GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15454, 6 December 1915, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The Mock Court at tho Cheviot Queen Carnival proved a greater source of revenue than v.a.s stated in the report in Saturday's issue. The court realised £*VJ, not JtlU. as mentioned. The Telegraph Office advised on Saturday that the Waimakariri North, Opihi and Waitaki rivers, were clear, the Rakaia fishable, . the "Waimakariri South discoloured, and the Rangitata dirty. A requisition has been presented to the Postal Department by the residents of C'outt's Island, Clarkville. and Eyreton, for a daily mail service from Januiry next. The difference between a tri-weekly and daily mail servico ha l ; been guaranteed, and it is anticipated that tho request will bo grnnted. Tho following pupils of Miss Digby's Commercial School have, been successful in obtaining Pitman's Shorthand Theory Certificates as the result of an examination held last Ailgust, the first threo being placed in order Of merit:— Miss Kathleen Hiss, Miss Ivy Edwards, Miss Mary Collins, .Misses Grace Bowman. Edith Child*, Rita Doherty. Vera Morgan. Ruby Milburn, Flora Mcl/Otin, Dorecn l'engelly, Violet Scott. Sybil Thompson, Nellie "Wilkinson, and Messrs William Dixon aud Harry Miller. At the meeting; of the North Canterbury district of the New Zealand Educational Irstitute on Saturday, a remit was "Drought forward and approved recommending that Education Hoards treat teachers who "ere fighting at the front exactly as though they were still in their educational harness. Tho idea was that teachers on active service should not be prejudiced in the profession because thev were away, but that if any promotion would have come to them if they had remained here, it should be given to them just the same. It was also thought that time spent on active service should l>e counted as time s]>ont in educational duties, for purposes of superannuation, seniority, ote.

Three small boys appeared before Mr 11. \\ . Bishop, S.M., at the Juvenile Court on Saturday, charged with havrng stolen strawberries valued at 7s (nl, strawberry plants Is Gd, and with having wilfully damaged strawberry plants to the extent of ':3s. Jr.'respect to one of the lads Mr C. T. Aschman, headmaster of the Normal School, said that he had shown no vicious tendencies, and had been led on by one of tho other boys. He and one of the other boys were-severely admonished by tho Magistrate, and were discharged. The other bey, who had been before the Court on four previous occasions, was ordered to be committed to the Wcraroa Boys' Trainii.fr Farm. The parents were each ordered to nay their proportion of the damage done.

Rarely, if ever, have the prospects for the fruit season been so full of promise as they are at the present time (st.ates the "Roxburgh Mail"). From Kttrick to the upper end of Coal Creek Flat tho orchards, without exception, present a veritable picture of prosperity. The favourably weather experienced during the critical stapes in the growth of the fruit is wel) reflected in its abundance and appearance generally. Peaches and nectarines are maturing well, and the output of these particular classes of fruit also promises to eclipse that of former years. Although the cherries have suffered to a certain degree as a result of the late frosts, the trees are well covered with bright red berries, and consignment.- are now being despatched to tho city markets. Strawberry-picking is now well under way. and early consignments have been realising phenomenal prices. The conditions have been favourable for strawberry growing. but. it is not expected that the average yield will be any be tar than previously recordinl. One of tho principal contributing factors to this state of affairs has been the havoc wrought by the grass-grub.

