GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15752, 20 November 1916, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The Postal authorities advise that tho Moeraki, which is due at Wellington this morning from Sydney, is bringing Australian mails and 'English mails via Suez. Thte Paloona, which left Melbourne on Thursday for Bluff direct, is bringing 207 bags, 11 hampers, and 2 boxes of mails.

_ "I know of a considerable number of big American firms, who, when doing business in New Zealand, pose as Australian. establishments," said a Napier business man last week'. "This is no doubt due to. the fact that American firni3 are now being treated with suspicion."

A protest against the action of the Government Life Insurance Office in "loading" soldiers' policies to the extent of 7i per cent, was made to tho Minister of Defence (Hon. James Allen) by the Advisory Board of the Federated Patriotic Societies at Wellington on Thursday. It was stated that one office had added only 5 per cent., while another had gone even higher than the Government. It wa3 considered that tho Government should set an example by providing for soldiers at the lowest possible rate. Mr Allen stated _ that he had already made some enquiries, and the department had replied that / J per cent, was really insufficient. • There seemed to be little prospect, therefore, of a decreaso, but ho would go into the matter again..

"These ambulance boys of ours arc 'splendid fellows," gays a Nexv Plvmouth man in a recent letter received* by his relatives from Franco, "and if anyone desenes the V.C. they do. They go much further out and do much more work than is required of them, and all without being asked. Absolutelv no cover on the return journey and" not much going out, and yet. they bring their patients through. Never a growl or grumble from them and everything is done cheerfully and willinglv* even though the men can hardly stand up. So done are they. And then there are. Kome poor fools in New Zealand and elsewhore who tell one that tho Red Cross has a nice soft job, and has to take no risks, never runs into danger. Poor silly fools, T notice some of these wiseacres are conspicuous by their absence from here."

An incideitt which occurred on Thursday at Wellington during the drawing of the first ballot under the Military Service Act, showed how well every point in regard to it had been thought out beforehand, and how careful tho Government (statistician (Mr Malcolm Fraser) has been to ensure that every registration card sent in can be accounted for. When one of tho "drums" was made, a young lady in charge of One of the set b of the boxes called tho attention of the supervising magistrate (Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M-) to the fact that there wero two registration cards, one insido the other. Tho Government Statistician (reports the "New Zealand Times") pointed out that the cards were duplicates, adding that the reservist in question had sent in two registration cards, and that simple but very effective plan had been adopted to secure that both should be preserved and duly accounted for-

Some amended regulations under tlie Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915, have Lcen gazetted. Provision is made whereby two or more applicants may make an application to hold any land set apart under the Act as tenants in common. It is further provided that for the purpose of assisting soldiers the Minister of Lands may purchase such materials or articles as may be required, and may dispouo of the same to settlors under the Act on such terms as lie thinks proper. "Where any such materials or articles are notpaid for by the settler, their value as determined by the Minister shall be deemed to be an advance within the meaning of the Act and these regulations. Another regulation states that no registration foe shall be payable in respect of any memorandum or mortgage_ or any bill of sale given as security for any advance made under the authority of the Act.

A ineeting of the Scott Memorial Committee is to be held on Wednesday next to discuss matters connccted with the erection and unveiling of the etatuo of Captain Scott.

A Hawko's Bay orchardist stat-e 3 that fruit will be very plentiful this year, with tho exception of apricots, of whicjj there seemed to be a shortage throughout the district. Apples, too, he mentions. are not as good as they might be. but, taking things generally, there is very little room for complaint.

The local examinations in theory and practice of music under the auspices of the Associated Board of the It.A.M. and the R.C.M.. London, are being held at present. The examiner is Mr Arthur .Hinton. For the theory examination, the second held this year and providing chiefly for those "who must take theory before being examined in the practice of music, twenty-seven sat. The results will not be available till next month. The results of the practical examination, at which over 200 sat, will be available early this week.

The old saying as to a short cut being the longest way round was borne in upon a Christchurch resident as the result of a Carnival Week experience. Being i» the vicinity of the railway station and desiring to go to the Show he boarded a train and all went well until, as the train was Hearing Addington a familiar voice was heard announcing: "Dinner is now on in the dining-car." The visitor to the Show then woko up to lind that he was on the south-bound express! He was not able to leave it until it reached DunsandcJ. and it was late in the afternoon when lie readied the Show Grounds.

