GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15767, 7 December 1916, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

Tho fourth eonccrt of the Christchurch Orchestral Society will be under Viceregal patronage, the Countess of Liverpool and suite having signified their intention of being present. Our Dunedin correspondent telegraphs : —Tlie report from the North to the effect that the refitting and general overhaul of th© New Zealand hospital ship Maheno will be done at Lyttc-lton, is not correct. The gear and the workshops are at Port Chalmers, and that is where the vessel will be again got ready for sea. The suggestion made by Mr W. H. Cooper, of the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, for the solution of difficulties in connexion with the present site of the Infectious Diseases Hospital, was mentioned by a representative of "The Press 7 ' to Dr. T. H. A. ValintLue, InspectorGeneral of Hospitals and Chief Health Officer, yesterday morning. Dr. Valintine eaid that he thought that the suggestion was an exceedingly interesting one, but ho did not think that tho Ashhurton people Tvould prove quite as simple as Mr Cooper expected. It was not very likely that they -would take over a bi<i institution like tho Tuarangi Home to accommodate the comparatively small number that they had to provide for.

All tho members of tho Canterbury Education Board met yesterday, Mr C. 3. Opie in the chair, to discuss formal business. This done, they formed themselves into committee.

A lengthy discussion took place at yesterday's meeting of tho Lyttelton Harbour Board on the question of providing storage at the port for cheese. It was decided —''That the engineer be instructed to proceed with the work of converting the boiler room at the Board's store into a cheese store at an approximate cost of £800."

The engineer of tho Lyttelton Harbour Board reported at yesterday's meeting that the freezing machinery is now satisfactorily running on the Lake Coleridge current.'the wharf lights are now running satisfactorily and extension of the lighting in the form 0 f smal! lights on the jetties and in the various stores and to the Sailors' Borne, is in progress. The saving in coal in the cool stores and electric lighting is at the rate of £'500 per year.

Owing to the increased demand for office accommodation necessitated by the extension of the office work through the amalgamation of the South Canterbury. North Canterbury, and Westland Education Boards, it has been found necessary to enlarge the accommodation offered. The room used of late by the architect (Mr G. Pcnlington) has been handed over to the trpistes of the office, while a special, though temporary, office has been erected in the playground across Montreal street, for the. use of the architect and staff. This is pending the acquirement of fresh offices.

If the moss sent to Professor Hilgcndorf at tho Lincoln College proves to be the same.as that used in tho hospitals in England, the West Coast of the South Island should be able to provide an unending supply. There, are tablelands —marshy tablelands —on the Coast which seem to grow nothing but this moss. Like the sphagnum, it is very green when wet and living. and when dry is a huge mass of white covering the ground. Tho text books state it is widely distributed over the earth's surface, being found in large quantities in the Arctic regions, where it is a food for reindeer. It is also found on mountains, whero there is any moisture.

Under the. Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act, 1915, a block comprising 34,839 acres of land is to be thrown open in tho Kaitieke and Waimarino counties for selection for discharged soldiers. The land may be purchased for rash or on deferred payments, or selected on lease for terms of. 60. years with right of renewal for similar successive terms and a right to acquire tho freehold. Applicants must appear personally before the Wellington Land Board arid satisfy it that they can occupy a.nd develop the sections they desire to obtain. The b'ork consists of undulating to steep hilly country, and the soil is fair to good, rest-in<r on sandstone and papa formation. All is in virgin bush.

At the general meeting of the ladies' branch of the l?cd Cross Society, tho president. Mr A. E. G. Rhodes stated that it had been mentioned to Tiim that tho Maoris with the Expeditionary Force and its reinforcements did not receivo the same treatment in the way of receiving goods as did tho European ni.amhers. This, ho stated, was a matter that should bo looked into. Tho .itcd Cross goods were for the benefit of all, no matter who, and there should bo no discrimination in giving out the goods. If any present had any evidence of any such discrimination being applied, he hoped they would communicate with him and see if it could not be stopped. Mrs Holland, from the Dody of the.hall, stated that she knew that there was. none. All were sharing dike, and somo laughter was caused by another lady who stated that in England the Maoris seemed to be receiving even better treatment than did tho New Zealandcrs of European origin.

