GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15606, 2 June 1916, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

A contribution of £25 for the Canterburv Patriotic Fund from the Templeton* Domain Board has been received by the Mayor (Mr H. Holland). In regard to 1 the opening of the Convalescent Hospital at Hanmer Springs to-morrow, those invited to tho ceremony are asked to bring their cards of invitation in order to facilitate the arrangements. There was received yesterday morning one of the new British Treasury £1 notes from Lieut. Hubert Garcia (H.M.S. Sydney), as a contribution to the Christchurth Boys' High School branch of tho Navy League. Lieut. Garcia is one of the old boys of tho School. Tho "Wellington Provincial Farmers" Conference,' sitting at Levin 011 Tuesday, forwarded a telegram to the Prime Minister expressing its "hearty appreciation of tho greiit efficiency shown by the National Government in tlio many and arduous additional tasks imposed by tlio necessity of preparing the Dominion to tako its share in the defence of the Empire," and specially recognising "tho splendid administration of the Hon. James Allen, Minister of Defence, in his responsible position." Tho commercial instinct is evidently highly developed in somo of the llnkaia " youths (says tho "Ashburton Guardian")- Recently a small boy approached tho clerk of the R-oad Board and intimated that he had some rat"' taiis for sale. Tho clerk asked the lad to spread ;hem out in his hand for the purpose of counting .them, and before making a deal he _ was induced to make a closer inspection owing to the peculiar appearance of some of the alleged tails. His surprise can bo better imagined than expressed when he discovered that the alleged tails wcro healthy specimens of dock-roots, all about a uniform size, and about the same length as a rat's tail. The specimens were 6hown to the members of the Board at its meeting yesterday, and created considerable amusement. Picture shows as a magnet for the young were tho subject of a tilt by a delegate to the conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce in Brisbane last week. Mr T. H. Hill (Sydney) was on tho subject of technical <xl ucation, and did not seem very hopeful about it. He informed the conference that, in his opinion, the picture shows exercised far and away too much iniluence over tho young mind, and diverted it from more profitable and laudable pursuits. If he had his way, lie would prevent any youth patronising a picturo show unless he could produce a ccrtiiicate showing that he had duly attended his class for technical instruction. Mr Hill made it clear that he had little faith in tho assimilative mortality of tho young Australian, and perhaps less in the value of the picturo shows in turning out good artisansThe Rev. J. Paterson, at Dr. Blackmore's lecture last night, told a story which well bears repetition. There, was a smallpox scare "in Sydney. All had been inoculated. People went about with notices on their arms, "Please do not knock." It was a Sunday, and a student had been called 011 to officiate in place of Mr Paterson. who sorely afflicted, took his seat with a likewise suffering and sympathetic congregation. But sore as were the arms of the congregation, the pain endured could not check their amu*sement when the budding orator took for his text the words "Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pjeasures 'of sin for a season" (Heb. 11. 25). The congregation smiled and smiled still move when the budding orator quoted 2 Cor. 4-17. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more everlasting and eternal weight of glory." Mr Paterson said it seemed hard, even afterwards, to point out to the preacher, how applicable his application had been. An actual beginning has been made in connexion with 'tfte underground railway for the City of Sydney, which is one of the big works covered by the much-debated arrangement made between the Stat© Government and the firm of Norton, Griffiths and Co. for the financing aud carrying out of extensive public works for which the Government found its own direct resources inadequate. To make way for new constructions in connexion with the underground railway, which will extend around the city proper in somewhat the form of an oval, a wholesale demolition of buildings is taking place (writes our Sydney correspondent). Amongst the places which are coming down are some fine bi£ buildings put up only a short time ago. Tunnelling operations are to uegin next week, and before long thrre will be in progress much more than enough to engage the attention of the remarkably large number of persons who seem to have no other occupation than that of standing for hours watching others at work digging holes.

Another case of infantile paralysis is I reported from South Canterbury, whero ' an eighteen months old male child has been attacked. I

In the House of Representatives yesterday, the Hon. G. W. Russell gave notice to introduce the Christchurch Rating Agreement Enabling Bill.

Contributions to tho Coal and Blanket Fund received by the Mayor (Mr H. Holland) are:—F. W. Woodward £1, Hyman Marks Trustees £100, W. G. Cotterill £- 2s.

