GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15501, 31 January 1916, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The Maitai, from San Francisco, arrived afc "Wellington at 1.0 yesterday afternoon. Her English and American mails are due in Christchurcli tomorrow morning. The movement on the waterfronts through the Dominion to eliminate overtime work after 10 p.m. is spreading. A ballot is 'now being taken at Bluff to ascertain the opinion of waterside workers on the question. In conversation with a member of a prominent mercantile house in Christehureh, a ''Press" representative was informed that there is an unmistakable indication of a further rise in the price of benzine, of probably one shilling a case. Motorists and other consumers are, therefore, advised to lay in stocks as a precaution. Women in various districts have taken on themselves the work of sending luxuries to the wounded soldiers in tho hospital. On Saturday a motorcar drew up at the hospital laden with all sorts of good things furnished 16 ladies of Papanui. The luxuries comprised eggs, cakes of all sorts, puddings, jellies, and jams. Next week another district will do the providing. All this is due to the organisation of the National Reserve of Women. The residents of Mangonui County (North Auckland) have contributed remarkably well in both men and money to the country's need sincc the outbreak of war, having sent away 378 European and 91 Native soldiers, in addition to subscribing over £12,000 to the Belgian, Serbian, and Wounded Soldiers' Funds. The present population of tho county is made up of a little over 3000 Europeans and about 1800 Natives. The Austrians in the district, who are now far more numerous than the Britishers on the gumfields, have subscribed liberally to tho Serbian .Relief Fund, but show'little desire to enlist in the New Zealand Forces, although a number recently offered to form a corps for service against the Turks. Mr Lander,' of Auckland, made an interesting find lately on tile western slopes of Mount Egniont. At a height of about 3-500 feet he' discovered a number of bones, some of which lie recognised as - moa bones, but others he could not identify at all. lie brought what lie could earn- away with him. One of the bones is the under part of tho skull of a large animal in a complete state of .preservation, except that one tooth was lost in transit. It is a little like tho under jaw of a horse, but other bones do not bear out a theory that it is a horse's skeleton that Mr Lander found, though among them is the shell of a hoof, liKe a horse's. His idea is that it is the skeleton of an cxtinct- animal, and that this particular animal and the moa whose bones were found in the same place, met on the mountain side and both succumbcd in an encounter, and rolled down into the gully where he found the remains. On 10th September last, Privates H. A. Forester and F. Goode east a bottle into the sea off the east side of Somes Island. The bottle contained the lollowing, written on a slip of paper: "Cast into the sea oil Tiuirsday, i(Jth September, 191-3, by Privates £).. A. Forester and F. Goode, guards of Somes Island internment camp.'' The interesting sequel t 0 this (,s;iys tho '"Post"), is a icply new to hand"from W. F. Whiteman, wireless operator at Chatham Island, stating that the bottle was picked up by a Maori on the beach of the north coast of that island on 27th December. The writer-states that the occurrence is very interesting, as it gives one some idea of the currents running between New Zealand and Chatham Island. When casting the bottle adrilt the senders had no idea that it would reach the open but hoped it would find its way to the Petone shore, as they were under the impression that the tide was drifting in that direction at the time. In his annual report, Mr J. T>ineen, Truant Officer to the Wellington Education Board, states that during the year ho paid 533 visits to schools. The total number of cases of irregular attendance was 2t>so. As compared with the number at 31st December, 1014, the roll number shows an increase at 31st December. 191.3. of 934 scholars, the average attendance for the vear having been 872 in excess of the average for the preceding year. The average attendance was 91 per cent. r,f t!ie° averago roll, ''iaking into consideration tho war. and tho effects of sickness and inclement weather.'' says Mr Dinccn, "the percentage of attendance is certainly exceptionally good. The conditions created by the absence at the front of elder brothers of many country scholars resulted in a number of breaches of the Act, and in those cases I considered that the circumstances warranted the withholding of proeeediigs against the parents and guardians. The shortage of labour thus created constituted. 1 think, exceptional conditions requiring exceptional treatmoai.''..

