NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14620, 22 March 1913, Page 10

NEWS OF THE DAY.

A total eclipso of tho moon will occur to-night, beginning at about a quarter to tea. Totality will bo reached in less than, an hour and will last nearly an hour and a half. As the moon will bo high it should bo a good time to look for tho gcgenscheiu—which will bo all round ths moon to a distance of ton or fifteen decrees. The auction announcements of Craddock, McCtostie Co., Mark Sprott 3!id Co.. Dalgety and Co., Wright, Stephenson and Co., National Mortgage .md Agency Co., Conway Matson and Sons, Pyno and Co., W. E. Sirnea and Co., Charles Clark, Harris Bros., Farmers' Sale yards Co., Tonks, Norton and Co., T. Mandeno Jackson, and New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., will be found on pages 19 and 18 of this issue. Tho Prime Minister (tho Hon. W. F. Ma&ser) has been advised by tiie Governor that word has been received from the Admiralty to the effect that H.M.S. Now Z ala"d will arrive at Wellington on April 12th.

Tho Prime Minister has telegraphed to Invcrcargill, in reply to various requests, that ho is communicating with tho Admiralty with a view of including Bluff in tho itinerary of the battleship Now Zealand.

In tho Supremo Court at Mnst-erton, in tho Augustus John Johnson, auctioneer versus Robert Riissell, a claim for £505 damages for alleged slander, a verdict was returned for defendant with costs.

The Easter Carnival to be held at Kainpoi on Monday is attracting much attention. It includes a bicycle pursuit race, tho first of its kind in tho Dominion. Tho tug-of-war includes the champion team and a heavy team of Maoris, in addition to others. It mil be the lare«*st one-day gathering hold under the Canterbury Cycling and Sports Association.

Tho Invercargill Town Council has decided to authorise Sir Joseph Ward to sell £00,000;-worth of 4 J per cent, debentures at 93 in London. The money is required for waterworks extension, sewago, and tramways. The Council thanked Sir Joseph Wnrd. who had int'matcxl that he would decline to. receive any remuneration for his services in finding i\ purchaser.

A meeting of those interested in the Bible-in-State Sohools was held in tho Parish Room, Amberley, on Wednesday. Brief addresses were, given by tho Rev. \V. F. Knowles and the Rev. A. F. Burchell. explaining the objective of the League. It was decided to form a League for Amberley and district. Tho following officers were elected :~President. the Rev. W. p.. Knowles; Kocretnry, tho Rev. A. P. Burchell; treasurer. Miss M. Bristow. A committee was also appointed with power to add to its number.

Tho Board of Governors of tho McLean Institute met on Thursday afternoon. Present—Messrs H. Holland frh.nirinanVH. W. Bishop, S.M., Goo. Harper, J. C. Adams, tho Rev. C. H. Laws nnd Mrs Sandstein. Apolopies wero received from Bishop Julius, tho Rev. J. Mackenzie. Mr B. M. Molinenux and Mrs J. H. WHson. Tho reports of the Institutions, and of tho Finance Committees, were received nnd , adopted, Accounts totnllinc; £503 10s 7d were passed for payment. Tho matron's report was received and adopted. The Board considered , other matters in committee.

A characteristic story regarding tho Rev. J. Cocker was rolatod at a farewell social tendered that gentloman at Auckland a few days ago. He was speaking at a street tomporanco meeting, whon a burly follow snouted, "Why don't you tako your coat off nnd enrn an honest living?" Mr Cocker promptly offered to meet tho man at 8 o'clock the following Monday morning with a pick, shovel, and barrow, tho two to put in a solid eight hours, and soo which could do'the most work. Tho big man then gave himaelf away thoroughly by declining tho offer, with the remark, "I never did a day's work in my life with my coat off, and never intend to."