The Sprcydon Borough Council Jately referred the question of the cost of living to its Finance Committee. Last night the committeo reported that it had resolved to hold the question over, the clerk in the meantime to write to the Minister of Internal Affairs as to the power vested in tho Council in regard to the control of outside competition, and if money could bo raised without resorting to a poll for the purpose of starting either of the businesses mentioned in the Cost of Living Act, 1915. Tho report, when discussed, met with considerable opposition. Cr. Manhire stated that •* had been proposed to start a bakery business under municipal control. A councillor asked whether the Council would have power to compel ratepayers to deal with tho municipal shop. Cr. Taylor moved an adverse motion, but the Mayor pointing out that the report bound the Council to no definite course of action, and the Minister's reply would define tho powers of the Council, the renort was withdrawn, and the motion adopted.

A very clear and definite indication is given, by the enormous increase in the price of tramway rails that the present i,s far from being an opportune time for a tramway undertaking to embark on extensions. The Christchurch tramway authorities state that the effect of the war on prices of tramway rails shown by the fact that whereas in August, 1914, on the outbreak of war, the price of tramway rails was £7 12s 3d per ton landed in New Zealand, plu s duty, the lowest price recently quoted to them was £17 IBs per ton landed in New Zealand, plus duty. The. Christchurch Tramway Board is under the necessity of obtaining rails for repair and other purposes, and its requirements are such as to involve ordering 200 tons, and this has been done despite the high price above quoted. The rails are being got from the United States, cable .advice having been previously received that permission to ship English rails had been refused by the British Government. In words, the Cbristrhurch Tramway Boa r d will have to pay over £2000 for mils imported novv as romnnrcd with it would have paid in August, 1014, cad a stronger in sunport of the Board undertaking ot 1 mos+ necessary work would be difficult to find.

The llev. G. W. Blair, of Yv'angauui, I writes to tho Wellington 'Post" regarding a statement Mat up to tne appointment of tne Hon. J. Km. \V. Ait Ken as Moderator of tho New Zealand Presbyterian General Assembly, ""tor more than 300 years no eider nas filled the office of Moderator of a General Assembly." -Mr Blair says:—This honour really belongs to an Indian Civil Servant. I have before me a cop.y of the minutes of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in India, held at Calcutta on December 23th to 30th, 1907, and it was an elder who filled the Moderator's chair on that occasion. On page four of the minutes of that Assembly, under the heading "Moderator Appointed," it is stated that tho clerk submitted the report of the Standing Committee appointed by the last General Assembly to nominate a "Moderator for each ensuing General Assembly. Tho committee nominated his Honour Sir A. H. L. Fraser, K.C.5.1., Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, whose name had been suggested hy every Presbytery of the Church. The nomination was accepted with acclamation, and Dr. Wherry and Mr F. C. I'ppal were appointed by the retiring Moderator to conduct •'sir A. H. L. Fraser to the chair. Sir Andrew Fraser filled tho office with dignity, and his closing address was printed and published in pamphlet form, and is worthy of the man and of the occasion that called it forth. Tt was during his term of office as Moderator that an attempt was made ""xm Sir Andrew's life. The Synod of Gujarat. E-ajnutana, and Central India placed on record a minuto expressing its profound cratitr.de to God for the deliverance of His servant at a + ime °f danger. '

All the Canterbury rivers were reported clear yesterday morning.

Meetings of tramway employees will bo hold next week to discuss the question of approaching the Tramway Board for a war bonus.

At a general meeting of the Canterbury General Labourers' Union on Tuesday the action of the union's assessors before the Court of Conciliation in refusing to discuss an offer of a war bonus was unanimously endorsed, and :t was decided to urge members not co accept work for less than 10s per day, or Is 3d per hour.

It was reported to the Lyttelton Harbour Board yesterday that during the month of November 183 vessels, comprising nine oversea and 174 coastal and intercolonial vessels, entered the port of Lyttelton with a tonnage of 130.535 tons, as compared with 19S vessels aggregating 137.531 tons during the corresponding period of last year.

