GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15158, 23 December 1914, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

Tl:c Australasian Christian Student camp is to be held tliii your at Waimate. Mr Rove! Gnrlirk hi«> arranged for a camp of instruction for South Guuerbury to2ciio:s, to be hold !Air 'iimaru f:om Marcli 7;h to ."March UOth. It has not been decided yet if mi enquiry "ill bo held inu> the , eauso of the. tiro in tho promises in High street JCampoi. At present tlio nliair has not J been explained Mr A. W. V.nsov ; of Wimhe.ier, has received a let*, or from hi-.; ton, who is ! head of the Sta:o Eb-ctrical DepartriK/iit at Pretoria,, in v.-liivh tin; wriivr mvs that a p?r.cral revolt in ?outh Atrira v. as oii.y sKvoi by the- t-pletulid patriotism oi Botha and ISsnut =.. Tho ri:>,h of holiday traffic was apparent i:i the manias oi tho irain.s arriving hi la,si evening. Tho Wo-t Coast train arrived at about 7.'20, nearly tfO minute.-. Into, and the .<;<?coud express fi-om t;ic .south was about the sain.? time overdue. J!o;h train* were crowded. Tho first southern express was in in '/ocxl time. A special general meeting of tho Cantorburv branch of tho Navy League was held last evening, to collider a proposal to make a vine of £oU from tho training barge fund to prowdo Christinas c'oaiiorl.s ior the crew cf H.M.S. Now Zealand. A resolution giving «f----■foct to the proposal was carried. The president (Mr .). J. Dougall) said tho money would bo cabled Home to-day. Tho following hours will be observed by the Christchurch Telegraph Otiiro during the holidays:—Christmas Day. open from 9.30 to 10 a.m., and from sto 5.30 p.m. Boxing Day. open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from 7 to 8 p.m. Xcw Year's Day, open from S) a.m. to 4 p.m.. and from 7 p.m. to midnight. The Telephone Exchange will bo onen continuously throughout the holidays. Tho new road, nvoidiug the Couway river, between Hawkswood Hundalee, on tho main road to Kaikouru, was used on Monday for the first time by tho motors of the Kaikoura Motor Company, and tho cars got through •without uny mishap. The now piece of road is about &ix miles in length. It is understood that tenders will bo culled almost immediately for a bridge over the Con way, and that tho Jlapuka bridge will bo completed in February. It was mentioned at last night's Navy League meeting that great difficulty was being experienced at Home in koapiiiß up supplies of hospital requirements for the ambulance brigades at the front, and it was euygested that a. committee of lady members be sot up to collect and work up supplies of bandages and other requisites. The secretary mentioned that tho St. John Ambulance Association intends to do something in thus direction, .and ho suggested tho co-operation of the two bodies. The matter was left to tho St. John Ambulance people to organLso. Tho plight of the sawmilling industry in Now Zealand through the slump in building caused by tho war was placed before tho Prime Minister yesterday hy a largo deputation of leading sawmillers. Tho deputation asked for some relief from the State in .tho shape of nioratorium protection, and tho remission of the rentals. Mr Masscy expressed his sympathy with tho sawmillers. Ho pointed "out that the moratorium did not apply at present to tho sawmilling industry whore timber was cut from private or native land. What conrso would bo taken would depend on Parliament, and when tho llouso would meet ho could not at present say In cases where timber was being cut from Crown land ho was quit© prepared to make a recommendation to Jus colleagues.

Surprise was expressed by several members of tho Waitemata County Council on Friday, when Mr A. Cochran moved that the Minister of Agriculture should be asked to remove the restrictions with regard to shooting quaii. Mr Cochran stated that quail had beconio a groat nuisance m the Waikumeto Hiding, for they attacked tho ripening fruit, grass-seed, and corn. Some orchardists were losing pounds sterling per day through tho ravages of these, birds. Mr W. McCathie said tho same complaint had been made by ratepayers in the Wainui Riding. Another inomlwr said the Acclimatisation Society might object to the protection being "removed, but the Minister had power to bring in a special Order-in-Council to abolish the close season for quail. The Council adopted tho resolution unanimously.

On the matter of the destruction of historic buildings by tho Germans, the annual meeting of the Council or the Xow Zealand Institute of Architects expressed tho opinion strongly in the following resolution :—"That tho Council of tho Xew Zealand Institute of Architects, on behalf of the members of this Institute, desires to express its emphatic and lasting condemnation and abhorrence of the ruthless and vindictive destruction and .spoliation of the' ancient historic buildings and treasures of Franco and Belgium i>y a savage and unprincipled enemy, and to convoy to tho architects and people of those, countries this Institute's fraternal sympathy in tho irreparable loss sustained thereby to them and to the "whole civilised world; and that this resolution bo forwarded to tho Architects' Institutes of France and Belgium."

