GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15316, 28 June 1915, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

Much has been said in the war cables aud in letters from the front about tha success that has attended the bayontit work b3- the British, the Australians, and the New Zealanders, but never yet has anything appeared illustrative of tho movements of the system under which our valiant representatives have attained such a fine reputation, the "Weekly Press" secured the exclusive right to roproduce a series of views of the system that is being taught to the New Zealand recruits at present, and the pictures are very apropos just now, besides being intereeting to everyone associated with the recruiting movement —and thee are very few in New Zealand who &re not. The issue contains another two hundred portraits of our men casualtied at the Dardanelles, and on other pages of the same issue aro pictures from the front, and a.striking engraving of a route march of the London Regiment of the Church Nursing and Ambulance Brigade.

As a result of certain persons not having put a penny stamp on receipts for over £2 (says the Napier ''Herald"), tho police are taking action. Certain members of tho __.duc_.tion Board and a minister of religion are amongst those who are to answer a charge of defrauding the Government to tne extent of one penny.

Tlie Defence Minister states that he expects that the Hospital Ship will be in Wellington at tho end of this week, and that she will sail at the end of next week for the Mediterraccan.

It is proposed that the flag which was pat up at auction at Mastcrton on Wednesday night, and realised £21,650 (additional bids brought tho total to that amount), be sent to the various boxing associations in New Zealand, to be put up to auction, the proceeds to go to trie Wounded Soldiers' aud Sailors' Fund.

"Throughout Ncrw Zealand, according to reports received by the Labour Departmont. tbo labour market is in a position a s * satisfactory as at a corresponding period last year. In some instances the conditions have been better, but at present Chri_-.eh.ureh is an exception. L'ne-npioj-nont is not serious, oxeorrt among unskilled labourers in one or" two districts, and where tho men aro prepared to take Government work away from their own locality their cases aro being dealt with satisfactorily.

Speaking in tho King's Theatro yestcrdaj- on some asnec_ of sport, Mr T. W. Rosso was strongly ayaiust tno idea of stopping all field frames during tlie war. He considered that nif ovorything else had to go, our i.e__l games should ho left to us. He suggested, however. that horse-racing might come under tho ban with benwit to "tho community, and, that if tho money that was gambled away during three or four days' racing could only be collected for tho Patriotic Fund, thero would bo little difficulty in dealing with tho care of tho returned wounded or maimed soldiers.

Four whales wero seen in Queen Charlotte Sound early on Wednesday morning, two of them having come closo to the harbour, disporting themselves near Mabel Island, about a mile from tho wharves at Picton. Information was instantly sent to the whalers at oho Tory Channel heads, and two Ivoats wero soon up in search. Ono of tho monsters was secured after a good fight, causing somo damage to tlio boats, one of which had its side ripped open by tlio whale's tail, whilst the other lost its rudder. The whaling has been very satisfactory this season (says tho ''Marlborough Express"). So far seven havo been killed and four brought safely heme, the other three having been lost by sinking.

An important matter was drawn attention to at tho National D-airy Conference- by Mr A. Morton, who presided. Mr Morton said that rormet, which is largely used in cheese-making, had risen oon-.der.ably in price sineo war had broken out, and, moreover, as it was a product of somo of tho belligerent countries, several _ sources ot supply had been cut off. Therefore, it was hoped that efforts would be made to make rennet in Now Zealand. Somo people considered that could bo done, and attempts mado somo years ago might have succeeded had the fanners supported it properly. If another venture of tho kind was undertaken, the farmers should, in view of tho groat importance of the matter, see that it lacked none of their support.

A sensational account of an attack upon the Pacific Cablo Board's station at Bamfield Vre&k, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, has been circulated through th© American Press. Eventually tho story reached the London papers, and enquiries were then instituted by tho officials of the service in London. Tho American newspapers described a determined effort to cut the cable between British. Columbia and Australia by an armed raiding party of Germans, whoso plans were defeated by an alert sentry discharging his rifle. According to the superintendent for the Board at Auckland, the "story originated in an incident which occurred two months ago. 'I*hin__ing ho had heard an unusual sound, a sentry fired his riflo and called tho military guard. A careful search was made, but no cause for tho sentry's alarm was found, and tlio superintendent did not make a report to London until his attention was directed to tho newspaper paragraphs.

During the hearing of a case baforo tho Railway Appeal Beard at' W_-~-I£-ton on Friday (teletgrapbs our correspondent) Mr JR. W. McVilly, was appeared for the Railway Department, raised au objection to the procedure. "I contend that the Board is treating mc unfairly," said Mr MoVilly. Appellant's counsel (Mr McPhorson) is granted too much latitudo, and was allowed to address the Board in tho last appeal after the case for the Department had been closed." Mr Haselden (chairman): "There is too much of 'I want' and 'I think' about you in these cases, and it will have to stop as tho 'iron hand' is not going to rule here. It is immaterial to mo what your official position in the Railway Department is- I won't hav e you dictating to tho Board." Mr McVilly: 1 am not dictating to the Board, but 1 havo to look after the interests of the Department and see that it gets fair play. I do not expect any favours, but counsel for the appellant should not be allowed the latitudo ho has. Mr Haselden: "The Board is here to treat all cases fairly and equitably on its merits, and this it will do irrespective of any 'iron hand' methods."

