GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15449, 30 November 1915, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The Telegraph Office advised yesterday morning that the Waimakariri North, Opihi, and Waitaki rivers woro clear, the Rakaia. fishablc, the Waimakariri South discoloured, and the Rangitata <'irty. Tlie Y.M.C.A. Fund for work in Egypt and Gallipoli ho« benefited by £23 Cs. being proceeds of several afternoons organised by Mrs Gower-Burns, nnd given bv the following hostesses:— Mrs J. I). Hall, Mn Palmer, and Mrs B. Lane. Tho divorce case, F. O'Donnell (Mr Johnston) v. K. O'Donnell (undefended), will be heard to-morrow, at 10,' M a.m. On Friday, at 10.30 a.m.. the following divom*. cases will bo taken: — F. Scott (Mr Wright) v. W. P. Scott (Mr Hunter); and F. E. Walsh (Mr Kitehinghani) v. F. H. Walsh. Last evening the "Woolston State School Committee called a meeting of householders and parents of the scholars to consider proposals for the discontinuance of pici.ics during v war time, and to devote the balance of the picnic fund to tho school shelter shed fund. The meeting, however, voted solid'y for the continuance of picnics, only three out of an attendance of about* 130 dissenting;.

An amusing example, of that class o r remark that "Punch" would de-s'-ribo as "Things that Might Have Been Expressed Differently," occurred last night , at a farewell social at St. Albans. The gentleman who was acting as chairman, in opening tho proceedings, remarked that he had never seen so many happy people sit any previous parish gathering! Naturally the departing Vicar made jocular reference to a remark that savoured i>f "speeding th,: parting guest" with great cn-

Thc following 2d slot telephones have been converted to operate with one penny: Addington Post Office, Bnrbadoes ■strcet-Bcniey Avenue, Bealev avenue-Victoria street, Edeoware road. Ferry rond-Akhvin's road, Ferrv roadWilson's road. Fisher street, Linwood avenue-Worcester street, Linwood Post Office, Richmond Sehvvn street, St. Albans Post Office. Strickland street, Sydenham Post Office, Wilson's roadOpawa road. New Id slot telephones were substituted for 2d telephones a-s under: Cashel strcet-Buccleugh street, Fondalton, Lower Riccarton.

Christchurch rose-growers have recenly been complaining of frost bite on many of their most cherished blooms. The real explanation, however, of the sad condition of some of their choicest buds is ?iot due to frost, but as Mr F. C. Raphael, a well-known rose-grower, demonstrated to a "Press - ' representative, the cause is what is known as tho brown beet'e, which is the progenitor of the grass grub; owing to the dry weather and consequent lack of moisture in the grass, this nest has turned its attention to_the roses, and a very good imitation of frost-bite is tho result. Mr Raphael has discovered that an arsenate of lead spray is the best antidote against the further ravages of this insect.

The building contract for the erection of the new farmers' freezing works at Kaiapoi was signed in Mr Labatt's office yesterday. Mr W. Williamson, of Christchurch, is tho successful tenderer, and ho will immediately start operations, the contract providing for the erection of tho buildings in six months' time. The works and by-products', departments will bo on the most modem lines, and it is hoped to catch tho tail end of tho present meat season, and bo in full swiiifr for the 191C-17 season. Tho machinery contracts have been let as follows;— Electric power plant, National Electric Company; refrigerating machinery, J. Chambers and Sons (Haslam machines); tallow equipment, J. Anderson and Sons; manure plant, W. Cablo and Sons.

The farewell social to the Rev P. B. Haggitt at St. Matthew's, St. Albans, last night, was conductod, in the earlier part of the evening, under somewhat unusual conditions/ iSoon after tho proceedings opened the gas began to misbehave itself, due, apparently, to the want of water in tho pipes. First one and then another light went out. and ultimately tho hall was in darkness. The absence of light, however, did not depress the audience, and Mr Haggitt, who returned thanks in the darkness, when referring to the great assistance that Mrs Haggitt had boon to him, remarked that he was glad that the lights were out at that particular juncture. Eventually things ■were righted, and the programme was proceeded with.

The anniial report of tho Philo.<;o-phit-al Institute of Canterbury states that the membership now stands at 179. The usual temperature observations at Arthur's Pass tunnel were continued during the year, and specimens of rocks were received for examination, thus "keeping tho series com. plete.. The Council, at several of its meetings during the year had under consideration the question of the publication of an account of thd Natural History of Canterbury, but after due consideration, while approving of the scheme, the Council decided that, in view of the present war conditions, further consideration of the matter should be postponed until 1916. The Council desired to express its appreciation to Mr T. D. Burnett, who had offered to give the sum of £10 towards a certain portion of the investigation. The following members of tho Institute were now on active service in various parts of the Empire: Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes. Drs. A eland and Whctter. Messrs 1,. R. Jennings 11. Lang. F. S. Wilding, A. Tavlor. and A. Dorricn Smith.

