GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15459, 11 December 1915, Page 10

GENERAL NEWS.

The auction announcements of H. Matson and Co.. Tot»ks. Norton and Co., Dalgetv and Co., R. S. McKenzic and Co., W. £. Simes and Co., and Charles Clark, will be found on page 19 of this issue. A Press Association message from Wellington says the registration of tho New Zealand Agricultural and Pastoral Workers' Association has bcca completed.

The Office reported yesterday morning that the Opihi and Waitaki rivers Vere clear, the ttaunakann South discoloured. the Raknia unfishable, and the Waimakann North and liaugitata dirty. A meeting cf representatives of local bodies called by the Mm'ster 01 Internal Affairs, will be held at the A. and P. Association s rooms, at i l , B -" 1 - to-dav. to consider the matter ot tbo payment of tho monthly quota fxom the province to the Belgian I und. Colonel tho Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes, who is now in Cairo, cables to the Minister of Defence as tedious. of goods consigned lor distribution'to the troops at tjie front arrive packed in cases which are too larrro. Please issu? instructions that such ireods must lw packed m cases ot suitable size lor packing on 1>« * limits through narrow saps, auu not to exceed 801b gross weight.

The Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. C. \V UusseU) will receive a deputation at 10.30 a.m. to-Jay in connexion with the River Bank R°*° Carnival. At 11 a.m. he will attend t.ie conference of renresentatives of local »..-idi,-s n-aardini: the Belgium I'und. which is to be held in the A. and I • Assooi:.iion's Booms, and at which Mr J Hi»!op. Under-Secretary <>i Internal Affairs, will Ihi present. In tho evening lie leaves for Wellington.

The Hon. A. M. Myers gives the following particulars to date relating to the working of the Minors Phthisis Act "n Wellington Press Association telegram). Eighty claims for pensions have been received, including two from widows. Oi these si.wv-nino have been granted and ten are on hand awaiting completion of tho necessary enquiries. One applicant has died. The total annual value of tho pensions awarded is £3215.

During the month of November tho total number of volumes issued from the circulating department of the Public Library was 7310, compared with -jl-1U isv.iod during November. 1914. In the relereuce library 1732 works were consulted, nnd in the juvenile library 1448 volumes were taken out for home reading. The number of new books was well up to tho average, r.hero being <>0 fiction and 11 non-fiction works placed in circulation.

Tho following bequests arc (says an Auckland Press Association mossage) included in the will of the late Mr .T. C. Maeky, head of the firm of Maclcy, Logan, Caldwell and Co., who was ono of tho victims of the Lusitania outrage: —Employees of tho firm, £20,0u0; Unitarian Church, £1000; Door oi llopo Rescue Home, £1000; Blind Institute, £1000: Plunket Nurso Society, £o0r); St. James Presbyterian Church, •Co 0 0; Kindergarten Association. £500; Leslie Presbyterian Orphanage. £500.

A correspondent writes: —"My son, who went awn:* with the Australians, writing Lcmnos to acknowledge paivcLs, relates an incident which helps to sustain tho reputation for resource which Australians have earned. His trench-mate received a parcel which proved to contain a green velvet cushion embellished with yellow embroidery. After frantic efforts to exchange this pledge of affection lor n packet of cigarettes or a .stick of chocolate, the recipient removed its contents and posted it to friends in Australia as ail exanr le of Turkish decorutivo art. It would destroy one's faith in human nature to suppose that the recipients have not responded with something better adapted to his needs. 1 '

Many sacrifices are being made at this time of war, and many strenuous efforts to help along the funds. Not tho least among the latter was the feat of a young lady in Okain's on Tuesday, who drove unaided a wild two-year-old heifer to tin; fete (says the Akaroa •'Mail"). It appears that Mr J. H. C. Thacker informed the' voting lady, Miss lSnin, that if she could drive down a two-vear-old heifer to the ffcte inniided and without dogs, she could give it to the fate. The heifer was a sucker, and particularly unmanageable. The young lady spent a number of hours in winning her wager. The heifer was driven out of the paddock by her six times, and each time jumped the fenco again. Finally, after seven and a half hours' strenuous work, she pot it down to tho fete, whero it realised in sale the sum of £26.

