by a native who is studying for'the ministry there, describing the new Bishop of Melanesia, who is now-in New Zealand, is published in the Sydney "Evening News":—'l nni creatlv astonished at this Bishop, says the boy writer. "He is very tall, his face is exceedingly beautiful, and his clothes are beyond description. Ho is also very learned indeed, and I am astonished because in three days he already knows something of the Mota language, and I think that in this he must be more learned than Bishop Wiison. We decorated the mission, painted afresh the house of the clock, and words waited for tho Bishop on the road. The words were 'Our hearts aro with you.' The Bishop visits each cl-ss in the school, and I am afraid, because we do not know anything. We do not answer him because he sneaks in English only, and wo are thickheads, and do not understand this language you call English."

MOTOR-CARS. MOTOR-CYCLES AND CYCLES FOR THE CHRISTMAS TRADE.

At tho garage and shops of Messrs Adams Ltd., a special Christmas exhibition is being mado of motor-cars, motor-cycles and cycles. Large 6tocks aro always carried, and immediate delivery can bo given of any of the cars or cycles listed below. In the garage we are making a special show of tho famous light-weight Clement Bayard cars, noted for their simplicity, graceful appearanco and absolute rcliaoiiity. These "French Talbote" are guaranteed to run 100,000 miles with a minimum of attention. Tho 8-12 h.p. 3-seater Clement Bayard, with full running equipment, sells at £295: the 10-15 h.p. 3-seater Clement Bayard, fuilv equipped, sells at £393 14s (x!; and tho 10-15 4-5 seater Clement Bayard, fully equipped, sells at £426 4s od, these prices being inclusive of everything usually sold as "extras." Those splendid light cars, of the Studebaker manufacture, which have earned such a wonderful New Zealand reputation for giving satisfaction and "making good" aro offered as follows: 20 h.p. 2-seater Studcbakor-Flanders, finished in French grey and completo with hood, wind shield, five lamps, clock and speedometer, £-275: 20 h.p. 4-seater Stude-baker-Flaimers (same" finish and equipment), £295; 30 h.p. 5-seater Studebaker E.M.-F. (samo equipment), £375. In motor-cycles wo have the world's best, tin "Triumph," fixed engine £70, freo engine £80, 3-spoed £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—the "Swift" at from £12 10s, and the ever-popular "Star" at £7 10s. We welcome inspection of our wido range of motors and cycles, and anyone interested is cordially invited to enter our doors, whether an intending purchaser or an owner of one of the cars or cycles for which we hold agencies or not. Adams Ltd., Motor and Cyclo Importers, High street and Tuam street, Christchurch. 6

IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS. Tho only telephone numbers of Smith's Taxi-cabs, Ltd., aro 1838 and' 1337, which ring direct to the Company's Head Office. Open day and night. c B.S.A. S ; lent 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 Garage, Worcester street. 6

Tho only telephone numbers of Smith's Taxi-cabs, Ltd., aro 1838 and" 1337, which ring direct to the Company's Head Office. <lpen day and night. c B.S.A. S ; lent Knight Cars, fitted with Daimler Engines. We have just landed ono of these marvellous cars, which will be on v'ew at our Garage today and to-morrow. A. W. Smith and Son, Central Garage, Worcester street. 6