GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15464, 17 December 1915, Page 5

GENERAL NEWS.

The annual prize distribution coremany in connexion with Chmt's College will take place to-morrow at S p.m. Bishop Julius will preside, and Mr Justice Dcnniston will he one of the speakers.

Arrivals in New Zealand from oversea during November totalled 25*1, compared with 3739 for November. 1914 fsnys a Press Association telegram). Departures numbered I.TjS, against 11S1 a year ago.

Regarding concessions for soldiers on the railways, the Prime Minister states (says a Wellington Press Association message) that liberal treatment has been provided for. and will be lound satisfactory. Regulations are now being printed dealing with this and other matters and will be issued in a few days.

The Fire Brigade turned out on no fewer than four occasions yesterday; in the morning to a grass fire in "Weston \s road. St. Albans, and to the Government Buildings, the automatic alarm having gone off without justification. In the afternoon a house in Aldwhrs road, outside the boundary, was destroyed by fire, and in the evening a shed and its contents —chaff, etc.—thc property of Mr G. Mapstone, Southampton street, Sydenham,. Thero was an insurance of £8 in the Royal office on the shed, but the contents were not insured.

"I am a firm believer in the free place system," .said Mr W. A. Armour, headmaster of the Napier Boys' High School, at the prize distribution ceremony on Tuesday night, "but I do not bclicvo in being too lax. If a boy does not show promise after three months 1 would open the' door for him, and tell him to go. Each boy or girl receiving free education is costing the Government £12 a year, a sufficient sum of money to equip aJ)d send a man to the front, and I don't think that money should be wasted ou a boy who does not show any appreciation."

A Maori youth named Wetcrc Paki was fined Jto" at Huntly last week for failing to attend parades of the Senior Cadets (says the Auckland "Star"). Mr E. llawson, S.M., remarked that he was sorry to observe the attitude of the Natives to military matters. At tho front the Maoris had done splendidly, and he had no sympathy with those who declined to perform military training at home. Kere Toke to Ahu, who described himself as Acting-Premier of "King" Te Rata, asked that the case bo tried at tho Supreme Court, and urged that tho Treaty of Waitangi did not state that Natives should undergo military training. The Magistrate, however, declined to recognise his right to appear, and imposed the fine stated. Auother similar case was adjourned for a week in order to enable tho accused to be represented by counsel.

"The Council of Education has mado a fearful and wonderful hash of the education districts," eaid Mr A. W. Hogg, at Wednesday's meeting of the Education Board. "The South Island should havo been kept separate, as there is no harmony of interest between Wellington and Marlborough." "I am strongly of Mr Hogg's opinion," said Sir Walter Buchanam "It is a thousand pities that a portion of the South Island should have its education controlled from this side of Cook Strait. Tho matter cannot be altered now, but the Council will find its mistake." Mr C M. Luke said ho could see no reason why a strip of blue water should be regarded as an insuperable division between two portions of New Zealand. Mr Hogg: "They have a species of school there that is not found in any other part, and they should have been left to themselves."

Further accounts of tho sisterly patriotism of Miss i'lorrie Mongan, of Turndale, New South Wales, who is acting as a mail-carrier to enable her only brother to go to the front, show that Miss Mongan, who is only 16 years of age, carries the mails tnree times a week from Turondtile to Sofala, a distance of thirty miles (says the "Sydney Daily Telegraph"). The lather being an invalid, it became necessary for Mrs Mongan and her daughters to garner the crop, and take over the mail contract for the two years still to run. As a result of the hard work in the fields, Mrs Mongan lias been affected in health. The ploughing is yet to be •lone, and this has been causing the family some anxiety, as it was doubtful whether the female members of the family would be nble to cope with it. However, a working bso of the residents is boiuct formed, and the family's problems wi'-l not remain long unsolved.