A \'ery acceptable consignment of o£> volumes has been given to the Hospital Shin Maramn by the Canterbury College Public Library. Tiie Mayor has received from Messrs Weblev, Son and Gofton. the gift of a very line cabinet gramophone for tho uso" of the wounded soldiers ill the Chri.stehurch Hospital. Accompanying tho gramophone are six records and 1000 needles. As a reminder of their stay at Lytteltou. Captain .1. P. Auh. the scientific party, and the officers of the survey yacht Carnegie, were each presented at the Seamen's Institute on Friday with a .souvenir New Testament, suitably inscribed, similar t<i those which were given the Terra Nova party. The members of the crew were each preented with n Testament ana a ditty bag, containing a writing block, shaving stick, chocolate, sailor t> guide, and needle, buttons, and thread. A parade of the Senior Cadets was held in Christchurch 011 Saturday afternoon, when lads paraded at the King Edward Barracks under charge of Captain Xorthcote and Lieutenant Hawkins. They marched to ifagley Park, where they were exercised in Aeld work. extended order drill, manual training and company drill, performing their work wito welcome zest. Headed by their Bugle Band, they subsequently marched through the City streets, their marching arousing admiration among the public. A meeting of the committee appointed for obtaining the services of a tiro brigade in the I'endaltou riding was held in Mr Alper.s's oliice 011 !• riday. The report of Superintendent Warner on the rile brigade most suitable for the district had only just been received from the Waimairi County Council, and the committee therefore had been unable to call a meeting at an earlier date. It was iina'lv decided that tne Waimairi County Council be asked to request its engineer to deline an nrea for a 'ire district, .and supply a valuation of the defined area. It -was also decided to obtain information as to the cost of the volunteer iiro brigade as used in other centres.

Speaking to a "Dunedin Star" reporter about war taxation, a gentleman with considerable agricultural interests said that tho National Government bad proved themselves distinctly weak in arranging the incidence ol taxation. War profits had l>een allowed to escape a fair share of taxation. Take wool, for instance: this year wool had averaged £20 per bale, and tho highest price realised previously was £15 per_l»ale. This showed a war profit of Co per bale, and a war tax of 2s Gd or os per bale would have been fair, and would havo realised a considerable amount ot' revenue. Many farmers had expressed the opinion that a war tax of 2s (id per bale should havo been levied. '"Had such a tax been levied," concluded the speaker, "there would havo been less occasion for the incessant rattling of collection Iwxes at the cars of city wage-earners."

Many people on Saturday were apparently dubious about accepting the invitation of somo of tho young lady collectors for tho Patriotic Fund to subscribo to the cause, as they did not know whether the collection was an official one or not. His Worship tho Mayor stated to a "Press" reporter that tho collectors were all duly authorised, and if asked to do so would produce the official permit to collect. Some of the collectors, however, were now at the game, and when, in one office, they were asked if the collection was an official one, they fled in an embarrassed manner instead of boldly producing their permit and insisting on a donation in the approved style. Possibly it would be as well if the collectors wore their permit, so that it was easily risible, and drew attention to the fact that they have it, and also the official sealed collecting box.

Prominent among the many war illustrations appearing in to-morrow's issue the ''Weekly Press'' are views from Persia, whero the Allies are successfully countering tho Turkish attacks and the German intrigues. The views show a convoy of Indian troops and Indian and British t poods making forced marches through flooded country. From time to time the cable news tolls of tho battering tho Allies' artillery gives the German defences. How somo of those, as well as tho Austrians. are made, is illustrated in our contemporary, which also has a number of scenes from enemy camps. Engravings of wounded New Zcalanders in England arc always welcome, and there aro some in tho coming issue. Pigeon breeders and fanokrs will Ik l very interested in tho picture of the Carrier Pigeons in Wartime. There is another page of portraits of New Zealand's fallen and wounded and right throughout the pajKT is most attractive.

The discovcrv of fossils of Triassic age in tho hills near Richmond by Dr. Ferdinand von Hochstettcr in 1860 has made the Nelson district a sourco of interest to geologists ever since. Mr E. E. Trechmann. F.G.S., an English geologist, who was among the visitors to New Zealand from the British Association last year, has returned to this country for detailed work on the Triassic beds, and is at present collecting in the Nelson area. lie is accompanied by Dr. Allan Thomson, F.G.S., director of 1 lie Dominion Museum, and Dr. 0. A. Cotton. F.G.S.. lecturer in geology in Victoria College. The "Nelson Colonist"' understands that Mr Trechmann has been successfully collecting in the Heslinuton Mills for" the last few days, aud that the party have been successful in locating permo-carlwniferons fossils in the limestone of ihe Wairoa Gorge. As a result some important papers on New Zealand geology may be anticipated, tending to clear up the classification or' tho older rocks of the country.