A rara avia, in tho shape of a pure white kiwi was recently captured on tho Tarawora Estate in tho Taupo district. The bird wae about half crown, and when seen by the writer had been in captivity about three weeks, so that there appears to bo every possibility of it surviving the effects of its altered mode of life. As soon as tho Tourist Department became aware of its existence they dispatched a mrm from Rotorua to obtain the bird; but the figure at which it changed hands has .not transpired. It is stated that the bird's future homo will bo in "Wellington, Only two such birds have previously i>epn ; heard of in New Zealand. AmonK the numerous Outing; for Unstor Monday tho annual excursion by tho Jklararoa tp Akaroa has j'strong claims to a first place. Apart from tno pleasure of a journey by the sea, which is not too long or rough to iiffect those who suffer from mal-de-mer, the.eoemo attractions of Akaroa »re very great and well worth a visit to this charming and historic spot. To give excursioniste a longer stay ashore, the Mararoa wtU be despatched from Lyttelton a nttlo earlier than usual, but sho will return at the ordinary timo, As tho days .nro still fairly long, and the weather gives every promise, of being fine, the excursion should be a great success, ,

A Pres3 Association message from Timartt says that the ballot for Ashwick -on Thursday resulted: —Section 8, 359 acres, Alexander Anderson, Fairlie; sections 1 and la, 18,855 acres, Rita Maudo Barker, Timaru; section 2, 4610 -acres. Charles W. H- Hammondi Christchurch} section 3, l? 70 acres. John G. Broadhoad, Timaru; section" 4, 030 acres, Augusta Annett, Maheno; section 5, 3120 acres, Frederick G. Scones, New Brighton; section 6, 762 acres. Robert Shuto, Kimbell; section 7, 789 acres, Andrew P. Goodall, BLunterville. Two of those who drew a section wore Charles Hammond and William Hammond, of the Prince of Wales Hotel, Ckristchurch.

At the Wellington Police Court, on Thursday, Charles Quill, who .. is appearing at the Theatre - Royal under ths name of "l&lectra," was fined £B and costs on a charge of interfering, without authority, with an overhead tramway wire. It was oxplained that defendant w&3 giving an electricity resisting exhibition in tho public street- The "DoqwnWsays that the fact tbat "Electra" performed at 7.45 nm. on Tuesday on Lamb ton Quay was positively kair-reis-inft. Hβ was to ta>o the full current (500 volts) from the trolley-wire whilst) standing bare-footed on the rail, thus:, One wire led from tho trolley-wiro by moans of a lonjs polo with a book on thp, top. and fastened to hie right wriot, whilst he placed his right foot on the rail. Without any warning "Electro ,'\ (stopped on the rail, and immediately j ho took tho full <'load," and in two' seconds shouted. "Take it off—take i«\ off!" as he squirmed and wriggled ce | ono possessed, and when the polo was jerked upwards, and the circuit broken, "Electra." pale and obviously shaken, etaggered off the track. Prior to -the test "Eloctra" demonstrated that the •wire which ho connected with tho trol- ■ ley-wire was carrying the load, by at* tachins a metal woiaht to it, and allowing it to drop on the tram-rail- The r*»«nit was a brilliant flash of electric ■ light which hurt the eyes,

There was a good attendance in .tho Alexandra Hall oa Thursday evening, when Miss Hodge and Miss Newcomb delivered addresses on the Women's International Suffrage Movement. The Mayor presided, and referred to tb» unfortunate death of the King of Greece, and moved a, resolution of sympathy, which was carried in silence. Ho said that the subject they had gathered together to hear discussed b a « Tons ceased to bo a burning question in New Zo.iland. He had never been able to understand why women should be deprived of what, should bo thejr privilege and right. Miss Hodge sm« that she had great pleasure in addreasing so many enfranchised citisena or , New Zealand. She referred to tho great change in womanhood that hail taken place in recent vcflTS._ People wero beginning to disbelieve in tht ol<J id'-a of women s dependence upon matt* Women should not suffer from the mistakes made by men. One of the gr*«w mistakes was that tho misunderstanding of nations should be settled by the hideousness of war; that was ot» of the great€6tj causes of suffering among women. Sho referred also to . tho miserably poor wages rece'ved by women who had the hardest drudgnry and servitude of work. Were the vote of woman heard in England, there would bo a great change, and the law would bo moro humane-. Miss R-oborts wioved:—"That this meeting of Christchurch citizens desires to express its witrm sympathy with the women of tJW : British Isles who are st«ru£y;ling to ob- „ tain thei'* c'vil rights wh'cii tho ■""O^? 11 - o f Zealand and value." Tfl» resolution was carried. * .'

