GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15561, 10 April 1916, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The Postal authorities advise that the s.s. lliverina, which left Sydney at noon on Thursday for Wellington, is bringing mails from Australia and United Kingdom, via Suez. The Christehurch portion of the mails is due to-morrow morning.

In ridiculing the "shouting" habit at Wednesday nigiit's mass meeting in Auckland (says the ''Star"), Monsignor Ma honey pictured four men meeting outside a chemist's shop, and one of the number taking the other three in to "shout" for them. The first man would probably call for a small bottle of cod liver oil. the next for a box of worm powders, the third for a box of * pink pills for pale people. In reply to the inevitable, "What's yours, boss?" would come, "Oh. I think I'll have a spasm." There was just as much sense in that, declared the speaker, amidst roare of laughter, as there was in taking men into an hotel and buying for them that which they did not require.

Seven prisoners will appear before Mr Justice Denniston at the Supreme Court to-day for sentence.

A large number of South Island Mounted men belonging to tho 12th Reinforcements came down by tho boat on Saturday on final leave.

It was suggested by Mr I>. T. Michaels at Thursday night's meeting of the Auckland City Council that it would be desirable to hang in the lown Hall as many photographs as wero procurable of Auckland .soldiers who have fallen in tho war. Mr/Michaels said he was assured by one city photographer that at least I*ooo such "portraits could be obtained. It was agreed that the town clerk should enquire into the matter.

While a Native was under crossexamination in tlie witness-box at tho Bannevirke Magistrate's Court on Thursday, his memory was at- fault (says the "News"). As a probable expl; nation of this, counsel asked witness whether he had lK?en ill. Witness raised a laugh by stating: "Oh. if yon go to an hotel you will get ill all right."

Witness later added that- ho was having a spree all the time. The purchase of benzine cropped up, and tho same witness said his wife sometimes bought it. They knew that his (witness's 1 ) name was good, and sold it To her. Ho did not know what it, cost; if he wanted benzine lie would have it whether it was "up" or "down." but it was mostly 11 m.

How America is helping the Allies is shown in a statement recently made by Mr W. K. Humphry in Congress, in which lie said: "Go to Europe; visit the front. You ride in an American auto to trendies dug with American tools, lined with American timber, protected by American barbed-wire, manned with American guns filled with American ammunition, defended by men clothed and fed with American products. American aeroplanes are scouting overhead, the cavalry dashes <0 the fmnt on American horses, the light artillery is brought un 011 American mules." A published list of American supnlieK to the Allies runs into 1.408.000.000 dollars, and includes ex"losivos. shells, blankets, rifles, forgings. vailc. harness, vehicles, boats, and aeroplanes.

Notwithstanding Sir "Walter Buchanan's recent severe criticisms of handwriting by children from New Zealand schools, Mr (I. Hogben, till recently Director of Education, finds the writing good. In the course of his remarks belore the Educational Institute at Wellington 011 Friday night, Mr Hogben said ho had seen a marked improvement in the handwriting of Now Zealand children. Recently it. had fallen to his lot to read some'6oo examination papers, and tho standard of legibility had been vcrv high throughout, lie had not found it necessary to hesitate over a single word. He believed that the present method of teaching writing was developing a good moving hand, which stood the strain of speed, without becoming illegible, as the older erect style had done.

Intel-viewed by a "New Zealand Times" representative in regard to the demand of the Wellington Corporation tramway employees for increased wages, thf* Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke) said that the demands of the men were of a very substantial character, but he could not mention any details, as tho matter had not yet been before the Tramways Committee. Tho Council had recently resolved to give the men a special war bonus of 3s per week, making the minimum wage £2 16s and the maximum £3 ss. and tho tramways manager (Mr W. H. Morton) was empowered to make that offer to the men, without prejudice, cn condition that the present agreement, which would shortly expire, should continue till the end of the war. The men had. however, refused til® offer, and. instead, had made claims far in excess of what tho Council had proposed.