""The Americans are the most hospitable people in thp world, and their lavishness in entertaining become:* at times positively embarrassing," stated Mr B. E H. Wliitccmbe who has just returned to New Zealand, in the course of an interview with a reporter at Wellington on Saturday. "The great majority of Americans are pro-Ally, and privately are contributing millions to the Red Cross and ambulance funds of the Allies —that is to French and Serbian funds, but not to the British. The American women are nearly as busy making comforts for the French soldiers as the English women arc in making them for our soldiers."

(i lf the Government gives adequate attention to all these cases I fail to seo where the patriotic societies are going to come in,"' said the Hon. J. Allon, Minister for Defence, at a meeting of the Societies' Advisory Board at Wellington on Thursday, reports the "Evening Past," when further representations were made on behalf" of widowed mothers. "Wo have already mado some concessions, but it seems to mo that the more wo /give tho more we are expected to give." Mr Allen said that further concessions would require further legislation. Ho thought tho societies would readily grant relief to widowed mothers suffering because of the present law-

Tho "Hawera Star" states that the recent stormy weather and attendant high tides have made many changcs aloncr the Taranaki coast. The Waihi bcach is almost unrecognisable. In some places inroads have been made into the cliff by the sea, tho mouth of the stream has quite altered, whilst sandy stretches have disappeared, and huge boulders with a lava bottom take their place. Within the last few years tho cliff has been falling away rapidly in this locality, and it is safe to say that acres of good grazing country have been washed out to sea. Tho outlook is none too pleasant- for tho owners of land whoso lxmndary lines along the coast are beinpr so materially altered with no possibility of compensation.

Considerable difficulty is being experienced by the Municipal lure Brigado in obtaining permanent liremen to fill the vacancies caused by a large number of enlistments (says the Wellington "Post"). Thero iias been no response to a number of advertisements that have appeared, and the men are urgently required in order to bring the brigade up to full strength. The I>cfenco authorities have not seen fit to definitely exempt all tho firemen from service, preferring to treat each case separately. This precludes the officials from taking any action, because when a man desires to enlist he gives notice and leaves the service of the brigade. It is probablo that some further steps will bo taken to meet the difficulty, as there is some danger that the position will become serious.

It is not generally known that Japan has an artitieial pearl industry. The process of inducing oysters to make pearls is a simplo one. First catch the oyster, put some hard substanco within the shell, and tho oyster does the rest. The mollusc covers the substance with secretion which in course of time boeomes a pearl of .creator or_ lesser price. Another fact which a ton man, Mr J. Floekton, discovered during his travels in Japan, is that the Japanese pearlers do not go pearling. Getting pearls is a mere incident. What the "pear) fishers'' go for is for shell, which is used for making pearl buttons. Before the win - this was worth £250 a ton. The Japanese are buying a trovhns shell, p.. spiral _ shell which is found on the coasts of Northem Australia and neighbouring islands. This is worth £50 to £30 a ton.

News has come to Dunedin of a shocking state of affairs among the cattle on Enderby Island, ono of the Auckland Group. Rome years ago a well-known Invercargill resident stocked the island with cattle, the number of which has increased to such an extent that many of the animals die of starvation, while all are in a weak, emaciated state. The island is four miles' long and one mile broad. It has little vegetation at. any time, and little water, and for tho former the cattle have formidable competitors in the rabbits, which are numerous. As the island is heavily overstocked, the cattle can only livo and die miserably. •Somo of them wade into tho sea and eat tho kelp. There, are .'.keletons in all directions, telling a pathetic tale of suffering that was relieved only by death. The few trees on the island afford very little shelter. In their desperation a number of the cattle have swum to Rose Island, a quarter of a mile distant, but the feed is just as scarce there, and of water there is practically none. Theso facts are vouched for by Mr O. Magnus, second engineer of the Rachel Cohen, which returned to Bluff recently from a visit to the Auckland.*.