Our London correspondent, writing on October 28th, said that tho New Zealand hospital shin Mahono paid her -first visit to Ungland a fow days ago, and tho medical staff and officers and men took advantage of the call to snat::h a few days' furlough, iji Loudon. The. Maheno made her headquarters ct Anzac, and completed five journeys from Ihcrc with wounded soldiers —two to Malta, two to Mudros, and one t,-> Alexandria. On the present journey she brought a boat fi'll °f wounded from Alexandria. The patent swinging cots with which the Maheno is fitted, the work of a Duncdin firm, evoked warm praise from the English authorities in England, and in all quarters it was admitted that the. ship was ono of tho best eqnir>ned in tho hospital transport service. Tho Maheno to date had carried and treated 3GOO patients, in addition to I'OO walking cases.

Wo havo received from Mr, 11. G. Blyth, of tho Chatham Islands, a post card, showing what the Islands havo dono in connexion with the war. They havo supplied sixteen men for the front, and have subscribed a total of £719 16s 5d to the following funds: — Food for Britain £186 4s Bd, Belgian Relief £97 18s Bd, Empire Defence £IG<3 10s 7d, Patriotic £9 lis 2d, Overseas Tobacco £17 Is, amounts paid in New Zealand £1S 10s, patriotic balls £13 12s and £12 2s, hospital ship ball £23, new Post Offico ball £176 Cs 4d. A "Queen of tho Island"' voting competition, hold in connexion with the now post office ball, was won by Miss Flora, Hanwick, the farmers' nominee, with -J865 votes. The total number of votes polied was 13,202, realising £IGo 0s 6d. The post-card mentioned, and also another giving a map of the Chatham Islands and a number of the principal historical events that have taken .place sinco tho Islands were first discovered, havo been produced for sale on behalf of tho Belgium Fund.

Schoolboys from tim<? imrnenioiial have regarded it an easy and cheap, if somewhat precarious, method of perpetuating their names, to carve tnem on their desks. In the most favourable circumstances the fame achieved generally ends with the renovation or scrapping of the des!;, and many old boys of the Otago High School had a narrow escape from tiio common iate on Thursday (&ays the "Otago Daily Times '), when, at a meeting of the Board of Governor*, a letter was received trora the rector, asking that the desks in one of tho rooms at the school should be planed and varnished. Happily there were oid boys on the Board, whoso youthfulness of heart had survived grey hairs, and one of them deplored the fact that the planing might remove the. honourable scars dealt b.v the lads of 20 and ;il) years ago. A search over the battered desks, he remarked, might reveal interesting relics in the names of some of tho many prominent men whose alma mater this old school had been. A jocular discussion followed, during which one member suggested that the most interestingly inr.cril>ed of the desks might be on view at the annual dinner of the Old Boys' Association, crowned with laurel leaves: while the rector, in jest, Baid that it would bo a profitable transaction to pi-cs.cnt the old desks to tho Association in exchange for new ones. Finally l)r. Fulton and Mr H. Webb were anpoinied a sub-committce to inspect the desks, with a view to preserving anything of an historical nature which thrv might find. The incident was n delightful exemplification ef the affection and rcverenco of the old bovs for •M-erything conncctcd with the school.

The foundation stone of the Presbyterian Church Hall, which is being erected at the corner of Gloucester street and Linwood avenue, will be laid at 3 p.m. this afternoon. The ceremony will bo performed bv the Rev. John Paterson, M.A., of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church.