yjve bi" sharks were seen in the Wellington harbour on Friday near the outer "'all of the Ic Aro Baths. ■One is described as being a monster ilmiit "l"> feet in length, while the others averaged 8 feet to 10 feet. The Maitai, which, arrive'.! at Wolfrom iS.i 11 Francisro yesterday, reports that the Walkure was raised In the American Wrecking CSompanv at Tahiti on January Ist. When'the Maitai < ulled at 'lahiti the Walkure was being refitted ready for sea. At, a meeting of tho Sumner BurAssociation, held on Saturday evening, tbe members warmly congratulated the president (Mr J. H. .Maynurd) on his election to the Borough Council unopposed. Mr Maynard thanked those present for their expression.-, and said he hoped to do good work both as a councillor and also as president of the Association. A rather unusual offer was made to the secretary of the Wanganui Charitable Aid and Hospital Board last week. A lanner living in the country offered t;> take free of charge, _n child of a mariied man who was willing to go to the front, but was prevented by family ties. The farmer offered to maintain the ehiW at. his homo for the, period of the war or until the father w:i s able I to take up bis home duties again. One effect of New Zealand's part in the war (according to a Wellington man now in camp) is that many of the soldiers of to-day who formerly were in-door workers, will never go back to sedentary employment. In camp one meets pressmen, lawyers, labour secretaries. clerks, factory workers, and so on. All are fit and well, and few of them have ever looked so healthy. The outdoor life and the regular hours have made a big difference in them, and they know it. The question is: Will they ever give up the open-air life after the war? At least one opinion (says the "Dominion'") is to the effect that many of them will not. Certain reports in circulation with reference to enemy trading were mentioned on Friday to the Prime Minister. the llight Hon. W. F. Massey, who snoke with emphasis on the matter. "'lf any citizen, commercial man or otherwise,'' lie said, ''knows of any case or even any suspected case of trading with the enemy I shall be very glad if he will give the Government particulars, because we are determined to put a stop to anything of the kind. We have done a great deal already, although I can well imagine more requires to bo done. Goods may find their war to America, and then come to New Zealand stamped as articles of American origin. We have ample powers and we arc prepared to exercise them." lie turned soldiers who find it difficult to secure employment are inclinod to resent tho fact that young men who are apparently fit to serve manage to uecure Government positions (says the Auckland "Star"). A case has cropped up in Auckland where a young man has informed two returned soldiers (his erstwhile mates) that he does not contemplate going to the war. He told them that he has secured a Government job. and intended to be 'married' without delay. The soldiers state that the man who intends to stay at home admitted that he had not attempted to enlist, and had every reason to believe that if he did get to tho recruiting office he would he passed as fit lor camp without any bother whatever. It is understood that the Government position is not a permanent one. A Wellington citizen has received a letter from a New Zealander, who was wounded at Lass on November 22nd. A leg was broken above the knee. A bayonet and a piece of stick served as temporary splints, and thus began a painful experience to be remembered for life. The discomforts included joltings on springless carts and very unsuitable quarters at sea. Here is one passage: "November 27th till December 9th, a horrible time. I was wounded by shrapnel while on deck of a wretched boat, which had no cabins. They had to return to Kut because of attacks by Arabs. Again the same thing next day. Some of our men were killed." Busra was not reached till December 7th, and Bombay on December loth. Intense cold at nights was added to other sufferings, which were many, with a variety which did not lessen the pain. A resident of Devonport who lives in the vicinity of the North Head had a complaint to make this morning about his slumbers being disturbed last night bv the sound of German festivity, (says Friday's Auckland ''Star"). Ho states that in tho military barracks at North Head there are fourteen or iifj teen German prisoners interned, and I yesterday evening they apparently made merry to celebrate the Kaiser's ! birthday. Whether or not they had the wherewithal to toast the health of the notorious Wilhelm, the deponent knew not, and the particular words of the noisy singing that at first entertained and then irritated the residents near tho barracks by its loud continuance all evening were German to the complainant. But he suspects that the "Watch on the Rhine" and the "Hymn of Hate" were being hurled lustily into the British atmosphere of Devonport, as much from ill-will towards their captors as from goodwill towards the Kaiser. At any rate, the noise aggravated ?