Mr E. Hubert Chamberlain, who will be remembered in connexion with our tramways and tho Westport-Stock-ton Coal Company, of which ho was electrical engineer, is settled in Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.A., whero ho is general manager of the Alabama Power Company. Ho was elected president- of the Alabama Light and Traction Association at the annual convention la.st month. Writing to a friend in Christchurch, Mr Chamberlain says ho saw bv thn "Weekly of the great doings or the New Zoalanders at Gallipoli. Ho noted that some of the Tramway "bovs'' he knew had. been wounded and killed, and he wished to extend his sympathy to tho mothers, fathers, and relatives of ail New Zcalanders who had fallen in the worldwide war. Mr Chamberlain, in referring to the special "war number" of the "Weekly Press" ho had recently received, says that the people in the ,States are astonished sit"tho fine illustration work of the Dominion, and also at the splendid colour work shown in the coloured plate of the, troopship.

Mr Richard Thomas Butler Xorris. a very old identitv. died on Saturday. at his residence, Ri|>on street Lvttehon. The defeased, v.* ho v.-ns ninety-two vears of ape, fl-iis horn at l>eal. Ki.g'and, and camo to New Zealand in the ship Mvstery. of which he iviw a member of the crew. Subsequently bo returned Home in the same vessel and later joined the iMirlingshire. R.nurnin<; to Lvttelton. he followed the occupation of a seafarer, am! for many years lie worked on one of tho Infers in Lyttelton Harbour. Old age caused him to retire some years ago. and he had reeeiulv lived by himself. His son, Mr Richard Thomas Xorris, saw him on Saturday afternoon, when he appeared to be in his usual health. In the evening, however, a grandson, a lad named Paulsen, went to visit the old penileman, and found him lying dead on his bed. Tlie lad informed his father, who found that the deceased had evidently passed away in his sleep. At an inquest, held at Lyttelton yesterday, before Mr H. W. liishop. a verdict was returned that the deceased had died from heart failure, due to old age.

\ public meeting will be held in the Tai iopu Hal! 011 Wednesday, to consider postal matters. Superintendent Carter. of the Sumner Volunteer Fi:v Brigade. desires to tI -lu'v Mr ,1 W. K Lawrence mid other residents at Clifton for a cheque for £ 1 Is towards the iunds ot the brigade. The 10th m.-t. i- the last ''ay of grace which th- Telephone Department allows to subscribers; all who ha\e not paid their recounts by that date wio be disconnected. "Writing from Gallipoli 011 September 12th, to'his parents m Cnristchurch, an officer in the Canterbury Battalion v-'rv acceptable gift was 10cvntlv received bv each man from tho Lady Liverpool Fund. in the form ot two pairs of s<x - ks, one haudkerchiet, and a cake of soap, with which the men were, hijihiy pleased, and expressions 01 gratitude were numerous. Yesterday afternoon the "Wellington Cathoiie women's Hostci. unaer the auspices of the Wellington Catholic i'Voeration, was oflicinliy opened by Archbishop Ucdwood. tor occupation (says a i'ress Association message). Prominent, repiesentaiives ot the clergy and laitv were piesent. Tho hostel js the residence formerly known as "The Knoll."' Thompson street. Miss Williams has been appointed matron. .It is t:> provide a real home lor Catholic women, either permanently residing or holiday-making m Wellington, the accommodation being sufficient lor thirtytwo. The I'ev. .!. Mackenzie. Gibson, Chaplain t«> the Forces, late of AH Saints' Church, Sumner, writing from tho Abbasieh Hospital, I'ont do Koubbeh, Cairo, states that ho expected to sail for Saloniea with the ill-fated Marquette, but his arrangements were changed at the last minute: Tie further states that for over six months New Zealand wounded have been scattered iu various hospitals in different parts of Cairo, but now the men havo nil been got together and placed in tho Abbasieh Hospital, where there are about 800 patients. Ho refers very highly to tho work of tlie medical men and the nurses, and sayß that many of tho men who were expected tf> die, pulled through, owing to tho splendid care and attention of these brave women.

