GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14909, 6 March 1914, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The X.Z. Farmers' Co-operative Association of Canterbury will hold their annua! picnic to-morrow.

The women's branch of the Bible-in-Schook' League will meet to re.u_ie work for 1914 at tho V.M.C.A. at 2.30 this afternoon.

Polls on proposals to raise loans of £16,500 for water extension and £10,000 for municipal buildings, were taken at Ma.terton yesterday. Both were carried, the former by a large majority.

The annual picnic of the employee. of the Christchurch Pr__* Company Ltd.. will take place to-morrow at Dunsandel. The train leaves Christchurch Station at 8.10 a.m.

A Press Association telegram from Dunedin sttites that steps are being taken to make John _Crisp. late of Palmerston South, a bankrupt in respee. of a debt of £400. It is understood that the liabilities exceed £3000. Several forgeries are alleged besides tho disappearance of trust moneys. The Law Society is taking independent action.

At the Supreme Court yesterda- before his Honour Mr Justice Dennist6n in Chambers, Mr Hunter, counsel for the Canterbury District Law Society, moved for and obtained an order removing th*' i>roceedir._s from the Supremo Court into the Court of Appeal for the purposo of haying -ihe name of Walter Shaw, who is nt present serving a sentence of three years' imprisonment for theft and breach of trust, struck off the 1 roll of barristers ar.d solicitor..

The Oamaru agent of the Press Association telegraphs that with "the nurpose of solidifying the forces of Liberalism in view of the forthcoming general elections,.a meeting of mc_-b-rs of the party was held there on "Wednesday night. Considerable enthusiasm was shown. It was decided to ask three or four of the party's best platform men to address a public meeting, to be held shortly. Nothing has been done yet in the selection of a candidate.

The "no smoking is allowed" notice is to be removed ' from railway platforms (telegraphs our Wellington correspondent). The bylaw has notoriously been moro honoured in tl*<? breach than in the observance, and the authorities havo decided to withdraw the notification from circulation. Tho effect will be that people may smoke on the platforms until anyone complains. If thereafter they persist in their, nefarious operation, they will bo subject to a penalty of £5 under the railway by-law.

The Methodist Conference of West Australia has sent a cablegram to Canon Garland praying tor the success of the Bible-in-State-Schools League of New Zealand. The privilege has been enjoyed in West Australia for many years and is greatly valued by the churches, parents and. general community, and works most harmoniously. The Queensland Methodist Conference has passed a resolution expressing sympathy and a-Sluing New Zealand Methodists of their prayers in the noble struggle to obtain the same privileges for the D-minion as enjoyed in. Queensland in the system of religious instruction, including the of entry into State schools.

The Wellington City Council at its meeting on Tuesday, had tbe o.uestion of bathing costumes beforo it. The baths and reserves committee, brought down the following recommendations: —"That the by-laws committee be instructed to prepare a by-law providing: (1) That the Canadian type of bathing costume must in future bo worn by bathers for parading and sunbathing at the beach instead of the present? neck-to-knee costume; and (2) that children under the a<_ of fourteen years be not permitted to enter the adults' bathing sheds where sheds are provided for children." Several councillors disagreed with the second recommendation, but it was eventually passed by the council.

To-morrow afternoon at 2.30 o'clock, the opening of *he Laches" Auxiliary of the Young Men's Christian Assoeiauo .- fancy fair will take place. Her Excellency tho Countess of Liverpool will open the fair. A fine programme has been arranged by the ladies, to co__?st of three concerts to be given in the Concert Hall. The following will take part in the programme:—Misses Croxton, Devonport. Saunders. Isherwood, and Grey. Messrs C Tidy, R. Ashcroft. L. C. Walker, r. _. Gurnsey. and F. Glover, and boy. of *_o Boyft' Gordon Hall. The programme will also include a'shooting contest >n the rifle range, brisket and volley ball _ntra.-, and swimming event., by a .'ouug l.ndies' Swimnvng Club, with exhibitions in fancy diving. Special facilities will be offered for seeing the aviator Scotland from the roof of the building, in his fli.ht over the city. There will be bran tubs and lollies and toys for the children.