Vevy few people outside those engaged in the industry appear to realise tho nature and the amount of work that has to be done in an orchard (say« the "Mount Benger Mail"). Not) infrequently, visitors t<, the Roxburgh district have expressed surprise at the vast amount or work entailed in the way of pruning, spraying, and cultivation, tho ground having to be almost continuously worked up, perhaps live or ssix times in the year, in order to give the roots of the fruit trees the nourishment they require. A few days ago a stranger expressed himself as being amazed at the large quantity of green fruit that was at present being pulled off the trees and allowed to rot on the ground, not thinking for a moment that thinning was essential if the grower wished to produce peaches and apricots 01" any size and quality. But the greater was his surprise when he was informed that generally three-fourths of tho crop was stripped off, this being done in order to give the fruit left on the tree room to expand and grow to full size. It is stated' that an averago from two thousand up to three thousand peaches and apricots are taken from single trees when thinning, and in this respect Mr J. B. Gilmour has established something in the nature of a record. Last week, when engaged in this in his orchard, he pulled 7SOO apricots from one tree, which, despite this fact, will yield a 1 prolific crop of first-class fruit. '

A church parade of the Scouts of Christchurch and the suburbs is to he held in the Cathedral on Sunday next. A petition is being prepared by local residents to lie presented to the -Napier Borough Council, with a- view to preventing the practice of "sun bathing'' on the beach on Sundays. In the matter of enlistments, the Wellington District Hotel. "Club, and Restaurant Workers' Union has an excellent record, no fewer than 514 members having joined the forces to date. The unusual spectacle of a young ladv acting as secretary to a joint stock company was to be seen at the annual meeting of the Northern Coal Company at Auckland, last week. It was explained that the secretary, Mr George Pollock, had enlisted for active service, had been wounded, and was now on his way bark to New Zealand. In the meantime Miss "W . M. Carter was discharging the duties of secretary, lioth as regards office management and all shareholders' gatherings. On the application of the Inspector of Awards at Wanganui, the Arbitration Court has given an interpretation of the bricklayers' award with regard to suburban work. The Court ruled that it is permissible for an employer to pay train fares to and from a suburban job once each way daily in lieu of travelling time, also that payment of 6Ad per mile, or {part of a mile, is to be made for tho whole distance from the post if the work to be performed is situated two miles cr more from the post office. It is reported by Mr H. Krneso Leighton that, acting for the trusters in the estate of the late Hon. Joim Dutliie, M.L.C., ho has s<sld the estate known Balgownie, situated atNainai, Lower Hutt to Mr W. H. George, of Wellington, as agent. Tho late Mr Dutliie spent between £20.030 and £'30,000 in the purchase of the land, erection of residence and other buildings, and beautifying tho gnwnds. The land consists of 17£ acres, beautifully sheltered and laid out in a most charming manner. "We should compliment the citizens of Wellington," said the Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke) on Friday, "upon the increase of population that lias been disclosed as taking place, amounting to over 10,000 within the past five years." As far as the city was concerned, there had been a great deal of progress, and everything to encourage them. It had been suggested that the inclusion of men on board ships in tho harbour amounted for a portion of tho increase. On the other hand, there was no city in' New Zealand that was more restricted in its population on Sunday night as - compared with other days in the week. It was admitted that a greater proportion of "Wellington people left the city for week-ends than in any other town.

Advico has been received by tho Public Works Department that si' generator capable of developing 2GOO li.p. has been shipped for the power-house equipment at the Lake Coleridge hydroelfictrical installation, and is expected to reach the Dominion early in the new year. Whe n installed this generator will increase the power capablc of being developed from 6000 h.p. to 8000 h.p., and will enable the Department to supply all the power for which application lias been made in the neighbourhood of Christchurcii. It will, also, complete one-hall' of the ultimate generating power proposed to be installed. 'hvo additional units, each of 4000 h.p., are to bo provided, and one of these units is now on order. The new generator is not arriving a minute too soon. a s the present daily regular load requires that all the three existing units must be run in order to provide the necessary power: Tn some parts of America," 'said Mr Harold Bcauchanip to a "New Zealand Times" report-on Thursday, "particularly on the Pacific side, thero is much nervousness felt in regard to tho Japanese. Ex-President lloosovelt and other prominent public men aro doing all in their power to influence public? opinion in favour of some sort of universal military training. Tiiey recognise that at tho present moment the United States is in a perfrct state of helplessness, and temporarily at all events should fall an easy prey to Japan if the two nations -went to war. The policy of preparedness is the only one to pursue. America is a polyglot nation, and thero are so many hyphenated Americans that it is thought it would be extremely difficult to bring in and pass legislation that would have for its effect universal military training. Although a strong appeal for enlistment was made during tho trouble with Mexico, the response" was remarkably poor both for tho Army and the Navy."

