GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15486, 13 January 1916, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

Bealey advised yesterday afternoon that it was raining heavily from the west, and tho river was rising. A . "Wellington telegram states that tho Department ot Labour has decided to take action for an alleged strike against six men who censed work on a collier on December 30th. It was reported at the time that the men, who" were engaged in shifting coal, complained of a noxious smell in 'one of the holds, and refused to continuo work unless they were paid an extra rate. The demand was not conceded, and the vessel left Wellington without completing her discharge.

The rainfall recorded at Lincoln College jn 1915 (13-1 inches) was tho lowest since 1883. The previous lowest rainfall was in 1897. when 14J inches fell.

In connexion with tho quarterly banking figures appearing in Tuesday's issue, an error crept in, the advances by the Bank of Australasia decreasing by £7490, not £1,00/,499, as stated.

The secretary of the Canterbury Automobile Association has received the following report from tho representative in_ the Waiau district:—Culverdoii to Kaikoura, roads fairly good, except new Lottery cutting, which is almost impassable owing to loose shingle; the rivers are very low.

A noble example of patriotism has, says the Gisborno '"Herald," been given by the Nowsham family, which is a fairly large one. Four brothers, who wero farming at Ormond, have been to the front, three with the howitzer battery and ono with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, whilst a fifth brother holds a commission in a Scottish regiment in France. All the sisters of these warriors except one arc nurses in military hospitals m England.

The Gisborno Borough Council has decided to put a small tax on bicycles. Notice is given by the Council that "every person riding a bicycle within the borough of Gisborne shall cause the same to be registered, and obtain a number for same, which number shall be painted in a conspicuous place upon such bicycles, in figures of" at least half an inch in length and one-eighth of an inch in breadth." The registration fee is the nominal sum of 2s 6d for adults and Is for children under the age twelve years, and anyone using an unregistered bicycle after January 31st will be liable to be prosecuted.

A few days ago a party of Dunedinitcs returning from the "North Island on board tho Mararoa, were much pu,zzie<l as to the identity e; a large steamer which was steaming about tho outer harbour at Lyttelton. Tho vessel appeared quite distinct from any other they had ever seen, and after numerous guesses as to what type it was they finally decided that it was ono of the harbour ferry steamers. That it was a dredge never entered their minds, •as it bore little, if any, resemblance to tho Otago Harbour Board's bucketdredge 22*2, with which most of them wero familiar. Their surnrise was great on learning that tho" strangelooking craft was none other than tho suction dredgo Canterbury.

"I cannot understand," said Mr L. M. Isitt, M.P., at the deputation of tho Technical Board to tho Minister of Education yesterday, • "why thero should be this erusado against pictures. I do _ not often go—it is six months sinco 1 have been, 1 think but I fail to see what ground those who decry them stand on. Pictures are the wholesome amusement of the working people. They derived not only amusement but instruction from them. It was true they were sometimes silly, sometimes vulgar. It was said they ivere demoralising to the children, but children had a hanny knack of not seeing things on their' worst side. I hav© seen more 'smut,' more vulgarity, at a theatre-—shown on the stage—than I have seen in all the pictures."

Ihe matter of the ferry steamers berthing at Gladstone Pier so as to secure direct railway communication, was briefly discussed at the meeting of tho Lvttelton Harbour Board yesterday. Dr. Th acker gave notice of motion that the Union Steam Ship Company be asked to make a trial of berthing one of the ferry steamers at Gladstone Pier, and that the Harbourmaster be asked to report on the proposed trial. Mr Cyrus J. Williams, engineer to the Board, said ho would not like to ask a shipowner to berth a large steamer at the pier, as the pier was at present. It was intended to extend th© pier, and to fit it with spring fenders should it have been decided to utilise the pier for berthing the ferry steamers, but even so the Union Company objected.

Tho Minister of Education, in conversation with a reporter yesterday touched on a vital question, which .he summed up in a few words. "I ,am inclined to believe," he said, "that we should think of some schem© to regulate the admission of certain types of youth into the High Schools. For instance, a boy or girl goes to theso schools on a proficiency certificate for twelve months and then leaves, having opened a few books. They go back to home or to tho farm, and the year is wasted, and all the money spent on their High School education is without any result. Many who how go to th© Hish School would be much better employed in attending the Technical. Schools and learning to do profitable work for themselves and the State."

