GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15478, 4 January 1916, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The return of our wounded soldiers to New Zealand u a subject of uni-

vcrsal interest. o all feel wo havo a personal acquaintance wit» the soldiers, for have they not been fighting in our behalf as well as that of tho Empire? Last week a batch of wounded returned by tbo Tahiti, and in the ''Weekly Press," published this morning, aro a number of magnificent pictures dealing with the arrivals at Port Chalmers, Lyttelton, and Christchurch. Hundreds of our readers will recognise friends among the wounded warriors, who, no matter how badly hurt, arc always theory. Among tho war pictures, of which there is a great collection, there is an excellent group showing tho Tsar and Tsarevitch with members of the Tsar's Cossack esaort., all in the escort's picturesque uniform. 'Thoro ore also a couple of wonderful photographs of Serbians advancing from their trclichej under fire, which shows how our trusty Allies attack their enemies. Another set of pictures which will attract considerable attention shows a uumber of Samoans who

were exiled by the Germans returning to their native islands. Tho issue a i -"other worthilv upholds fho mana of the paper, and will assuredly bo a rapid seller.

Entries for the Canterbury Horitcultural Society's show closed last night. All classes were well filled, the ladies' decorative classes, which are always a, special feature of these shows, attracting a particularly large entry. The trade will make good displays of seasonable flowers. The show will take place in the Art Gallon- to-morrow, and will be open to the public from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

A letter received from Mr Evelyn Wrench by yesterday's mail states that the Overseas Club had already collected £145,000 for war purposes. The to r bacco and cigarettes which form a portion of the Christmas gifts from Canterbury to the men at tho Dardanelles were sent through the Overseas Club, and Mr Wrench writes that "Yoxir splendid lads at the Dardanelles should reccivo their gifts well before Christmas."

The Bishop of Durham, Lord Blythswood, and a committee of clergymen and others, aro working out a scheme to advertise the Bible. They contend (says the "Newspaper World" of November 13th) that the best way to reach the greatest number of people is bv advertising, and add that the secular Press circulates among the very people they wish to reach. Tho schemo is being organised by the Bible Crusade, 5 Taigartn road, London, S.W.

A Wellington telegram states that tho waterside workers there observed yesterday as a holiday, and consequently "there was a shortage of labour on the water-front, which seriously hampered shipping, several vessels being delayed. In the ease of tho HuddartParkor steamer Wostralia, it was found impossible to secure a single gang of workers, and the vessel's departure for northern ports had to be postponed until to-day.

A general holiday was observed yesterday. A large number oi people journeyed down to the seaside by tram while many others went out to Plumpton Park to witness tho races. Tho indoor entertainments were well patronised throughout tho 'day. The woather conditions were rather peculiar, being warm but patchy. The sun would shine brightly at intervals, and then tho sky would become overcast and rain fell. In the evening a steady downpour set in, which continued with little interruption till after midnight.

On New Year's night a number of friends of Mr W. E. Edwards, second son of Mrs Eli Edwards, who has another eon with the forces, met at Mr H. Merrie's residence to bid farewell to him on his departure with the Ninth Reinforcements. Mr R. Jones, in a neat speech, said they all appreciated the spirit which had prompted Mrs Edwards's soils to oalist, especially as they had both suffered imprisonment and detention as conscientious objectors against militarism, and they hoped that this war would ond militarism for ever, lie had great pleasure in presenting Mr Edwards with a luminous. face wristlet watch, subscribed for br his man'- friends. Mr Edwards suitably responded.

Whilo the hospital ship Maheno was going at high spee<l in the Indian Ocean on her return to New Zealand, a Maori soldier caused a sonsation by jumping overboard. He was recovering from fever, and the medical staff had directed that hr> should be kept under guardiaiish p. While the man on watch nod his back turned, however, the patient took a flying leap at the railings, and jumped into tho sea. An alarm was raised, with the result that the vessol commenced circling round. A lifebelt was thrown out. The Mfcori was >'A- ; piiniiuj:. but it is probable thai; he would not have got to the lifebelt had not a signaller in the British section attached to the hospital phip dived to hi- assistance. The Maori was rescued.

At sitting of the Juvenile Court yesterday before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., two beys, ono aged twelve and the other thirteen, were chargod with having broken into and entered upon the premises of Messrs Harvey and McDonald, tailors, Colombo street, at 12.40 p.m on tb» 2x\ p st. and with having stolen 7 pairs of armlets value 1 at 3s 6d, and six bundle s of tweed samples, valued' at £2 ss, tne property <■■■ t/amel M : Oonaifl: -'-hi nl=o a cigarette case, valued at 10s 6d, tho property it on» Horr-e. The younj.-er boy was admonished and discharged, and tho other wa s committed to the Weraroa Training Farm, to be brought up in the Anglican faith. His stepfather vf»t wWed ti T'ny 7s 6d ncr week towards his maintenance.