Some twelve years ago what was known as the "New Syllabus" came into operation in our public, schools. The effect of the new syllabus was to bring the course of instruction and tho methods followed in dealing with school subjects, into lino with the most modern pedagogical ideas.' This year has se«*n tho advent of a syllabus which may bo regarded as the result of the experience gained during the past decade by educational experts. Education as a science has made a wonderful advance of late years, and the result is a revised syllabus for our public schools. Certain important changes have been made, and teachers ,'.*enerally are very anxious t<i have the fullest, information, and the best guidance available with regard to the interpretation of various clauses. A meeting of great importance will be hold at the Normal School at 11 a.m. to-roorrow. when the Inspectors will •meet thp teachers for the purpose of fully discussing various important matters in connexion with the new course of work. All teachers are cordially invited to be present. By the courtesy of the Principal of the Training College. Room No. 19 (upstairs) has been granted for the meeting.

The Rev. Dr. Adeney lectured ai the Trinity Congregational Church last night on the, subject of 'The Bible and Modern Problems." There was a fair attendance, over which the Rev. DT. Erwin presided. Referring to the temperance controversy, the speaker commented on the comparative scarcitv_ of passages in the Bible Qirertly bearin'jTon this question, and attributed this to the fact that the liquor problem was one which the East had never had tc face. He claimed, however. : .•■•»* indirectly the New Testament supplied many passages conveying Christ's message to men in this matter. On the subject of militarism, he said, it was not right tTiat anyone should go bac_ to the Old Testament and apply its teachings to tho present day. In the light of the life of Jesus Christ, the old spirit ii a _ to bo condemned as utterly un-Christian. Dealing with the social problem, ho said that any state which permitted great poverty and excessive wealth to remain side by side, stood condemned i>y the whole temper and spirit of Scrinture. His warning to the peoplo of New Zealand was that, if they were to escape the pitfalls which olcjer* countries had fallen into, there muT* Tie an observance of the teachings of Christ, whose life, and that of his Apostles, were the Divine authorities. 7_. .iring ideals for something little less fhan a social revolution in Christendom, as it was found to-day.

There will be no meetinc of the Riccarton Licensing Committee at Darfield to-day. as there is no business to transact.

The Sumner branch of the Royal Life Saving Society is purchasing an observation ladder, to enable directions to bo given by those on shore to others going through or beyond the breakers.

The work of laying the syphon in connexion with the drainage scheme being installed in East Richmond at present under the river Avon is to be put in hand next week.

The civil sessions of the Supreme Court will bo resumed at 10 o'clock this morning, beforo his Honour Mr Justice Denniston. when the case of Tasker versus the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club will be heard.

An offer by Messrs W. H. Price and Sons, brass founders. Manchester street, Christchurch. to provide and fix an alarm bell on the pavilion free of cost, has been greatly appreciated by the Sumner branch of the Royal Life Saving Society.

Mr C. Grayndler has heen appointed organiser for the Canterbury A. and P. Labourers' Union, in respect to men employed on threshing machines. Mr Grayndler, w._» was previously organiser for the Shearers' Union, is starting work for the Farm Labourers' Union in tho Rakaia district.

In consequence of resolutions recently passed by meetings of the Auckland Tramways Union, the Management Committee of the union has resigned in a body, leaving only the secretary, who is a paid official, in office. The officers who resigned comprised tho president, two vice-presidents, the treasurer, and twenty members of the committee.

At a meeting of students of the Creche Kindergarten Association, Mrs Taylor (president) said 'that all students who wish to have the Dominion diploma (which will be issued by tho Educational Department) will Be expected to have secured a senior free place or to have passed their intermediate examination, also to have had two years' practical work in a kindergarten. Miss Hull, who has been appoint-_ trainer, commenced her lectures at tho Y.W.C.A. rooms on Tuesday.

Miss Leary (matron of the School for the Deaf), Miss Pa_t, and the girl pupils have presented the Sumner branch of the Royal Life-saving Society with two largo pennants, t_h .Sen feet long, which have been made in the institution. One is Royal blue, with "R.L.S.S." in whito letters, which, when hoisted, will denote that members are on duty. The other pennant is red, with the word "danger" in white letters, which will denote that members aro not on duty, or that conditions for bathing ere dangerous. The committee of the Society passed a very hearty voto of thanks to the donors for their handsome and valuable gift.

