GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15487, 14 January 1916, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The Fire Brigade turned out last night to a chimney fire in Truro street. At a meeting in Rangiora last night, final arrangements _ were made in connexion with the visit of the returned soldiers on Sunday. It was agreed to ask the Rev. F. P. Fendall to conduct a short service on the arrival of the men at Victoria Park. The arrivals in New Zealand from •oversea during December totalled 3007, as against 3328 in the previous December. The departures were 1980 and 1801 respectively. These figures do not include members of the Expeditionary Forocs..

The CI>C Battalion will parade at the Barracks' at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday next for drill in Haglcy Park.

The exports of New Zealand products durinp the past three weeks (including the holiday period) totalled £1. M 0,635 in value, wool contributing £820,t>/8, and dairy produco £529,000.

Only a moderate attendance was vecorded vesterdav at the Art Gallery, on the second day of the Canterbury Sweet Pea and Carnation Society s Annual Show.

Yesterday morning the Telegraph Office advised that the "Waimakariri (north.and south branches;. Opihi and Waitaki rivers were clear, the Rakaia fishable, and the Rangitata dirty. Shortly before the departure of the Maori from Lyttelton last night, a young mmi who was standing near the steerago . gangway fell into the harbour. Shunter Grimmond immediately went to his assistance, and, with the aid of Constable Lloyd, got him ashore by means of a rope. A strange fish was netted vesterdav outs!3e the Heads by the trawler Pilot In appearnnce it- was speckled like *1 trout, had a body similar to that or a garfish, and a head like that of a dogfish. It was about twelve inches in length. None of the, fishermen on the trawler had seen anything like it before, and it is proposed to send it tho Musoum to-dav for identification. A littlo boy named Roberts, about, four years of ago, while paddling near tbo pier at Sumner on Tuesday, ventured out too far, and naturallv was soon in difficulties. Geoffrey Belliiouse, a youth, went in after the !x>y, and brought him to shore in an unconscious State. After the application of resuscitative measures, tho child came round and was removed to his homo. The 50 h.p. Bleriot monoplane, which was used by the late Claude Coutourier at Rolleston, is to he-offered for sale on February 11th, at the Rolleston Hotel. M. Coutourier left for Franco shortly after the outbreak of war, joining the French flying squadrons, which were stationed at Verdun. Ho did good ,work, but met his death while gallantly repelling tho attacks of two German war-planes. "I have just heard of tho torpedoing of a ship with a big New Zealand mail on it," says General Godlcy, in a- letter to the I>efence Minister, written late in November. Tho Hon. James Allen, • mentioning this incident on Tuesday, said it was clear that several New Zealand mails had been lost in this way on their way to the troops beforo the evacuation of Galiipoli. German torpedoes accounted for some of the complaints that had been made against the postal authorities in Egypt.

A case presenting rather unusual features is at present puzzling the minds of tho staff at the Oamaru 'Defence Office (says the "North Otago Times"). A certain recruit, whose keenness to go is undoubtedly genuine, has on two occasions had railway passes necessary for the journey to Trentham posted to him, but has so far not received one of them. It seems reasonable to think that the communications from tho Department are being intercepted by someone who has chosen this rather despicable way of preventing the would-bo soldier doing his plain duty.

During last year 1602 persons were granted naturalisation in Australia under the Commonwealth Act. Last month 34 men and no women were naturalised. Nineteen of the 34 were married, and 15 single. Six of . tho number were Germans—s being over 60 years of age and 1 being reported as a special case; 6 were- Danes, 6 were Russians, 5 Swedes, 4 North Americans, 3 Norwegians, 1 Dutch, 1 Italian, 1 Roumanian, and 1 from the Argentine. Twelve persons were naturalised in New South Wales, 8 in Victoria, 7 in iSouth Australia, .4 in Queensland, 2 in Western Australia, and 1 in Tasmania.

Tho secretary of the Y.M.C.A._ has received some jewellery to be either sold or melted down and turned into gold, the proceeds to be sent to Egypt to purchase comforts for the troops there. The money will be sent direct to Mr Jas. L. Hay, the Christchurch representative in Cairo, to be used at his discretion in the hospitals and convalescent homes for the sick and wounded men needing a few home comforts. One Association in the Dominion has received quite a large collection of old watches and pieces of jewellerv the latter to be melted down and the gold turned into money. In two cases engagement rings were sent in, one of the parties stating that she had her wedding ring and did not need the two. A bottle of "Stop It" will soon drive that cold away. Get a bottle now. All chemists and stores, and from A. M. Loasby, 679 Colombo street. I That the public is not slow to appreciate solid' values is evidenced by the splendid 6iiceess of Messrs Graham,. Wilson and Smellie's Summer Sale of Drapery and Clothing, which is now proceeding. Thb premises are thronged daily with eager buyers. A little money buys a big parcel of superior goods. 6 The lowest prices yet submitted— 42-inch White Voile, 10$ d; 40-inch Pique, lOJd; 40-in Coloured Cotelo Cord, Is 6d " (special); Figured Spot Voile®, 9d; 40-in Crepes, Btriped and checked, Is; Frosted Voile, Is; 42-inch Navy Serge, Is 6d. Armstrong's, Ltd. 3 A photograph of your family now will be greatlv treasured in years to come. Let Steffano Webb take it. Satisfaction guaranteed. 252 High Btreet. 5 At all times Carey's well-appointed ! men's departments are thoroughly stocked with the newest items of j men's wear, and customers will find that the values Carey's give are bf the ] same high standard that have characterised this firm in the past. 1 The Assigned Stock of Messrs Coombs and Co., drapers and clothiers, Dannevirke, has been bought by Armstrong's, •Limited, of this city. 4 If your Electric Light, Lift, Motor Magnetos, Telephones, Bells, etc., require attention, ring up Turnbull and Jones, Ltd., who will give you the best and prompt attention. 1590 The Buick Valve in the head motors' superiority is not a mere claim —it is a scientific, precise, demonstrable, unanswerable engineering fact. 6 Armstrong's, Ltd., have made an advantageous purchase of Gents' fine Worsted Suits, English samples, which they are selling at wholesale prices. 2

NOW'S THE TIME FOR SECONDBICYCLES. Recently the sales of the latest model "Swift" and "Star" bicycles have been very heavy, and a very large number of | second-hand bicycles nave been taken | ir.. _ part payment for these new machines. The result is a bigger stock of second-hand bicycles than we can conveniently find space for, and we have decided to dispose of these quickly by the simple method of offering them at such low prices that they will sell themselves. We take every possible care and precaution to ensure that every bicycle sold by us is sound, strong, and in first-class running order. In the case of second-hand machines coming into our possession, we have each one carefully examined by an expert. Any defects discovered in a searching examination ar6 at once made good in our well-equipped factorv before tJi« machine is offered for sale. The purchaser can therefore rest assured that he will get satisfactory service from any machine purchased from our second-hand stock. The present stock comprises a particularly good lot. of bicycles, many well-known makes being represented. * Prices range from 40s upwards, and the average price is somewhere about 60s. Everv machine is a genuine bargain, as prices have been fixed considerably below normal rates in order to ensure quick disposal. Call to-day and make your selection. Showrooms are open till 9 o'clock tonight. Adams, Ltd., Headquarters Showrooms, High street, Christchurch. (C. S. Orr. Bicycle Department Representative.) t»