Of all the stories told about the keenness or recruits to iuuuce their friends to enter camp with tnein, one that was related to a ".New Zealand Tinies" representative ou Tuesday is probably tite best. It is vouched for i>y .Sergeant-Maj;>r Johnston, who brought a draft of recruits down from Taumarunui. Thk draft included two brothers who worked -t small farm near Taumarunui. which they handed over to a biothei-m-law, in order that they might be free to go to the front. The brothers had a friend whom they were very anxious to have as a comrade in arms, but lie was the only support of his mother, and fo wn,s not able to enlist. Learning of the obstacle in the way, they set about removing it. a task which was accomplished when each brother made an allotment of %* per day from his pay for the support or hi.s friend's mother. The latter being thus provided for. the f-on immediately enlisted ._ wa«- accepted, and went into ramp with lib two good friends on Monday.

! The Waimakariri (both branches). Opihi, Waitaki. and Rakaia rivers woro yesterday morning reported to be clear, and the Rangitata to be fishnble. The Telegraph Office advised yesterday that it was raining heavily at Bealey Flat, aud the river was five feet above normal and still rising. single bottles and caskets, Lavender. Eau de Cologne, or whatever you prefer. Manicure Sets. Bruskware and_ other Xmas Gi»"ts--go to Loasbv, 679 Col-unbo street. X Armstrong's. Limited, announce thai their drapery stores will remain open until {) ]>.m. io-night as usual, and until ti o'clock to-morrow (Saturday) | evening. l ! 'Ihe 1) 1.1'.. in accordance with their ; usual custom. wi!j remain open until j (.> o'clock on Saturday next. Come ; yourselves and brine; the children to see j Father Christmas, the Ma,«'io Cave, and : the larjiest assortment of Gifts for both ! young and old, to be seen in the city, il | | Special prices for ladies' handbags. ; ail .samples, and marked down to clear. !so natty and useful ideal Christmas ; presents. is i;j ; s ty. to 35 s> at UravI ton'.s Emporium, 7t>s Colombo street." 1' j Annual summer *>ale «if toys, fancy goods, millinery, drapery, and clothI uig. at Arr.;>tio;jg's. to-day _' j Hundred* of Useful Christmas Pr<--1 sents are obtainable from A. .1. White. j Ltd.. at prices ranging from <\] to <.'.\ i ! Sale o; Howish's stock-, mercery, ! hat>. clothing, going forward at Arn'ij :tror;g's. ' • - ! What couid bo ricer or better than j j one of our Domestic Electric Applij ances for a Christmas Gift. See our I windows. Turubull and Jones, Ltd. 6 At all times Carey's well-appoints] j men's department? are thoroughly I stocked with the newest horns of ! men's wear, and customers will find j that the values Carey's give are of the j same high standard that havo characj terised this firm in the past. 1 j Give your soldier friend a portrait of yourself. For naturalness and beautv, let Stcffano Webb take it. W-9723-GI6S Lister's silk and twist, I'd per dozen reels, Clark's tewing cottons Id reel, at Armstrong's. 4 THE IDEAL XMAS PRESENT—A "SWIFT*' BICYCLE. At this season of the year, when everyone is faced with the, problem of selecting Christmas gifts, it may be helpful to remind those whom it* may concern that a really good bieyelp cannot be beaten as a Christmas present. In a city such as Christchureh a bicycle is at once a necessity and a luxury, a source of both utility and pleasure, a saver of money and time, and a promoter of health and strength. For son or daughter, niece or nephew, brother or sister, wife or husband, as well as for a valued friend, no gift could 'be more acceptable mr give greater pleasure. Of course it is essential that the bicycle should bo a good one. Messrs Adams, Ltd., are in the happy position of being able to offer the best bicycle in the world, the "Royal Suporbc Swift." with full roadster equipment of st«cl mudguards, two powerful rim brakes, free wheel, best of saddle, chain, tyres, etc., or in light roadster <»r roiul or path-raeer models, at a uniform price of £12 10s. The. "Royal Superbo Swift" is the chosen wheel,of royaltv in Britain and on the Continent. The "Swift" is sold, if desired, on instalments, from £1 deposit and £1 per month. Another splendidly reliable bicycle is the ''Star." which has been n favourite mount in New Zealand for over a quarter of a century. The price, with full roadster equipment, or in light roadster or racing models!, is £7 10s, and the "Suocrbe Star." with very superior equipment, is listed at £10 10s. Call and see the very latest models. Adams Ltd. "Bleadquarters Showrooms. High street. Christchureh. (C. S. Orr, Bicycle "Department Representative.) 6