A young man named George King applied to Mr E. Rawson, S.M., at Hamilton on Wednesday to be exempted from military training, on the grounds of conscientious scruples. His AVorsliip read a long letter which lie had received from applicant, in which the writer went somewhat exhaustively into the matter, and nuoted many Scriptural passages in support of his contentions that the practice of warfare was contrary to tho teaching of Christianity. Mr Rawson pointed out that the Government was only seeking to compel applicant to go into training, ard hot to fight. King said he did not believe that it was right to train for a purpose which he could not eventually conscientiously fulfil. "His Worship: "Have you any objection to learning ambulance work, that you may be able to tend tho wounds of your comrades and your enemies?" Applicant, said he had not. Major Northcroft said he was prepared to attach applicant to the ambulance corps if he had no objection to ambulance work. His Worship therefore dismissed the application.

Brigadier-General A. W. Robin, General Henderson, and several members of tho Staff Corps, local members of Parliament and a number of returned soldiers were invited to a private view of some really notable war pictures at Wellington on Friday (says the "Do minion"). These, it is stated, were the only animated pictures allowed to bo taken at Gallipoli during tho historical campaign which witnessed the first appearance on a European battleground of New Zealand and Australian troops and were secured by a war correspondent, who disposed of th e rights of showing them in London. The pictures are splendidly taken, and' give tho livest realisation of the country that witnessed one of the most glorious feats of arms ever known in history. There arc shown in rapid succession the beached steamer River Clyde, the troops being taken ashore in great punts animated scores on tho beach at Anzac and Suvla Bay. One graphic snapshot shows General Birdwood and some of his officers snatching a meal in a dugout, and another actually shows a Turkish attack being repelled. Hero arc shown the. men lining th e trenches in tho lightest attire, emptying their rifles through the sand-bags, whilst others refill the cartridge clips at the rear. One great picture is the shelling of Lolie Pine by the Turkish guns, and others give views of a great old earronade captured at Cap? Helles, and tho ruined forts at Sedd-ul-Bahr. There are also views of the troops at Imbros and elsewhere.

Mr W. E. Chisholm, district telegraph engineer of tiie combined districts of utago and Canterbury, who is retiring voluntarily upon superannuation after forty years' service, joined the Telegraph. Department's service at Wanganui in April, 1870. Two years later he was transferred to "Wellington Telegraph Office; was appointed a checK clerk, April Ist, 19U), and first assistant- electrician laboratory, Wellington, July Ist, 1902, during tiie time tin; late Mr J. J\. lxjgan was superintendent of electric lines; was appointed sub-inspector of telegraphs April Ist, l'JOo, and assistant telegraph engineer for the Wellington districj 'October Ist, 1!X)7; district telegraph engineer, Xelson district (.which included the Marlborough and Nelson provinces and the whole of tho West Coast); thence district telegraph engineer for Otago, February Ist, 1911, as successor to Mr J. Orchiston, who went to Wellington as chief telegraph engineer, and has therefore been in charge of Otago district for a period of over five years. In October, 1913, the Canterbury district ffiis placed under Mr Chisholm's jurisdiction. in addition to Otago, with staffs for the respective districts at Dunedin and C'hristchurch. Consequent upon Mr Chisholm retiring, Canterbury district will again be made a separate district. Mr A. Gibbs, staff engineer, has been appointed to the charge of district, Mr C. S. Plank. assistant engineer, Christchurch, being appointed to the Canterbury position. Prior to retiring Mr Chisholm enters on three months' leave from May Ist.

Several of the scientists in the Carnegie will give addresses at the meeting of the Canterbury Philosophical institute to-niglit.

Included iu Saturday's enlistments in Christchurch was that of a man who served in the British force in 1* ranee and Flanders in tho early days of tho war, including the retreat from Mans and the battle of Ypres. Another recruit was a French Canadian, and two others served in the Boer war.