"During my year of office 1 have been impressed most by the immense number of good people in the world," said the Lord Mayor of London Charles Wakefield), addressing a meeting « few weeks ago. He had, he said, found more gold than dross, more flowers than weeds, and more saints than sinners. Everywhere he found patriotism and kindness overcoming selfishness and lethargy.

In accordance with the decision of the July conference of the United Federation of Labour, the Canterbury General Labourers' Union at a general meeting held on Tuesday, decided to support the candidature of Messrs .J. A. McCullough and J. Dowgray for the position of workers' representative and deputy-workers' representative on tho Court of Arbitration. There are other candidates for these positions.

On the, recommendation of the Harl>our Improvement Committee, the Lyttelton Harbour Board yesterday decided to adopt the engineer's report, dated November 13th. 1916, in which he proposes to install small power lamps at a lower level on each of the present lamp-posta, and that the present practice of making a charge for additional high-power lights burned at tho request of agents of vessels working cargo at night, be continued.

The following prisoners will bo brought before 'his Honour Mr Justice Donniston at (he Supreme Court today for sentence:—Henry- Felix Forgeson, carnal knowledge; Anthony Abbott, breaking and entering and theft, and another charge of theft: George Swanson. forgery; George Berry Ritchie, converting trust moneys (three charges). and theft (five "••barges); Thomas Biehard Johns, perjury.

A goodly iiumher of young laches took part yesterday in Festival T>a.v, organised by Mrs if. R. .Smith, for tho purpose of selling tickets and programmes in connexion with the Festival of New Zonland Music. The proceeds, from the sale of the programmes, as well as the profits from the Festival, aro to be divided amongst the Red Cross, Lady Liverpool, and Belgium Funds. The sellers of programmes and tickets met with good success, and at the close of the day had disposed of 200 tickets and 1300 programmes, representing £48 10s 6d.

Tho booklet illustrating the work done by the members of the typography classes at tho Christchurch Technical College has been issued, and is an eloquent testimonial to the thoroughness of the training imparted by the instructor, Mr J. Pctterd. The present issue is the' ninth, and, liko its predecessors, it contains examples of all classes of work, and it is noteworthy that it has been printed entirely from inks made in Christchurch. The examples of display advertising work show a high standard of technical excellence, and are successful in the essential feature qf attracting and keeping the attention.

At the quarterly meeting of the Lady Liverpool Fund yesterday, various changes in tho personnel at tho depot were reported. The secretary (Mr T. W. Lewis), owing to ill-health, had been compelled to resign his position, and Mr E. G. Wilson, who had been acting for Mr Lewis for some time, acceded to the committee's request and was appointed secretary, whilst Miss E. A. Hill was appointed assistant-secretary. Mrs Neville," the depot manager, through a nervous breakdown had also regretfully resigned that position. It was decided to forward a letter of appreciation to Mrs Neville and to express the hone that she would soon be restored sufficiently to health to resume the duties she had in the past so ably carried out.

"Oh, no, I won't bo sworn. I must think of my reputation," remarked a woman who was charged at the Magistrate's Court yesterday with having cycled at night without a light. A constable stated positively that she was the offender, which &lio just as emphatically denied. "I do not wish to make this gentleman out to be a liar," she informed the Court, indicating the constable, "but ho must have made a mistake. It was not me." As she continued to consider her reputation and decline to enter the witness box to make a sworn statement, she was fined 10s and costs. Smiling sweetly on the Bench she again remarked, "It was not me," and left the Court.

A letter was read by Mrs H. Holland at the quarterly meeting of the Lady Liverpool Fund. yesterday from Lord Plunket to Lady Liverpool, proving the efficiency of the very excellent arrangements made by her Excellency with the War Contingent Association for the reception and distribution of the gift parcels. "I hope this will allay any fear that the goods do not reach the men," said Mrs Holland. "Letters of appreciation from the men will, I think, hearten us up to do even more than ever to give them cheer when possible. I have had printed copies of a number of letters rereived from the soldiers, and I hope delegates will read them to their branches, for I am sure they will he a means of stimulating and encouraging the workers."

