GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15218, 4 March 1915, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The Misses Eader. of Kaiapoi. have fent in 6s to the Patriotic Fund, being proceeds of 6aie of badges.

The Telegraph Office advised yesterday morning that the state of the rivers was as follows : —Waimakariri North, dear; Waimakariri South, discoloured: Rungitnta, dirty: Opihi, clear; Waitaki. flooded : llakaia. fiehabie. .

At the Havrke's Bay Autumn Show, which opened yesterday, a novelty is shown in tobacco grown b\- the HawkeY Hay Tobacco Company. The leaf is of :i high quality, and the prolific crop indicates that the industry should be a success.

There is Hke!v to l>e a triangular content for tho Wellington Mayoralty. Mr J. P Luke, tho preseut Mayor, and Mr R. Fletcher. .M.P.. have already announced their candidature*, and tho Labour Representation Committee will nominate a candidate after taking a ballot.

The oyster season opened on Monday and last nisht the first shipment reached Christchurch. Considerable ratecutting, both in the wholesale ami retail departments, is going on at Bluff and Tnvereanrill. but this is not likely to affect Chrietehurcli. where prices will be as usual.

The inaugural mooting of tho Workers' Educational Association will take place to-night at 8 o'clock, in the Trades Hall. The Constitution of the Association will be submitted for approval, and Mr Meredith Atkinson will explain its working. The pnblic are invited to bo present.

The following have finally decided to contest the eighi scat*; for the Suraner Moroiigh Council: —Hon. John Barr, Messrs Andrew Fryer, M. Letirenson, A. D. Pntereon, C. " Ttnnkin. G. \Y. €. Sraithson, F. W. Tait, T. Whitfield. Strong oominitte.es are being formed to secure the election of the abovo Council. At the annual meeting of the Auckland Poultry Keepers' Association, it was resolved that another request lie made to the Government, for a supply of wheat for the use of poultry keepers, and that the Government be requested to ascertain the value of fowl wheat in other markets, with a view to its importation.

Pedestrians on the Marine Parade, Napier, about 1.30 p.m. on Saturday (says the "Telegraph") were somewhat startled to «co a wave sweep nn the beach over the Iwdies of n woman and a child lyincj on the shingle. Several persons ran to their aid. but no assistance Mas necessary. The woman stated that they had fallen asleep and had no idea the tide had risen so high. Both were drenched to the skin.

In the appeal case before the Supreme Court yesterday, counsel., referring to the amendment of the original information reducing the charge from one of obscene language to one of abusive and threatening language, remarked that he thought tho Magistrate must have been in a merciful mood on the occasion. "Well," remarked his Honour, "I'm not going to interfere with tho Magistrate's merciful mood."

A Press Association message from Grey-mouth states that the Hinemoa has* arrived after her periodical visit to the West Coast Sounds. On February 20th tho vessel did sounding work and put down a red buoy to mark a reef in Half Moou Bay. William Thompson, who ha s been a resident for 40 years at Biff Bay. was a passenger b.V the vessel, being brought to Greyniouth for medical treatment.

At the conclusion of tho parade of i?ie Signal Company. X.Z.E.. last evening, the Senior N.C.O. asked if the men were prepared to subscribe one shilling each to defray tho expenses of a marquee for the camp, to obviate the unpleasantness of having meals in t''e tents. Immediately a civilian who was sufficiently interested to attend the parade, came forward and Lauded in £2 for the purpose.

The oratorio "St. Paul ,, will be given by the combined Methodist choirs to-aiigbt, commencing at 7.-15 o'clock. The solos? will be taken by Meschunes A. Gower Burns and Ernest Firth, Messrs A. E. Petty and L. Barnes. Mr H T. "Whittiiiffhnm will act as organist, and Mr E. Firth, F.R.C.0., as conductor. Tho chorus numbers over two hundred performers. This will be the concluding public function in connexion with the Methodist Conference.

The much-discussed question a s to what constitutes a "public place ,, was before the Supremo Court yesterday in an. appeal against a'conviction for having used threatening and abusive language.* Learned counsel cited one case referring to a Harbour Board leaee leased to private individuals, which adjoined a racecourse, there being also golf links over the le-ase. "And that being the case," his Honour -interpolated, "necessarily .anything like strong language would be deprecated!"

The following "Tannhauser" (Wagner) programme will be plaj-ed by Br. Bradshaw. (City Organist), at the organ recital to bo given in His Majesty's Theatre on Sunday next, at 8.30 p.m.: —Grand march for chorus and orchestra, "The Tournament of Song" ; "JOlizabeth's Prayer" (Act III.): "Shepherd's Lay and Chorus of Pilgrims" (Act 1., Scene 3); overture Tor full orchestra, "Tannbauscr": Wolfram's "Song.to the Evening Star -, (Act III.); introduction to Act JTI., "Tannhauser 's Pilgrimage" (for full orchestra) ; (a) second chorus of Pilgrims, from Act 111., (l>) entry of Minstrels to the Hall of .Song (from Act II..), for orchestra.