At a meeting of the Otogo Trades and Lftbour Council, intimation was received that tho_ Government had decided to grant tijo Council a subsidy of £500 in connection with the recent industrial exhibition. The train service had a very busy tims yesterday, the. loading bring solid all day, notably on the lines to tha sea nn'cl the Hills. All day there was •no hitch. Thirty car loads went to Cashmere, 5o to New Brighton, and 70 to Sumner. Stniner's meditation. 'The Crucifixion," was repeated at the Cathedral last night in tho hearing of a crowded congregation. The beautiful music and tho many impressive numbers were well given by the choir, tho solo work being particularly good. Meetings of ratepayers of Spreydon borough to discuss the loan for purchase of a- shingU; pit and machinery, wili bo held in the Somerfiold schoolroom on the 23 th inst.. at 8 p.m., and on Wednesday in the Barrington street schoolroom, at 8 p.m. ■ Jlr 11. D. Broadhead, whoso success in*winning-the high distinction of <i - Senior foundation Scholarship at ' Trinity College, Cambridge, was announced in "The Press" cable messages ' on Wednesday last, bn« contributed a special article to "Tho Press" on "Cambridge Unde-gradunte It will be found on page 9 of this issue. At the monthly meeting of the Board "of Directors of tho Lyttolton Sailors' Society, held on Tuesday tho Superintendent's report '- showed that " tho Institute had been visited by over 500 men during ' tho month of February. The gift ot ft photograph of tlm late Captain Scott nnd other "mementoes of the Antarctic Expedition was reported, and tho design of the memorial tablet to Captnin Srntfc was submitted nnd approved. IJie question of issuing a mngnzino descriptive of the society's work was further considered, and the sample copy nnproved. , Tt wns reported thnt the first is*nfi would bo nvnilablo early in April Five new members were elpctocl. and it was decided to hold tho annual ■ tppotinc of the socirtv at 8 p.m. next Tursrinv in the Institute, when it is Jionerl tWo will bo a lnrEe nttemlnrice of friends and supporters of tho work.

A voto of rntopny*""* wns taken nt Pnlmrrston North on Thursday regarding tho institution of elwtric trams. LaT«t year a vote was enrried in favour of'racing a lonn, hut since then* there had teen a strong agitation against tho prorosal, particularly on account of the inndeouate route of tho proposed service- and the necess'ty for an pxpejrnvo tunnel under the railway lino ia tho Square. The poll on Thursday ivns tho result of a petition tlmt was lodged the proposal. The. voting was a* follows : — trams. <V>4 ; ■' for trams, 551. A Press Association viof-no says that the result can bo i'ltorpretod to mean that a majority of tlje ratepayers believe that Palrnerston. having no congested ma : n arterial roads, can be better served by a motor 'bus system. It is not unlikely a - pronosni for municipal 'buses will bo made, if the borough will allow tho inauffuration of such a, system, about wbteh there seems nt present some daubfe..