In an interesting article in the "Journal of Agriculture/ Dr. Cockayne, writing on tho primitive, vegetation of Xew Zealand, shows how, while thoro arc many plants peculiar to Xew Zealand, this country owes much to Malaya, and plants identical with those found in the Falkland Isles, Kerguolen, and Pataconia are found horc; alto there is a plant connexion between Xew Zealand and Australia and Tasmania. li Tho view put forth hero.' . Dr. Cockavn« writes, "is that Xew Zealand possessed a. primitive flora of her own. ■which probably formed part of that of n wide land area, r,erhnr>« united to Antarctica; that at an early date tho ancestors of tho present subantarctic element came in: that later there was an invasion of tropical jJalnvan snociee. and perhaps of the Australian element, these hanrwsinrs occurring during a great northern land-exten-sion by wnv of New Caledonia and the New Hebrides."

A good story is goinc; the rounds of tho police and the lepra I fraternity, concerning: a well-known Auckland member of the Bar (says tho "'Star"). Last week gome seven or right prisoners were hemp: taken by train to Hamilton under police escort, to stand their trial at the Supremo Court there. The legal gentleman had obtained permission to travel in the carriape with them, so as to ho able to confer with one of the prisoners for -whom he had been retained. At one of tho towns at which the train stopped. the local police broucht two residents to the railway station, to s?o if they could identify a couple of orirninais from whose attentions they had suffered, nnd who mijrht perchance bo amonc; tho ?tl«>ct company in the reserved carriage. Ono residc-nt pointed out his man without hesitation : but tho other, a lady, looked timidly round tho carriage, turning from one occupant to another. Final'v her craze rested on the lecrn] luminary, and a rnement's: thoncht she to id a nonstable, "I'm rot ouite sur* that ir.sn

The Telegraph Offices advised ycsiorday moi-ninc; that tho AVnimaknriri (north and youth branches), and t;'.:«s rivers were discoloured, tho Opihi rivor fohablo, and th-j Waitaki and llakuia rivers dirty. The Ilalswol , Sport* Club will hold its annual athletic f-i>orts on Boxing Day. There will bo a largo varictv of special attractions, and tho New Bricciiton Marino Bond will provide the music. The Daily Times'" states that the H'liside Workshops have received iiisrructions from hea-dqrarters to make v fctart en the construction of 'CO iro;; wagons. The authoritios are now takthe quantities aid sizes of s'tL-M pUites and rivets necessary to bo imported for tho building; of thp wapii<,:\.<. It is considered questionablo, however, whether the Government will b-> :>l>le to Ke: all the plates it requires while T .ho present tntsettled conditions prevail at Home. TV exc-Tvntion.'i Buckley's road preparatory to iho lavinc of a clud-iic.-'te trarnwav'track have brought to a lons length ot the old sl_eer)cra laid ;uanv years when the i'no to New Pi:i",hton was first constructed. .-tceper.s were of totara. and when liitod were- foi'.nd to be in a remarkable •■UUe of preservation. Tho:r presence, however,' wa? by no means fl wekomo iird forKUiic considerable power is required to remove them with any expedition. A very powerful traction engine is being employc<l ior tno purpose. . After corisuiiing the Imperial mivhori■*e- : the I lon. .Limes Allen. Minister of Dei-nee, ha*, decided-that it woald be inexpedient for tho New Zealand Covcrnment to SO'e pas&aßcs Honuto th<> four nurtes (two irom Tiraaru and two from Christehurch). who are to loav-* for tho front in the Somerset next month. The New Zealand bhipintr Company, however, have met the nurse* ?n a ve.-y generous way hav:n« <'iveu them s-'iloon tickets for i'-o each i'r piao of tho ordinary faje of X-4.5. Tiie nurses leave Wellington on January 11th.

