GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15746, 13 November 1916, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

Tho Overseas Club obtained about £50 for its aeroplane fund, together with thirty new members as a result of its efforts at the Show on Friday.

Mr C. M. Gray, chairman of the Tramway Board, and the Hon. John Barr, deputy-chairman, met the Precincts Committee of the Cathedral Chapter last week and discussed matters connected with the proposal to erect a tramway shelter over tho footpath at the southern boundary of the Cathedral grounds. The sito of the proposed shelter was inspected and the Board's representatives submitted plans of the building to be erected. The members of the Precincts Committee appeared to favourably consider tho matter, and reported on it to the Cathecfral Chapter later in the week. So far the Tramway Board has not received the decision of the Chapter on the subject-

At the Japanese Pantomime to be held in the Theatre Itoyal on the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, of this month. the big ballet of the production will be danced to Tschaikowsky's "Valse de Flours." Other solo dances and ballets have been arranged to the music of "Danse de la Fee-Dragee' and "Danse Chinoese," both from the famous "Casse Noisette" (Nutcracker) suite of Tschaikowsky.

The present year has been tho wettest on record in Auckland. All yearly falls registered during tho past 63 years, during which observations have been taken, nave already been surpassed, although the year is yet over seven weeks short of being completed. The highest fall hitherto registered during any one year was that of 1907. when the total reached 54.48 in. The fall for this year up to Thursday last is 54.82 in, or 3-1 points in excess of tho 1907 fall!

In a despatch to the New South Wales Premier, the Commercial Commissioner in the East (Mr J. E. Suttor) states that tho Japanese demands upon China in tbe early part of the ;>ear "led to widespread dissatisfaction, and a campaign against all Japanese goods, which lasted for fully four months in some of the provinces, and but for tho action of the Chinese Government the boycott may have lasted longer. While the boycott lasted many of the more influential Chinese started the manufacture of many articles hitherto imported from Japan, and, on the whole. Japanese imports suffered to the extent of nearly £1,000,000 sterling."

The tramway traffic figures for Carnival week, up to Thursday ]ast, showed a decrease of £06 as compared with tho corresponding days last year. Tho total traffic receipts to last Thursday amounted to £3731. No accidents of any description occurred in connexion with tho holiday traffic. Generally, tho services were well niaintained, the only exception being the Worcester street services on People's Da.v at tho show when, owing to unavoidable delays on Lincoln road, the regular running on Worcester street was interfered with. The question of obviating similar dislocation next year is under consideration, and it is suggested that to get over the difficulty* it may be necessary on Peopled Day next year, to sever the Worcester street services from the Lincoln road service.

In a. speech at Bcndigo a few days ago, Mr Hughes (Commonwealth Prime Minister), in referring to the -war, said: "My own opinion is—and I have talked -with the leaders of Great Britain, France, and Italy—that the AustroHimgarian Empire will fall in April or ■May of next year. Then Italy and Roumania will be on the flanks of Germany, and Germany -will either have to defend a tremendous line, both on the east and west, or to "withdraw her troops to German soil. From about May next, therefore, wo may look to see Germany fighting on her own soil. I do not tinder-estimate the. potential strength of Germany, and if she elects to fight till she is absolutely beat-en down no man can put a period to the •war. But T believe that Germany's moral "will bo sapped and shattered ■when the. fight is on her own soil, and that "we may reasonably look for the end of the war about this time next year."

Here is a rather curious coincidence, or string of coincidences ('say.s a North Island paper). Robert Frost- and Joe Loekwood were in partnership for some years as contractors, in Northern Wairoa. One -was on the road to Whanga. rei. His horse fell. Be broke a leg and went to hospital. Tho other was on tho same road on the same hoivo afterwards. The horse fell at tho same place. The rider's "same" leg "was broken in the same place. The doctor who attended the first also attended the second. The nurse who nursed the one nursed the other. Both enlisted, one -with the 3rd Reinforcements, the other with the sth. Both •were -wounded. They met on thesamo boat, and came back to New Zealand. They both put in for land, and both drew sections in the same ballot. It is now suggested that to complete tho string of similarities they should both be married on the same day to sisters (twins) if possible.