A unique prosecution under tho patents and Trades Marks Act, 1011, taken with a view to' advertising the provisions rather than punishing the. particular offender, was heard at the Magistrate's Court at Wellington on Friday, before Mr L. G. Iteid, S.M. Frank Fc-nby was charged that during August, at Wellington, he falsely represented that a wooden bedstead sold by him was patented in New Zealand. Tho facts were that defendant, who pleaded guilty, devised a bedstead, and formally made application for Letters 'Patent. A 'provisional patent was granted, and defendant then had stamped on the article ''I.'enhy, patent."' "1 do not believe for one minute that it was wilfully done," snid Inspector Ilcndrey, who prosecuted, "but that he acted in irrnorance." Mr Roid said he believed Fenbv acted in good faith. A heavr penalty was provided for, but in this ra.~.e ho would merely enter n conviction, and order the payment of costs (7s).

A hard luck storv has just fnme to hard from an artilleryman on the Somme front, who six dnvs after pennine the cpi«"de himself paid the s-nremo (nav? the "Dannevirkr News"). During the afternoon their rations arrived, and as things were fairlv Quiet they at- onee set to work and had meal—:><- meals were few ami far between. Later on the postman brought the mail, ami one parcel contained a fine fruit cake and n neeka" I ''' of ehoeolato from Damtevirke. Half the chocolate was divided among the gun crew, and they resolved to k" n p the cake and balance of chocolate for the morning. But before morning Fritz got busy, landed a huge shell into the nrt : llcryn'.cn's belongings, blew

tliem to fnarTnents. anil, as if to ftld ir-cnJt, to injury, thov caught fire Blankets, tunicc. overcoats, and all their personal possession* went up in smoke. The wonther was vcrv co'd, and with the warm lime they hn-rl had shelling. and the freezing otmosnere. they were in a had wnv thnt i;ir'nf. :ind resolved to make par dear for de-st-nvins their much-cherished c'flicaeies which they were raving for the morrow. At the Auckland Supreme Court on Thursday, a returned soldier, named Alfred Wiley, alias Albert Wvlie. against whom his wife secured a divorce on 'Tuesday, was charged with havinr; contracted a bigamous marriage at Hamilton in June. 1914. After hearing the evidence, the jury failed to agree, | ai-d suhsequentlv Wiley pleaded guilty. I Mr Justice Stringer said that course 1 should have been adopted in the first case. The defence, to his mind, was ouite flimsy. Of course, the jury may have allowed a certain amount of sympathy* to enter into their consideration of the matter, -eeing that Wilev was a returned soldier. Addressing the accused. he sakl: "I have every sympathy with you because of the fact that yoii have served your country, and I do not think yours is a ease that calls | for severe penalty. Your wife has obtained her freedom and your unlawful wife has found another husband. I hope you will he more successful in the • lists of Mars than vou have been in the j lists of Venus. You are ordered to i come up for sentence when called upon, { That means if you behave yourself you j will hear 110 more of the charge. " It j also means that no interference will be placed on you in your desire to again i serve your King and country." '