.There has been an indiscrjirunate distribution of white feathers in the Blenheim district lately, tho' majority of tho missives being forwarded anonymously through tlio post (says wie "Express"). The practice was denounced in strong terms at the meetins_ of the Borough Council on Ihursdav night. Cr. B. J. Cooko, who brought the matter up, characterised tho proceeding as a cowardly and idiotic one, prompted in some cases by downright foolishness, and in otherp by feelings of personal jealousy and spite. The practice was becoming quite a scandal, and he thought it ought to bo publicly deprecated. The Mayor saad bo was very glad that the matter had been mentioned. Those who had been sending the feathers wero guilty of a moat obnoxious and senseless act, and they richly deserved punishment. They tad addressed their cowardly communications to eomo men Avhose shoes they wero not fit to lace, and unfortunately they had caused in some quartern keen distress.. Ho had in mind particularly ono gentleman—-a public-spirited citizen, w*hose patriotic work this community could never repay —who had volunteered several times to go to tho front, and upon whom he (tho Mayor) had repeatedly urged that his duty to his country was in his present sphere of activity. He only wished that tho miserable "offenders could be identified. He would have much pleasure in cryintr sh__me on them from the rotunda.

Tho dying hours of the session of the Commercial Travellers' Mock Court, which 6at in one of the committee rooms of Parliament Buildings to-day wore decidedly lucrative (says Saturday's Wellington "Post"). The presiding judges were Messrs E. J. bitzgibbon, E. P. Lee, SEP., and C. E. totafcham, M.P. Dr. Newman was the first "prisoner" apprehended, and various counts wero levelled against him. One of thorn, was .that he once know something about a racehorse. He denied the soft impeachment, but admitted that he knew something about a draught horse. Thereupon ho ".'as iudicted with having attempted to ship draught horses to Germany for food purposes. For his various "misdemeanours" he was penalised to the extent of £5 os. Mr VV. Nosworthy, member for Asihburtcn, w__ compelled to admit that ho came from a dry area, but he denied that he had been masquerading the previous evening as "Mary." _„_ judge oommented on tho fact that Mr Nosworthy was tho successor of a member who used to go to sleep in mc House, with his boot*, on, and imposed fines which totted up to £5 os. Among other well-known politicians who goodnaturedly ' consented to appear be_oro tlio Court wa_ Mr F. >lander, who was suljsrtautially fined for using German hair-brushes, and the Court coffers received a very substantial benefit as the result of the Court's activities.

Plate-laying has commenced on the Culvordan-Waiau railway extension (says our Waiau correspondent). Work on the formation contracts is also progressing well. The rain has softonel the ground much to the benefit of the contractors.

A novel method of raising funds for Belgian refugee relief has been discovered by a SVairarapa settler. Ho has offered to allow any xie:_-..n to shoot over his property for two days for gamo on tho payment of £1 Is to tho Belgian Fund.

In ie_ard to tho amounts allocated to tho various counties and boroughs for tho purpose of makiu_ up Canterbury's quota of £SSG per month for tho relief of suffering in Belgium, the Waimairi County's contribution is set down at £31 Hi*. lOd. but tho county is, and has for the-past- three months. bt*en paying £50 per month.

A Croat demonstration by the bands of Auckland City and _ com/try centres was held yesterday in aid of tlie 'Vour.dcd Soldiers' Fund. About eighteen bands "marched to tho Domain, where speeches wore delivered and selections played. A collection taken up among tbo crowd by Roy Scouts will realise a very substantial amount.

Tho wet spell which set in last week continued without- abauvmcut on Saturday, so much so that all the sports fixtures pet down for the afternoon wero postponed. Yesterday was a!»o a dull and"wintry day. It rained fairly heavily in tho morning, and a thick drizzle wa.i experienced at other times during tho day and ni™iit. li\ the afternoon a dense fog covered tho city.

Being boycotted because it was rumoured ho was an enemy subject, was tho reason given to a mooting ot" his creditors by Fran!; Hanko, fishmonger (rays our "Wnngnniii correspondent). Tho bankrupt said that tlio busincs*? paid before, tho war hroko out, but sinco then it had declined. A rumour was circulated that he- was an cuomy r.ub"e_t, although ho denied it in tlie Press. Ho was a naturalised British subject, and had been so for tho past seven years. Bankrupt stated tliat his takings had declined from £70 to about £1-5. His assets, wore eet down at £352, while there was owing to unsecured creditors £210 10*, and to secured creditors £189, leaving a. deficit of £56 10s. Tho dk'xssal of the busine.t. was left in tho hands of tho Official Assignee

The report has received circulation that tho medical students at the I'ni- . craity of Otago who left for the war last year have been recalled in order that they may complete their course of _tudy, and that they are on their way back to Now Zealand. The report is not entirely accurate (says Saturday's "Otago Daily limes"), but it is a fact that criorts aro being made to secure the recall of these students, as the shortage of medical practitioners, which has led to the recall from active tnrvice of medical students from Great Britain, is likely to be even moro pronounced in New Zealand than it will be - in the L'uited Kingdom. The Minister of Defence, with whom the- authorities of tho Medical School havo been in communication on tho matter, has interested himself to tho extent of making representations that as many of of the New Zealand students as can possibly bo spaicd should be returned to tho Dominion. Beyond this, however, no further infoimation upon the point is at present possible. As soon as any definito decision has been arrived at, it will be mado public.