Out- Duundin correspondent telegraphs that the trowel to bo presented To his Majesty the- King by the Now Zealand Government on the occasion of laying the foundation stono or tne New "Zealand offices in London, fcas been made in Duaedin by Messrs O. and T. Young. It is a most beautiful example of art work. The trowel is of full size—not a toy. It is made of IBct gold and the greenstone handlo is surmounted by a golden crown. On the face of tho trowel is placed in relief tho Dominion coat of arms. Bet'.veon ooz and 6oz of gold have- been used in making the gift. Tho trowel was packed and despatched by yesterday's mail. A motion came before tho Supremo Court at Doinedin yesterday to quash the conviction of John Kerrigan hotelkeepor, Bluff, on a charge of selling liquor to a- person already in a- state of intoxication, and to quash tho order endorsing tho license. Tho case was heard at tho Bluff and Invcrcargill, and tho questions that arose were.—''Did the Magistrate iaspect tho entries in tho rop;ister bofore'passing sentence, as requirod by Section 247 of tho Licensing Act, and' did tho Magistrate inspect tho entries at all at any timo after legal argument." His Honour amended tho conviction by striking out, all reference to endorsement of the license (says a Press Association Following on thus was a motion by Tipping and another for possession of the hotel leased to Kerrigan. The case was or dered to siund over. For some timo past those interested in Kindergarten instruction in Auckland havo been desirous of establishing a freo Kindergarten somewhero noar tho centre of tho city. The announcement is now made by Mr E. K. 31 nlgan, president of tho Auckland Kindergarten Association, that Mr Arthur Myers, M.P. for Auckland East, is having plans prepared for tho erection of a modern Kindergarten school in Myers Park. Tho building, Mr Mulgan states, will embody all the latest ideas, and will bo presented to tho Kindergarten Association by Mr Myers fully equipped. It is anticipated that it will bo completed oarly in tho school year, co that tho children in that part of the city will not only h'avo the advantage of a fine playground in Myers Park, but also a well-equipped and suitably-built free Kindergarten. Mr Mulgart, as president of the Association, emphasises the generous and public-spirited action of Mr Myers, who, with mouibers of his family, has indicated a very keen interest in Kindergarten matters •n Auckland.

Architects as a body are naturally interested in all that makes for the 'beautificftMon and architectural improvement of cities, so it is not surprising to see tbo following resolution recorded in the proceedings of the annual meeting of tho Council of the New Zealand Institute of Architects:—-"That this Institute protestG against tho disfigurement of our cities oy ugly, offensive, and unnecessary signs, and urges the district branches to enquire what steps their City Councils have taken under their by-laws to remedy this class of offence." On the question being raised of tho Institute being consulted by municipalities when framing or revising building by-laws, it -was resolved: —"That this meeting is strongly of opinion that when' the preparation or revisioit of by-laws affecting buildings is being undertaken by a municipality, it is in the interest of tho community that tho district branch of th* Xew Zealand Institute of Architects within whoso boundary such municipality is situated bo invited to discuss and rernir* upon such proposals before their adootion.' .

The importation recently of a largo .shipment of sea-gr&ss furniture from Moug-Kong has given the Auckland Furniture Trades Union another argument in support of the protests niade by it, from time to time against tho competition of Oiiincse furniture. Aeeordiu;; to a statement made on Friday by the secretary of the union, Mr \V" Mauson. the war has very eorious]v affected the furniture, trade, end tho union regards ■with alarm the importation of articles "which might have 'been made in Auckland. Furniture ni.ide of sea-grass has recently virtually supplanted wickerwork in popular favour, and a considerable quantity has bf>cn made in Auckland from raw material, procured from China. Though tho manufactured article is subject to an import duty of 20 per cent, arl valorem, tho cost of labour is so much lo&e in China that it can bo landed ; n Auckland, Mr Manson stated, at a much lower cost than similar furniture can be produced locally. So far as the union is aware, tho prices nt which tho furniture is sold to tho public do not show any *u<-h distinction between the imported and tho locallymanufactured article.

Mr A. "Williams, chairman of the Christchurch Firo Board, writes as folkrrrs: "In reference to the fire on Mr "\V. 13. Cowlishaw'g property at- Fendalton on Fri<iay evening latt. for which the Brigade received a call from -12 Leinster road, at 4.26 p.m., the St. A'bans rnpinc and the Christ church engine vent out to find that tho property was beyoud the city boundary, .and both appliances returned to their respective stations. The Christchurch Firo Brigade is only empowered under the Act for the purposes of protection for tho City of "Christchurch. the funds being subscribed equally between ratepayers and Insurance Companies. Under "tho circumstances the Brieado had no authority for going beyond tho city 'boundary, and cannot do so except in cases whore the owners of property adjoining the city boundary have entered into guarantee with the Fire Board. In the crcut of firo the Brigade services can be obtained, provide*! they can be spared from the City. This, in lay opinion should disabuse tho public nof wrong impressions as t« the res Do-

