GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15156, 21 December 1914, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

Tlie forty-first .annual meeting of tho New Zealand Shipping Company will bo held at the office of tho company, Hereford street, at noon to-day.

The Valuation Commission at present touring the Dominion will open its sittings here at the Provincial Council Chambers at 10 a.m. to-day. It is not expected that tho Christchurch evidence will bo very "lengthy.

Tho Methodist Church choir of 200 voices will give a performance of Handel's '"Messiah" in the Durham street' Church at eight o'clock to-night. The principals are Miss M. Twos© (soprano), Mrs Ernest Firth (contralto), Mr A. Petty (tenor), and Mr L. Barnes (bass). Tho conductor is Mr Ernest Firth, F.R.C.O. and the organist Mr H. T. "Whittingham.

Mrs Rolleston, president of the Canterbury women's branch of.the Reform League, was "at liome" on Saturday afternoon at her residence in Riccarton road to tho local Reform candidates, tho members of their committees, and others v. lio had helped in tho election. Mrs and Miss Rolleston were most assiduous in promoting tho pleasure of their gueste, and with music, a few informal addresses, and a delicious tea, an exceedingly enjoyable afternoon was spent.

Trouble befell tho last tramcar from Fendalton to tho city on Saturday night. Early on tho trip tho car ran off the lines", but righted itself again. When approaching Holmwood road, however, the car, to which was attached a trailer, ran off again, and for nearly an hour the motorman and conductor made heroic but unsuccessful endeavours to get it on again, the track being badly cut up in the process. Finally at half-past twelve on Sunday morning all the pasengers bnt one lost their patience, and wended their way into the city on foot, leaving tho motorman and conductor still struggling with their burden.

Tho week's celebration of the 50th anniversary of the opening of .Durham streot Methodist Church was concluded yesterday. Tho preacher both in the morning and evening was the Rev. W. Baumbcr, of Nelson, and both services wero very largely attended. A feature of the jubilee celebrations throughout Avas the work of the choir. Tho music was especially good yesterday. At the 11 a.m. service the soloist was Mr H. Blakoley, and at tho 6.30 p.m. service Mrs Ernest Firth, and their singing lent additional impressivo.ness to tho services. The offerings for tho day were devoted to freeing the church from debt. By means of the jubilee week offerings the small debt remaining on the church has been almost wiped out.

It is not unusual to hear of the arrest of a ship, but in Christ-church the arrest of a motor-oar is not of frequent occurrence. The City Council's Traffic Inspector, Mr H. Macintosh, found it necessary on Saturday to take a motor-car into custody. For some considerable period, at tbo busiest time of the morning:, Mr Macintosh noticed a small Ford car outsido Ballantyne's. standing parallel with tho cabstand, and so interfering with the traffic, that in order to pass it vehicles had to go on the "improper" side of the- road. As no one claimed the car within a reasonable Mr Macintosh placed himself in the chauffeur's seat and drove the car to the polico station, where it was subsequently claimed by its owner.

The police were engaged yesterday in hunting a gang of boy burglars on the Port Hills. The boys, all about 14 years of age, are said to have broken into several business places and factories during the week, some of the establishments being the Christchurch Brick Company's and the Atlas Biscuit Company's offices. One boy was arrested in the city on Saturday. The other two were traced to the Port Hills yesterday, as it was reported that the Governor's Bay Hotel had been broken into on Saturday night. From the hotel some, six dozen bottles of "hard" and "soft" drinks, a ham, and other provisions, were taken, and from an adjacent dwelling, which they also entered, tho burglars got some blankets. After their night's adventures they hid amongst the hill-tops, prepared to defend themselves with air-guns and other weapons purchased with the proceeds of the other burglaries. The police, headed by Detective T. Gibson, wore out early to inspect the scene of Saturday night's breaking-in, and soon picked up the trail. The chase, which ended in the capture of the two boys, was an exciting one. The sequel will be in the Juvenile Court this morning.

The Lyttelton Marine Band will pl«y a programme of music on the rotunda at Lyttelton this evening, commencing at S o'clock.

Tho South "Wiiimakariri River Board elections will take place on January 12th. Nominations close at noon on Saturday, January 2nd.

The Lyttelton Harbour Board have forwarded £105 to the Mayor lor the Captain Scott Memorial Fund. Mr Geu. Witty. M.1 , ., has also contributed L 2 2s to the fund.

Mr C. I. Jennings. Mayor of Rangiora, through his solicitors, Messrs Johnston. Mills and Joyce, has served a writ on the "Sun' , newspaper proprietors for alleged libel. The amount of damages claimed is £1000. .

A special general meeting of members of the Navy League will bo held to-morrow night to consider a proposition to give Christmas gifts to the crew of 11.M.5. New Zealand out of the moneys to the credit of the Barge Fund.

Despite the war, the local Tourist Bureau reports that this is the busiest season it ha.s over had. All the resorts are crowded, and enquiries are coming in in hvtxo numbers every day. There is a large influx of tourists from Australia.

A Dominion regimental tour of staff officers is to be held for three days at Tronthnm this week, commencing today. Colonel Chaffey and Majors Meddinjrs and Finnis. of the. local Defence StalF, left on Saturday night to attend it.

