GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14900, 13 February 1914, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

Favoured by brilliant weather, the Floral Fete held at Timaru yesterday in aid of the funds for improving the Park, was successful beyond expectations. Despite a counter attraction in an outdoor concert by the Koyal Artillery Baud, the takings were between £500 and £600.

"I am not one of those who believo in the poor mental calibre of the colonial boy," said the headmaster of Christ's College at the annual prizegiving ceremony last night. "Give him the same teaching advantages as are enjoyed by his English brother, and he will do equal credit to his school."

According to a Press Association message the Auckland police have been informed of the, arrest in Brisbane of a man named Belot, who is alleged to have cashed cheques in Auckland totalling £300, on his own banking account, which is stated to have only amounted to £5. There is a further charge that accused sold a on which he had only paid a &;iiall deposit, on the hire system.

At the recent congress of the Boot Manufacturing Employees' Federation, attention was drawn to the unsatisfactory state of the trade and the intermittent nature of the work, and it was decided to invite the employera to hold a conference with representatives of the employees. The employers have agreed to this, and the conference will probably be held at Auckland during March or April.

The vexed question of home-work for young tcholars was discussed by the Headmaster of Christ's College (Mr E. A. Belcher), in presenting his annual report at the school prize-giving ceremony last night. In announcing that in the Lower School evening preparation would be shortened, he said: "I am convinced that in the case of young boys, only a very small amount of home-work is necessary. If they are taught properly during the day. and have an adequate amount of exerciso out of echool hour.*, the proper nlaco for them in the evening is in bed, and T hope parents will co-operate with mc in seeing that their sons get at least ten hours' sleep, or even more."

"In common with mast Oxford men," said Mr E. A. Belcher, at the Christ's College Commemoration last night, "I much doploro the present system of fleeting Biiodes scholars. I have the best of reasons for knowing that the Rhodes scholarships were never intended by the late Mr Cecil Rhodes to be a post-jrraduate course. I behove the fart that in so many cases these scholarships were awarded to colonial graduates instead of to school boys, arose in a very curious way. I was "on the original committee that fnnned tho regulations for ono colony, and when we camo to do this it was pointed out very properly that to confine them to school boys meant making them close {scholarships to two or threo schools. Such a difficulty need never arise in Xew Zealand, because the admirable system of higher education in this country makes it possible for the poorest boy* to continue his education to a University age. I hope the whole question may engage the very serious attention of educationists in Xew Zealand this year. Tho Junior Scholarship, ac a qualifying, and not a competitive examination, would make an excellent test for the first clauses of 3lr Rhodes's

Our correspondent states that the Royal Artillery Band took about £400 at the two concerts they gave in Timaru yesterday.

A poll of the ratepayers in the Patea harbour district wa.s carried by 557 votes to 10S, ou a proposal to borrow £86,000 for harbour improvementa.

A two-year-old child, n girl named May MeKellow, whose parents live in Fairfield avenue, strayed away from home at about six o'clock yesterday, and was still missing last night.

The nominations for the Public Service Superannuation Board were considered on Wednesday hy the Auckland section of tho Public Service Association. It was decided to support the candidature of Messrs Malcolm Fraser (Wellington). ,J. "\y. MacDon.ild (Wellington), and H. W. Bishop. S.M. (Christehurch).

The Y.W.C.A. garden party, which is being held to-morrow, promises to be most successful. The function will take place in Mrs Deans's beautiful grounds, which aro in themselves a great attraction. Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool, the patroness of the Dominion Y.W.C.A.. will be present.

The South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society decided at their meeting yesterday to recommend a shooting season of two months this year—May and June—and that the game to be shot should be grey aoid paradise duck, black and white swan, geese and teal. In respect to deer they recommended that the "ban" in South Canterbury should be limited to two heads.

Tramway traffic to Sumner last Saturday, on the occasion of the annual; Gala, was not so good as it was tast-y-ear, probably owing to the postponement. The number of carloads conveyed to Sumner last Saturday was 125, as compared with 160 the previous year. The racecourse traffic was a little better this year, being 35 carloads, as compared with 33.