The Hon. J. A. Hanan granted an interview on .Saturday evening to Messrs AY. >S. Foster and C. T. Aschman. who approached him with reference to granting increased training facilities to teachers in the Teachcrs' Training College. The Minister promised to consider their suggestions.

Mr G. Hogben. in an address to school teachers at A\ ellington on Fridav evening, summed up tho futility of the present system of teaching languages i n the secondary schools (says the •■Post''). He deplored the waste of time spent in teaching the elements of French and Latin. Most ol the pupils snent two-thirds nl their time in learning these, and they never brought either language to the paying point educationally. No boy alter four years of teaching could either roau. write, or speak French, lie failed to appreciate the value educationally of the daily grind in these subjects. H would be much better it the best things in Greek and Latin literature were given to the pupils in translations, than Til lit so much time should lv wasted in acquiring an imperfect knowledge of them in the original.

There is u;> more luxuriant bush iu the Dominion than that ot the I rcwera Country, traversed by the recent polite expedition against- Una (.s.ivs the .Auckland 'Star'"). Every now and then the party would come out ol the i n'let recesses of the forest on to ledges commanding a panoramic view of great open vales and valleys. far as the eye could reach in all directions, for miles .ground, the huge faces ot the range were thickly clad with the most beautiful i usli, running from the lower vallev. tip into the sky for thousands of fiet. In m::rv places, Una and his followers had cleared these on en vales, establishing lias in some of the flattest and witting the others down in grass. The latter »vas in luxuriant growth, showiiur what valuable laud there is in t'» : > millioTs of a"res tied up, and m Maori hands, in this I'rowera Country. Tho timber, aiso, must be of enormous value, while in numerous directions are ooen spaces large enough to build towns upon.

So proud are Australian* of the word "Anzar," so simple, ycr, so full of meaning, that it is to bo used for a variety of objects. The latest suggestion is the most original of all. . It |S that the familiar indigenous bird known as the magpie shall be rechristened "Anzac." A movement- is on foot to give fresh names to certain Australian birds that bear inappropriate or unwieldy titles. It is in connexion with this good work that a birdmnn in Queensland speaks up for the Australian feathered "Ansae." "The present name," ho points out, "is far from satisfactory. The true magpie is a European bird, with feathers of black and white, and there the similitude with our bird ceases. All Australians know the latter well for he is found all over our island continent. He has a niagrnliccnt carol, a fine anpearanee, is very sociable, and is a bold and brillia.nt fighter. The name of 'Anzac' is known all over the world and it will he for ever associated with the name ol Australia."

Happenings iu New Zealand of late k-tve been of a most interesting character, and those that" lend themselves to the camera and the engraver have been well treated in our contemporary, the "Weekly Press/' that comes out to-morrow. The 11th New Zealand Reinforcements had a splendid parade in Wellington, and splendid pictures of the marching through the streets of the Empire city are reproduced. The return of the Aurora revives interest in tho trans-Antarctic Expedition of Shackle ton, and a series of engravings is given of tho vessel's arrival at Port Chalmers; the autumn meeting of the "Wellington Racing Club is another subject that has been well done, and illustrations connected with the arrest of the prophet liua are a further feature of the same issue. On and after Gallipoli provide a number of timely pictures, and one of them, a gun in tho snow, displays very noticeably the kind of climatic conditions our boys met with just befor e tho evacuation. There are many more engravings pertaining to the war. including a portrait of Flight-Lieutenant Brandon, who had a thrilling experience with a Zepnelin in one of the recent air raids on England.