The official licensing poll figures for Ilieearton nro: Continuance. 4140: ->o~ 1 ice use. 3*240. lliP Art Gallery will bo closed on Christmas Day. but will bo open on Hosing Day, New Year's I>JJ'._ and .January 2nd, from 10 a.m. to o p-m. On all other days jr ".viH bo open to the public from 'J a.m. to o p.m. '•Tories, 1 ' tho new wide-ans'.o curved spectacle lenses, have many advantages over tho old "Sat' , kind. Mr Walter J. Watson, Colombo street (near Kincaid's). will bo pleased to personally explain them. ° Kleetrio Pocket Lamps—Wo have landed ex Marr.ari 5000 el these. Th«\v :-ro British made, ana just the thing for a Christmas gift. Prices from Sα each. Turnbull and Jones, Ltd . Cashel street. c Yonr Check through us from door to theso holidays. >ayes you all cure, trouble. We call for it. check on by r;ti! or sea, nieo* on arrival, deliver immediately. Hi:: advise nq early. Jt'.s. ,i busy season. Wo ■irill take out your lir-kot, bm if yon have nno already. p!r\.iso produce at onv office. The l\"ew Zealand Express Co.. Ltd.. corner Hereford ami Manchester si roots. '•' Tfwlay and to-morrow Messrs Ilustie. Bull, and Pukering will continue to offer their "Gifts of Quality" a: Christmas pr.oos. The demand of tho last j few days has boon great, but iurther lines of unique, design and supreme j value have now bevn opened up. <■' Useful Christmas Presents, Ladies' Handbags. Try JJrayton's for tho new sh.ijxxs in Morocco and S-wd leathers. Prices from -Is (id, 7s od, 0s e<l. Good selection, and lowest prieos at Drflyton's iimporium, Colombo street. (5 Your Photo as an Xinas Card will bring pleasure to the recipient. Our work is artistic and inexpensive. Steffano Webb, Photopmpher, Petersen's Buildings, High street. Telephone iyso. 3 A very comprehensive stock of toys has been provided for tho little folk by Messrs Armstrong, Ltd.— uecful, mechanical, and instructive—all priced, to encourage their quick disposal, at ;i fraction on cost. Tho firm make a clearance- each season. Dolls from (3d to 355, cricket sets Is lid up. balls Is, bats IOJd, Is lid, Teddy Bears, Is, ss, 7s 6d, rubber balls, from 6d, rocking horses, 3a lid, Ko-carts Is lid. 2s 3d, 3s lid, push-carts, 2s lid, 4s lid. tricycles 12s 6d, 16s 6d, prams Is 3d to 17s 6d, soldiers' sets. Is, fjuns Gd, Is. 6 Suitable- Christmas gifts for men— Pipes, pouches, cigar and cigarette cases and holders, match-boxes, sharing mirrors and mugs, safety razors, walking-sticks, hair brushes, sovereign cases, wallets, etc., etc. Lewis and Anderson, 112 Cashel street. 6 Berry's Liquid Blister for houses is a sweating blister, and very effectual, besides being very easily controlled in action. The safest blister known, no tying up required. 2s 6d, or post free, 2s 9d. John Berry, 670 Colombo street. 3 Tho children's Christinas should bo tho brightest and merriest time that it is possible to give them. Our toys, including steam and clockwork engines, boats, and motor-cars, magic lanterns, and cinematographs, are tho latest ingenious productions. JJ'or older folk, barometers, telescopes, field glasses, microscopes, etc., aro suitablo gifts. John R. Procter, Optician, 200 High street, Christehurch. , t> HE IS IN OUR WINDOW! Eight hero in High street, standing in our bis window, is Santa Claus! Tho genial old Kontieman arrived last night, and brought with him a big shipment of new juvenile Star cycles. Bring tho kiddies to eeo Santa Clans standing in our window with tho juvenile Stars in his arms. He says that ho knoVkS tho kiddies want theso c-y-clos for Christmas, and ho is going to see that thov get them! And Santa Glaus, with his big, kind heart, has reduced the cycles for tho Christmas season from £7 10s to £5 los. With steel mud-guards, plated rims, and enamelled in black with gold linos, they aro simply a small replioa of tho roa-d----tsfcoi-s ridden by grown-ups. They make ideal presents afc this festive season. And for tho fathers and mothers and sisters and brothers who bring tho kiddies to eee> Santa Claus, we have specially reduced all lines of cycle and motor-cycle sundries, comprising all eorts of useful presents. Santa Claus is at our place! Adams, Ltd., agents for Star Cycles, High street. (R. M. Adams- bicyclo depart ment> ropi esontatives.) G