The result of the ballot of the members of the Christchurch Tramway Employees' Union on the question of citing the Tramway Board in connexion with the Union's proposals for a new award was announced, yesterday. The number of ballot papers issued was 280. The votes in favour of citing the Board totalled 181, thoso against numbered 8, and there were three informal. The resolution of the Union deciding to cite the Board was, consequently, confirmed. A ballot taken at the same time on the question of tho Union taking ovor the assets nnd liabilities of the Tramway Social Club resujted in 71 voting for the proposal and 105 voting against it. Thero were five informal vot _s. The proposal was, therefore, not carried.

Mr John Ingram waited on the Canterbury Land Board yesterday in connexion with a proposal to take forty acres of land at Oxford, held by him under temporary license, for homestead sites. Mr Ingram, in a letter to the Board, stated that if the land were taken for the purpose mentioned it would interfere with the working of his freehold land adjoining. He also pointed out that it would be aa expensive matter to give road access to -he 40 acres. Mr Ingram explained to the Board that on a previous occasion he had offered, to purchase the 40 acres, but the Board found that it had no power to dispose of it. He was prepared 7to accept an exchange of land of equal value, fronting a metalled ioad. It was decided that an officer of the Department should visit and inspect the .roa offered in oxobange, and report to tho Board.

The interment of the late Mr George E. Collins took place at the Linwood Cemetery yesterday. The Me£ho»li'_ Church burial service was conducted by the Rev. Mr Williams, of Opawa, and the Masonic service by Bro. Rev. E. Elliot Chambers. Wreatho were sent by the following:—Mrs Perkins, Mr and Mrs Harold Hunfer. Mr and Mrs A. W. Buxton, Opawa Bowling _üb, Aitcheson. Steans . and Co. (staff), Opawa 6-hool (teaching staff), Mr and Mrs W. Simpson, Oncwa Tennis Club, Mr Steans, Misses Pearce, Messrs Graham, Wilson and Smellie. Misses Duncan, Methodist Choir Union, Opawa v.-hool Committee, Mrs Aitcheson, and Miss _ Brocklehurst. Mrs Lye, Mr G. C. Smith and family, Mr and Mrs Wyatt nnd family, Mrs Reeves, Mr and Mrs vSchnider. Messr. J. M. and "_". P. Collins, Mr and Mrs Lucas, St. Albans Methcd'st Choir, Miss Black. Canterbury Masonic Lodge. Lyttelton Methodist Church Choir, Mr and Mrs Foote, Canterbury Kilwinning Masonic Tiodr' 0 . Mr and "7rs Nelwyn Bruce, members and trustees Onawn _ f. thodist Church. Onnwn M ..-■•dist Choir, and Lyttelton Marine Band. A final -clear up to-day of Armstrong's last day of sale. 1 A. J. White, Ltd., are offering embroidered and frilled pillow-slips at Is 3d each, with other bargains in their drapery department. 5 Walter J. Watson, D.8.0.A., London, Expert Optician (near Kincaid's). Accurate Sight-testing and Spectaclefitting. Repairs to Frames and broken Lenses matched. Charges moderate. 8 Dranery buyers should not miss Armstrong's last day of sale to-day. 2 Motor Accessories —Lycett Belts, J-inch. 13s; .-inch, 15s: 1-inch, 17s 6d; Hutchinson Heavy Tyres, 37s 6d; Assorted spares kept, also beat quality repairs, at J. H. Suckling and Co., Garage, 117 Worcester street. 6 To-day (Friday) is the last day of Armstrong's sale, and special inducements will be offered to clear odd lots and sizes. 3 A Women's Bank. An interesting experiment is being mado in Berlin, the "Daily Chronicle" says, by a number of advanced women in establishing a banking concern, to be known as the Women's Bank. It has for its object tho rendering of advice and assistance to women who wi-h to engage in financial transactions, such as buying acd selling shares and other property. A legal department lias been opened as well, in which women will be advised by women on business matters. The con-C-rn has about 1500 membors. and a working capital of about £50.000. They have opened premises, containing about 50 rooms, and employ 60 clerks, not all of whom are women, .fen are still in charge of affairs connected with the Exchange. A "Mistake" Merchant. A "Standard" representative has found a man who earns a living as a finder of mistakes. He is a Swiss with a knowledge of most European languages, and a vast fund of literary and general information accumulated in his world wanderings. Just now is his busiest season. He is searching all the 1914 reference books for errors, which he tabulates on a foolscap sheet and sends it to the editor of the pub-