In recent years in connexion with municipal general elections it has become customary for the results to be displayed on a largo board at the principal polling , booth—tho Provincial Council Chambers. At the approaching elections it has been decided, on the recommendation of the Bylaws and Finance Committee, to do away with this result board. The Council's decision is being discussed by citizens and there is evident some dissatisfaction. It is anticipated that the public interest in the elections of councillors and of mayor will be quite ns keen this year as it has been on previous occasions, and that the absence of tho result board will be greatly felt. It is understood that the economy that will bo effected will be'£2o or £25, and the opinion is fairly general that in view of tho public interest in the elections the economy is hardly sound.

The reports of the serious nature of the hurricane experienced at the island of Niuafou, situated iv the Friendly (iroup. 400 miles north of Nukualofa, were confirmed by new s brought to Auckland on Sunday night by the steamer' Atna. It would appear that the island has been devastated, buildings and vegetation alike being*. levelled to the ground. Thirteen out, °f the fourteen mission houses on the isjand were wrecked, while in the village of Anghaha only four buildings v.ere lei't standing. -Fou> other villages wore swept away. During the hurricane the natives were compelled .to take refuge in the craters of extinct volcanoes, and' in caves, while some of them even burrowed into the ground. Captain A. Wallis. master of the Atua. stated on Sunday that in all hie esrwrience in the Island trade, he had never before tseen so much damage done by a hurricane. According to Mr A. Millar, of Auckland, who returned from the islands on Sunday, the hurricane fiid noc affwt Tonga, except .ns far a? Vavau was concerned, whore only slight damage was done.

if you want a motor buy a Britishmade machine from Turnbull and •Tones, Ltd, who aroi*ole New Zealard azsente for tho_ British Company. Manchester, England. 6

If you are deaf, call at John. K. Proctors, optician. 200 street, Christchurch, who will demonstrate the Auristican and Ann's instruments to you. They are the perfection of all hearing devices, and the best instruments for relierinc deafness. Call today, or write for full particulars. A large assortment of trumpets and tubes in stocky 8

Messrs T. Armstrong and Co., Ltd., Christrhurch, have bought the entire stock in the estate of J. Dickson and Co.. Wanganui. b

The new 'Toric'" or curved lenses efeatlv enlarge the field of vision. They have "many other advantages, which Walter J. "Watson. D.8.0.A., London, expert optician, Colombo street (near Kincaid's), will be pleased to explain.

Sports Groups.—We send an operator anywhere to make a first-class sports gronp. R-ates reasonable. Steffano Webb photographer. Petersen's Build- ££ b Hkh street. Telepho^lMO^

Great mark-down sale to-day at Onvton's. fJig reanction on crockery and"ironmongery. Buy while pricee are down, at Drayton's Emporium. iGo Colombo street. b

For i":0 years Thomson's Lave been striving for "purity."' They have won : >6 "old medals, ;51 tirst-clase certificates. 7f you want a Ginger Wine, a Ra&pborry Vinegar, a Lirnejuice Cordial ab-soluU-iv pure, order Thomson's. All grocers. Ford at,d Mi rams, agents. 1

T>cmand Ballin Bros.' cordials and aerated waters. We cork the flavour; you "cop"' the flavour. Nothing finer bottled in the dominion. Our increasing sales are our best recommendation. Just ring telephone 93. 0

Get in touch with J. M. heywood and Co., Ltd., directly you decide to move They will handle your furniture carefully, pack it securely, breaK nothing, and" deliver it unscratched to your new residence. "

WANTED TO SElilr--SflOP-SOILKD MOTOK-VAN. AT £50 DEDUCTION. \ccording to a return of vehicles parsing the Bank of New Zealand during one day recently, prepared by tho City Motor Inspector, tiiero were i«o motor-vans aaid 1.24 horse drawn "tradesmen's carts." This shows that already 4JI per cent, of the delivery traffic conducted by commercial firms is done by motor vehicles. If motor delivery did not pay. it would be impossible to induce traders to adopt it in fcucli numbers. The experience of doaens of firms in this city is that motor delivery is a first-class paying proposition. This brings us to the fact that we have at present in our garage a 20 h.p. motor-delivery van. with a capacity of half ton. with well-finished enclosed body, and complete protection for both driver and goods against wind and weather. This yon lirs been used slirrhtly for demonstration purposes, atid is in good-as-new condition. Tho price new was £295. and we are y>tcnared to sell for £210. a 3JOO reduction. This is aii exceptional opportunity for a country storekeeper, haker with big delivery trade, or smv other trader to whom quick and economical delivery of goods i« an essential to profitable busine»». This offpr will not be Open long, as the bargain offered is a good one, and of a kind that very seldom can bo offered. Call and sco the van, and you will be convinced that the proposition is a good one. Adorns. Ltd.. Motor Importers; Garage, Tuam street. Christchurch, (j