A special troop train from the South psisieu through Oainaru on Smiany afternoon, taking back campwards upwards of 400 men of tho Ninth Reinforcements and the Earl of Liverpool's Own, whose final leave has concluded. As usual (says .yesterday's "North Otago Times") it had been arranged that tho railway platform should be kept closed to the public during the train's short wait, and the fairly large crowd which gathered outside the railings had prepared to content itself with just a fleeting glimpee of the khakiclad figures. When the train eventually dashed into the station, however, to the accompaniment of cheers and counter-cheers, thero came an unexpected interlude. Acting upon a j general impulse, upwards of a dozen soldiers made a combined rush for tho | railway official guarding tho gate, and I with the utmost good humour lifted him bodily away from the barrier. ! Other men opened the gate, and before the department could call in reinforcements of any sort, scores of civilians had mingled with troopers on the platform. There was more spirit in the cheer which the contingent received as its farewell than has been the case for I many months past.

The Tai Tnpu Flower Show will be held on Thursday in aid of the School and Patriotic Funds.

Something Jiko a cloud-burst happened north of Fairlie on Sunday, the Opulia River rising 4ft in the lower reaches in a very short time.

Tho Telegraph Office advised as follows vesterday on tho states of the Canterbury rivers-W aimakanri North. Opihi, and Waitaki, clear; Waimakariri South and Rakaia, dirty; Rangitata, high and dirty.

The latest acquisitions to the Muwum are a 10-nounder breech-loader shell from the New Zealand Field Artillery, a splendidly-stuffed specimen of the Rockhopper penguin, brought, from the Macqtiarics, and a stuffed llcdpolo f>om Riccarton.

Tho year 1915 may be classed as ons> of the dry* years in Wellington (says a Press Association message). April was the driest month, but in tbo ten months the rainfall recorded was below the average for those months over a period of sixty years. The. total rainfall for the year was 27.83 inches, w'nilo the average for Wellington is 49.G0.

The liaumai school children have undertaken the cleaning of their own school, the receipts for such work amounting to 10s per month. They have driven to the Patriotic Society a sum of £2, representing four months' work, and have just handed in a like sum as a donation to the Sick and Wounded Fund.

Perfumes, single bottles iitiil "nnhcts, Lavender, Eau do Cologne, or whatever you prefer. Manicure Sots, Brushwaro and other Xmas Gifts —go to Loasby, 679 Colombo street. X No soldier should think of going away without having his photograph taken by Steffano Webb, 252 High street. ' 1 If your Electric Light, Lift, Motor -Magnetos, Telephones, Bolls, etc., require attention, ring up Tumbull and Jones, Ltd., who will give you the best and prompt attention. 1590 The Buick Six is fitted with the Delco Electric Starting and Lighting, recognised as the best in tho world. 6 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 are of the same high standard that have characterised this firm in the past. 1 Your gifts for the festive season will give you double pleasure when procured from John It. Procter, optician, 200" High street, Christchurch, seeing tho recipients joy and the satisfaction of moderate prices for steam and clockwork engines, boats, trains, motor-cars, mechanical toys, cinematographs, mecr cano sets, microscopes, telescopes, fieldglasses, barometers, compasses, magnifying glasses, etc. 5 Prompt—Efficient—Economical.—This is tho kind of service you get in Customs, Shipping, and Forwarding Work by making use of J. M. Heywood and Co., Ltd., Manchester street, near Clock Tower. 1 Curtains and Coverings.—Our new fabric stock abounds in choice and effective designs, moderately priced. A. J. White, Ltd. * G During the long summer evenings you will enjov a game of croquet. Wo have complete outfits, very reasonable in price: also tennis material in all grades, and cricket for the boys. Lewis and Anderson, Ltd., 112 Cashel st. 6 New things for the New Year.— Messrs Hastie, Bull, and Pickering have just landed tho wonderful new Stainless Table Cutlery. No more knife-cleaning—always bright after washing. Prices quite moderate. Inspection invited. 34 Knitting Wools, Fingering, and Paton's Alloa Wheeling AVools, in any quantity at Armstrong's. 1 Great Sale of Gent's Ties, ox Hewish's stock; wido ends 6d, Is, Is lid, worth Is 6d, 2s 6d; stud knots 6d, 9d, Is, worth double. Armstrong's Sale. - • 2 WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR MONEY.

The cheapness or dearness of an articlo is not decided by the price you pay, but by what you get for the money. If you were buying a bicvcle, and the bicycle were a "Royal Superbo Swift," you would pay £12 10s. For that sum you would get tho top-grade bicycle manufactured by tho best makerß in England, embodying such improvements as tho unbreakablo ribbed front fork, the easy-running threepoint bearings, and so forth, and carrying as equipment the best steel mudguards, free-wheel, two rim-brakes, best of tyres, best of saddles, best of chains, while tho machino would be covered in every part by comprehensive guarantees. You could buy a bicycle at a lower price, but you could not buy a cheaper bicycle or get better value for your money. When you buy a "Superbo Star" for £10 10s or a standard 'Star" for £7 10s. you buy a bicvcle with 26 years of first-class reputation for honesty of construction and great durability. You cannot buy ■ bicvcles as good anywhere else in New Zealand without paving far higher prices. And we sell "Swifts" on time payments, from £1 down and £1 per month. Adams, Ltd.: Headquarters Showrooms, High street, Christclnirch. (C. S. Orr, Bicycle Department Represenrcsources and supplies so soon as tative.) 6