Esther ~L. Thomas writes to an English contemporary: —"All flower lovers will, I th.mk, agree that our best white rose is the Jj'ruu Karl Drusckii, and to retain that awful name in face of what German kultur has compassed during the war is at once an offenc® against our sense of the 'eternal fitness of things,' and a bc6mirchment of the intrinsic good qualities of this glorious rose. We all love the rose, hut abhor the name. That beautiful production, which, by its purity of bloom, appeals to the aesthetic in our nature, and by its destiny of poise and strength of growth, commands our respect, t-hould possess a name that would at once suggest something of its own character. My humble proposition is that the name of 'Edith Cavell' should ho substituted for the present truly ugly name. Hospitals and institutions of variors character wili no doubt perpetuate the nnnio of this heroic nurse, but I venture that if the nbovc suggestion be carried out she will more truly live in the hearts and affections of those who love the beautiful in 'flowerland' —and how few do not? Slightly varying the words of Holy Writ. I believe that, if the change be made that wheresoever in the whole world this rose bo grown. 'there shall also this that this woman done be told for a memorial for her.' "

Fresh from a four mouths' stay in Japan, 311- C. A. Briggs. manager lor Messrs E. AY. Mills and Co., Wellington, spoke very interestingly to a "Post" reporter on Friday on Jie subject of the condition of affairs as lie found them in that country. Though, not a business visit, Mr Briggs had many opportunities of seeing what was going on, and he has com© back evidently impressed with the trade development of our Eastern ally. There is, ho reports, phenomenal business activity in that country. All the factories are congested with orders; 0110 factory that he knew of had booked orders for four years ahead. Freights bad advanced enormously, and it was difficult to got delivery. When ho got there freights to London wore, oos a ton: when he left they had gone up to 100s. Although ho did not see anything of the manufacture of munitions, he related a significant fact. Near the hotel in which he was staying at Osaka, there runs a canal, and "on one O2ca.-;ion 300 -I in guns were taken on l-nrges down that waterway on their way to Russia. The activity on the share market, Mr Briggs adcled, was extraordinary, and enormous profits had made. One industrial company that was floated while he. was there was over-subscribed 900 times. A fricn3 of his, tho representative of a British firm, bought £44,000 worth of Japanese goods in three months. Ho would probably havo bought £144.000 worth if ho havA got the goods. His order included £22.000 for brushes aione. He also saw big consignment of saddierv shipped to Australia—"saddlery made in Japan for \u?tralian stock-riders or any other riders." Generally ho found the favourable to the Entente, although there was a small section of the commercial people who had some fears that they would have done better for themselves if they had gambled on the Central Powers' chances.

Sittings of the Council of Concilia. tioa have boon fixed as follows: Saddlorti' dispute. 15' th inst. at 10 a.ni.' General Labourers' Fnion and t&© llentheote_ Paparua, llalswell and AYaimairi County Councils. May Ist. 2.30 p.m. r ir.)ii and brass Moulders' dispute. .May !)th, 10 a.m.

How "astroiogy'' differs from '-for-tune-telling" was explained in the Auckland Magistrate's Court last work by a mail who was styled an astrologer. •"Astrology." declared the man, "is not fortune-telling. It is physiognomy and psychomatries. Parents bring their child. 1 learn the date of the child's birthday, and from the shape of the head and face. 1 tell the parents whnf profession or trade the child should enter. Thai's not fortune-telling/' ho concluded.

