GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15173, 11 January 1915, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The postal authorities advise that the Niagara, which is due at Auckland this morning, from Vancouver, is bringing English and American mails, wbic.i will reach Christchurch on . Wednesday morning. The Wimmera, which was due at Wellington last nieht from Melbourne, and tho Atua. which is duo at Auckland this morning from Sydnoy, are bringing Australian mails only.

To get a fuller understanding cf many of the numerous cables that have appeared relating to the war and the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, the "Weekly Press" always proves very useful, and the issue that comes out to-morrow will bo no exception to this established rule. Everything concori*ting our fore© is interesting, and some of the ancient sights and scenes they may be fortunate enough to witness while detained in Egypt for training purposes are among tho attractive illustrations in the approaching edition. Something uls*> of the -German failure and the Russian task at Warsaw may be gleaned from the spirited drawing of -.he enemy's retreat from his attack on th© ancient capital of Poland, and what is meant by the frequently recurring announcement "W© have gained slightly" is vividly illustrated* in a sketch depicting a scene in the fighting in'tho valley of tho Mouse. In another is shown the great utility of the motor omnibuses in rapidly moving troops to support the most "seriously assaulted trenches, and the eagerness of the British soldiers to fill the gaps. Then there are pictures of Indians wounded in the left hand, which they used to turn aside ' the German bayonet; of strayed mines such as the North Sea is -strewn with, and of the sort of hole the shells made that wero exploded in the battle of the Yser. Two recent local events of considerable interest were the Canterbury Park Trotting Club's Meeting and the.'Christchurch Horticultural Society's Summer Show, each of which is presented in a number of well-executed engravings.

Mr Thomson, th© mine manager at Mount Radiant (Karamea). and two cadets with him—old hoys of the Waitaki High School—being interested in meteorological observations, constructed a rain-gauge. The fierures recorded are alarming (says th© "Westport Times"), bnt am accurate to within an eighth of an inch. They are obtained from the Mount Radiant mine. The valley her© forms a 'V, headed by high mountains and facing two narrow valleys. Records were first taken on. November 24th, and for the last seven days of November 11.Gin of rain fell. From December Ist to 19th the record was 63.12 in, or a fall of 74.75 in in 26 dav.s, which possibly helps to account for the recent devastating flooda on th© Coa*t. The heaviest fall for 24 hours was 16in on the 13th. when Karamea experienced the biggest flood for 14 years, although th© rainfall on the coastline was only 1.95 in on that date. During th© 26 days there have bqen two falls over 6in. three over sin. two over 4in, two over 3in. one over Sin, nine over lin, and one day with 16in.

An exceptionally large catch of a distinctly rare fish in the southern portion of the fishing grounds at least, the New Zealand turbot, has been made bjfishermen in the vicinity of Waiau. Orepuki. Riverton, and off the Rivorton beach recently (says the "Southland Times"). On Thursday Messrs Pasco Bros, received a consignment of twelve dozen turbot from those localities, along with 120 dozen flounders. Such a large catch of turbot is decidedly rare, and a leading man in the fishing industry told a reporter that it had not come nnder his notice for the past thirty years. Th© fish, which in many respect-; resembl.. a flounder, were all in excellent condition, and the heaviest weighed up to 81b. The presence of the turbot in such large numbers at this period leads those competent to judge to the opinion that there must have been some disturbance at tho fishing grounds, probably during th© heavy spell of bad weather, and the quantity of seaweed and other oceanic substance in the nets after each haul lends further Colour to this view. Fishermen who have be.n exclusivelyengaged in flounder catching have met with large hauls sine© the fine weather set in. and in this respect the market has never been better supplied for a long time past than it is at the pre-t-o-il r_.rin.l_ ...

The Auckland Waterside Workers' Union has received from the Government an offer to subsidise the union's ambulance fund up to a total of £360.

On account of the inclement weather on Saturday, the committee of tho New Brighton Gala met in the morning, and decided to postpone the function until nest Saturday.