Never havo wo bo fully realised before the significance of the saying "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world," says the Adelaide "Register." To-day death stalks relentlessly among tho nations of the world, and the toll is terrible. Such wastage of life must be retrieved in part, and so every child born into the world is an asset the value of which is beyond money. Tho gre.it thing is to cherish that child life, and, all the world over, this mighty question is receiving its due attention. In South Anstralia. the School for Mothers and the Babies' Hospital are tangible monuments to the, State's realisation of tho necessity for advocating and assisting in child welfare. Inexperience has slain more life than any war. Figures speak eloquently. In England la6t year eight babies died to one soldier. In Australia the births, during this last year were less than those of the preceding year by. 3000. Deaths in the pre-natal state averaged three babies for each soldier slain. South Australia was the worst offender, for one-third of the wastage of needod human life was traced to her.

A prize cake was the subject of legal proceedings m the Palmerston North Magistrate's Court, in which an application was made to have the hearing of defendant's evidence taken at Palmerston, the venue of the cake being Murchison, \Vest Coast. The cake in question was made for a patriotic raffle, to be awarded to the person who guessed its correct weight. The plaintiff guessed the correct weight, and found the cake to be made of sawdust. He then proceeded against the defendant for tho value of the cake. The affair aroused considerable interest in Murchison. The plaintiff alleged that on August 3rd the defendant falselv and maliciously wrote and caused to be printed a letter in tho Murchison 'Standard," for which lie claimed £10 damages, "on account of words calculated to expose him to contempt and ridicule." The defence was a denial by defendant that she wrote tho letter." Tho Magistrate said the plaintiff had very little sense of humour. Also that lie could not have very much ground for action against the defendant in respect of the cake, for. after all, he had only got what he had guessed for. The evidence of tho defendant is to be forwarded to Murchison.

The conviction of three men at the Sydney Quarter Sessions for -wholesale | forgery of Commonwealth bank-notes (remarks the Sydney "Daily Telegraph") illustrates one of the evils of a paper currency. Every day improvements are made in the printer's art, and cach one arms the forger with a new weapon against society. The gang in this case confined themselves to the copying of notes, it being as easy to forge one for that amount a« for any lower sum. And over 800. of them —more than £4000 worth—were got out before the fraud was discovered. It may be presumed that every known precaution against note forgery is adopted by the Government, but the ingeniir ity of its printers could not be devoted to a better purpose than the discovery of new devices to safeguard each succeeding issue. This is becoming more important every day. as the older generations had not the assistance which modern developments in photoengraving and other art printing processes place in the hands of present-day forgers By palming off bogiie £'o notes on to unsuspecting persons serious jobberies may be committed. And as it is not everyone who has a sufficiently educated eye to distinguish between "a genuine note and a clever imitation, the Government owe it not only to the Treasury, but to every individual mem. ber of the public, to spare no pains for the prevention of these frauds. The fact that three men, not over-clever, as the evidence shows, were able to print and circulate more than 800 £o notes is a warning that neither the general public who handle paper money nor the Government who issue it can afford to disregards

"I have been seventeen years on tho Bench, and I have never ordered a flogging vet. and I have tried much worse cases than this," said his Honour the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) at tho Snpreme Court at Wellington on Friday. The South Canterbury Patriotic War Relief Society have decided to discontinue the regimental grant of £30 a month, "which they have been sending ever since the formation of the Society. A majority of the members considered that the money could be more advantageously used for relief purposes. A partial extension of the New Zealand Copyright Act, 1913, to tho United States of America is notified in last week's "Gazette." The provisions of the Act are to apply to literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works produced bv citizens of the United States, as if the authors had been British subjects, provided that the term of copyright -within New Zealand shall not exceed that conferred by American law. The United States Government has undertaken to give reciprocal protection to New Zealand works The award of tho Arbitration Court in the Wellington manufacturing jewellers' dispute has been filed. Tho award embodies the recommendations of tho Conciliation Council, which the parties agreed to accept. It applies to the whole of the Wellington district, and is to operate for two years. The minimum rate of wages is fixed at £3 4s per week. Provision is made for female workers to be paid at rates from 12s Gd to oOs per week. A week's ♦.vork is fixed at 4GJ hours, and as regards overtime, time and a quarter is to bo allowed for the first two hours, and time and a half thereafter. Apprentices are to receive wages ranging froin 10s to 40s per week, and the proportion must not exceed one to every three journeymen and journeywomen. The period of apprenticeship is six vears.

In many of the schools of Victoria there is a practice of sending periodically a school letter signed by the pupils to old boys of the school and district who are serving at the front (says the Melbourne "Age"). A Christmas letter has been sent by the pupils, the teacher and tho school committee of the Cudgewa school, in the Upper Murray district, conveying warmest greetings for Christmas and a liappv and victorious New Year. It says:—"We realise the line spirit that has prompted you to give up comfort and position to endure hardship, brave dangers, and loss of health, and even life itself, fpf a great and ennobling idea. We know you do not claim to be heroes, but we know you are heroes, and we honour you as such." The. letter concludes with The wish that they may return safe and sound.