Messrs Henry Frank Hiatt and "V\ illiam "Watson have been nominated for the vacancy on the Selwyn County Council, and an election will be held on Thursday next.

There was a fair congregation at St. Luke's Church last niglit on the occasion of the Ascension Day evensong. The preacher was the Rev. F. X. Taylor. who dwelt on the inner meaning of the Ascension and the con.-equenees that it entail.xl. A collection Was taken up on behalf of the S.P.C.K. The chairman of the North Canterbury Board of Education., Mr L. H. Opie, with Messrs Hugh Boyd, J. Janiieson, E. H. Andrews, and the secretary, Mr li. C. Lane, have "gone to the West Coast, where they will inspcct the schools which are short!;- to be included under the administration of their Board.

"It is not genius ihat is required to make the ideal Public Servant," said Sir Edward Gibbes, Societal- for Education, when farewelled by his staff on Tuesdav night. "If a man gives his full attention to whatever comes before him, and attends strictly to his duties, he's the man the Government wants.' I'm not a man of genius, and I've been successful. Remember the old Biblical quotation: 'Whatever thy hand find itself to do, do it with th\ might.' That's all I've done?"

The effort of the Mayor of "Wellington (Mr J. P. Luke) to £500 to provide a Soldiers' Club in Irentham. the same as at Fcatherston, was given a definite life on "Wednesday, when Messrs J. Stades and Co., the wellknown "Wellington brewers, forwarded a cheque for £100 towards that purpose. -Mr Luke now requires £300 to complete the total. The fine Soldiers' 3lui) at Fcatherston was provided by Wairarapa residents, with tno assistance of the Government.

''What is this war risk?" asked Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., yesterday, on the application of a solicitor for a judgment in a:i undefended civil case. '"It is a premium for insurance," was the reply. "You must satisfy me that this is a matter of contract between the parties. I can see nothing between the war risk and the .general account" — which in this case was for watches. "There is a fixed price for watches," he continued, "and tradesmen cannot charge a special war risk unless special arrangements have been made." The claim for war risk was struck out.-

A Dunedin message says tho ceremony of laying the two foundation stones of tiie new medical buildings took place yesterday afternoon. Air W. Dawson* to -whoso generosity the practical initiation of the schemo for erection was due, and the t Hon. J• Hanan, Minister of Lducation, performed the ceremonies. Mr Hanan congratulated Dunedin on tho position it occupied as regards educational mattors, and paid a high tribute to the medical profession and nurses for their labours t 0 avert, as far as possible, tlio "wastage of "war, to alleviate suffering, and to reduce the percentage of infantile mortality.

Some of the returned soldiers have paid a heavy price lor tho services they nave rendered to tlio Empire. One such case came under the notice of a reporter of tho "Otago Daily Times" on Wednesday, a North Islander, who had just come to Dunedin on leave after two months in the Wellington Hospital and nearly seven months in hospital at Cairo. This man belonged to the Artillery. A bomb was chopped from a Turkish aeroplane, and landed on tho parapet of the gun emplacement, killing a brother of the man and also seven other soldiers. Tho man himself received an injury to the spine, which affected his arm and log. The leg got. bettor, but the arm is withered, and in pursuance of tho doctor's advice, he has decided to have it amputated. Ho also received a bullet in the abdomen.

An excellent recovery has been made by Sapper Frank Leyland, of the New Zealand Engineers, from the severe :n----juries he sustained during the campaign against the Turks 011 Gallipoli (says the Auckland "Herald"). Sapper Leyland, who is a son of Mr and Mrs W. JJ. Leyland, of Auckland, wis one of the victims in a mine explosion Three of his comrades were buried alive, and Sapper Leyland was buried up to the shoulders. When he was extracted lie had lost his power of speech, .and was suffering considerably from shock. He remained with the forces until August—ho met with his accident in May last year—and was then invalided to England. Ho was given his discharge, and lie subsequently went to America to undergo spccinl treatment. He is greatly benefited;, his speech having been restored. He has also improve*.! otherwise.