An Auckland Press Association nieasago states that the Maori King. Te Rata, denies having culltxl a meeting to he held at Waihi and Huntly today, hut states that he has called a meeting i'or December ISth. to discuss matters regarding the welfare of the Natives generally. Te Rata declined to express any opinion regarding military service or the attitude of the Maoris on conscription. He was no anti-militarist, and denied that he had sent n letter to Kins George asking his Majesty to take steps to stop Mich a cruel war. He recognised that the nations must tight to a finish.

Steady nerves, a bright outlook and splendid health will he yours by taking Loasby's Nerve Tonic and Wood Enlichcr. l's (id and -Is 6d. and Grocers. •) Grillstovos have made a revelation in cooking, cost cf running olf Lake Coleridge supply only one penny per day. Price 30 shillings each. Write or ask us about them." Turnbull and Jor.es, Ltd. o

Vour gifts for the festive season will give you double pleasure when procured lrom John R. Proctor, optician, 'JOO High street. Chi istehuivh, seeing the recipients jo:* and the satisfaction oi' moderate prices for steam and dockwork engines, boats, trains, motor-cars, mechanical toys, cinematographs, meccano sets, microscope--;, telescopes, iieldghuses, barometers, conrjasses, magnifying glasses, etc. o

Early Shoppers are already busy selecting Christinas Gifts ;it Lewis and Anderson's. Tliev say that this Season's Display easily eclipses that, of other years. AVe can give - vou belter attention now than later on. lx»wis and Anderson. Ltd., 112 Cashol street (:l's

At all times Carey's well-appointed men's departments aro 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 Give your soldiar friend a portrait of youiself. For naturalness and beauty, let Stcffano Webb take it. W-97-'2-61ti6 Bright beys should see our electric pocket lamps, batteries guaranteed, complete for 9d, refills Is (id ; also new meccano outfits, with illustrations os sot. Fine, presents. Try Drayton's Emporium, 7u-5 Colombo street. 101U Prompt—Efficient—Economical.—This is tho kind of service you get in , Customs, Shipping, and Work by making use of J. M. Hoy wood ; and Co.", Ltd., Manchester street, near Clock Tower. 1 i A Christchurch baker burnt his bread when iiret usiug "Coal Ore," but afterwards found he must use less coal to get tho required heat. He is saving money now. Saraplo packets to treat 5;-wt.. price sixpence, at Hastie, Bull, and Pickering's" Don't buy imitations. 0 SpVing Cleaning, 191 o.—We arc quite at your service for the renovation, of your home. A. J. "White, Ltd. G LIGHT MOTOR-VAX FOR CHRISTMAS DELIVERY—HEADY NOW —£2CO. The tendon of "big deliveries is near, and drapers, pastrycooks, fishmongers, and so forth, aro recommended to investigate our offer of a Flanders light delivery van, 20 h.p., capacity 12 cwt. in first-class running order, with nicely-finished and spacious enclosed liody. Tho price is £2CO, and the van, which lias had only light service, is ready for service at any minute. .We also offer a Humber motor-lorry, a strong, sturdy vehicle " up to loads of 13 cwt, with engino of ample power, and in good* order, prico £'60. "We have also for sale a number of touring cars, second-hand, at very low prices. There is a thrce-seatcr, 10-12 h.p. Humber. re-finished in automobile red,, tyres nearly new, dual ignition, smart-looking car, price £140, with lamps, wind-shield, etc. An li.C.H. two-seater, neatly-finished in French grey, complete with hood, windshield and full road equipment, is offered at £140. A two-thrcc-seater Regal, finished in the new putty shade, with complete road equipment, is offered at £130. A five-seater Ford, fully equipped, newly upholstered, engine just overhauled, finished in biscuit shade, goes for £100. and a very fine Coventry Simplex thrcc-soater. finished in nutty shade, with complete road equipment, sells for. £180. All prices quoted aro for net cash on delivery. W«> give even- purchaser nil necessary tuition in driving, free, and freo garaco accommodation. Call and have a look at our : stock. Adams, Ltd. Headquarters Garage, 210 Tuam street, Christchurch. (J