"Hundreds of single men in the Civil Service with deucndcnls —and for that matter hundreds of married men in tho Public Service—are ready to enlist if the Government will only make up to them the difference between military pay ami Public Service pay," declared Mr F. .1, Mouat. a candidate for election to the Public Service Hoard, at a. meeting at Wellington on Friday. "I have IK> doubt, whatever that a large number ol' them will immediately step into the ranks if guaranteed half their Public Service pay i n addition to tho military nay." On the evening of Sunday. April '2nd. the temporary bar in connexion with the rebuilding ot the Uoyal Hotel, at J,yttelton. was burglariously entered, and a quantitv of whisky stolen, access being obtained by forcing the leek ot the *~front. door, facing Canterbury street. As an outcome of the oftenee. three men, all of whom are married and have large families, were arrested yesterday morning bv Detective -Quartermaii> on a charge of tliett and breaking and entering. They are to appear at" the local Magistrate's Court this morning. The Minister of Defence has on several occasions received _ enquiries from the wives and patents of invalided soldiers, as to the possibility ot them ;,oiug back to the fighting-line betoiv tiiev' are lit. and, in order to allay all e.nxietv in the matter, has caused investigation to be made (says the "Otago Daily Times'). In one specific, case of a man in full enquiry has been made, the result, ot which proves that there was not the slightest cause for anxictv on the part, ot the wife GVneral Godlev states that the natural anxiety of friends and relatives mav be relieved bv the assurance that there is not the slightest occasion for uneasiness as to men being returned prematurelv to the front ( \ on ™J , : s ; ccnts are. he says, invariably g,t en the benefit of the doubt, and it tho medical otlicers err at all it is generally on tin. side of humanity.

In discussing tho matter of the increased price of drugs hist nock, an Auckland chemist was asked ll tins increase wore likely to impose great hardship on the poorer classes. "No, He replied. "it need not. necessarily atteefc them vcrv greatly because there are _so nianv cheaoor aiul quite c.fi.ac ok substitutes." That is n point it would ho vcrv well for doctors to bear in niiwl in making out prescriptions. ' he.K.dcf . "Often and oftc n a poor woman will conic in with a prescription lor a mmder. for instance costing a sinlliiiß, when she could have had one ,iust as effective for threepence. Many doctors undoubtedly take into consideration their patients' finances, but others again do not, and it would help greatly at the present time if they would piescribe cheaper drugs wherever possible to do so."

Enquiries made last week of leading Auckland druggists go to show (says the "Herald") that P«ces are still incrcasing, while in some lines tlie siippl>in" firms have been temporarily unable to" fill the orders at all. lhe enormously increased demand resulting; from abnormal hospital conditions in; the Allied countries, and the great dilticulties attendant on production to lowing universal shortage of labour, have resulted, and will continue to result, in greatly increased .prices. Drugs, in common use have increased during ie war period anywhere from oO per cent, to 1000 per cent., with every possibility of going still higher. Countries in every part of the world contribute supplies—Ceylon, Morocco. Zanabni, China, America, and many other countries not engaged in actual war ..a re, but the same conditions affect .ni. "Supplies will doubtless continue, stated one chemist, "but prices will still increase, and the public muni, be prepared for that increase. ixnßin? that we are only passing on part of the extra cost we have to bear ourselves.

"0 that Lord Lonsdale mcr proyo more trustworthy than any seer in history!" (says an English paper) ilia Lordship predicted at .Rutland that the war would be concluded by August. Ho at the same tnno provided a cue that we may S *V"® will b 0 taken up by the members of tho numerous Cumberland and Westmorland Agricultural Societies now m suspense. Lord Lonsdale said he did like the idea of tho Rutland Show, ol which he is president for the year, "C----ing abandoned, and by way of encouraging those concerned, he said he was firmlv convinced the war would bo con* eluded. 'It's a long, long way to —- August, but all the world knows (e>en if it daren't say, and still less P rlnt > lo * fear of the rfcnsor) that as soon as tnc spring comes there will be such a military forward movement on the part 01 the Allies as the world lias never seen. Then we shall know what is the real strength of the enemy, bccauso tho Kaiser must put forth every effort* order to hold his own. Ihe local Ag cultural Society meetings are usually held by the end of March; it probably pay them tins year to Postpone a decision until the early summer, by which time the committees would know much more than would br.possible during the Ides of Maich. Aga i we will all hope that the Earl of dale, who is popularly credited knowing more of what goes on m inner military circles than do most, folk m*. have his forecast fnlSlled and tlint 'f h.- is wrong at. all. it mnv be m puttin„ the date too far ahead!'

When out of sorts, ask your neighbour what to do for it. Ten to one tho answer tv*ill bo ''Ask 1/oasby about it.