A Napier girl -whose brother is on active service has consented to a request from local residents to take up lier brother's former business, that of a taxi-car driver, and will commencc rt taxi-scrvico at once. The anniversary, services in connexion with St. Paul's Methodist Church, Sumner, were held yesterday, when there were largo congregations. The morning and afternoon services were taken by the Rov. A. C. La wry, while the Rev-. A. W. Sinclair officiated 'it the evening. At all the services, there was special singing by the children, who had been trained by Mrs Isaac "Wilson. In the event of the Australian cr>al strike causing shortage- of coal in tho Dominion, it is probable that of tho four centres, Chrietchurch would be the least affected, owing to the fact that Lake Coleridge electricity is available. It has been estimated that owing to the increased use of electricity in this city the amount of coal received in Christchurch this year showed a decrease of 27,000 tons,"as compared with tho amount «f coal normally used. r Pwo informations have been laid against a resident of Lyttelton under tho War Regulations Act. The first charge-to Iks preferred against him is that of having made a (statement likely to interfere with the recruiting of his Majesty's forces, and the second of baring made a disloyal statement -with reference to the present war. The charges arose out of remarks passed by the person concerned at a recruiting meeting addressed by Mr L. 31. Isitt, M.P., from the Post Office, Lyttelton, a few -weeks ago. System, it has been said, is carried to the extreme in business offices in America. Confirmation of this statement was given to a Wellington "Post" reporter by Mr 13. E. H. Whiteombe, general manager for Messrs Whitcombo and Tom'us, who has just returned to New Zealand. Mr Whiteombe stated: ! "In many quarters the much-praised | American office systems collapsed under the strain of recent prosperity. Tho j American business man is clever in dealing with big things, hut his heavy system easily goes wrong, and muddling becomes rather frequent." Tell your friend you don't feel well— ten to ono ho will say: ''Go and ask Loasby about it." Adults 3s 6d, children 2s. 4 An evont-of popular interest will bo inaugurated to-morrow —Armstrong's Annual Summer Sale. 1 Don't miss seeing tho exhibit of Buick Cars at the Show. 6 See tho latest Crockett and Jones styies in ladies' and gentlemen's highgradc footwear. Two large shipments just opened. Harris's Imperial Boot Depot, 691 Colombo street. 1 2350 Pairs of Boots and Shoa-i have been disposed of in three weeks at Stewart, Robinson's Boot Emporium, Cashel street, the Assigned Boot Stock being responsible for this splendid result. Sale on this week. 0 Don't throw away \your saucers, wliita and gold odd cups. Just arrived, 6s Gd dozen, to clear, best value. Drayton's Emporium, 765 Colombo etreet. 1 New white voile blouses, nicoly trimmed with beading, smart turn-down collars, Lusvinia sleeves, 4s lid. at Armstrong's. I

Lawns and gardens are beginning to suffer from want of rain. Order fco- : day a length of our special wearing hosfj.. arid a sprinkler. Next week may be too late to save the situation. Lewis and Anderson, Ltd., Casbcl : street. • U Messrs Royds Bros, and Kirk, Ltd., am wholesale agents for the "Thinker"' Writing Tablets. Thinker school exercises, and Thinker notebooks. Parents, teachers, and business folk always recommend the "Thinker" brand. 1 Gentlemen's. raercorised neglige shirts, new patterns, 3s lid, 4s 6u, ut Armstrong's. 3 Another birthdav suggests a new photograph. Art arise with Steffano Webb to take it. 252 High street. 3921 Don't miss seeing the exhibit of Buick Cars :»t the Show. . W This season's smartest Crockett and Jones's models are being shown, at Harris's Imperial Boot Depot, 691 Colombo street. A pplendid buying opportunity for ladies and gentlemen. Crepe 'varsity suits for small boys, brown, cream, greys, wonderful value for, 5s lid, at Armstrong's. i Akaroa healthiest town in Dominion, with glorious ciimate, electric light, best of drainage, puro water supply, salt water baths, the place for your holidays. 1 "Practical patriotism demands that as far as possible'trio Empire's money should be spent within tho Empire. Therefore, if you want a niotor buy a British Westinghouse. Turnbull and Jones, Ltd., agents." 6 Keep the Garden Green. —"The finest Hose in the world" just landed at Hostie, Bull, and Pickering's, opposite Baliantyne's. It tvill last for years ! under the most trying conditions. It is bad business to buy low quality Hose. 6 Two hundred pairs men's dark tweed trousers, for working wear, 6s 6d, just opened at Armstrong's. 5 ■* Before selecting your new footwear, inspect tho magnificent rango of Crockett and Jones's styles at Harris's Imperial Boot Depot. 691 Colombo street. Every pair 6mart and dependable. y ESTABLISHED SINCE 1852— ' "STUDEBAKER." Look at page 3. There you will find sow interesting facts bearing upon "Studebaker" quality and reputation. Adams, Ltd., Cnristchurch. 0"