Figures relating to tho purchasing power of money in Australia during the third quarter of 191G havo been published by the Commonwealth Statis-

tician. They •show that, compared with the preceding quarter, the prices of food and groceries decreased 2.1 per cent., while house rents remained practically stationary. Compared with tho

corresponding quarter (July to September) of 1910 the cost of food and groceries decreased 4-S per cent., tfhile house rent showed no change. The ag-

gregate effect of the variations in prices of food and groceries and housing accommodation «hows a decrease in the combined cost of 3.1 per cent. The decrease in Melbourne, as compared with the corresponding quarter of 1915, was

5.G per cent., which was a larger decrease than of any of the other capital towns.

Rifleman C. Kirkland, son of Mrs G. Kirkland, of Austin street, Wellington, who was severely wounded in the right arm at Flers on September loth, is now

in hospital at Broekenhtirst, England. Writing to his mother, ho relates how his casualty occurred. "Wo adyanced at 6 o'clock Friday morning," lie save, "under the most'deadly machine-gun and shell fire, and dozens of our boys •were falling everywhere. The 4th Battalion had to take the German third lino, and wo had to go one and a half miles under this fire and get it. Wo W-ot it, hut what a terrible cost. We got into the new trench at 7.30 a.m., and started to dig it deeper. A chap from H-awora, Sid. Goddard, died in my arms—bullet through his lung. 1 bandaged seven fellows up. ... At 10 a.m. I was patching up a man's hip when a shell burst at the back of me, killing two of my mates and wounding another and me. I have three holes in my arm, and it is broken at the elbow and also just above the wrist."

Some of the soldiers who are under treatment at Jtotorua are desirous of spending the coming Christmas with their families (says the "New Zealand Herald")- At a meeting of the executive of the Auckland Patriotic Association, Mr Wesley Spragg rend a letter from a soldier who is at present in the Rotorua Sanatorium, • and who expressed the desire felt by many soldiers in his position to spend Christmas at their homes. The writer said that two years ago he was in the trenches at Christmas, and that last Christmas he was in hospital in England. He therefore was anxious to spend this year's Christmas with his family. Mr Spragg said that he knew the writer, and was satisfied that his desire wag deserving of sympathetic consideration. Ho moved that the Minister for Defence be requested to grant extended Christmas leave, with free railway passes, to all men in hospitals and convalescent homes who are fit to travel. The motion was carried unanimously.

"With the continual enrolment of young men for military service-the practice of filling their places with women is extending so far as thft banks are concerned, and in the majority of eases it is understood that the work allotted to them has been satisfactorily discharged (says the "Adelaide ' Register"). One prominent institution in Adelaide, which began with a few stenographers and typistcs, now has about 20 girls out of a staff of 60. and they are engaged in general duties. Everv'mtile clerk in this bank who is eligible for military service has enlisted. It has not been possible ypt for some of them to get away, but girls arc heiug trained as speedily as possible to enable them to do so. The last of the banks in Adelaide to employ girls is the South Australian Savings Bank. A large number of its male clerks are with the Colours, and until lately it was possible to carry on the work, although under difficulties, with the aid of juniors and temporary hands. With the continued departure of men. however, the management has found it necessary to take other steps to cope with the position and girls have been engaged.

The South Australian Amusements I Tax Act came into force last week. Under the Act where the payment for admission to amusements does not exceed threepence the tax will be a farthing. Xn cases where it exceeds threepence, but does not exceed sixpence, it will be one halfpenny. Where it exceeds sixpence, for every sixpence or fractional part thereof the tax will be a halfpenny, and in the case of members' or season tickets the tax will be one halfpenny for every sixpence, or fractional part or sixpence, of the price of such ticket. The Act imposing this tax places a duty not onlv upon promotters of amusements, but'also upon the public to see that the law is obeyed. No tax will be levied upon amusements arranged as means for raising funds for patriotic, religious, charitable, educational, or scientific purposes, but it is necessary that applications be made to the Commissioner of Stamps for an exemption certificate. The application must state the purpose for which the amusement is being promoted. and the estimated expenses. The tax must be paid in every case where an exemption certificate has not been obtained. The provisions of the Act not a PP'y to agricultural, horticultural, floricultural poultrv dog, and other like shows. ' " ' :

A parade of the Third Tunnelling Corps Reinforcements, consisting of ISS Europeans and 70 Maoris, was hold in Auckland on Saturday.