( number of the residents, who are convinced that such behaviour on the part of British prisoners in Germany would bring speedy and painful reprisals. Recruiting threatens to seriously depleto the ranks of. the theatrical profession in Australia. No fewer than eleven artists enlisted during the week (says the "Svdney Daily Telegraph' .), and tho male side of quite a powerful dramatic company could be formed with tho actors now in .active rehearsal, for the great European tragedy, at Liverpool. Many of Branscombs's Dandies artists are obeying the "call" for which there is no "difference in time of clocks" allowance. Rannnl Carlisle (now Sergeant Carlisle) is en route for "somewhere at the front. ' Dan Cerise, the property master with the "Greens," went into camp on the 3rd. Mr Arthur 'Mack, the comedian, will leave the (iarden Theatre Company at the end of the month, and proceed to Adelaide, his native city, there to enlist about the middle of March. .Mr Arthur Kisroe. the quaint comedian with the Scarlet Dandies at Brisbane; shed his baggy pants and the brhnless billycock for the more serious khaki garb. Mr Philip Haidman. the touring musical director of the firm, goes to Birmingham to take farewell of his people prior to going on active service. Mr .1. Brennan. the clever character comedian with the "Pinks," leaves early next month. In a special article written for "Life" magazine, Air Carlisle Smythe has a little to say about the hospitals where the wounded Anzacs are. Australians arc at Harcfield • Park, a manor-house and estate in a picturesque village in Middlesex, 17 miles from London, and the Australians are very comfortable there. But this is what Mr Smythe writes under the heading of "The New Zealand Touch." of our at Walton: "The hospital for the New Zealanders, Mount Feiix. at Walton-on-Thamcs, i.s the toniest of all the military hospitals in London. As usual, the New Zealand authorities have done the thing in excellent style and taste. They leased the palatial residence of the famous founder of the tourist agency, the late Thomas Cook, one of the stately homes of England, in an estate of over 40 acres, .about fifteen miles from the city. The installation is perfect. Burefield Park is, in comparison, a colony of wooden barns. Indeed the Maorilanders are so sumptuously treated that they might almost be German officers, for these appear to be the pet guests of the Imperial Government. Our old friend, Alexander Watson, came down one evening and delighted the convalescents with one of his recilAb."

The use of surf-boards has become popular in surf-bathing at Lyall Bay. and all si&cs and shapes of boards have been omploved. The Wellington City Council has adopted a recommendation of the Beaches Committee that a bylaw be passed, limiting the size of such l)oard.s to 5 feet in length and 18 inches in width. So great was the heat on Wednesday that one of the railway lines a short distance from Himatangi station buckled and caused a delay of nearly an hour in the arrival of the 1..50 p.m. Palmerston train, states the "Manawatu Herald." The buckled rail was fortunately noticed before the train arrived at' the locality, thus preventing a more serious happening. A slight, mishap occurred to the special train which left, Christehurch for Lyttelton at 7.5 p.m. on Saturday with soldiers to return to Wellington by the ferrv steamer. When close to tho wharf one of the passenger cars was half-derailed, fortunately in such a manner as not to hold up traffic on the adjoining lines. The ear, which was only slightly damaged, was subsequently placed back on the rails. Iveas are becoming fairly numerous on the higher peaks of the Remarkables, sav.s the "Lake County Press, and the shepherds on Kawarau Fails Station recently discovered several dead sheen which had evidently fallen victims to" the birds. On Saturday last Mr J. P. Mcßride, accompanied by Dr. Edie and Mr Kennett, left, the station at an early hour on a shooting expedition, aiui after an arduous climb of about foir hours Lake Alta (7100^t was safely reached. Several koas were seen on the shores of the lake, and during a stay of two hours eight birds were shot. Anticipating heavy demands on the passenger rolling stock on Saturday evening, the Railway Department ran a special train from Christehurch to Lyttelton. taking passengers on to the wharf. The Department's anticipations were fulfilled. as the special which left at 7.7, took ten carriages wclllilled with passengers. The second express from the south proved heavilyladen, many members of tho Expeditionary Force, returning to camp after a week's leave, travelling by it. It left for Port fully loaded, so that the relief given by the special was most opportune. The Postmaster-General (Sir Joseph Ward) has decided against the free use of telephones for patriotic purposes, in a letter read from him at the meeting of the Wellington War Relief Association yesterday, Sir Joseph stated: "I much regret to have to say that the Department's rule is not to .grant the use of telephones freo of cnargo for patriotic purposes. To set that rule aside would