Representations on the subject of fiisborne's bread supply have had a satisfactory result, the member for Gijbornn baring rccemvl the following telegram from the Primo Minister on Saturday: "Fii'tv tons of flour being .shipped to Gisborne. per Wcstralia, leaving Lyttclton to-day."

When Robert Geyer was bcins presented with tho dux certificate at the annual function of tho Island Bay (Wellington) school on Thursday, tho headmaster (Mr C. N. Haslam) stated that the boy's uncle. Major Henry Cover, of the Belgian Army, had been killed iv action a few days ago.

It is notified in the "Gazette' , that "all foreign residents of New Zealand who have not been naturalised within this Dominion, and who are subjects of any of the. Sovereigns with "whom his Majesty the King is now at war, nro required to forthwith report themselves at tho nearest police station, and there register their names and such other particulars as may be required. Such persons are hereby forbidden to travel more than twenty miles from their homes without first receiving a permit from the police so to do."

Tho reappearance of mullet in theupper reaches of the Northern TVairoa Itivor is reported by the Dargavillo correspondent of the Auckland "Herald." During recent years the entire absence of mullet is these waters has been commented udoii. A decade ago such fish was abundant, whilst for tho last five years hardly a member of that finny tribe has been seen. A few months ago an inspector of the Fisheries Department visited TVairoa, and interviewed many residents, who gave it as their opinion that mullet had been altogether lost to the "Wairoa. Now, however, tbo jumping fish are onco again in fnM evidence, and appear as fully plontiful as of yore.

Three advantages offered this week by Messrs Hastie. Bull, and Pickering: (1) Gifts cf quality and uniquo design. (2) Christmas nriccs. affording supremo raluo ;ind satisfaction. (3) A gift of fireworks for tho children witli every purchase of 5s and upwards. Secure all by early shopping. 6

A very comprehensive stock of toys has been provided for tho little folk by Messrs Armstrong, Ltd.—useful, mechanical, and instructive —all priced, to encourage, their quick disposal, at a fraction on cost. The firm make a clearance each season. Dolta from 6d to 355, cricket sets Is lid m>, balls Is, bats lOjd, Is lid, Toddy Bears, Is. ss, 7s <sd, rubber balls, from 6d. rocking horses, 3s lid, go-carts Is lid, 2s 3d, 3s lid, push-carts, 2s lid, 4s lid, tricycles 12s 6d, 16s 6d, pranie Is 3d to 17s 6d, soldiers' sets. Is, guns 6d. la. 6

Suitable Christmas gifts for men— Pipes, pouches, cigar and cigarette cases and holders, match-boxes, shaving mirrors and mugs, safety razors, walking-sticks, hair brushes, sovereign cases, wallets, etc., etc. Lewis and Anderson, 112 Cashel street. 6

With to-day's issue of this paper you will find a circular from Messrs G. Shaw and Co., 120 Cashel street, announcing a realising sale preparing for etock-taking in February. The entire stock is being offered to buyers at exceptionally low prices. There is ■money in it for everyone who wants Drapery and Clothing. 1

"Tories," the new wide-angle curved speetaclo lenses, have many advantages over tho old "flat" kind. Mr Walter J. Watson, Colombo street (near Kincaid's), will be pleased to personally explain them. 3

Electric Pocket Lamps—Wβ have landed ex Mamari 50OD of these. They bio British made, and just the thing for a Christmas gift. Prices from 3s each. Turnbun and Jones, Ltd.. Cashel street. 6

To-day's Announcement—Messrs Hastie. Bull and Pickering's "Gifts of Quality" at Christmas prices will be available to-day until 6 p.m. Charming goods are being offered. 6

Useful Christmas Presents— Now stylos in Artistic Tea Sets, 21 pieces of lovely fine china only 15s the set, at Drayton's Emporium, 7<jo Colombo street. 6 Best Xraas Card is undoubtedly a Steffano Webb Portrait —always natural and artistic. Photographer, Petersen's Buildings, High street. Telephone 1959. 1

Lawrence and Kircher'g Furniture Salo closes this monOi, therefore it lias only a fow days to run. 6

Have your horse 3 got soro shoulders, girth-gails, or sores through chafing of the harness? Keep a tin of Berry's Gall Cnrfe always in the stable Post free, Is Bd. John Berry, 670 Colombo street. 1 "SIMPLICITY AND EFFICIENCY." Are the main reasons why the new light-weight Triumph motor-cycle, popularly known as the "Baby" Triumph, is so far in tho lead. Combined with extrerno lightness the ''Baby" has simplicity, reliability, and efficiency as its outstanding characteristics, the points that have placed tho Triumph in tho forefront of the world's motor-cyclee. The engine, a two-stroke one, is capable of driving machine and rider at speeds Tip t-o 40 miles per hour. There is a two-speed gear, driven off a countershaft, and besides being mosfc economical to run, tho "Baby"' is a great little hill-climber. Wo have machines in stock, and ran give immediate delivery. AY© also have a 4 h.p. Triumph, practically new. which has been ridden for only threo weeks, for sale at a very reasonable price on behalf of a member of the Expeditionary Force. This is a real bargain for motorists. Stocks must be cleared to make room, for fresh arrivals. Adams, Ltd., agents for Triumph Motor-cycles, High street, Christohurch. (G. B. Brown, Chistehurch. representative; D. 11. Edgar, Ashburton representative.) G