A special meeting of the City Council will be held this evening at 7.30 to receive th e report of the special committee set up at last Monday's meeting to consider and report on the suggestion made by Cr. McCombs in respect of .the augmentation of the pay of for the Expeditionary Force.

At the Carterton Magistrate's Court on Thursday, a Maori at the end of tho hearing of a case against him, stated to the Magistrate, "I say, what about my expenses? I borrow te money to come here.'" "X can't help that," replied the M-agistrate, ''you'll have to pay that back yourself." "Oh, wel]." came the resigned reply from the wily Native, ''there's no harm to ask; T just thought I might catch something."

The entertainment recently given by the members of the Idlers' Club in aid of the v Lady Liverpool Fund, resulted in a net pYofit of £85. In response to numerous requests, it has been decided io repeat the programme, the proceeds to be devoted to the Y.M.C.A. work at the front, and for the first time in tho existence of the ciub, over a period of twenty years the sterner sex will be admitted.

The kauri gum obtained in past years has been dug from the ground, but a considerable quantity is now being collected in a different manner. Experts, by means of ropes, scale the trees with the practised hand of a professional, and swing about in mid-air at times like high trapeze performers. The gum is found in the forks of tho branches, and some trees produce as much as one or two hundredweight. It is easier work than digging in old forest ground, and therefore preferable to manv of the gumdiggers

The refreshment booth conducted on the Addington Shew Grounds by the W.C'.T.U. did excellent business during the two days of the show this year, the total receipts amounting to over £000. This represents, probably, anything between 1500 and 2000 people who were provided with, refreshments. The Rev. J. Paterson, who acted as treasurer in place of his mother, had a very busy time of it counting the takings. A notable fact in connexion with the money received was that it contained only three gold coins—a sovereign and two halfsovereigns. There were, however, a largo number of notes.

Saturday's '"Otngo Daily Times" has tho following:—.lt is said that members of tho executive of the. Otago Patriotic and General Welfare _ Association are considering the question whether any steps should be taken, to remove tho Hon. J. 'J'. Paul from membership of the Association, and, if eo, what steps. This question has been raised consequent on Mr Paul's name, appearing amongst the signatures to the manifesto regarding conscription forwarded to Australia by the sclfstvled New Zealand Labour Party. It is further said that the matter -will bo discussed at a special meeting of the executive 011 Wednesday next.

The September number of the ")Vaitakian," the magazine of th u Waitaki Boys' High iSchool, is a compact and neat prouuetion. of which any school might be proud. It contains 2go pages of interesting matter, well written, and well arranged, while numerous firstclass photos of cricket and football teams, and of old boys who havo died, been wounded, or gained distinction at the front, help to make it still more interesting. Tlio various branches of school life, athletics, cadets, Iftind and orchestra, and various other institutions and recreation clubs, are all dealt with in detail, while flashes of irresistible schoolboy humour are to be found in the space devoted to "Boarders' News," "'Day Boys' News," "Answers to Correspondents." The issue is essentially a War issue, and a considerable portion of the. magazine is taken up with news of old boys' doings at the front, and interesting letters from old Iwys in the various seats of war. The. lengthy roll of honour lends a very decided touch of sadness to the booklet, which in every way reflects credit on its schoolboy editors.

The Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress yesterday entertained. at luncheon a party of 30 New Zealand officers and soldiers, who have returned from the front, and are on their way back to the Dominion on furlough (says the "Sydney Morning Herald" of Tuesday, 7th inst.). The Lord Mayor proposed the toast of their health, which was responded to by Lieutenant Finlavson. Mr E. Hardy Johnston presided last night at a meeting of New Zealanders resident in Sydney, which was held at the Allora Tea-rooms, Pitt street. A resolution was carried approving of the establishment of a New Zealand Soldiers' Reception Society. The main object of the socictyj tho chairman explained, was to receive and entertain Nov/ Zealand soldiers as they passed through Sydney, going to the front, or returning as invalids. Staff Sergeant Morcton, of Timaru, said that! the men who returned last week -would | never forget the kindness of the matron and staff of the Red Cross Convalescent Home at Ardenbraucht, Point Pip r r, nor the goodness and attention of the New Zealanders in Sydney. Mrs Gouldsmith and Miss M. Parker were appointed joint hon. secretaries; Mr Rollo, hon. treasurer; Mrs R. Williams, Mrs R. Cocks. Mrs Vandorveldt, Mr Rawson, and Mr Victor Hyams members of the general committee. The election of the prcsident and vice-presi-dents was postponed until the next meeting. It was anneunced that the temporary headquarters of the new society would be at Somerset House, Moore street.

