GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15657, 1 August 1916, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

In tho House of Representatives last night the Minister of Dcfcnce announced that the 13th Reinforcements had reached their destination safely.

"There is always a funny side," writes Private A. B. Kidsou. ot Nelson, from France. "Thc day after the Daylight Saving Bill came into forco in England a note was thrown over by Fritz, askiug: 'What's the right time, Anzacs?' "

In an indecent assault case at tho Supreme Court yesterday, the defence put forward was that prisoner was so upset with drink at the time that ho was unable to know whether lie was doing right or wrong, and consequently there was 110 criminal intention on his part. In his summing up to the jury, Mr Justice Denniston said it would be a very sad day for the country if that defence were to save a man from n'C consequences of his act.

Considerable discussion took placo at a recent meeting of the Lyttelton Borough Council regarding an alleged unsightly building that had been erected by Mr C. M. J. Miller at the new settlement- at Diamond Harbour without the permission of the authorities. At last night's meeting of the Council plans were received From Or. Miller showing that the necessary alterations had since been carried out. Tho plans were approved.

At last night's meeting of the Lyttelton Borough Council, a deputation, consisting of Messrs C. H. Opie, T Dalzell and J H. Howell, on behalf ot the' Education Board. waited_ on the Council with a request that tnat body should charga.the Board an annual rental of £50 for the use of tho Colonists Hall for technical classes, instead ot £60. and that the present annual grant of £10 should be increased. After the denotation had withdrawn it wa s decided that the rent should stand at £60 and t*nt the annual grant be raised to £30.

When a charge was read in the Supremo Court yesterday against a prisoner chargcd with, indecently assaulting a boy, Mr S. G. Raymond, Iv.C., Crown Prosecutor, asked Mr Justico Denmston if he would clear the Court. His Honour said he only felt justified m ordering the Court to be clcared when women or young girls had to give evidence in those sexual cases. _ At tho conclusion of these remarks, his Honour espied a couple of women in the gallery, and' immediately smnounced that tho evidence was certainly not of a naturo to bo listened to by them. The two women lost no time in making their exit.

A man engaged in a drainage contract at Lumsdcn, Otago, was brought before the Magistrate's Court yesterday onacbargeof disobeying a maintenance order. On his sentence being announced he asked: "How shall I get back again?" Mr Bislion said: "That's your matter—you have "brought it on yourself by your own folly," and addressing the Sub-Inspector,, asked: "What is tho usual rule in these cases?" Tho SubInspector said the men had to get homo themselves as best they could. The S.M.. addressing the man. said: "You will have to get back as best you can. It is your own folly that has brought it on you."

There was the usual crop of jurors at the Supreme Court yesterday making application to Mr Justice Denniston to be excused from attendance on the ground of more or less serious reasons. Two or three were small tradesmen, who stated that they would have to close their premises in order to attend the Court; another was a milkman, who said he could not cover his round properly if ho had to attend tho Court. These, with others, were excused. One man asked to bo excused on the ground that lie was temporarily deaf in one ear caused by a cold in his head. "There is a continual ouzzing in my ear," ho said. His Honour pointed out that if the applicant could hear with his other ear that would bo quite sufficient, if in fact not bettor than possessing tho U6e of both ears, for "in at one ear and out of the other," ho quoted. The applicant was, however, excused.

At the meeting of the Riccarton Borough Council last night, the Hall Committee recommended that the Borough Council purchase tho piano now in use in the hall, on which payments amounting to £22 had been*made. Cr. Wise asked if the piano wore of German make. It was stated in reply that the name of tho maker on the piano was most distinctly German. Cr. Wise then moved that tho report be referred back to the Hall Committee in order that it might endeavour to come to some arrangement bv which it could get a British piano. The instrument was to be used in a public hall, and the war had already brought so much trouble to Riccarton. that he considered it advisable that a German name should not be exposed in it to arouse feelings of resentment among those who saw it He thought it would be far better to exchango the German for an English piano, even if the latter cost more. A suggestion that tho German name should be painted or cut out was scouted, and Cr. Wise's suggestion adopted.