The Tahiti, which was one of tho transports of tho Main New Zealand Expeditionary Force, returned to New Zealand from Egypt yesterday, arriving at Port Chalmers during the morning

The Committee of tho Canterbury Sweet Pea and Carnation Society have decided to give 'JO per cent, of the tickets sold to the Belgian Fund. The show is to be held in the Olympia Rink on Friday and Saturday, January 15th and loth." Entries are coming in freely, and the Show promises to be a success.

A Campbell-Stokes sunshine recorder has been established at the Nelson lighthouse (oil the Boulder Bank), by the Rev. 1>- C. Bates, Government Meteorologist. By means of this up-to-date instrument the sunshine for wliTch Nelson is noted will be accurately recorded.

The Auckland "Herald" states that as a set-off to the increased cost of the many articles in daily use. it may lie some satisfaction to tenants to learn that houso rents in the city are showing a tendency to become easier. Authentic ci-tses are on record of reductions from 27s 6d to 22s 6d per week, and from 23s (3d to 21s, and from lbs to Ms.

Th© Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes,' Minister in charge of Tourist ' and Health Resorts has had a return prepared, showing the amount received " from passenger bookings at the various Government Tourist Bureaux throughout tho Dominion, for tho period 18th to 31st December last. The amount was £'57(34 16s Cd, as against £5813 Is Id for the corresponding period of 1913. In view of the present exceptional circumstances, Mr Rhodes thinks the former figures, which show a decrease of only £30 8s Id, must bo considered as very satisfactory.

At Rangiora on Saturday, Sergeant Bird, who is doing relieving duty, arrested Frederick Maurice Marlow on a charge that, while court bailiff at Stratford, he did convert to his own use the sum of £51 !Js -id, received by him in August, 1913. from Robert H. Cameron, on distress warrant issued from tho Magistrate's Court, Marton, in the case of Briel, Brooking and Co. v. Cameron and Brooking, in terms requiring him to pay the money to tho clerk of tbe court. Marlow had been residing in Rangiora for the past four or five months, passing under the nam© of G. M. Green, and was employed by Messrs J. Johnston and Son as an implement salesman. Ho was brought before Mr E. R. Good. J.P., and remanded to appear at Stratford on the 13th inst.

A remarkable spirit of comradeship was displayed by th© two victims of th© blasting accident at Patutahi quarry (says th© Gisborno "Herald"). Although so painfully burnt, they apparently did not lose consciousness. It is stated that when the other workers picked them up, anotner ran and brought some water, which was offered to the younger of the -wo men. The latter, however, promptly directed it to be first offered to the "boss," who, likewise, out of consideration to his fellow-sufferer, directed that it should be given to his mate, as he was in th© worse condition of the two. It is related by one of the workmen that on being picked up the foreman, with remarkable possession of his senses, directed one of the men to go over and take from his coat the time-book, and forward it to the County Engineer. Both men succumbed to their injuries.

Much dissatisfaction i s being expressed by tho residents of Rotorua, according to the local "Chronicle," at their inability to obtain trout, either fresh or smoked, from the Tourist Department fish depot. In reply to enquiries as tc why such a state of affairs exists, the paper says it has been informed that for some time past from 6cwt to Bcwt of fresh trout have been forwarded weekly to the military camp at Auckland, thus creating, a scarcity in Rotorua. The writer adds:—"While we agree that the boys who have enlisted to do service at the front should be wel' catered for, wo consider that other food than fish might be supplied to them. They are not likely to get either fresh or smoked trout when the}" go into active service, and it would be just as well to wean thorn gradually from a fish diet, and at th'© same time enable visitors and residents to now and again enjoy trout for breakfast."

In his judgment "in the felv hatters' case, given in the Arbitration Court in Melbourne recently, Mr Justice Powers showed that he was not disposed to take the view urged upon him by the employers that trade depression caused by the war and drought was of _uch severity as to' call for a reduction of tho living wage.. In refusing an application for variation .of the award, his Honour pointed out that employers had had the benefit of the increased tariff on hats sine© the award, was made; that imports froT>: Go-many and Austria were prohibited, and that people would continue to wear, hats in spite of the war. He also emphasised that "this first application to the Court for a reduction of wi*-res had come from employers who had been benefited by the tariff: and he expressed his opinion that the application was made'to enable employers to continue to employ men at l«ss than a t'vin-r. wage, for an indefinite period.. His Honour plainly indicated that he considered bat manufacturers, in masinr. this nnnlication. hadsb'iwn a disposition to shirk- their ohare cf th© burden «' tb© pre. ent er'-'<s. "It is to be honed," he re'-unr-.**-!. "that ©irployers will not require all -""">*•© patriotism to be shown by +he men: but th.i+ they will ben**- some share of it. even if their dividends in .hr> coming yp.tr do not coin] tbcee which +br> prod work of their employees, coupled with own wed. a nd enternrip». have made possible in good year.."