• A • rather amusing incident, in which a well-known Wellington hotelkeeper figured; occurred on St. Patrick's Day (says tho "New Zealand Times"). Tho hotelkeeper in question had . gone to gomo trouble to securo » small box or growing' shamrocks from "The Quid - Sod." These ho tenderly nursod until 17th, when he cut oft all tho leaves to adorn tho .bar. As ho could not find ,' a suitable bowl to put them in he pro- ' cured a soup platp, which he half-fillod • ~ with water and floated the shamrocks " on tho top. Presently a Gorman wharf luinpeT came in and demanded "a pind't,":: While tho landlord turned his buck to Vdraw; tho beer, the customer's wandering ghiio alighted on , , the soup • plate, Stretching out his' hand ho > grabbed tho lot, transferred thorn to his. mouth, and ate them. , Mine host <■■ soon noticed his loss and in outraged *.' tones said, "Hero, I don't mind yez '<", Jiavin , wan. of thim shamrocks, but yez can't havo the lot." "Shamrogs! vas dcv?" said-the astonished Teuton, "I " tpugbt dey vas vater-ereeses."

' ' A young woman named Annie Travis, ', 27 years of age, who was admitted to tho Auckland Hospital on Tuesday of -last week, suffering from tho effects of veronal poisoning, was discharged ft few days later and sent to tho Parnell ,-'Rescue Ifonie. On. Thursday last (says •' s 'ft Press Association - message) she was 'charged before Mr E. G. Cullen, S.M., vfilh having attempted to commit '$vi- ', ride. Inspector McGrftth stated that eho was evidently determined to commit suicide. Since her reception into th& Parnell Homo she had persisted 'n Tefunng tjo take food, She- had accepted tea.to, drink till ehe discovered that it was boiled milk infused with

tea, whereon she refused that ajso. The 'Msgistrato suggested that accused " rtould bo charged with being mentally defective, which would enable- him to

remand her for a-week- for medical observation. This course was followed. rTfoj young woman waa by no moans destitute, as among her effects when ' »he was taken, to tho hospital was a «urn of money amounting to a littlo r v over £50. .

An instance of the fine spirit shown ? *>£ the Senior Cadets' in tneir work is m or( kd ,0 -Rangiwahia section (Wellington Military District). The „. total strength of tho company ia 24, Of • that cumber 16 lads have never missed s. f P ara <fc- ■ Of the remainder, throe jails missed one parade each (with wave), one missed two parades through Jtckncss, two missed one parade owing to oistanco and bad weather, one missed ■ wee parades through sickness, and one • ttiascq two parades, probably owfng to usUncc, Commcmtins on the above , tho Commandant of the Forces (benern] Godley) states:—"lt was rej Ported in tho district that the lads had I Wiscribed funds to purchase a hors© for I J Iras fortunately-situated lad, in order jnet ho might attend parades, and tluis Jeppap tho record of tho section, I «nqmre<l fully into the natter, and find ' « i S V ' s corroct - Very many of «• lnds come long distances to parade to as much as sixteen jriles." record of the Ohinegnitt section is .J" B°ot>. Of a total strength of 21, Si erk . npver ro wed a narnde, . W'epmiKifxl one parade, and one'missMl wo parndfs through sickness. In this wmpany also tho lads enmo long dis- , wnces to drill.

h An instance of the ease with which: a h *rauu may bo perpetrated with unpieat coiLscquunces to the victim I. *L? 1 f ( r l S tll ., a »' K-QUKotea on (says I'u-ding Star"). A stran-er a*p,vSf° d at tho Kongotco school, in :£f of,Mr P. Kime, M.A., and anf.S? ,, himself as an oSkial of the / J ™ I Kfcm Education Department on ' , bunt Knowing that many '■ ~iC* olficer s oi that Department are ' iirfr. unceremonious in tbeir mrtho.U, • rui i me ll «<?ptod tlio man at his n.vn and had tho boys out for ' Sri" 81 " 111 ' exorcises. The pro- - tw £: °F lc,al {hen saicl that « ne -jf ;" ti^^' 8 lmcl not behaved properly and. '' hT*Z. i,u " ** il,il n;lT ncd SnnMin, whom "- »», , St f of usin S batl language. Ho ; & tl |' ]oa , )lr Kime to t;,l£ o toy - t» »i . i Sciloo l and to examine him as ' tLr cr he had ,Jsed certain words •>ir, ,rer fi '"ore lurid than picturesque. Col b0 > f dc nied the soft.imputation,"tut ■ tin«- UsLtl lm<icr th e persistent quesS r?' and tho headmaster was wruaUy persuaded to give tl:o wrong S O, , cl,ts wit « the strap. Tho fii Wl Joker thf ' n l pf *» stat i «»at his that ar Was wait «ng. Enquiries buow ' tte * vvast n traveller of thpivl r "^ y . w »i*h carry their wares on r f o S v > antl he ,lad to some «'tkJt«!LJ2£ 0f tho S reat lark he had