1 owards the end of October, tho Director of the Technical College wrote to the Minister of Defence offering the assistance of the college staff and several students in tlie matter of making, during the recess, splints and other ambulance requisites. The Minister referred rhe offer to tho Director-General of Medical Services, who. later, wrote stating that specimens of splints, etc., would Ik; sent. At Friday's meeting of iho Techniral College Board, Mr Howell reported that tho samples had not come to hand. Mr H. M. Reeves suggested that an offer on similar lines should be made to tho Red Cross Committee, which was very anxious to get such assistance. It was decided to place tho College machinery at the disposal of the staff and students during {he recess for war work purposes, and also to offer to assist the Red Cross Committee.

Tlio friends of Captain Alex. Barr, late chief officer of the Maori, who wont Homo just prior to tho war, will bo pleased to hear that lie is now in command of a flotilla of six ships in tho Royal Navy. Writing to a friend at Lvttelton from 11.M.5. ot. Clair, at Falmouth, England, ho stated that ho was leaving the following day in command of six vessels, for the Dardanelles. Ho had returned to Yarmouth only for an hour, after having been engaged in submarine hunt for five days, when he was ordered to Falmouth. His instructions were that tho flotilla should leave within an hour, but as coal and stores had to bo taken on board, departure was not taken until the following day. He also stated that ho had managed to get a change of clothes, tlie first for seven days, and expressed the hope that ho would meet some New Zcalanders ho know at the Dardanelles.

Addressing a deputation at Duncdin, on Friday, tho Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward (Postmaster-General) made reference to the new post office which, it is hoped, Dunedin will some day possess. After alluding to the desiro of tho Government to reduce loan expenditure, he said ho would give a typical case of what had been done in that direction. Tho main post office in Dunodin had bcwi reported as "dangerous," and tinder such circumstances it was the duty of tho Government to remove the building and provide one suitable for tho requirements of tho city. He had had the plans before him, but instead of rebuilding tho post office at the present time, tho Cabinet had authorised him to Ica&o a building, to which the employees would bo transferred, and it was not intended to erect a new post office during the present financial year, and, perhaps, not during next financial year.

There is in the Post and Telegraph Service of New Zealand a very hue spirit of esprit de corps, and in connexion with the war this is in many ways exemplified (says the "Post"). Tho Department is very proud of the large number of young men who have gone to tho front, and accounts of their doings are frequently circulated and handed round. There is. besides, in a conspicuous place near the office of the Secretary to the Department, a Poll of Honour of the men who havo fallen or who have suffered wounds. In regard to .service at tho front, no officer, eligible for service, need complain that ho is unable to offer himself to his country either as ;i postal or telephonic specialist. or as an ordinary rank-and-file fighter, for every facility is given to the men to enlist, and their places are kept open for them. In their absonro a hand of juniors, trained at special depots, aro filling vacancies where it is necesSiirv.

Mr Edgar Marchnnt. C.E., of Wanganui, who has enlisted for set vice, has invented a new stylo of military bridge, which lie intends placing Iwforo tho Government and the military authorities (says a Pr«vs Association telegram). It is on the cantilever principle, but omlxjdics an entirely new application, which qualified men here sa3' has never been seen or heard of hefore. Its chief features are that it will givo fifty per cent, greater span than any other style of bridge-building; thr.t it can bo constructed without either nails, bolts, rope, or any other fastening, and can be easily aud rapidly put together. The bridge is also very strong. two-foot, model built of ordinary totara carried a weight of fourteen stone without any appreciable, movement. Experts consider that for military operations, in which simplicity and rapidity of construction aro (ssnitial. it is difficult to surpass Mr Marchaut's invention.

Complaint- of parsimony in the matter of lubricants en engines are made by the "Loco. .1 Set on!," the journal of t:io New /. aland Locomotive Knginedrivers', Kii emeu's. and Cleaners' Association (says tile "l'cst }. "We are passing through one of these cyclone periods now.'' states the journal, in r.ierring to its vie.v that superior officials are promoted at the expense ot •'imposing some harassing and impossible conditions of work upon"' men iower down. The paper observes that

"economy in oi] on our railways has just about reached the limit, and seems to have pone beyond nil rea-on. The »..!I is doled out to inch driver according to the nnnilior oi mi'es ho has to run nn his schedule for the day. The result is that when a driver litis to go bey:>nd his destination for the day, he lias to run the engine without any oil for that journey. Consequently, tho cylinders and valves arc getting worn nut badly, and if it is chc-aper to renew valves and cylinder'? than it is to pay for a few pints of oil, well, our idea of railway management must he very murii astray."

