GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15769, 9 December 1916, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

Tho auction announcements of H. Matson and Co., Charles Clark, Harris Bros., Dalgcty and Co., and New Zealand Ijoan and Mercantile Agency Co. will be found on page 15 of this issue. The electric streeHighting scheme has been successfully carried out at Woolston, and that suburb is tiow c|iiite proud of its liberal illumination. At present the Woolston Council is busy installing the current, a- largo demand for which is practically assured, in private residences. A brown paper parcel, neatly tied tip with string, was produced as "an exhibit in the Supreme Court at Xelsoir a few days ago. A witness stated that it was the head of a broken-mouthed ewe which had come from Blue Glen station. 'I know the difference between the end of the sheep called the tail and the end called the head," remarked his Honour ifr Justice Chapman* "and that is about all." However, he declined to inspect tho head, and the parcel remained unopened. The following students of IMiss IWgby's Commercial School have been

successful in obtaining Pitman's firstclass speed certificates as the result, of nn examination held under the auspices of the Cbristchurch Shorthand Writers'

Association last October:—Misses Ellen Lanauze, Rita Price, and Gladys Walker, 1.10 words per minute: Miss Brindn Hodges. 100 words per minute: Misses Isabel „Bain. Vera Garside, and Mnrjorie Little, 80 words per minute; Misses Si-lah M. Uobineon n nd Ida M. Smart, 70 words per minute.

The Iter. P. B. Haggitt. vicar of St. Mary's, Merivale, i n his letter to his parishioners in the current issue of the "Merivale Parish Magazine," pays:— "With regard to the new church * the present intention of the vestry is not to enter upon the campaign for the requisite funds until pence has been declared, thoi;gh bequests and other donations are of course welcome at all times. I feel I am expressing the feeling of the great majority <of parishioners when I state my hope that the new church will be 'the most beautiful and dignified building that it is possible for us to secure."

Among other features of to-day's issue of the "Evening Xcws" will be a remarkable article on "Quaint Survivals of Superstition in London," by a writer who declares that the- metropolis of the Empire is the most superstitious of all the capitals of Europe. Another article of poignant interest just now deals with "London's War Shrines," and is illustrated with photographs of some of the shrines which are now becoming a common sight in many London streets. They display the" names of the men who enlisted from each street, and of those who have fallen in battle, and they are daily decorated with flowers by the residents. Booklovers will also enjoy reading "Penguin's" article on "Imaginary- Books."

Referring to the recent refusal of the Minister for Railways to prevent a railway officer from taking up a private occupation in his snare time, the "Railway Officers' Advocate" states:—"ln our service, where we are governed by rules and regulations to a great extent, where common business reasoning is almost barred, and where at times we find members so weighted with railway concerns that their one idea is Shop, Shop, Shop continually until it becomes ingrained, and they become J machines, we think it will be found : that members' minds would broaden commercially and greatly benefit by tho much-needed relaxation of being' privileged to dabble in private business or hobbies. There are many business pursuits and hobbies which can bo turned to profit in our own time, and which may be taken up without prejudice to the Service or Deoartment, and we think that the Hon." Minister, i n allowing this, will be securing a long-sought and needed benefit not on'y to the members of the Service but abo + o the Department. "-

All the Canterbury trout rivers were reported clear yesterday morning. The Christchureh Telephone Exchange notifies that all connexions for which subscriptions are not paid at noon on Friday next will be cut off. A new set of points with open mate and new rails will be installed at that portion of the tram line at Broadway's corner. Work will be commenced at midnight to-day. A garden fete, in aid of the Red Cross Fund, will he opened at '2.30 this afternoon by Mr A. K. G. Rhodes, at Baronseourt. Riccarton, the residence of Mr T. Kincaid. An Auckland telegram that Thomas James Lauignn, of St. Joseph's Convent School. Thames, has won the Sacred Heart College Scholarship, of the value of -10 guineas a year, tenable for two years. The work of relaying a porti.on of the Opawa tramway line with heavier rails is almost completed. The other portion —from Wilson's road to the Opawa terminus—will not be completed until the next supply of rails comes to hand. Our correspondent telegraphs that negotiations are practically completed whereby the whole of the picture theatres in Duncdin, with the exception of Everybody's, will bo taken over by the New Zealand Pictures Supply, Ltd. The railway goods sheds at Lyttelton and Christchureh. and the goods delivery yard at Christchureh will be closed on Mondav, December 18th, Anniversary Day. Work on the wharves at Lyttelton will be suspended for the day. It is expected that a start will oe made with the work of duplicating the Worcester street tram line on Tuesday next. Operations will begin at Manchester street. In connexion with the overhead work, the present bracket arms will he removed, and a change will bo made to span construction. Word has been received by the Spreydon Borough Council that "the remainder of its shipment of electric cable-wire, which has been go long delayed is at last on its way to New Zealand. The Council has recently issued building uermits of a value equivalent- to about £1200. The hot weather experienced lately lias had rather a bad effect on the roads in Spreydon, and it is reported that they are loosening up in many parte. Three valuable pictures have been loaned to the Art Society by Mrs Eleanor Gorton, late of View Hill. One is a very vivid hunting scene by Abraham Hondyus, dated 1657, in which the colours seem as fresh to-day as when it -was painted. There are also tw<j delicate woodland scenes, exquisite examples of the Dutch masters,. P. Huynians, 178-5, and J. Jen6on, 1777. The pictures will bo hung in the Art Gallery. Registration of the following new company is announced in this week's "Mercantile Gazette" :—Tiinaru Post Co., Ltd. Registered as a private company, November 28th, 191(3. Office :' George street, Tiniaru. Capital: £12,000, into 1-2,000 shares of £1 each. Subscribers: Timaru—James Craigie 5500, Cuthbert East 1000; Ashburton: Robert Bell 5500. Objects: To establish and carry on the business of newspaper proprietors, general printers and publishers at 'fimaru. As- the result of a street collection made in Christchureh yesterday by the Salvation Army on behalf of the Belgians, £107 was secured, and there are stilj amounts to come in from outlying districts, besides several private donations. The Salvation Army authorities I are well satisfied with the amount of the collection as there were only 35 Electors, and many calls have been made on the public of late. The noney will be entrusted for expenditure to the Army's officers in Belgium, who have special facilities for the distribution of relief. In our advertising columns will bo found railway notices stating that excursion tickets will be issued from any station to any station from December loth to January 2nd inclusive, available for return till February 15th; that there will be a through service (rail and coach) from Christchureh to Greymouth daily, except Sundays, from December 18th til] January *13th, and that on Monday, December 18th, Anniversary . Day, excursion trains will leave Christchureh for Timaru and Little River. Alterations in train arrangements on Anniversary Day are also announced. Writing to an Auckland firm, a New York business house says:—"We regret very much that the sentiment in New Zealand is so strong against the American policy of neutrality. Wo ourselves, being strongly pro-Ally, c&nnot agree in every lespect with the policy of our Administration. Nevertheless, it seems •to ns that the States, by keeping out of an aetive participation in the struggle, Jiavo been a great assistance to Great Britain in many ways, and while in some respects the attitude of the American Government has not been all that could be desired, the assistance that we have given in a financial and industrial way will be, very much appreciated ih time to come. In the meantime we must he contented to endure patiently that, which cannot be altered.''