A second visit has been paid' to the North Auckland district in connexion with cinnabar possibilities, by Dr. J. M. Flatau, of Sydney, who was making investigations at Ohaeawai a fortnight ago. On the first occasion (says the "New Zealand Herald"), ho expressed satisfaction with tho surface conditions, and he states that as tho result of a second visit he has purchased a minefield at Ohaeawai, on "behalf of a Sydney syndicate. He states that he hopes that the preliminary work will be begun -in about a month. Some difficulty, he thinks, might be experienced in sinking shafts, owing to the presence of a hoi spring, but it could,do overcome. He wiil advise the syndicate to obtain the service of an expert from Mexico or Spain. Dr. Flatau has also visited Punipuhi, but he.sstat s that he prefers the prospects at Ohaeawai, where there is a lode 4ft wide. At tho same time, ho eays, there is a valuablo minefield -in the neighbourhood -of Puhipuhi. Un one property there is, he states, over lialf-a-million tons of surface ore showing more or less cinnabar.

Speaking at the eend-off to the 12th Reinforcements, at the King Edward Barracks last evening, the Mayor (Mr H. Holland) remarked to the men that they were going to undergo solid work and bard graft, and ifc was not going to bo all beer and skittles. At this much amusement was evinced in tho ranks, the mention of beor causing some laughter. "I see a sensible young man down there," continued Mr Holland, "who prefers tho skittles to the beer. Take my advice, * boys, and have as little to do with beer as possible. It won't help you to win the victory." At the conclusion of his remarks. Colonel Chafifry came to the front ot the balcony to speak. "I'm only too glad to see how you fellows have responded to the calx of duty," ho said. "L don't mind beer, though. I don't think a good, honest beer doc 3 any harm, to long a« you don't abuse it."' At thjs there was a veritable yell of applause. '"Thero are a good many hard cases among you," continued the O.U. —(more laughter)—''but I'm giad to see them. They generally turn out the best fighters."

An elderly woman, acoompanied by a little gin, had a miraculous escape from death at the Woolston station on Saturday. She was a passenger by tho workers' train, which left l<yttelton at 5.10 p.m., and on arriving at Woolston she assisted the child to alight, and, it ia stated, was in tho act of stepping off herself when the train commenced to move. The paasenger lost her balance, and fell beneath the train, fortunately, however, a few inches clear of the rails. Her plight was noticed from the engine, and the driver, applying the Weetinghouso brake with tno utmost promptitude, brought the train to an almost immediate standstill. Fully expectant of a fata] accident, a number of passengers left tho carriages and went to the woman's assistance. They were greatfiy relieved to find that, although the whole of one carriage and portion of another had <jone past her, she had/ escaped with a few scratches. How she missed falling across the rails is a miracle. It seen:- that she alighted on the 6ide of the train, and it is certain that a fatality was averted only by the prompt action of the engine-driver.

The Telegraph Office advised yesterday morning that all the Canterbury rivers wero clear.

The C.D.C. Band i 3 starting another series of concerts in tho Square, for the benefit of the Patriotic Fund. The first concert will bo given on Saturday.

Inquiries at the hospital- show that Nurse Rankin, who was knocked down by a motor-car in tho Papanui road on Monday evening, is still in a critical condition, being semi-conscious.

At the annual meeting of tho New Zealand Institute of Surveyors yesterday, it was reported by the Council that up to tho present- 25 licensed surveyors and 32 cadets had enlisted for active servico at tho front.

A director of a North Island dairy company, writing to an Ashburton resident-, states that there is every probability that butter will reach 2s per lb during the coming winter. Although the Northern supplv is plentiful at present,- factory butter is being retailed at Is 5d and Is Cd per lb.

At the annual meeting of the Christchurch Regatta Club last night the chairman mentioned that the Christchurch City Council this year had not cut tho willow trees at Fitzgerald avenue, as had been the annual custom. and consequently the rowing course bad been obscured. It was hoped tho mattervvould be attended to.

At the meeting of tho Sumner Borough Council on Tuesday evening, Mi A. Slinger. engineer to the Dunedm IDrainage Board, who is at present visiting Sumner to report upon an up-to-date drainage system for the whole of Sumner and Redcliffs, was introduced to the Mayor and councillors bv Cr. J. Barr (chairman of tho Works Committee). In the course of his remarks, Mr Slinger stated that thcro were no. engineering difficulties to overcome, and the question would resolve itself mainly into one of financc.