A private cable message received in Auckland states that Miss May Wirth, a niece of Mr George Wirth, who is at present in Christchurch. appeared at the London Olympia yesterday before Queen* Mary at a matinee performance. Muss Wirth. who was trained by Mr George Wirth, appeared with Wirth Bros.' circus in Christchurch three years ago. She is now leading lady at the Olympia.

The improvement to the South Park by the Lincoln road was further proceeded with yesterday. The live hedge that divides the cycle track from the Park was removed as far as St. Asaph street, and a new iron post and rail fence set up on the Park-side of the avenue of trees. When the path is properly levelled, this will form a very pleasant walk. The new fence will eventually be continued to Park road at the junction of Moorhouse avenue.

A paragraph in the report of the director of the Technical School for the past year states that owing to the lack of proper accommodation pending the additions to the workshops it was decided to drop the classes in tinsmithing and sheet-metal work for the session. Now. however, that a special room was available for this work the classes would be restarted under the instruction of Mr W. F. Bellamy, who had been recommended by the Tinsmiths' and Sheet-metal Workers' Union for the position.

Viscount Kelburn writes as follows to the "Dominion":—"With regard to the paragraph as to the correct spelling of the word Kelburn, may I be permitted to observe that both ways may be considered to be correct. Kelburn was the old method of spelling. The estate bore this name in the year 1580. Thee' was tacked on towards the end of the eichteenth .century, and was used by the Lord Glasgow of racing fame when he bore the name. The name was spelt with thee until six years ago, when the writer of this letter decided to revert to the older form. In very early days the name was spelt Caulburn."

In connexion with the discussion going on regarding the Island fruit trade, the Union Company has written to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce explaining the new itinerary of steamers, and claiming that the arrangement will place Wellington in direct monthly communication with the Fiji, Navigator, and Friendly groulps of islands. The Chamber has replied suggesting that it would best meet the requirements of all parts of the Dominion if Wellington were made the first port of call. By this means the South Island would obtain long-neglected recognition, and Chxietchuren and markets receive shipments of '*habl» fruits in about seven days, : against an average of eleven days now.

Mr C. W. Hervey, secretary to the floral fete at ChrisU&urpu, visited Timaru yesterday to see the big UoraJ fete which was held in the Park there, and in conversation with our Timaru representative, he expressed himself as very favourably impressed by it. He had couie down, he said, to bee if he could pick up* any hints that would be of value for the next Christchurch floral fete, and he had picked up quite a number. The whole arrangement of the Timaru function he considered excellent, and the begonia, carnation, and sweet pea chow was even- a better feature than the rose show at the Christchurch fete. Hβ was greatly struck with th© generosity of the people of Timaru in giving so many of the articles on sale free of all charge. At the Christchurch fete they had to go to a much heavier expense in purchasing goods for sale. This was one of the things they must try to remedy at the next Christchurch floral fete.

The first annual meeting of the No. 3 Company, Field Hospital and Bearer Corps, adjourned from 'last weelt]j was held at the orderly room, King Edward Barracks, last evening. Prior to the election of officers, ■ 3lr C. H. Smith occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance of members. The following officers were elected:— PatroD. Dr. ft. W. Anderson: president, Dr. J. R. Thomas; vice-presidents, Dr. Compton-Parsons, Dr. Thomas, eenr., and Messrs P. Strain and C. H. Smith ; secretary and treasurer, Mr C. H Burson; hon. auditor, Mr W. W. McKinney; committee, Messrs Grenfell, Walters, Rogers. Harper, KibbWhite. and Burgess. It was decided that an annual reunion be held, to take the form of a smoking concert, to be held in February each year, on the date of the annual general meeting. An invitation was accepted from No. 3 Territorials to a card party on Thursday next in the orderly room, and it was decided to return the invitation during March. It was resolved that a copy of the rules be cent to all old members, with a request that they should keep in touch with the company. Merchant adventurers of both sexes gathered in force yesterday in the B goods shed at the railway station, the occasion being the sale by auction by Messrs P. Nicholls and Company of unclaimed luggage. All sorts and conditions ot men and women vied with each other in their endeavours to become the possessors of mysterious-looking packages, the contents of which could be only vaguely guessed at, and their real value could not be even speculated upon. Two parcels had cameras attached to them, and were knocked down for five or six shillings. Portmanteaux went as high as 225; two brief bags sold, ono at 9s and the other at 10s. Several bundles containing old railwaymen's uniforms were disposed of at from two to three shillings. Only a- few bicycles were offered. One man's bicycle changed hands at 12s. another at 355. and a lady's machine was knocked down for 335. The auction was animated and amusing, and the buyers were apparently quite satisfied with their bargains. According to those who were present at previous similar sales, the prices realised were better thp.n s-t the sales last