The secretary of the Canterbury Drivers' Union (Mr H. Hunter) Bent the following letter of protest to the Christchureh' City Council, which was read at last night's meeting:—"l have been instructed by the Canterbury Drivers' Union to enter a protest on behalf of its members against the remarks of his Worship the Mayor (Mr H. Holland) m connexion with the report of the Council's Works and Sanitary Committee on the operation of the Council's sick benefit allowance to its permanent employees. His Worship is reported to have said: 'It looked as though som e of the employees made a practice of going off for a week or two "sick" every year.' This is considered to be a reflection upon the integrity of the whole of the employees, which i 6 unwarranted, and also a serious reflection upon the Council's medical advisers. who received over 18} per cent, of the total amount involved. I am instructed also to protest against the recent order of the City Surveyor prohibiting the men from smoking in the course of their daily routine. When the nature of the work performed by many of the men is taken into consideration, it is a positive hardshin to prevent them from having a smoke, especially when very little, if ary, time is lost thereby. If the prohibition is retained, it i* likely to have a more de- j trimental effect upon the staff than if the previous freedom were allowed." The Council received the letter, a motion by Cr. Sullivan to allow the men to smoke being defeated by two j votes- J

Tho Telegraph Office received the' following advice from Arthur's Pass, at 930 a.m. vesterday:—"Raining north-west* Waimakariri river rising.' At Wellington yesterday a commodious new Returned Soldiers' Club, seated on Lambton auay, was formally opened by the Earl of Liverpool. Tho second express for the south was delayed for some time at Tinwald yesterday afternoon, owing to tho breaking of one of tho connecting rods of tho engine. The total number of swans ready for shipment for food for tho Belgians as the result of tho recent swan drive on Lake Ellrstnere is 1744. The swans will bo shipped during this month. Another illustration of the mildness of the present season was demonstrated *»t Sumner recentlv when a resident living 011 the Esplanade was able to pick ripe loganberries. At a meeting of the committee which has tho arrangements for the production of "H.M.S. Pinafore." in hand at Rangiora, it was decided that no auction bo allowed to take place at tho performance. A Wellington message says that after several weeks' negotiations, an agreement has boon reached whereby the engineers in tho smaller vessels trading out of Wellington will receive all-round increases ranging from /J to 10 per cent. Citv Council men in punts, armed with "long cutters, are cutting away tho weed which this season is so prevalent in tho Avon. Ilio weed_ 1S cut p.wav in great- masses, and getting into the" middle of the stream is swept out to the estuary. The oak tree which stands between tho Museum and Christ's College has now been included in Rollcston avenue. Tho fence has been placed behind it, and the tree, which is a very fine one. is thus exposed to tho public view, making a pleasant recess in the ordered line of the avenue.

The beautiful weeping ash, which Dr. Jennings gavo to the Public Gardens, has been planted near the old fountain site, where it shows to good effect. Tho front nath of the gardens, running parallel to Rollcston avenue, which was formerly rather low and wet. is now being raised so that the rain will drain off.

At last night's meeting of tho Lyttclton Borough Council, Cr. Isaacs pointed out that although the railway service between Lyttelton and Chnstcliurch had been accelerated by five minutes, nothing had been done by the tramway authorities in Christchurcli to meet tho new conditions. It was decided to bring tho matter under the notice of tho Tramway Board.

At the Magistrate's Court yesterday a first offender came up wearing the returned soldier's badge. Tho police stated that he was in reality a returned soldier, but they had reason to'beleive that he had been collecting small sums as the moneys found in his possession wero mostly pennies, threepenny bits, and small coin. Mr Bishop told * the police that they had him under their eye. and if he offended they knew what to do. He treated him as a first offender.

The shortage of white paper, which recently causcd the American Newspaper Publishers' Association to urgo upon its members the strictest economy, even to the cutting-down of margins and the discontinuance of useless extra • editions, is now so serious that the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce has just issued a pamphlet with definite instructions as to what kind of materials should be saved, and how it should be assorted. These instructions are printed in the form of a manual for the guidance of small householders, apartment houses, small stores, hotels, department stores.. office buildings, large printing establishments, and other users of paper, and the material from which it is manufactured.

In an indecent assault case at the Supreme- Court yesterday, the prisoner reminded Mr Justice Ucnnision that lie had made application for tho assistance of counsel. His Honour said case was a very simple one. and not likely to cause the jury any diwculty. It was competent for a Judge to see that an accused person's interests were safeguarded. It was not a mattor of right that an accused person should be given the assistance of counsel, but only where the circumstances made it desirable. "There is no magic in a lawyer," remarked his Honour, "a man's own storv is his "best appeal to a jury." Eventually his Honour asked Mr It. Twvneham, who happened to bo in court, to watch prisoner's interests, and Mr Twyneham consented.