Reports made to the tramway authorities in Sydney by the inspection staffs indicate that cases of evasion of payment of fares are not nearly so common as one might suppose. The traffic superintendent stated recently that comparatively few cases of "scaling." as it was termed, occurred in Sydney, excepting on the part of th© -newsboys and office bays who boarded cars and rod© in them for a stop or two. While he admitted that a certain number of adults succeeded in dodging the conductors, the losses represented hy unpaid fares did not, he felt sure, amount to a great deal in tho course of the year. Th© average number of peoplo detected and prosecuted was two or three a day. and. considering that an average of 8.50.000 fare, was issued every day. that percentage was infinitesimal. The department's system of inspection was a "very thorough one. It did not begin and end with the ordinary uniformed ticket examiner. There was in addition to him a staff of special examiners, who every now and then made raids, and, besides these, a number of inspectors in plain clothes were constantly travelling to and fro. so that fare-dodging was a very risky business for those who indulged in it." It was useless for passengers who were caught alighting from cars without having paid pleading that the conductor had not- come to them for their fares unless they could show that they had made.a real effort to find the conductor. The onus was on the passenger. People sometimes roue beyond the section for which they had paid, and instructions had been issued to conductors to keep a sharp look-out as each fare section was covered. :

Owing to the wet weather on Saturday all outdoor sports fixtures in Christchurch were postponed.

It is notified in last week's Gazett© that the kea (or mountain parrot), hawks of all species, and various species of shags aro not to he deemed protected.

Owing to the many large demands made for forage during the past few months, it is becoming inere-**.*-in*_lv scarce in New Zealand. The Defence Department has several times recently called tenders for forage for the various military services, and further tenders are beinc advertised this week in connexion with Trentham camp.

A new regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act is gazetted as uuder:— "No articles of value such as coupons, tickets, scrip, or similar articles are allowed to bo enclosed in a packet of printed or commercial papers. Should any such article Ive detected enclosed in a printed or commercial paper the packet will be charged double deficiency at, letter rate of postage.'"

Tho Minister for Education (Hon. J Allen) has appointed Mr and Mrs Rogers, of the Native schools branch of tlie Deyartment, as .the first teachers in the Cook Islands under th© new scheme, and they leave for Rarotonga at tho end of the month. More teachers will be rent when the necessary arrangements with the natives for the transfei of lauds and buildings have been carried out.

A -'patriotic strike" occurred on the steamship Waiwera ou Tuesday (says the Whangarei' correspondent of tho Auckland """Herald'"). The ve-fcl was loading from the Wliangaroi Freezing Works, and when operations commenced the crew di*-covercd among tho other workers a number of Austrian. 1 ;. Tbe Waterside Workers' Union men then struck work, and did not- resume until the Austrian*, were sent off the ship.

A glut of fruit as far as some varieconcerned, is being experienced in North Auckland.' In one instance an orchardist got rid of a heavy crop of plums at fhrv rate of 6d per caso. the buyers bringing their own cases. Other growers, who shipped plums to Auckland, got even a lower return. The same price of sixpence per case was realised for the fruit, but out of it they had to pay foiirpercc ench for the cases, also th© steamer freight.

It is announced that the New Zealand Association of the Public Schools of Great Britain has presented a cnallengo cup which is to bo banded to the New Zealand school which beads the list in the Schools of Empire Shooting Competition. Tiie cun has to be won three years in succession, or five years at intervals, before becoming the property of any school. Tho trophy is given for competition among the secondary schools.