The Empire Trade and Industry Committee of the. Royal Colonial Institute has, during the past four years, done considerable servico towards the correlation of the trade of the various parts of tho Empire. In connexion with the war, several new services have been inaugurated, and it may be of interest to quote some of those which aro specially aimed at being of use to persons overseas. Tho committee -undertakes: —(1) To bring before tho notice of persons in tho United Kingdom likely to bo interested, any British product which is characteristic of or peculiar to any ono of tho British possessions. (~i To introduce tho raw materials of tho Empire to "manufacturers. (3) To find for buyers oversea, British manufacturers to make goods formerly obtained from Germany and Austria. (-W To bring tho names of persons abroad desiring agencies boforo British manufacturers. (5) Generally to take an active part in any movement which has for its object the improvement of commercial relations between the constituent parts of tho British, Empire. Tho committeo will bo glad to hoax from any persons who may be interested in any of the above matters and to place the many and. varied resources of the committee at their disposal. Grocers and storekeepers sell "Stop It," tho wonderful euro for coughs and colds. Keep a bottle in the house. 6041-4 Carey's ealo begins to-day with a list of bargains, which, considering tho times, is wonderful. There is no need for pooplo to pay increased prices for drapery and clothing, wheu Carey s offer such values. . « A. J. White, Ltd., aro showing a forge range of eiderdown quilts, single size 21s, double 255. W9546-2 Splendid lines of oainp .and travelling rugs may bo secured at Armstrong's sale. Camp rugs from 2s Hd to 13s lid, and very lino travelling rugs from <s lid to 40b 6d. A A new photograph every birthday— one worthy tho occasion, by Steifano Wobb. High-class work at moderate prices. 252 High etreot. Tel. 1989. 2 Recently the Defence Minister warned the Rifle Clubs that the supply of ammunition for practice purposes next season would ba small, and advised them to be careful in tho uso of it. Referring to tho statement, Mr C. A Whitney, of the Colonial Ammunition Company, Auckland, writes:—"Wil' you notify Rifle Clubs that wo have quantities of .303 ball ammunition here, available for immediate uso for Rifle Club practice. Clubs iiuist send cash »\itli order, otherwise the ammunition will not bo shipped." This will be good news for riuo club men, many of whom considered tho outlook for next season a gloomy one. 6 This week, Armstrong'e. Ltd., will show boys' clothing in all makes at special prices, to clear up sundry very cnea-p lines in connoxion with the iiustralian. stock sale. 2 The new "Toric," or carved, lenses greatly enlarge the Seld 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. 8 Ycung Engineers.—Now is the time to get your Meccano Sets for the Great Meccano Competition. See our windows. Turnbuil and Jones, Ltd. 6 Cold weather comforts. Perfection Kerosene Heaters, emokelew and odourless, 22s (id to 37 S (id. Hot-water Baps. 4 e 6d to 10s Gd. .root warmers 2s 6d to 7s 6d. Lewis and Anderson, 112 Cashcl street. tf Tho wonderfully low prices placed upon blankets at Armstrongs, Ltd., has given much satisfaction to buyers at the present time. 3 "Big Ben" is first and foremost a reliable timekeeper. It is also an attractive, well-finished clock, fit for any position. Further, it will call up the heaviest sleeper on tho darkest morning. Price 12s Gd. at Hastte, Bull, and Pickering's, Cashel street. <j MOTOR-CYCLE REPAIRS A SPECIALTY. Tho repairs branch of Messrs Adams, Lid.'s, motor-cycle department has become so popular aiid so important a part of the firm's business tii;;t it lias reecniiv been reorganised as to meet the convenience or the hsr&c number of clients who!-e wo: k i> r.ovr entrusted to us. Mi- T. Booth, loimerly <;' the sales staff of the bicyclo department, lias been appointed as garas? attendant, and will henceforth be in constant

attendance to interview clients and receive their instructions. Mr F. Howarth. whc.o experience of motorcycle engineering dates back to the introduction of the motor-cycle, is in charge of the mechanical branch, and .Mr G. B. Brown is head of the wholf motor-cyclo department, and exercises -supervision over every branch of that department. Tho firm now has in its employ the most highly skilled and experienced experts in tho Dominion, and repairs or "tuning-up" orders entrusted to it are turned out in a manner that enable*, us to guarantee f-atisfao-tior.. We carry full stocks of spare. parts for •'Triumph" and "8.5.A." motor-cycles, aud can undertake repairs of any "make of motor-cycle. Adam?, Ltd.,"agents for B S.A. and Triumph Motor-cycles. Headquaiters, High street, Chri .t-'hureh. (G. 13. Brown. Motor-cycle Representative). 6