Further subscriptions to the Scott Memorial Fund have been received from Mr S. S. Blnckburno £1 Is, and Mr E. A. Belcher £2 2s.

Referring to the Prime Minister's remarks at Wamato on Mr J. A. Hanan's speech on the leasehold clause, as reported in "Hansard," the "Southland News" states that Air Ha nan contends that liis remarks were even more emphatic, and that he accuses tho authorities of curtailing his remarks.

The Canterbury Band of Hope Union is making a special effort again this year in connection with the Easter Monday demonstration at Hagley Park. His ■Worship the Mayor, the Kc-v. J Mackenzie, and others will deliver adtlroeses during the afternoon. Tiio Sydenham Solvation Army Band wiii accompany the prtccs&ion from Latimer square to the Park.

The exhibition now being held in the Art Gallery still continues to draw a good number* of people The t-ot.il sales to da to amount to nearly £300. To' give visitors an opportunity if seeing this excellent collection of paintings, it has been decided to keep, the gallery'open to-day and on Easter Monday from 10 a.m.

Tho Saturday Half-holiday Executive aro working in earnest, and are sanguine of getting tho required 6000 sigj natures within a week, which is netcs- ! sary in order to have a poll granted on ; the question. Willing workers are re- ' quired, and on application to the secretary, Mr C. W. Horvey, 59 Cathedral square, or telephone No. 3175, all information and petition lists can be ob- , taincd.

In response to enquiries addressed to tho Public Works Department on Thursday, it was stated that there was no surplus labour of the character required by tho Department anywhere in Ivcw Zealand, so far as was known, and that in somo places a shortage existed which mr.do it impossible to obtain labourers at less than twelve shillings a day. Under tho piecework rates paid by the Department in its contracts with co-operative labourers (telegraphs our Wellington correspondent), the standard wage is about nine shillings a day.

Regarding the caso of the girl mentioned in the proceedings of tho Taranaki Hospital and Charitablo Aid Board, tho Hon. F, H. D. Bell, Act-ing-Minister of Education, informed a "lost" reporter that proceedings had been taken according to the ordinary and regular course. Tho child is not with relatives or friends, but is boarded out with strangers by the Hospital and Charitablo Aid Board. It is believed, ho added, that tho child should be removed from her present surroundings and taken charge of by a Government institution. Ho had complete confidence, in the responsible officers.

A meeting of the Lower Riccarton branch of the Labour Pairty was held on Thursday ovening in tho Wharenui schoolroom, Lower Riccarton, to select candidates for tho Riccarton ■ Borough Council elections.. Mr J. A. MoCullough presided, and in his preliminary remarks ho outlined the object of tho meeting, and exhorted , those present to do their best for the party. Mr l>. G Sullivan, in his speech, referred to tho good work done by Labour representatives on the City Council, and the s\iecessfui administration being carried out by Labour in Australia, and parts of America, Great Britain, and Europe. Mr P. Webb, president of the Federation of Labour, aUo spoke, emphasising tiui necessity for unity in tho ranks if Labour. Messrs E. Foster, F. Stokes, r.nd G. Whyt© w«ro nominated candidates, and votes of thanks wero accorded the Speakers and tho chairrran.