The following new regulation under the Land Transfer Act. 1908. appears in th© latest "Gazette" :—"ln cases in which freehold, leasehold, and mortgage estates or interests, or any two of such estates or interests, or of such classes of estates or interests, nrc dealt with by one instrument, such instrument shall be subject to only ono registration fee, which shall bo the highest payable in respect, of any one of. the estates or interests dealt with by sbch instrument."

Reports from Milford indicate that a largo number of tourists have passed over the track this season, among the sightseers being visitors from England and Scotland, Several who returned to Invercargili on their wav north expressed themselves as highly pleased with the scenery and their experience generally. Queenstown is retaining its popularity as a tourist resort this season, and as a consequence the proprietors of tho hotels and private board-ing-houses have had to make special arrangements to meet the pressure on the accommodation.

Strict precautions against drunkenness and the introduction of liquor into camp are being taken by the authorities at Trentham. The men have been notified that unless their conduct is satisfactory in this respect the hotels in tho vicinity of the camp will be proclaimed out of bounds and extra pickets posted. Officers, non-K*ommissioned officers, and men are forbidden to take liquor into camp or to be in possession of liquor in camp, medical comforts in charge of a medical officer alone being excepted. Anj breach of these regulations, it has ben ordered, will be severely dealt with.

The cost of living in Napier is steadily increasing, and it is anticipated that the price of bread will shortly be advanced _d or one penny. Enquiries made by a reporter on Thursday showed that the following approximate increases had taken place since the war:- —Flour, £10 15s, landed Napier, to £16 10s. Butter, ls 3d to Is 4d; oats, 2s 6d to 4s per bushel i chaff, £4 10s to £8 per ton; sugar, 9s Od to 12s 6d per 561b; oatmeal, 4s to 4s 6d per 251b bag; rice has increased about 2s Cd ■ per cwt, potatoes about £3 per ton, and milk is sold at Is 4d per gallon instead of Is; the winter price being retained. Vegetables are very scarce and dear, owing to the dry season, and are likely to increase in price.

The Department of Labour is at present collecting statistics regarding the membership of industrial unions throughout New Zealand. The secretary' of the Department has forwarded to uiiion secretaries forms to ha filled in, and what amounts to an industrial unions census is now in progress. No person who is one .year in arrears of dues may he included in the roll. The figures asked for are those on the union's books on December 31s£, and the last day for sending in the returns is January 31st.. The census of workers' unions for_ 1913 showed a total membership of 71,544. which represents a 10,000 increase on 1912. but it is not expected that the 1014 fif-urea will be as high as those for 1913. because in 1913 new unions wore formed at about strike time, and some unionists wero counted twice—in the new and the old bodies.

In th© course of his address of welcome to the Federal Prime Minister at Wellington on Friday evening, the Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke) expressed regret that Mrs Fisher had been unable to accompany her husband on his visit. During his reply Mr Fisher referred jocularly to the Mayor's remark. "I could not bring Mrs Fisher, or drive her," said Mr Fisher, amid laughter. "Slio will come when it suits her, not when it suits mc. There are six young Fishers—-(applause)—who must have attention at home." Mr Fisher also made facetious reference to a remark by the Prime Minister (Right Hon. W. F. Massev) that the party had in Auckland s-.cn the old year out and the new year iv. "Don't believe what has been suggested by the Prime Minister." he remarked. "We behaved m a most exemplary fashion, as men should do who are "in a strange country without their wives." (Laughter.)

"When I was in Parliament,- said Mr J. H. Braduey at Auckland, on Thursday night. -I protested against what I * considered absurd restrictions on fishing. I said fish were so easily caught in Auckland that any man could go down to the wharf and catch his breakfast with a bent nail. I have been ridiculed over that, but yesterday I put it to the test. I armed myself with bent soft nails and fished near mv office In three minutes I caught a Velio-**, tail. To-day T was invited out on'a fishin**- excursion, only bent nails to he used. We caught a considerable number, only one eentleman failing. Mr BradneV believes that trawling should be allowed in the gull, and that netting of creeks should *>c permitted, suitable meshes to be used to permit small fish to escape- The present regulations, he remarked, were approved by a former Government, at the request of the Fishermen's. Lnion.

