GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15699, 19 September 1916, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The European and American mails by the Niagara, which arrived at Auckland yesterday morning from Vancouver, are expected to reach Christchurch to-morrow morning.

It is pointed out by tho organisers of "Daffodil Day" to be held to-mor-row, that not only daffodils will be acceptable but any spring flowers.

Tho survey of the duplication of the Worcester street tramway line from the Square to Stanmore road is being made at present, and the plans for the work will be got out immediately. As soon as the necessary Order-in-Council has been ol! \ined the laying of the line will be put in hand.

Tho present Chriatchurch sittings of the Arbitration Court promise to be about tho shortest on record. With the exception of one dispute, the whole of tho business was concluded yesterday morning in loss than two hours, as a result of a complete agreement between employers and employees in most of tlie cases. Two compensation cases had also bean set down for hearing, but these were settled without recourse to the Court. The only matter now to be' settled is the Painters' dispute, which will be heard on Thursday morning.

The full title of the Canterbury branch of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers is a most awe-inspiring affair, as it includes the names of about a score of unions amalgamated in it. Three or four more names have of late been added to the title, which now takes up several lines. "Really, I think it is ridiculous and absurd that the body should be inflicted with such a title,'* his Honour Mr Justice Stringer at the Arbitration Court yesterday. "We have told tho Registrar so, but he thinks that the Act requires that the title of a union must mention tho name of every class of worker referred to and included in the union. Personally, I think it is quite unnecessary." ' When applications to add parties to tho Canterbury Retail Drapers' Award came before the Arbitration Court yesterday, Mr R. D. Martin, for tho Union, said that a pcculiur position had been raiseu regarding the question of citation. The questioa involved was that of a trade name. In January last the firm of Pannell and Co. was cited, and added to the award. Since then a breach of the award had taken place, but the Labour Department had declined to take action as "Pannell and C'o." proved to be merely the trade name, and tho busint-ss was conducted and owned by another firm. Mr Martin asked for a ruling, as to whether the trade name were sufficient for the purposes or citation. His Honour Mr Justice Stringer said that there ce--tainly should be some provision for such a case. The Court would look into the matter, and might make an alteration of the rules under the Act to meet the cas» if such a course were found necessary.

Shortly after half-past nine on Sunday morning tho sounding of the alarm horn at the Sumner Life Brigaai-'s pavilion, denoted that a boat was in trouble. Two young men named G. Minifie and F. Madden in a large flatbottomed sailing punt endeavoured to take tho boat from the boat harbour at Sumner the bar into the estuary. There was a heavy nor'-wc6t wind and a strong ebb tide running; no sails were set, the boat, being propelled by oars. When coming over the bar several waves were shipped, and the tide and wind proved too strong for the rowers and carried the boat into a dangerous position near the rocks. The life-boat was launched, and sheltered the boat from the wind, eventually escorting it to safer quarters. The two young men were none the worse fo' their- adventure. The lifeboat was launched very promptly, being manned by C. Denham (in charge.), 1{ Gibbs, F. Acton F. Kerr, G. L. Donaldson, H. J. Marriner, J. O'Neil, and W. Carter.

Tho output from Lako Coleridge for the week ending Sunday wa 3 256.860 units, of which tho City took 119,600 and other consumers 53.740.

At the concert held in the Square on Saturdav night by the C.D.C. Band, a sum of £10 12s .4d was collected for tho "Women's National Reserve Fund.

Tho Commissioner of Taxes will be at the Government Buildings on Thursday and Friday to give information to taxpayers regarding excess profits taxation.

To date the War Pensions Board has granted 3909 pensions to soldiers and their dependants, of a total annual value of £190,954, making the average £4S.

Mr W. B. Scandrett lias given to the Southland Technical College Board of Management £200 for the purpose of establishing two scholarships. They will bo known as the "Scandrett Scholarships."

Tho naval veterans of Auckland have decided to decorate all troop trains leaving for the camps with the Reinforcement drafts. To-day's train will leave gay with greenery and bunting.

The cargo lost in the Tongariro included a large quantity of material for Government Departments—Railways, Defence, Public Works. Post and Teiegraph, and Printing Office; also, bronze and silver coins.

The eight-dav striking clock presented by Mr J. C. N. Grigg to Christ's College in connexion with the Hare Memorial is now being placo t l in position ou tho side of the new stone school building, and will be in use in a few day's time.

During the fortnight allowed for the enrolment of the Expeditionary Force Reserve, J<5,000 application;; for certificates of enrolment were received at the Christchurch Post Offices, and 3000 notifications of change of jaddrcss. # Tho number of enrolments was infinitesimal.

Tho first public meeting of the newly-formed Bonrd of Industries will be held in the Chamber of Commerco on Thursday at 8 p.m. The speakers will include Messrs J. A. Frostick (president), George T. Booth, and A. W. Beaven, and the Mayor will preside.

At the meeting of the committee of +u„ r>^^+^-->.--.. : , - Oricl-pt A^oci:'tion held last n!glit, it was stated that c~rickc>lmg material was at uie Featherston Military Camp, and it was decided that clubs having any to spare be asked to communicate with the secretary of the Association.

Our Amberley correspondent writes that the heavy mortality amongst breeding ewes is causing serious rilarm to farmers and pastoralists. All the districts around Amberley are affected, and there seems to bo no cure for the unfortunate sheep once it "goes down." Frothing at the mouth marks the commencement of the trouble, and then follows paralysis of the limbs and death.