The Sisters of the Good Shepherd write from Mount Magdala as follows:

— ''Whilst so many members of the Dominion are crushed beneath the pangs of bereavement, consequent on the great struggle for justice, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd feel assured that sympathy with the poor and forlorn is more than ever soul-stirred; so they confidently appeal to their generous friends who in the past have cheered the Christmas festal for the two hundred and twenty inmates of the Magdala Asylum and the one hundred and fourteen little orpha::.-, confided to their care. At present tho maintenance of the institution is the cause of grave anxiety. The Sisters and all at Mount Magdala wish their benefactors a happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.' 1

Coionel C. M. Gibbon, I.G.S. (Chief of General Staff) addressed the members of A, 13, C, and H Companies, 20th Reinforcements, at Trenthani camp, on Monday afternoon. He said that he did not intend to comment on their work while in camp, as only a portion of the lleinforcornent was on parade. The authorities were well satisfied with their march over the hill. Speaking of discipline, Colonel Gibbon impressed upon the men that it was not a fad, but one of the principal attributes that went to make good soldiers. He instanced -what General Birdwood had said in respctTt to discipline. The Empire was out to beat the Germans, and a« this could not be done without discipline, tho army had to have it. During a retreat or temporary set-back discipline was essential, as i\ minimised the losses. If tho men broke, all was confusion and disorder, and consequently heavy losses were, incurred. Should a retreat become a rout it meant massacre. He trusted British troops would never be in such a position, and to disciplined men it could never happen, for they would pull together.

In her report to tho quarterly meeting of the Lady Liverpool Fund yesterday, tho president, Mrs Holland, in speaking of the recent 'Tag Day" collection, said that the movement resulted in the netting of £220 and a ouantity of goode. She was now in communication •with the Customs Department, and hoped to make very satisfactory arrangements for purchasing the choice brands of cigarettes the boys liked for inclusion in tho fund's next parcels.

There can be no doubt that the ladies who give up day after day at the Lady Liverpool 1' und's Depot devote a tremendous amount of labour to the cause of the ■ soldiers. At the quarterly meeting of the fund yesterday, the president. Mrs Holland, said that she thought these willing helpers were richly entitled t<> a holiday. It was therefore proposed to close the depot for three -weeks, from December 22nd to January loth, while it would also be closed on December 16th and ISth.

The Spreydon Borough Council last night passed a resolution that the Government be asked to dispense »ith the necessity for Councils compiling district electors' lists for the forthcoming elections, thus saving expense during those strenuous times. Jt was agreed that the present lists, with a type-written supplementary list, would be sufficient. The amounj ••"fs" suvoa in the case of .Spreydon alone, would be £GO. It was decided to communicate the resolution to other Councils asking for their support, the Mayor statin~ if dispensing with the lists saved Spreydon £60, what a saving it'wouJd Lo for the •whole Dominion. Tell your friend you don't feel well — ten to one he will say: "Go nnd ask Loasby about it." Adults 3s Cd, children 2s. * As a Christmas Gift, nothing equals a well-made Photograph of yourself. Make an appointment with Steffano Webb. Petersen's Buildings, 252 i-'gh street! Telcphono 1959. 6 "Practical patriotism demands that as far as possibio the Ltnpire's money should bo spent within the Ewpire. Therefore, if you want a motor buy a British \Vostinghouse. Turnbull and Jones, Ltd.. agents." , 6 For washing table linen, "No Rubbing Laundry Help" is best. Anderson Supply Stores. 7 General Carrying of all sorts undertaken by J. M. Hey wood and Co., Ltd. Their plant of horses and vehicles is one of the largest in New Zealand. 0 The array of Mechanical Toys now on exhibit'at John P. Procter's, 200 High street, is daily attracting crowds of boys and girls. The toys are certainly unique, and at the reasonable prices arc fastLv diminishing as Christmas comes noarer. 6 BRITAIN'S BEST BICYCLE FOR £12 10s. The "Royal Superbe Swift" Bicycle, men's or ladies' models, with splendidly complete roadster equipment, now sells at £12 10s. Terms from £1 deposit and £1 per mouth. Adams, Ltd., High street. o*