make one feel morally bound to accede to all of the very many applications that I already have for the use of free telephones for many admirable patriotic purposes. In tho circumstances I felt obliged, and do still feel obliged, not to abrogate the rule." The fault of recruits in giving wrong as to their age is often counteracted by the zealous anxiety manifested by the applicants to servo their country, and the technical illegality of tho procedure is overlooked (reP:urks the Auckland "Herald"). The frequency of attempts by elderly men antf boys to evade the requirements of th-> recruiting officer, however, have caused tho local Defence authorities to take a firm' stand in the matter. A boy 16 years of age enlisted on Wednesday night, a.id the false declaration on h''. recruiting papers was only discovered when his mother went to the recruiting office and stated his age. The Defence authorities contemplate taking action in future against men and youths who make false declarations or" age. Should a returned soldier already possessing some interest in land be entitled to a grant under the Discharged Soldiers Act? This question came up at Thursday's meeting of the Wellington Land Board, when several applications for grants were dealt with. One man applied for a ssction of. 200 acres in the Puketoi district, and in Ids application he. said he shared -10 acrcs elsewhere with his brother. All the other applicants'were landless. -Mr J. Georgetti said that a man should not be treated any differently because he happened to have either ample capital or interest in land. All were on a level in tho sacrifice they had made, and ( one man had probably fought as well' as the other. These sentiments were endorsed, but owing to a form ality which had not been complied with no action could be taken in the particular case before the Board. Soma unusual features were connected with the case of Poter Unger, a soldier, wiio appeared before the Wellington Magistrate (Mr D. G. A. Cooper, S.M.) on Saturday, to answer charges o!-' drunkenness and having used obscene language. Defendant was ar- | rested in Courtcnay place when hundreds of people were waiting for the trams. Unger, who spoke very broken English, said he did not remeniber having used the expression attributed to iiim. Sub-Inspector McKinnon stated it was rather remarkable that Unger had used the words "I'm a German ," a? a Russian who had conversed vith him at the request of the police nas satisfied that he was a Russian. It was possible, of course, that he had been deceived. On the charge of <:runkoniK"is. Unger was convicted and discharged, and for the more serious offence was lined £3 and witnesses' expenses Bs. in default one month's imprisonment. He was also ordered to be handed over to the military authorities. Referring to the Public Service Commissioner's proviso in advertising for applications lor the positions of accountants for the Internal Affairs and Education Departments, that candidates must have passed an accountancy examination, the "Public Service Journal" slates that "this limitation, if it is insisted upon, will result in the prohibition in almost every instance of any public servant, whatever ftis capacity and experience, ever becoming an administrative officer of his Department unless lie is fortunate enough to be the possessor of an accountant's diploma." The Association's aims in this regard are set out thus: (a) An assurance that senior officers of experience and capacity will hot be passed over, simply by reason of the fact that they do not possess an accountancy diploma, when an appointment as accountant is being determined unless the position in question is clearly one which requires fuller commercial accounting knowledge than is likely to be possessed by such officers, (b) The elimination of the limitation to officers holding the accountancy diploma from advertisements calling for applications for appointment, to the position of accountant or a similar position. Two years ago the Wellington Otv Council purchased a motor-cycle for the Fire Brigade, and it i.s now reported unfit for further service. The Fire Brigade's Committee recommended to the Council on Thursday evening that a ".Studebaker" chassis' be purchased for the sum of £295 to replace the machine. Councillor Fitzgerald drew attention to the fact that the "Studebaker" was an American-made car. The least they could do at this time wa-s to purchase British goods. Councillors would understand the difficult position in which he was placcd, but still he would move as an amendment that the name of the car to be purchased be struck out. and that the words "of British make" be substituted. Councillor Barber, chairman of the Fire Brigade Committee, pointed out that the purchase was a matter of urgency, and a report had been obtained upon three machines. Councillor Fitzgerald replied that the whole three machines reported upon were of American make. Replying to Councillor Hutcheson, he said he. quite understood British machines were nrocurab'c at present. Councillor Fitzgerald's amendment was „ carried.