The workers at the Lady Liverpool Depot have got on well with the Christmas parcels for the soldiers. The consignment for the men in Egypt is ready and packed, and the parcels for the men m France arc well in hand. The depot intends to push along the idea tor the holding of a "Bottle Day," and much assistance has already been promised, although the actual date has not yet been fixed.

Members of the Tramway Board were much interested in some relics •of the first Zeppelin brought down in London or its vicinity, which were handed round the Board table at the meeting yesterday afternoon. • The relics were sent to Mr H. W. Friedman, one of the Board's staff, by his brother, who is a member of the Motor Boat Reperve, and is connected with the air service on the Thames.

American trade is not fancied in the drapery line, according to a manager of a department interviewed by a reporter yesterday. "We arc afraid—at least we have very strong suspicions— that German firms are behind the United States firms, and wo are turning American goods down. A traveller for American goods called the other day, and I told him pur customers did not want United States manufactures. A large number of them have the old German names, once printed; on German goods, printed on them, and wc are very doubtful. It looks as, if they had opened branches of their businesses in America, and are going to exploit the Dominions from there."

Tho condition in. which the seats of tram-cars get sometimes when the dust U$ flying about was referred to at yesterday's meeting of the Tramway Board by Mr J. A. Flesher,. who remarked that so dusty were the seats in some,cars that he had personally seen that it was not right to ask decent people to use them. He asked if it would not bo possible to station'a.man in Cathedral Square to dust tho seats on the arrival of care. Ths chairman (Mr C. M. Gray) remarked that it would be impossible for one man to attend to all the cars arriving in the Square. Conductors had been supplied with dusters, and had been instructed to keep the seats free of dust, and they would be reminded of this i duty.

A certain well-known brand of corsets, so a reporter was informed yesterday, used to be made in Brussels, and as the line still kept coming in, the head of a local firm made certain enquiries. The answer to these disclosed a somewhat curious position. The letter ran as follows:—"The corsets are still being made in Brussels, and are being imported into this country (England), with the permission of the authorities. They are shipped from here through the English Customs with a Consular certificate. No monev is going to Germany, but is being paid into the British Government until the conclusion of the war." The letter then hints that this peculiar state of things is not likely to continue much longer, but sufficient was said to show that tho corsets were Belgian made and the monev was not going into the hands of the enemy. The Stormbird enquiry continued to drag its weary length yesterday, although occasionally relieved bv an apt reply bv a nautical witness (says Saturday's "Wanganui Chronicle"). Asked if he saw the beacons, one seaman replied that his thoughts at that particular phase of the lost steamer's journey were centred on having his Sunday dinner at home in Wellington. Another seaman explained that he was on deck because it was his "tnck" at the wheel, the intimation clearly conveying the impression that the average sailor does not stay about the bridge for the mere sake of viewing the seascape! An interesting witness was the cook, who appeared nervous ard unused to a crossfire from four solicitors. "Did you see a green light?" was one question put to him. on the off-chance of eliciting information. "Look here!" replied the witress determinedly, "it's none of my business to look for green lights. What's the cook got to do with navigation, anyhow?" Tho chef's query went unanswered. Loasby prescribes for all minor ailments. Don't suffer, come and "Ask Loasby about it." Adults 3s Gd, children 2s. . - 5 Expert knowledge is the oniy kind that counts. Over sixty years' experience in Customs, Shioping, and Forwarding Work, including Furniture Removals. Call or to- &, J. M. Heywood and Co., Manchester street. Established 1851. 2 One of the most useful things a soldier can have on active service is a reliable compass with which to ascertain his bearings by day or night. Friends of the 18th Reinforcement boys will find a fine selection of the highest grade Military Service Compasseu at John R. Procter's, 200 High street, priced at various figures. These compasses are in strong metal cases, and nave luminous hands and dots for night

Christchurch Ladies, —We invite your attention to our new show-card, wnich explains how No Rubbing Laundry Help docs the washing "while she rests." 'Frank A. Cook, Ltd. S6

You will never look better than in the photograph v> .• will make of you. Send one home for Christmas. Steffauo Webb, 252 High street. 3921

"If your electric light, lift, motor, telephones, bells, car lighting and storting eet, or anything else Electrical, requires attention, ring up Turnbull and Jones, Ltd.. 421, who will give you the best and prompt service." o"

SPECI\L DISPLAY OF CYCLES AND ACCESSORIES FOR NEW ZEALAND.

It is at this time of the year that the cyclist who needs a new bicycle generally feels the need most strongly, jind to assist prospective purchasers to make the plunge we are making a comprehensive display of tho new season's models at prices which should commend themselves to all who appreciate bicycle value. Firstly, we show the "Royal Superbe Swift," the leadins bicycle of Britain, in men's and ladies' rondster, road-racing, and racing models. The roadsters are equinned with In test-pattern steel mudguards, free wheel, two rim brakes, plated rims, lamp, bell, and pump, and all "Swifts" of the Royal Superbe grade (we handle no other) havo the n'ltent "Swift" ribbed front fork and three-point bearings, the easiest runring ever devised. The price is £12 10s. inclusive of all the items of cnuipmnit mentioned. Terms" from £1 down and £1 per month. Wo also show a full line of the ever-nopular "Stir" cycles, in similar models and with similar oouinmrnt. at £8, with' juvenile models—boys' and Eirls' roadsters, sturdv, reliable wheels, with evcrv detail the same as the adult models, at £6 10s. Also, we stock an enormously wide rarge of accessories at the lowest prices ever. Adams. Ltd., Headcriarters Showrooms, Hish street. Christchurch. (C. S. Orr. Bicycle Department Representative.) ' G