New span wire poles are being erected on Lincoln road between the Show grounds and the terminus of the tramway preparatory to the removal of the centre poles.

The erection of the poles to carry the overhead work in connexion with the extension of the tramway system to St. Martin's, will be completed by Saturday.

An able seaman on the Cygnet, named A. Jackson, broke his arm in two places at Lyttelton on Wednesday night, as a result, it ie alleged, of a quarrel with another man. His injuries were attended to by Dr. Upham.

After having been anchored in the stream since her arrival from Picton some days ago, H.M.S. Psycho was berthed yesterday at the Gladstone Pier, Lyttelton. She is to leave in a few days for Dunedin.

The members of the Women's Social and Political League enjoyed a pleasant change yesterday from the ordinary kind of meetings at which they are wont to foregather, Mrs W. Morton entertaining them at an at home in her pretty garden at Riccarton.

The following additional subscriptions have been received by the Mayor, in aid of the Mrs Broughton fund:—, "0.C." os, F. Siseon £2 2s, T. Pedding £1 Is, E. A. Luke os. "Sympathy" £2 2s, "A.M." os. Anonymous os, iI E. F-" £1.

At the meeting of the "Wharenui School Bazaar Committee, presided over by Mr E. J. Foster, it was decided to apply to the Minister of Internal Aftairs tor a permit to raffle works of art on Saturday, March 14th. The chairman reported that the potatoes in the new school grounds were looking very promising, and should yield a good crop.

A movement on foot in Oamaru to secure the erection of a traffic bridge across the "Waitaki, about mid-way between the' present railway bridge and Kurow, is receiving 6trong support from business men and farmers, the latter recognising the great convenience it would be to farmers on the north 6ide of the river. The cost of the structure is estimated at £10,000.

The newly-formed New Zealand Forest and Bird Protection Society held its first meeting at "Wellington on Wednesday. The objects of the Society are to inculcate amongst the public, especially children, an intelligent interest in matters conrected with flora and fauna, and to protect and preserve native wild birds. A enb-committee was set up to draft rules to be submitted at the nest meeting in March.

A Hawke's Bay gentleman, who has not yet given authority to publish his name, is so impressed with the value of radium as a curative agency, that he has donated £1000 to a fund being laised in Palmerston North to establish a radium institute (says a Press Association message). Already £1000 has been raised locally, and it is expected that large additional sums will be forthcoming immediately. The Hospital Board yesterday enthusiastically decided to assist the movement by circulating through the whole of the North Island an apipeal for funds.

Special courses of treatment for falling hair, premature greyness, dandruff, etc., from one guinea. The latest approved methods and appliances used. Personal attention by appointment; hair work of every description. lUrs Rolleston, Cathedral square. Telephone 373. 6

A good habit, a saving habit, and a growing habit with Canterbury people is the habit of buying all classes of wearing apparel and household requirements from Armstrong and Co., Limited, the broad reason being satisfaction every time. The people are delighted with the low prices and satisfied with the goodness of the goods. 1

No unripe, over-ripe or inferior fruit used in manufacturing Thomson's Ship Limejuice. No adulteration, no artificial - colourings; just the finest limes, giving it a quality that is unequalled. Every bottle is pasteurised. Ask for Thomson's Ship Limejuice. All grocers. Ford and Mirams, agents. 7