Since the march of the Eighth Reinforcements through Christchurch we all feel a keen fraternal interest in that special contingent. The fine series of pictures then published had to cease at the railway station, but the restriction on the publication of the actual departure has now lapsed, and in the "Weekly Press," published this morning, are the scenes at the wharf depicting the departure of the first contingent which has left Lyttelton direct for active service. The occasion has been marked by the production of a magnificent set of three pictures whicli suitably mark the historic event. Other New Zealand subjects are the Queen Carnival in Auckland, which has raked the Sick and Wounded Soldiers' Fund to over £270,000. and a successful patriotic fete at Gisbome. Among th.i local subjects illustrated are the annual cricket match between Christ's College and the Boys' High School, of which (snapshots of all tho members of the team arc given. a R well as of the plav. and the presentation of the King's Standard to the Avonside Bov Scouts, who are to-day tho most efficient troop of Boy Scouts in the British Empire. These are but a few of the subjects illustrated, which also include new and interesting w:i r pictures, as well as :i fine budget of kindred subjects. The issue is quite up to the form of tho«e recently put our, and will assuredlv soil as-rapidly they did.

Mr C. H. Onie suggested at the meeting of tho Board or Governors of Canterbury College yesterday that the disused books and magazines from the Public Library should be sent forward to the soldiers at Trentham and elsewhere. The suggcs.ion was adoptod by tho Board, and it was decided to forward the books and magazines to Trentham Camp, tho convalescent camps, the hospital ship, and tho soldiers at tho front.

An election of a member of tho Riccarton Borough Council, to fill the vacancy caused by tho resignation of Cr. G.*W. J. Parsons, will take placo to-dav. The candidates are Mr James Sheate and Mr T. J. Stokes. The polling hours will bo from V a.m. to 7 p.m.. and the polling places will be: Council Chambers. Clarence street; Marquee, corner Edinburgh street «nd Riccarton road ; Marquee, corner Dudley and Clarence streets. The Minister of Defence states that tho whole matter of allowances, monetary and otherwise, for __ returned woundeds is now being considered, and wounded men on furlough can obtain a change of clothing on application to tho Defence authorities. The whole matter is being put upon a _ sound basis, and the arrangements will be completed this weok. No decision has yet l>oen arrived at as to whether an allowance for rations should be made to men on furlough, but this will bo decided during tho week.Steady nerves, a bright outlook and splendid" health will bo yours by taking Loasby's Nerve. Tonic and Blood Enricher. 2s Cd and -Is Gd. Chemists and Grocers. 4 Armstrong's drapery and clothing stores open at ten o'clock this morning—Summer Side. 1 Grillstovos. —To show what can be done with these, cooking demonstrations will be given in our window every dav from o to 4. Running cost Id per day off Lake Coleridge supply. Turnbull and Jones, Ltd. 1 At all times Carey's well-appointed men's departments are thoroughly stocked with the newest items of men's wear, and customers will find that the values Carey's give, aro of tho same high standard that have characterised this firm in the past. 1 Armstrong'* are distributing fIo.OOO catalogues this morning detailing sale bargains. 2 Give your soldier friend a portrait of yourself. For naturalness and beauty, 'let Steffauo Webb take, it. "\V-9722-G4bß Our Toy Department is a permanent part of our business, and we carry a splendid stock of mechanical toys of all descriptions—steam and clockwork engines, lioats. motor-cars, train and tram sots, meccano sets, plasticene, etc.—which represent the very newest production in the toy line. John RProctor. Oculists' Optician, 200 High street, Christchurch. o "We enclose as a supplement this morning a copy of Armstrong's Summer Sale circular. It details bargains frum end to end. 3 Export knowledge is tho only kind that counts. Over sixty years' experience in Customs, Shipping, and Forwarding Work, including Furniture Removals. Call or telenhotio, J. M. Hoywood and Co., Manchester street. Established 1851: 2 Samples of ladies' handbags, newest shapes, for this season, now on view. Choose yours first, prices from 4s 6d, 7s Gd, IQs Gd. to ."Jos; smartest bags in town. Drayton's Emporium, "60 Colombo street. 1013 Armstrong's Summer Sale to-day. 4 THE BEST BICYCLE OFFERS. There ar 0 a number of bicycles on the market in New Zealand, at varying prices. Messrs Adams. Ltd., the firm with branches right through the Dominion, claim that they have the best and most attractive offer to make to tho 'New Zealand purchaser, no matter what llie requirements of tho purchaser may be in the matter of a bicycle. For those who place quality first, we offer the "Royal Superbe Swift," tho top grade of the best bicycle built in Britain. British and Continental Royalty have patronised the "Swift." and wo sell the best grade of "Swift" at tho remarkably low price of £12 10s. Wo also sel) tho "Superbe Swift" on terms, from £1 down and £1 per month. For those who want good quality at a very moderate price, wo offer the "Star" at £7 10s, a machine with 26 years of sterling reputation in this Dominion. There is also a "Superbe Star." especially luxuriously equipped, which we offer at £10 10s. For bicycles below £7 10s in price we refer tho purchaser to our clearing sale of second-hand machines. These machines have all been overhauled in our factory, and put in thoroughly good order, and prices for a good, reliable machine range from £2 10s upwards. Call and seo our bice stock. Adams, Ltd., agents for "Swift" Cvcles. Headquarters Showrooms, High street, Christchurch. . (C. S. Orr Bicycle Department Representative). 6