rieatinn. leaving it entirely to hiafVi whether he is compensated for h"j*"'*V tronble. Editorial generosity providt»-. V the merchant, with his general V lation work, with a fairly satisfactory".-. living throughout the year. "I firjt \"'- began thu, job,' he said, "by pointing dm to the publishers of a popular re-terenc-e bo*ok a great many maccur*-'- ' cies—in this case they took a fortnight to collate!—and then I followed ' on with corrections, especially m tjj ft . o'yiftiiog'iea", section ot a new die- > • tionary. In each case I received ienumeration for my trouble, and now I work for practically all the publisher* of reference books." What Our Forefathers Ate. A German paper publishes an mter{*stin<i article on the lost dishes of the Middle Ages. It seems that the art of c-ookiug has .declined, and that it in part duo to tho changing fashions in food. For instance, in Germany jn the Middle Ajjes many vegetables wate ' " eaten which havo long since disap". poured trom the table, such as violet leaves, mixed with young nettles * thistles and green wheat and boiled hemp ceods. Salads were made of mallow leaves. i*elei*v roots and purslane, mixed with salt and pepper, for oil was almost unknown. Olive oil w»s . considered to smack of effeminacy' ar.d Italian luxury. Horse-radish sauce was used instead. The origin of sauerkraut is lost in antiouity. jfat it wa.s certainly invented by the Gorman hausfrau long beforo cauliflowers " or artichokes or potatoes were - The potato revolutionised tho fare of the poor, who had formerly to rely on tho roots of wild plants. The variety of meats was larger, including beavers, and in tho case of Berne' bears were kept for food. Snices aad aromatic-s were much sought alter, aad " far more used for cooking. Ginger and nutmegs wore used to flavour many dishes that have now vanished » from our tables. And fortunately in fcngland and Germany the dishes of small birds of all kinds, that were an essential feature of a dinner. hay« also" gone out of fashion. We no longer bake blackbirds and finches in pies. THE LAST DAY. This is not an exhortation about the Day of Judgment. It is merely a gentle reminder to our customers' *_$ ' the general public that the big reduN." . tion sale of the higher-grade "Swift"'cycles concludes when we close our doors to-night. As everyone knows, the Deductions made during the salo period . are very substantial. Tho "Roj2 Superbe Swift" in all models is reducw-t,-from £20 to £15. and the"Royal ChA" 1 ' Swift" from £15 to £12 10s. F_f. those who wish to purchase on the iik '" stalment system exceptionally east terms are arranged, deposits as low ii', £1 and monthly payments as low as £\'. j being accepted. The "Swift" bicveje,-, has an unrivalled reputation for _x_t- '" ability and foi ease of propulsion. ttf ' bearings, of a special design which elimi mates practically all friction, are guarao- - teed for five years. These high-grade " j "Swifts" are beautiful machines, jsples- . ! didly finished, luxuriously equipped. V I The best features of the "Swift," bow- ] ever, become apparent only when yon "."i ride it. "Swift" riders speedily dis- . ] cover the reason for "Swift" populate* ity. Especial attention is directed to-' j the new "Roya" Superbe" racing * j "Swifts." finished in royal blue, wita j plated rims and top-bar. These bicycles are quite thc fastest ever designed,... and have a wonderful lists of records ■ to their credit. And the reductionsale finishes to-night! Adams. Ltd.,/ Agents for "Swift" Cycles, High street, L Christchurch. (Mr R. M. Adaztts. - Manager, Bicycle Department.) , \6/u-