Harvesting, according to the Ij^ Department's reports, has absorbed a lur-'o proportion of the unemployed in th, Dominion. At present there is demand for harvest, workers mOtapo. Grass-seeders, ballast. woikers. • labourers :<re required in _< , Hie labour position is penerally .« \ fu-torv Last, week there were o.) ap[i'icants for work at the Government Labour Bureau in Wellington and II were placed, in Christchurch A,iekHnd placed out of 48 i.pplvmp, \n 8 out of W. and in Dunwlm o out. of !» In the smaller centres there was nt surplus. A bottle of "Stop H" will soon drive that cold away. Get a All chemists and stores, and from AM. Loasby, 679 Colombo" street. * Special sale prices on week-end wants at Armstrong's to-day. The memory cannot recall the gradual changes of childhood. a \° child photographed now and then by Steffann Webb, 202 High street. «. We -wish to remind our readers that. Messrs Nicholson and Co.'s annual summer sale Marts to-day. and shoppers will be studying their own interests b\ leaving them au early visit. ''' Remnants and oddments at half-price is the order of the day at Graham. \\ ilsr>n. and Smellie's. Manv really notable bargains are ou ofTer in all departments, and. particularly so in the s.iowlooin. If, is a sound decision to x 'sit, this linn's premises before spending your money elsewhere. -I If your Electric Light, Lift, Motor Magnetos, Telephones, Bells, etc., require attention, ring iin Turnbull and Jones, Ltd., who will give you the best and prompt attention. 1590 Tho schools ready for the re-opening. I Armstrong's sale prices please iwrents. Girls' Cambric Drosses for giris 8 to 13, 3s lid, 4s lid. Overalls Js lid, school Blouses Is, Kilted Skirts 3s lid. i) The Bm'ck Valve in the head motors superiority is not a mere claim —it is a .scientific, precise, demonstrable, unanswerable engineering fact. 6 Loose Covers. —"We are experts, and have a splendid selection of linens, cretonnes, tissues, etc., suitable lor this work. A. J. White. Ltd. 6 Camp Beds. —Shipment just arrived, stamped steel, with patent springs, size Oft x 2ft .'iin. and strong enough to carry a giant. Just the thing for camps and week-end rests. Price 3<ss, at Lewis and Anderson's, Ltd., 112 Cashel street. 6 Re-opening of the schools. Special sale sacrifices in Boys' wearables — "Washing Suits "Js lid, 3s lid, Blouses Is 9d, Jerseys -s lid, 3s lid, -is lid, odd Knickers 3s lid. 4s lid, us od. Straw Hats 6d, Washing Hats 3d (5d 9d, stout Stockings from Is 4d, Golf 2s 3d, 2s 6d, 2s lid, Tweed Suits from Ss lid. Caps 9d. Armstrong's, Ltd. 3 How to "Bottle" Fruit.—Messrs Hastie, Bull, and Pickering ate presenting purchasers of Fruit Jars with concise directions for bottling, -written by an expert. They have the, best wide-ncck jars on sale. 1001 THE BRILLIANT RECORD OF THE "8.5.A." The "8.5.A." motor-cycle made its first appearance in the market fairly late in the history'of motor-cycling, but in the few years that have elapsed since its introduction it has had si record both in competition and in every-day service, second to none in the world for brilliance of performance, consistency, and versatility. The "8.5.A." had tho advantage of starting with an absolutely scientifically correct-single-cylin-der engine, the most efficient, most economical, and most simple typo of engine possible. When the rating of the engine wa s advanced from 3£ h.p. to h.p., and the magnificent threespeed (countershaft) gear was incorporated, tl'9 "8.5.A." commenced to show tho world that it was not necessary for efficient side-car service to equip a motor-cycle with a huge two or fourcylinder engine of anything iip to 10 oil 2 h.p. The "'B.S.A." met the big machines on equal terms in races and reliability trials in the side-car class, and 1 beat them decisively. The "8.5.A." is tho holder to-day of the South Island Side-car Championship, to go no further away from home. Notwithstanding its successes in the sidecar class it is as economical of petrol and as easy on tyres as any machine of similar rating. In fact, on petrol tests, it has put up better performances than machines of considerably lower rating. The "8.5.A." has only one serious rival in the world —the "Triumph." Wo cannot supply geared "Triumphs" at present, as they are all needed for military service, but we have a few "T.T. Triumphs'' ready for immediate delivery. together with ample stocks of 3-speed "B.S.A.'s" in the combined belt and chain drive, and complete chain-drive models. Adams. Ltd., agents for "8.5.A." and "Triumph" motor-cycles. Headquarters Garage and Showrooms. High street, Christchurch (G. B. Brown. Motor-cycle Department representative). 6