A psychologist would no doubt have experienced an almost insurmountable difficulty ill trying to i'o!thom the mentality or some oi ; the,-peoplc who for•warcied reading matter to the soldiers from the Willochra wiio were interned on Quarantine Island (sav s the "Otago Daiiy Times"). The iuoa formed ol' the literary leanings of the soldiers was in instances rather remarkable, and it is charitable to suppose that some of the parcels of books, papers, etc., were not sent to Quarantine island as a convenient means of. getting rid of such literature, but out of pure good feeling. However, j»ik*ts of papers dating back a cotiple of years could hardly be oxpectecl to interest soldiers keenly desirous of reading stirring eveiyday news, but the limit in this ijirection was reached by. the keen student of politics —let us hope— who foi warded 12 copies of the New Zealand "Hansard" for the year So many papers were sent a'ong that at last the authorities had to decline to deliver any further lots to the island. On the other hand, the student of human nature would feci a glow m his heart when lie learnt of one parcel. It contained two small boxes of chrysanthemums. The flowers were of no particular beauty, but the inscription the parcel bore contained a beautiful sentiment, —"To be laid on Trooper Wilson's grave."

With the near approach of conscription the question of who will be exempted as being of paramount importance to the maintenance of vital industries becomes of increasing interest. In this connexion (says the ''Otago Daily Times") the position of tUo Christchurch Meat Company's works at Pukeuri, as stated by the company, as one of the largest concerns in the district and one that must certainly be kept running at all costs, shows 'that there are employed eight men under •the military age, 3(3 over it, and J.OO men -who are of military age. Of these 100 men 49 are married and 51 are single. Of the married men, 20 are considered essentials to the running of the works, and of the single men 15, a total of 35 who must be retained if >th<v -works are to be run at full (.a pacity. Of the married men of militarv age 29 are not considered essential, and of the single men, who will be the first called upon, 36 are not essential to the business. The qualification of essentiality is held chiefly by butchers and pullers. Older men could not do the work, and younger men would take at least 12 months to become efficient eo that the works could cope -with the work expected. Many young men who are taken on to learn butchering never make butchers who can keep pace with the -work while doing it cleanly and ■well.

No cough mixture cures so quickly as Loasby's >Stop It —Is 6d, 2 S 6d, and Is 6d, grocers and chemists. Larger bottles are cheaper. I

Wo have been requested to notify that Messrs Armstrong's drapery establishments will be closed all day tomorrow (Saturday), his Majesty's Birthday. 1 j The Grocery n»stablishmeats will bo closed all day Saturday (the King's Birthday). 5 Sooner than put obsolete apparatus in the melting pot, we are offering it to Technical College students at less than scrap prices. Seo window. Tunibull and Jones. Ltd. 6 The fact of closing all day to-mor-row must create a crush at Armstrong's winter drapery sale. to-day. It will be materially advantageous if buyers will make their purchases as early in the day as possible. 2 The memory cannot recall tho gradual changes of childhood. Huvo your child photographed now and then by Steffano "Webb, 1252 cligh street. 3 Winter specials.—Stone footwarmers 2 S 3d, Thermos flasks, nil guaranteed, 5s 6.1, Gs Gd; Sleep-meter Alarm Clocks. Us Gd. Lowest prices. Drayton's, i lio Colombo street. 1 The t-emarkably low prices ruling at Armstrong's Sale are proving a boon to buyers. •THE STAR"—AN HONEST BICYCLE FOll £-7 10s. The "Star" bicycle ha-s attained its present great popularity by maintaining for twenty seven years an unsullied refutation for honest workmanship, gioat durability, ease of running, and up-to-dateness of finish and design. It is offered at a low price to-day, not because there has been any falling-off in quality or intrinsic value, but because the big demand of to-dav and the rapid stiiues made in labour-saving machinery enable the machine to he-produced at a much lower cost to-day than was the case a few years ago. Although the present price is a low one, the "Star" is completely equipped for the roaJ, with lamp, bell, inliator, and clips, etc, while the roadster models also include, without additional cost, steel mudguards, free wheel, rim brake, and other accessories. The "Star' 5 bicycle is thoroughly reliable. It will save its owner its price in tram fares in a very few months, and in addition ' will conserve his or her health by ensuring daily outdoor exercise of tho pleasantest description. Tho neiv model "Stars" will delight you. Thev are trimly-designed, in tho'very latest style, beautifully finished, and splendidly ■equipped. Call and see the full range of "Star" models, including the celebrated Juvenile "Star" at £6 10s, tho finest juvenile machine ever built. Adams, Ltd., Headquarters Showroom#, High street, Christchurch. (C. S. Orr, Bicycle Department Representative.) 6