In an editorial in the "Waitakian," written by one of the Waitaki High School boys, there is an excellent conception oi what the schoolboy can do in tho Empire's cause. After a wellwritten appreciation of the late Lord Kitchener, the writer says:—"lt is for us who remain to be dedicated to the eaus e which he v iiad so much at heart, and to follow in his well-planted footsteps in the path of duty. It is not (riven us to shine with Kitchener's glory as Dictator of the Nation. But around us there is scope for all tho force and all the enthusiasm which we can put into this great cause of Empire. We, who are unable to take our stand with those of our comrades who are upholding our cause in the firing-line, have our allotted course of duty still to bo run. At the present time, with the great examples of devotion and patriotism constantly placed before us by such men as he of whom we have been speaking. and by those who have loft our ranks—many of them to make the supreme sacrifice — : the call to us is the mor e insistent. Here at school there are various departments in which duty cheerfully and conscientiously done wii] fit us for a life of true citizenship. As we think of him who has been taken from us, standing calm and unflinching on the deck of his doomed ship, wo can but hope that at the end of our own life we may look back upon such a life of service and devotion as could Lord Kitchener when the vessel took her last plunge into tho deep, carrying him from a world of strife, to fairer fields of higher service." No cough is too recent or too chronic for Loasby's "Stop It." Children like it, so doe 3 father —ls 6d, 2s 6d, 4s 6d. Chemists and grocers. 3 Akaroa healthiest town in Dominion, with glorious climate, electric light, best of drainage, pure water supply, salt water baths, the place for your holidays. 1 "Practical patriotism demands that as far as possible the Lmpire's money should bo spent within tne Empire. Therefore, if you want a motor buy a British Westinghouse. TurnbulJ and Jones, Ltd., agents." 6 Gentlemen's Real Panama Hats, 12s 6d. 156 6d, 21k; few Tuscan Hats, 4s lid. 5s lid. at Armstrong's, 2

:! The superb new "Crockett and I ! Jones" styles at Harris's Imperial Boot l Ifc?pot, 691 Colombo street, aro fine examples of this famous English footwear. Get fitted now. 7 i Very hot! and summer is not hero yet. Don't delay in buying ono or our patent butter coolers. New stoeks • of meat safes, wire dish-covers, ilykillers. seltzogens. at Lewis and Anderson's, Ltd., Cashel street. U For washing bowlers' pants, "No Rubbing Laundry Help" is best. Frank A. Cook, Ltd. -1 At Armstrong's—Ladies' Navy Bathing Costumes, two pieces, trimmed saxe, rod or white. 2s lid : thick Bibbed Costumes, any colour, X'rices 6s 6d to 16s 6d; new Bathing Caps, Is 3d, Is 9d. Is lid. and 3s 9d. 1 Don't throw away your saucers, white and gold odd cups. Just arrived, (is 6d dozen, to clear, best value. Drayton's Em]>orium, 765 Colombo street. 1 Don't let your children grow -up without their being freauently photographed bv Steffano Webb, 252 High street, and mail their photographs awav in time to reach Home tor Christmas. 3921 Don't miss seeing the exhibit of Buick Cars at the Show. » Bowlers—We have just landed our first shipment of Lawrie constructed bowls. Early application advised. Lewis and Anderson. Ltd., Cashel street. 6 j Don't miss seeing the exhibit of Buick *Cars at the Show. 6 Dustless Cleaning—Messrs Hastic, Bull, and Pickering are .showing today's methods of cleaning. Their latest Vacuum Cleaner is a marvel. It i 3 simply pushed along like a carpetsweeper, and tho dust as drawn up like magic! Price, 4os. Dustless Mops, 3s 9d to Ss 6d, a Dustless Broom 7s 6d. Dustless Dusters, etc.. are also shown. 6 Fine Summer Underwear for Men, pants and singlets, very special value 6, Is 6d, l s 1 Id; stout makes, 2s 3d, 2s lid, the best showing. Armstrong's, the Leading Outfitters. 3 A CAR OF FIXE QUALITY—"THE STUDEBAKER." Look at page 2 display advertisement. There you will get an impression of what "Studebaker" ownership means to the discriminating motorist. Prices, 4-cylinder touring £395; 4-c.vlin-der, 3-soater. £38u. Adams, Ltd.. High and Tuam streets. 0