Mr Ernest Short', the famous stud I stock-breeder, oi i'oilrling, giving evidences before the Military Service iioard at \\ cllington on Wednesday, expressed the opinion that ho was doing more good to the country than any politician in it. This caused laughter. Mr M. Myers, who appeared jor two of Mr S/iort's sons, said: "That is quite likely." Mr Di.vid McLaren, a member of the Hoard, who is an ex-politi-ciaii, and was the only representative "!' politics present, did not seem greatly put out, but someone in the room', evidently' considering hi* leeliugs, asked if no one was there to defend the politicians (says the "Sew Zealand Times"). Mr Short, however, prevented further pleasantries by disclaiming ran- intention of reflecting upon politicians.

A passage in the report of tJio case regarding certain china vasee, etc., heard on Thursday at tne Magistrate's Court, was so worded as to be liable to misconstruction. One of the witnessed, Mr J. ]£, Bates, was made to .say regarding same vases which had been delivered in error to another iirm instead of his own, that "on the pr.ces to bo charged Bates and Co. would have made a profit of 170 per cent, on some of the_ articlee. and 140 per cent, on others."' "What lie did say was that the prices charged by the other firm for these articles represented the abovementioned profit* "on the prices at which the goods should have been delivered to Bates and Co." He did not suggest that the firm which actually secured the goods bought them as cheaply as Bates and Co. would have done, nor made the profit he had quoted.

No cough mixture enres so quickly as Loasby's Stop It —Is 6d. 2 3 6d, and -la 6d, grocers and chemists. Larger bottles are cheaper. '

Akaro& J « green hills overlook the most beautiful harbour in the world; electric lighted sea baths, choicest of flowers and fruits. A restful holiday resort. G

TVe beg to draw special attention to tho auction sale of the valuable city residential properties in tho estate of the late Marks, full particulars of which appear in our auction advertising colums. Both houses are fine family residences; they are centrally situated, have a fine overlook of tho river, have northern frontages, and are in every icspect most desirable properties. The terms trc exceptionally easy, and the reserves have been fixed at such a figure as to ensure a sale under the hammer. The properties will be offered at the rooms of Craddock, McCrostin Co.. Ltd., at 12 noon to-day. d

f As a Christmas Gift, nothing equals a well-inade Photograph of yourself. I Make an appointment with Steffano Webb, Petersen's Buildings, 202 street! Telephono 1959. G Special to Farmers and Gardeners. — Agricultural Lime for sale, crushed or uncrushed; any quantity! Full particulars, Blackburne, Smith and Co.. 146 Manchester street. C At the Price, Buick Cars have no equal. 6 Now. thus Christmas, everyone must visit Drayton's Emporium. The artistic China, beautiful Glassware, and deUigh.tfurDoulton.mako most r.cceptablo presents. See them at 76-3 Colombo street. 3 "Practical patriotism demands that as far as possible the Empire's money should bo spent within the Empire. Therefore, if you want n motor buy a British Wostinghouse. Turn bull and Jones, Ltd.. agents." 6 For washing ladies' tennis wear, "No Rubbing Laundry Help" is best. Wardell Bros, and Co. 9 At the Price. Buick Cars have no equal. 6 "The String of Death"—an effective method of dealing with the flv pest. The fatal string is contained in neat tin, and is drawn off as required. Enough for whole summer. One shilling complete. Hastie. Bull, and Pickering, opposite Ballantyne's. 6 The array of Mechanical Toys now on exhibit at John R. Procter's, 200 High street, is daily attracting crowds of boys and girls. Tho toys are certainly unique, and at the reasonable prices are fastly diminishing as Christmas comes noarer. 6 You can depend upon everything being done promptly and well if you only hand your shipping documents to J. M. Hey wood a ml Co., Ltd. They are recognised as experts at this work. Telephones 250, 12-41, and 2174. G THE BEST CYCLE ON THE EASIEST TERMS. You can buy either tho best British bicycle, the Royal Superbe Swift, or the best colonial wheel, tho Star, on ef.sy terms, as low a« £1 deposit and £1 per month. Adams, Ltd.. High street. G