The sales of curiosities at Stevens's rooms, Covont Garden,Jiavo lately been well attended, and bidding has been brisk (writes our London correspondent on December Bth). Last week saw several lots of South Pacific interest. A New Caledonian devil-worshipper's ceremonial ma«k made £6 10s, an idol and a temple-house door £13 103 and £12 10s respectively. An Australian mummy of a child, preserved with fat and red ochre, bound up with cane, realised £25. A reconstructed New Guinea chief's head, shell eyes, mado £12; New Zealand dried head of a chief, the hair and teeth being exceedingly fine, £17 6s 6d. a somewhat similar lot goin£ for 11 guineas.

Writing under dato of December 21st our Canadian correspondent says: — The Presbyterian congregations of the Dominion have voted on tho proposal of Church Union with the .Methodists and Congregational is ts, by separate votes of elders, communicants, and adherents, with the result that so far as reported to date, the returns not being all in yet, though the voting is closcd, with only 27 out of 76 Presbyteries .to hear from, the majority for Union is 22,703, a vote of tlireo to two in favour of Union. Winnipeg js the only large Presbytery yet to be heard from, and it will likely, give a large vote for Union. In the 49 which have returned their votes, are 1198 congregations, of which 84G gave majorities for Union.

Dr. Chesson, District Health Offi;c«er, in a letter to tho Sumner Borough Council, referred to the drainage of the borough. He stated that he had noticed that the Council was raising a loan of £3000 for electric light at Redcliffs, and he trusted that au expenditure of this amount would not prejudice the carrying out of sanitation improvements, especially in connexion wit*j the drainage system of the borough. Ho pointed out that nothing had so far Been done in regard to a sewerage system in Redcliffs. and the sum of £3000 would go a long way towards the cost of a system, which, was far more necessary than that of lighting. Tho Council decided to r©. ceiv© the letter.

Duriiig an inspection of the Newmarket (Auckland) railway workshops on Saturday, the Hon. V.*." H. Herries, Minister of .Railways, g;ivo particular attention to the blacksmiths' shop connected with tho. works, which is declared by those who ought to be able to express an opinion to be the most efficiently equipped in Australasia. Proposals for rather extensive improvements in oonnexion with the general arrangements of the workshops" have lately been under consideration, and of these the Minister, as tie result of his inspection, approved. In common witn other new schemes relating to public works, however, the question as to when the alterations will be carried out is contingent upon the effects of the war on Dominion finance.

In a letter to his brother in Ohrietchurch, a prominent citizen of Birmingham writes:—"With reference to tfle wounded New Zealand and Australian boys who have been drafted to Birmingham—they speak in the highest praise of ,the splendid treatment they have received. We went to Dudley Road Hospital (Spring Hill), and saw some of the New Zealand men, and since thon wherever I have met any of them —and their uniform is distinct from the others—l stop and speak to them, and 'ask what part they conw from, and how they are gottwg on.. One of them. Sergeant" E. F. Allison, 10th. New Zealand Rifles, Otago Infantry—and his comrade, said he would be glad when I wrote if I would say liow splendidly the Birmingham people were looking'after them, and so thiit their own people at home might know that they want for nothing."

. A gratifying feature of the annual Court returns at Port Chalmers is a substantial decrease in the number of offences dealt with during 1916, as compared with those for the previous twelve months (says the "Otago Daily Times"). Despite tho era of prosperity that has prevailed in the town, and the oonsequent increase in the spending power of residents and visitors alike, it is evident that the war has exercised an extremely salutary influence, and the amount of sobriety is really aatouishing, considering the large numbers of mon who have found employment at Port Chalmers during the past year. The most marked decrease, however, is in tho number of offenccs by men connected with the abippinc industry. The total offences dealt with durin" the year numbered 89. as against 115 last year, and out of tho total 73 appeared on a charge of drunkenness, this ficuro representing the comparatively small increase of 20 over last vear's figures. For "other offences" only I<> persons were brought before the Court, as compared with 6o last year, and the total decrease for tho year is no fewer than-26 persons.

The woes of the litti© old woman who lived in a shoe have been excelled by those of a single young lady at Kakanui, who recently gratuitously- undertook the sole charge of nine children of tender years and diverse parentage (savs the Oamaru "Mail"). They tore their clothes, quarrelled among themselves, and generally behaved as .though the greatest pleasure in 'if o could only be derived by leaving the paths of conventionality as far on one side as possible. One man of 6even. being admonished for having assaulted another, took an intimation to clear out literally and forsook the too-popu-lous cottage for the waste places, i.e., the paddocks, over- which, by devious ways, eschewing the main road, he made his way to Oamaru, a distance of nine miles or more. No great anxiety was manifested by his keeper until the afternoon, but by the timo the shades of oveninjr began to fall, she w?a assailed by doubts, fears, and perhaps a tinge of remorse, heightened by _ the comforting remark of a matron visitor, who, after suggesting a watch on the spot .where tfie tide always deposited its victims, said: "And I suppose he was your eldest, too?" " nsk telephonic communication w ith Oamaru adjusted matters. Both are doing well.