Let your eyes be tho judges of the value being given at Armstrong's great Strike Sale. Comparisons may be odious, but they will surely put you in tho pathway to economy—which leads to Armstrong's straight. 2

We have just landed a shipment of American Office and Typist Chairs, and Dining Chairs. A. J. White, Limited, the Premier Furnishers, Christchurch. 6

A few shillings wisely expended during Remnant Week, at Graham, Wilson, and Smellie'e. means practically doubling its purchasing power. I>ozens of useful dress lengths are marked at half the firm's famously low 6ale prices. 4

Your Eyes—A new discovery for removing Catnracts, Films, White Specks, etc, without operation. Send for particulars and testimonials, free. E. W. Hall, Herbalist, .IIJT .Armagh street. City. 2

Motor Accessories—Lycett Belts, j-inch. 13s; |-inch, 15s: 1-inch, 17s 6d; Hutchinson Heavy Tyree, 37s 6d; Assorted spares kept, also best quality repairs, at J. H. Suckling and Co.. Garage, 117 Worcester street. 6

Walter J. Watson, D.8.0.A., London, Expert Optician (near Kincaid's). Accurate Sight-testing and Spectaclefitting. Repairs to Framea and broken Lenses matched. Charges moderate. 8

Reindeer in Dinfag Room

Yuletide. scenes on the most novel lines were provided in >*ew York. At the fashionable residences and hotels there wae revelry, and many gorgeous entertainments were given by society leaders. At the St. Regis Hotel the principal function was the dinner given by Mrs E. N. Breitung, wife of a millionaire financier, ana great applause greeted a Snnta Claus, who, booted* capped, and furred..in. the picture-book style drove a sledjje drawn by eight reindeer through the dining-room and distributed presents to the millionaire guests.

Curing Insanity by Hot Water.

Dr. F. P. Clark, medical superintendent of the Stockton (Calgary) State Hospital for the Insane, claims that the hydrotheraipeutic treatment is working curative miracles with insane patients confined in the State Hospitals. The action of warm water in thie treatment, he states in an official report just issued, relieves the muscular strain about the capillaries and smaller blood vessels by relaxation, briivging the blood to the surface and restoring the normal circulation, and the toxins are thus eliminated naturally. It acts as a tonic on dull, anaemic patiente, while the noisy, fighting ones are quieted and calmed.

The Origin of the Propeller,

Mr A. H. Shury, of Ashburton, writes:—"With reference to the story (taken from the "Sjdney Shipping List") in your crosshead local columns of Tuesday last, telling the origin of the screw propeller for the propulsion of steamships in 18-58, I think the screw was invented before that. When I came out in 1852, the Sarah Sands, a hip steamer, was driven by a screw, and she passed tho barque 1 was aboard in fine weather. 1 think she got into Port Phillip the day before us. As the barque Groot Maria was where the Flying Dutchman u> usually supposed to be in heavy weather, I can well imagine that the Dutch barque was dismantled, but the rest of the tale is certainly "very like a whale. I doubt that the whale incident was the origin or the screw propeller, as at BonthaJPas do Calais.

France, in front of the l P os t- office, , V there, is a statue to "Frederic 6aa« vage," the inventor of the screw pro- >• pcller. He was a native of"Boqiogn e J I think this is the more probable tale. , '

The Latest "Lighthouse."

The excise authorities are much in- r terested in the reported appearance in a northern suburb of London of a new opportunity for refreshment. Every Sunday morning during the time public, houses are closed, a four-wheeler - at a vertaiu spot, apparently waitinc for a fare. In tho course of th« morning it has many, and the jour " neys_ are short. A man gets in. and the tour-wheeler moves at a gentle narA • up the street. The fare lifts tbe cushion of the front fi*at. places sir pence in a slot, a lid draws bad; and there is "a go" of whisky, with 1 tumbler and flask of water The " morning worshipper takes his drink tZ places the cushion, gets out. and'tU toiir-trhec-ler waits for another ens-