Steady nerves, a bright outlook and splendid health will be yours by taking Loasby's Nerve Ton in- and Blood Enricher. 2s 6d and -Is Od. Chemists and Growers. , 4 The principal attraction iu tho city to-day—Armstrong's Annual Summer Sale. 1 Griilstoves. —To show v;hat <\in be done with those, cooking: donioi^trations will bo given in our window ovory day from 3 to 1. Running cost Id per day off Lake Coleridge supply. Turnbull and Jones, Ltd. 1 Another important business transaction is announced. Tenders were called for the fine, high-grade stocks ot liewish and Vr>., batters and mercers, High .street, city, which, under keen competition, fel! t* l the bid of Messrs T. Armstrong <*inc! Co.. Ltd. Tho stocks ar«* largo and valuable. •' 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 are of the same high standard that have characterised tliis firm in the past. 1 There are fresh bargains every day at. Armstrong's iSaie. 3 Give your soldier friend a i>ortrait of yourself. For naturalness and beauty, let Stoffano Webb take it. W-yTliiMiloS A Christchurch baker burnt his bread when hist using "Co«i Ore," but afterwards found ho must use less coal to get tlio required heat. He is saving money now. Sample packets to treat ojwt.. price sixpence, at flastie, Bull, and Pickering's. Don't buv imitations. 0 Summer sports and games. We carry heavy stocks of material, all moderately priced—tennis rackets, Ayros' balls, cricket material, cioquet in complete sets and extras, Taylor's bowls, games for lawn parties. Lewis and Anderson, Ltd., 11- Cnshel street. ;i Vacuum Cleaners. —AVo aro agents for tho celebrated Victor Vacuum L'leaner.i. the simplest and best, rnt-o 40s. A.M. Whito, Ltd. 6 Men's Natural Underpants and Singlets Is (id, Cehular Is lid, President Braces Is a pair, at Armstrong's bale. o BIG SALE OF SECOND-HAND JUOTOK-CICLhS.

Phenomenal sales of tiio latest model 13.5.A. motor-cycle have resulted in u big increase in cur second-hand stock?, many maenines having l>een taken in part payment, for now B.S.A.'s. -following; our usual policy, we have overhauled all second-hand machines m stoci<, putting them in first-ciass running order, and wo are now holding a, stock reuuetion clearing sale, at especially low prices, id ere are a lew quotations from the stock-shcets : —2-i h.p. Minerva, £10; 3} h.p. Hat, £l( 10s; 3i h.p. Triumphs, £17 10s, £20, £20, £22 iOs; 3J h.p. King I>ick, £22 10s; 34 h-P- Huinbcr (free engine), £22 10s; 3} h.p. Triumph (Ilea engine), .t25; 2 J i ji.p. A.J.S., £2.5; 3J h.p. King l>ick, £25, £28; 8J h.p. Triumph (lree engine) £30, two-speed £30; 21 h.i.\ Mumber (twin cylinder), £32 10s; a} h.p. Rover£3s; 2J h.p. DougiKs vtwospecd), £35; 3J h.p. King Dick, £37 10s; 3i h.p. Triumpii (three-speed), £38 10s: 3i h.p. B.S.A. (three-speed), £45: 3} h.p. King I>ick and side-car, £4{>; 24 h.p. Triumph (two-cpoed), £45; 3J h.p. llumber (tliree-speod), £57 10s; 4 h.p. Triumph (three-speed), £00, £tio; Canoclct sidc-car, £15 10s. Examination of theso prices, together with an inspection of the stock, will show that we are offering 10 per cent, to 20 per cent, better value than lias ever previously been offered in the socond-hand motor-cycle market in New Zealand. Wo want to sell this stock, and the prices havo been fixed to stimulate quick salens. Adams, Ltd.. Agents for B.S.A. and Triumph Motor-cycles. Headquarters Show-rooms and Oarage, Iligh street, Christchureh. (G. JJ. Brown, Motor-cycle Department Representative.) (5