The returned N.C.O.'s and men of fho New Zealand Medical Corps have been granted three weeks' leave of absence, not three days, as stated a csterday.

. A Palmerston North message states that in connexion with tho McHardy art union prosecutions it was. Arthur E. Bennett against whom an information was- laid, not G. H. Bennett, as stated in tho telegram published yesterday.

Tho number of admissions to tho Auckland Hospital in 1915 an increase of 625 as compared with tno previous year (says a Press Association message). The _ operations were also a record, numbering 296J; an mcreaso of 791. A bottlo of "Stop It" will soon drive that cold away. Get a bottlo now. All chemists and stores, and from A. M. Loasby, G79 Colombo street. 1 That the public, is not slow to appreciate solid' values is evidenced by the splendid eucccss of Messrs Graham. Wilson and Smellio's Summer Sale of Drapery nnd Clothing, which is nowproceeding. The premises are <k1 daily with eager buyers. A littlo money buys a big parccl of superior jjooils. * 6 Your home nets photographed in a manner you will appreciate, and results will last for ever. Steffano Webb, 252 High street. 4 At all times Carey's well-appointed men's departments are thoroughly Btocked with the newest items of men's wear, and customers will find that the values Carey's give aro of the same high standard that have, characterised this firm in the past. 1 If your Electric Light, Lift, Motor Magnetos, Telephones, Bells, etc., require attention, ring up Turnbull and Jones, Ltd., who will give you the best ana prompt attention. 1590 The Buick Valve in the head motors' superiority is not a mere claim—it is a scientitic, precise, demonstrable, unanswerable engineering fact. G To those about to furnish —"Drayton's'' Emporium can supply everything in crockery and household ironmongery. Save money and furnish here. Address, 765 Colombo street. 137-2 Prompt—Efficient—Economical.—This is the 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 A very useful and uniquo novelty, consisting of a small model cottage, when a man comes out when it is going to rain, and a woman when it is to bo fine weather, is shown at John It. Procter's. Oculists' Optician, 200 High street, Christchurch, and tho prices are only 3s 6d, 6s, and 10s each. 11 BIG SALE OF SECOND-HAND MOTOR-CiCLES. Just at present second-hand motorcycles aro going cheap. "VVe are overstocked, owing to tho big sales of the new three-speed 8.5.A., and the largo number of. second-hand motor-cycles taken in part payment. "Wo aro therefore holding a," clearing salo of these second-hand machines, and have fixed prices with a singlo view to quick sales. There is a big stock and a very wide variety to select from, as the following summary will indicate. We offer: 3i h.p. singlc-cylindcr fixed engine motor-cycles—Triumphs, £17 10s to £25; Tourist Trophy Triumph (very fast machine), £47 10s; Excelsior, £10; Bat, £17 10s; Humbers, £17 10s to £22 10s; King Dick, £22 15s; Rover, £35. 3$ h.p. single-cylin-der free engine motor-cycles —, Triumphs. £25 to £45. Two-speed motor-cycles —3J h.p. Triumph, £30; 4 h.p. Singer £40; 2£ h.p. Baby Triumphs. £40 to £60. Tnree-speed motor-cycles—3£ h.p. Triumphs, £40 to £50; 3£ h.p. 8.5.A., £45; 3£ h.p. Humber, £51 10s; 4 h.p. Triumphs, £57 10s to £62 10s; 5-6 h.p. Clyno, £60. Twin-cylinder machines —22 h.p. Humber, £32 10s; 2J h.p. Douglas, £35; . 5-6 h.p. King Dick, £40. Miscellaneous fixed engine machines— 2| h.p. Minerva, £10; 2J h.p. A.J.S., £25. All these machines have been carefully examined and overhauled by highly-qualified 'experts, and are in thoroughly good running order. Should any machine fail to give satisfaction to the purchaser we will gladly take it back and .refund the money. The sale will be continued until a satisfactory reduction of stock is accomplished, after which prices may be expected to go_ back to their normal level. The wise purchaser will therefore invest at once, while prices are low and the range of selection wide. Adams. Ltd.. Agents for Triumph and B.S.A. Motor-cycles. Headquarters Showrooms, High street, Christchurch. (See window display.) (G. B. Brown. Motor-cycle Department Representative.) 6