A fine lot of trout were landed at tbe Rakaia mouth during the, recent holidays, and very few rods tailed to catch "fish. One of th© best -»**»«* was made by Mr Denby. who landed 4b fish, the heaviest weighing 14lb.

The Prime Minister oi the Commonwealth (the Right rion. _" V " dreH , Fisher) and Mr James Boyd, M-l •• « r Melbourne, paid a visit to the Wellington Zoo on Saturday, as guests ot the Cit-v Council. The party included tho Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke', and the Minister of Internal Affairs (IlDn. F. XD. Belli. Mr Fisher declared himself willing to assist in every possible way the development of the Zoo by inducing the authorities in Australia to permit the addition to the Wellington collection of some of the more strictly prohibited birds of Australia, such as the lyre bird, the brush turkey, and the cassowary.

After reading their circular this morning, the word "price" will certainly not deter anyone in need of wearing apparel or house furnishings from visiting Graham. Wilson and Smellie's great summer sale. G0.13-303

The road 1o economy leads to the drapery store of T. Armstrong and Co.. Ltd.. always, but. to-morrow, the inducements offered by the firm will bo catalogued as '•unprecedented and "remarkable." At 10 o'clock, the "u!k lie will be admitted to the bargain feast provided b y the acquirement of Mackv, Logan's salvage ..tock. Catalogues will appear with our is.nc to-morrow morning. 537

Your portrait will be natural, artistic, and inexpensive if taken by Stefl'ano Webb. Petersen'-; Buildin_s. Hindi street. Telephone 1959. W9722-3212

There is every evidence that the list of attractions offered by Graham. Wilson and Smellio in their sale circular this morning will hurry largo crowds to the firm's doors at 10 a.m. G9413-303

Smart and strong Suit Cases. We offer a special line of stylish travelling cases—strong, light, well and conveniently fastened—a splendid line. Prices los." 17s Od, 20s. 22s t>d. Hastie, Bull and Pickering, Cashel street. H963d-219

When eyes start to go wrons thoy often give no very marked indication at first that all is not well. That is why you should have your eyes tested periodically at John R. Procter's, consulting optician. 200 High street. Christchurch, _o that should any trouble be detected it may be dealt with promptly. P9697-3010. "Tories," the new wide-angle curved spectacle lenses, have many advantages over the old "flat" kind. Mr Walter J. Watson. Colombo street (near Kincaid's), will be pleased to personally explain them. 3

Jam-making season.-—We have full stocks of all requisites for jam-making. Preserving pans in brass, copper, aluminium, and enamel; fruit and jam jars, parchment covers, etc. Lewis and Anderson. 112 Cashel street. 9341-310 C

In tho conduction of the sale of tho stock of drapery, elothin--. and boots saved from the fire in Maeky. Logan, Caldwell's warehouse in Napier. Messrs Armstrong and Co. are not hampered with "cost" considerations. In this respect the sale must command precedence. At the price tendered, the public are enabled to buy at three-fourths of wholesale price. Verify this by viewing the fine displays. The sale commences at 10 o'clock "to-morrow morning. 537 WHERE THE BABY TRIUMPH SCORES. The 2J h.p. two-stroke, two-speed Triumph, better known as tho "Baby, Triumph." fills a long-felt want. It is the ideal solo machine, strictly practical in every wajy,- and as nearly footproof as motor-cycle mechanism can be made. Tostartoffwith.it is wonderfully efficient. Weighing under 125Jb, ready for the road, its engine has no excessive weight to propel. A.speed of up to forty miles an hour can be attained, while, at the same time, all the economical advantages of a"" very low h.p. are conserved. For business purpose s there ha. never been a machine to equal the Baby Triumph, which'eombines maximum efficiency with minimum running cost, and a minimum of working parts. Several well-known business firms in Canterbury u'so tho Baby Triumph. It is tne neatest and handsomest machine ever imported to New Zealand. Call and see it. We can give .immediate delivery. Adams, Ltd.. A cents for Triumph MotorCycles. High street. Christchurch. ((J.. B. .Brown, Triumph Representative; D. H. Edgar. Ashburton Triumph Representative.) C