Wo have a modern electric brougham for sale. Less than half tho price or petrol to run. Turnbull and Jones, Ltd.

Iloekcv unci Football. —Players aro reminded that Lewis and Anderson, Ltd. have just opened their season J supplies. Wl

One hundred and eighty varieties of charming carnations will be found in Bradburv's Catalogue. Plants, all wcu rooted, now ready for delivery. I nccs from % ocr dozen. Plants lasted to any district. Catalogue free on application to Hastie, Bull, and . Pickcnn„, Cashel street, who arc booking ora l^j

The memory cannot recall tho gradual c hanges of childhood. Have J' o " 1 ", child photographed now and then b* Stelfano Webb, 252 High street- J The most effective safeguard against infantile paralysis is the guaranteed d S' infeetant, Kerol. Use it everywhere Your homo. No germs can live near Kerol. Non-poisonous. British-made. Young housewives should hasten to learn the exceptional merits of Rubbing Laundry Help, for wasni „ clothes clcan without rubbing or i n J"sc Kincaid's, Ltd. HI-*** Early rising is not so ea.-v unless you have a good alarm clock. Lewis and Anderson, Ltd.. Cashel stroet, for l>es« value. <*" Latest collapsible push-cars, robber tvres, nickel handles, facing-mother style, 655: also, cheap line push-chairs, usually 4os. now 22s Od net Drayton's Emporium, 7<is Colombo street.

ff - j nir Blinds. e shall bo pleased j\e C havelt 0 1 A. Lu!. FRFIGI'TS ARE KISI .\G — ORDER j yoii? '.sTrDKHAEER" EARLV j Hivin" made arrangements tor the | ,h "t or a few ••Studebaker cars (Vom New York, and Loiuhm we now ■mote the i"o!lowing p:'i'.-e~. e. cd at l'Urch'WT - -- r<"-ideiico anywnere in New Zealand l*<wr-'-yliiKler to. 7-M-aTer) UrinK ••Studebaker, K.A C ratm« 'MOO ?i. • . 10-'-i: four-cylinder .3scatcr) ron<i.-ter ■•Studebaker." R.A.C. .'•'•in - ii-i).- : tour-cylinder I'ui ci:a~H.A.C. rating 2-LM h.p.. '•'ii.jfi. prices are in':u-in> of electric motor -elf-siartcr. electric ihditim: set. complete, five detachable I - aiid t>:'cs. s", x 105, electric h.nrn. j clock. speedometer, and. in the case j of t"iinii- and roji'Nter nuclei-., '"one j man" b"c,d and side curtain*. The ; pro.= pe.-;tiVe i>i;; - ."li:i-er of a ".Snide- | ' baker" car will be vise tn order early. ; The shipping d ; fli''iiHv is '..'rowing \v:ir-e ] daily, and a further rise in freights i v.ill' necessitate a rise in rh<- prices j minted. In any even:, however, the ••.Stndehakor" \vill retain its position j as the world's hivt-value-for-monev car. ' "We have a few of the new "Studelinkers" nn view in our garage aj present. finished in the latest and i»iost ,-tylish English shade.-. All •'Stude.- : iaker" cars are finished to suit t'le uurchasT v.-ith"ut e\tra charges and we r are in a position lo finish in anv colour e.r style you may have a fancy for. Th.> nr-'.v ".Studebaker-" embody many important improvements op last year's model, arnl last vcar's model reive ideal i-ati-fa'tinn to hundreds of New Zea- , land purchasers. fin tin. score of first ; cost, running cost, reliabilitv. dura- j liility. efficiency, attractive finish, com- i iort. and convenience, yon can't iin- | nrnve on a "Studebaker." Adams, I Ltd.. N.Z. Importers of Studebaker j Motors. Tfcadooarters Garage '.!!') j Tuam street, Christehurch. Write for ■pew illustrated catalogue. G ;