Recently a house-to-house inspection of the borough of Lyttelton was carried out by the sanitarv inspectors of the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and last night a report of the work was submitted to the Council at its meeting. The report stated that premises. had been inspected, and there were 689 defects to be attended to, including 109 defective privies and connexions, 144 water defects, many of these bein<r due to siphonapre, and 117 defects in. gully-traps. The report stated that notices had yot to be served on the residents whose premises were nffected, and aslced thnt the should assist in serving the notices and seeing to tho reniedvinfr of the defects. The W-ort was "pOyr—i to the Sanitary Committco to deal with.

The earlincss of the season is to be noted by the amount of b.oom that 15 to be seen. Spring bulbs aro rap—y coming into flower. The bronze or Persian plums on the banks of tho Avon and other warm spots arc becom-< ing white with bloom, and even the apiicot buds are bursting. The new seed stalks of the native flax arc also appearing, although they are not usually seen until September. The growth of grass is also as remarkably forward, as although there has been a good deal of rain, there has not been sufficient frost to lower the temperature of the soil, which was high on account of the two dry years. There is every prospect of an early and prolific season, as was the ease' after the 1897-98 dry spell. So far the experience of eighteen years ago has been repeated, even to tho breaking up beginning in the month of February, and continuing into winter with showery weather.

When out of sorts, tired, weary, nervous, come and "Ask Txiasby about it." Adults 3s 6d. children 2s. 2

"The Day" (to-day)— For the Sale of the Drapery Stocks of Cossar and Co. Armstrong and Co.. Ltd., are the vendors. 1

Cooking by Electricity.—Miss Trent will give a series of public demonstrations at her electrical kitchen, over Messrs Turnbull and Jones, Ltd.'s, commencing on Tuesday, August Ist, at 3 p.m. 1

The memory cannot recall the gradual changes of childhood. Have your child photographed now and then by Steffano Webb, 252 High street. 3

Stock bought for 7s 6d in tho pound on wholesale cost, Armstrongs, Ltd., are enabled to offer rare bargains at their Realisation Sale to-day. 2

Trust boys to work up enthusiasm. The great Meccano Competition being held by John R. Proctor is going with a swing because boys everywhere have entered into the contest with their usual zest. Two more boys. Master J. Ollivier, of Whara-ita, Rotherham. and Master Cyril Smith, 541 Cashel street, have won electric torches as a result of good < work. See advertisement for details of competition. 5

Expert knowledge is the oniy kino that counts. Over sixty years' experience in Customs, Shipping, and Forwarding Work, including Furniture Removals. Call or tei-- J. M. Jdeywood and Co., Manchester street. Established 1851. 2

The Six-Cylinder Buick, with a v*'l load, went 3 4-10 miles on a Pint of*.' I Petrol, equal to *27 1-5 miles to the i Gallon. The Realisation Sale commence# at', Armstrong's Drapery Stores at 10 o'clock this morning. g STOCK-TAKING CLEARING SALK OF SECOND-HAND MOTOR-CAftg Following an old-established annual custom. Messrs Adams. Ltd.. &ro now conducting a clearing salo of all secondhand motor-cars in stock, preparatory to stocktaking. As garage space badly needed for new stock now being unpacked, prices have been placed as low as possible to ensure speedy sale#. We direct particular attention toa fiveseater "Ford" car, equipped with elo<* . trie head lamps, "K.W. Master" vi." brator. "Jiffy" side curtains, and tho standard roud equipment of a "Ford" - car. This car has only done about 6000 miles, and the tyros are nearly 1 new. Price £125 not cash. A similar' :\ "Ford" car, with acetylene headlamps \ "K.W. Master" vibrator. Baatonson extra wide wind-screen and standard road equipment, is offered at £100. A two-seater "Overland," finished in primrose, with full road equipment, is offered at £115. These are all cars of a very liandv and reliable run-about typo, and splendid value at tho prices asked. If you cannot make it convenient to call and sec these cars, drop us a lino and wo will send the car in which you are interested around for vour inspection. All necessary tuition " in driving given to purchasers. Adams; Ltd.. H>ndnunrters Garage,- 219 Tuain street. Chri'stcburch. 5