It is not often that we hoar talk about tho colour lino in New Zoaland (says tho Auckland "Star"),. for tho Maori hns always been regarded moro or less iv this country as a brother member of tho human family, notwithstanding certain little differences of inherited instincts and lines of reasoning. JJtit up in.Oiuaiti thoro is a settler who has definite opinions of his own on this subject of tho. social mix-up of tho races, opinions which, unfortunately for himself, find scant sympathy from tho meinl>ers of tho Education Board. On Wednesday a report was beforo the Board stating that this settler steadily and resolutely declined to send his children' to 'school, the reason given by him being that no children of his should attend a school at which Maori children were also taught. It appears ,that three Maori • children get their education at Oruaiti achool, as no nativo school is within reasonablo distance. The Board dismissed the objection of the settlor by giving instructions that tho truant officer should use his persuasions with the obdurate pakoha.

Cheap - Money,—lt is not often jn' these times of supposed financial stringency that one has +ho opportunity of borrowing on »"3sidontial property at 5 per cent,, hut there is & new modern bungalow of &'x good rooms, plastered, electric light, bathroom with porcelain enamel, bath, oil drainage to tho sower, now offering in tho city for £SQQ. Terms: £100 ocposjt; balance at 5 per cent. The agents for this ■property arc Bowker'a Land Agency, <73 Colombo street, 8

Miss Trent, tL-CA., says that "Tricity" and "Hot Point ,, elect: ie appliances make cooking delightful. other; method"is so clean and -on■yenient Ladies: Please call and let n» show and explain. Turnbull and Jones, Ltd., sole New' Zealand agent* for "Tricity" and "Hot Point" appliances. - 0

Feeling run down? You want a bracing tonic, that's.all.. Takq the mcd cine that docs civeryone good, Berry's Sarssparflin Blood Purifier, 53s <sd, posted 3s lid, Jno. Borry, Chemist, 670 Colombo street. 3

The evenings draw in very quickly this time of tho yt'ar, and almost everyone has nioro timo for reading, writing, etc. Nothing'ad Js more to one's comfort whon the is failing than a pair of Snectac'.es procured from John It. Procfer, Oculists' Optician, 200 High str«t, ChriKtchurch. Consulting hours, 9,30 to 1, 2 to (i. . 4

A bargain in time is doubly a bargain, It is noticeable that when tbtsy-have extra special inducement to offer buvprs.. Messrs Armstrong and Co.. Limited, the Popular Cash Drapers anil CLothiers, make a point of fixing periods that coincide- with the time of the buying public's greatest need. Tho placing of >tr A. E. Armstrong's great special purchases on the market now, the opening of the season, at job prices, ja a concession buyers must surely ae. cognistf, Visitors to the city will find Armstrong's "tho best 1, in all particulars. C

The Garbmo Vfic:;'jsj Cleaner, efE> cient, durable, s mple, cany work, prioo, i£l 4s. Sole Canterbury Lewis and Anderson, 11?. Cah-el street. »3

Dainty gifts for Easter brides. Just opened charming new goods, for the Easter wedding season, in new art silverware, pewtor, antiquo copper and brass, porcelain, etc. Gifts of qunlity at moderate prices. Hnstio, Bull and Pickering, opposite uallantyno's. 6

Your Eyes—A new discovery for removing "Cataracts, Films, Whito Specks, etc., without operations. Send for particulars and testimonials, free. E. "W. Hall, Herbalist, 117 Armagh street, City. 2

"Unless the remeval of Furniture is systematically carried out tho process will be worrying you. Therefore, entrust your removal to J. M. Hoy wood and Company, Ltd., whoso staff are, above all. systematic and careful." ti Important announcement to Eastor travellers. Don't travel with unchecked baggage. Check it through us. Costs no more. Saves all trouble. Ensures greater safety. We call for it, check on, deliver at far end. Bβ early. The N.Z. Express Co., Ltd. 6