GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15860, 27 March 1917, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

Sir James Allen has received advice from the High Commissioner that the General Post Office intimates that tho transmission of parcels, for prisoners of war in Turkey is suspended until further notice.

The Assembly of tho Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, at its last meeting, agreed to commemorate tho fourth centenary of the Reformation, •which falls on October 31st. The Rev. R. Wood has been asked by the Assembly's Committee to write an illustrated booklet occasion, and has agreed to do so. The subject of the booklet will be "Martin Luther, the Liberator: His Life Story and ' the Freedom He Brought to his Age."

The fire Stewart Island men drawn in the recent ballot have all been turned down and it is a peculiar circumstance at first blush that, every man on the Island who has been drawn in the ballot has so far met with similar deserts (says the "Southland News"). On' consideration of the circumstances, however, it would appear that it points directly to the fact that all the fit men on the Island went voluntarily to camp.

Yesterday afternoon at the Art Society's exhibition, a musical programme was arranged by Mrs Home, and the afternoon tea was supplied by Mrs It. E. McDougall. Mrs D. Matson, and Mrs S. K. Garrick. The Lady Liverpool Fund profited considerably by tho afternoon tea. To-dav M rs Dalgety will supply the afternoon ten and Mrs Wilding is arranging the music. This evening Madame Ottlce will present a musical programme. The exhibition will be. open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 7.30 p;m. to 0.30 p.m.

Tho Marlborough syndicate which has secured a lease for an extensive area on the West Coast, CO miles beyond Orepuki, for sawmiljing purposes, is now busily engaged on preliminary works, including xhe construction of a wharf, and also a breakwater (says the "Southland News"). Tho site of the mill is on a headland at Mussel bcach, Te Waewae Bay, from which all loading into the ships' holds will be done by means of an endless chain, thus dispensing with costly handling. A representative of the company recently visited America, and arrangements have been made for employing the most modern machinery and methods. The country is splendidly timbered chiefly with red pine, for which there is a big market in Australia, and the company's own steamers will convey it thither. As the bush ge:s cut out, it is intended to clear and titilise the land for grazing purposes-

I The following river report was issued yesterday:—Waimakarin (north branch) discoloured, Waimakariri (south branch) and Waitaki clear; Itangitata and Rakaia dirty, and Qpihi fishable. A railway employee was arrested at Lyttclton yesterday by Detectivc Quartermain, on a charge of stealing a quantity of soap (33 bars), the property of the Railway Department. He will appear ai the Lyttelion Magistrate's Court this morning.

Meetings of the C'hristchureh Tramway Employees' Union are to be held to-day to discuss several matters which, it is alleged, are causing dissatisfaction at present. -One relates to wages, ancl another to complaints regarding the inspectors.

The Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald. Minister of Agriculture, will meet the executive of the North Canterbury Branch °f the New Zealand Farmers' Union at 31 a.m. to-morrow in Christchurch, and will address another meeting of farmers and others in the afternoon at 2.30 o'clock. The Minister will also speak at Addingtou, either at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. whichever is thq mora suitable.

In connexion -with an application by an American film corporation to the Government to take pictures in New Zealand, the Hon. G. W. Russell stated yesterday that Cabinet considered it undesirable while the war was on for any cinematograph pictures of New Zealand to be. taken by anybody. Consequently no authority would be given in this direction until after the close of the war.

During the week ended last Saturday 21 men registered as being out of work at the local bureau of the Department of Labour. Of the total, 18 were labourers (9 married, 9 single), 1 carpenter, 1 painter, and 1 shepherd. Fourteen were placed, 4 in Government employ. !) in private employ, through tho bureau, and 1 was assisted by rail fares. There were 7 remaining r*i tho books at the end of the week. Tho report states that men are still wanted for the tunnel works at Otira and at the Culverden ballast pit.

The Mayor of Riccarton (Mr J. Brown), at last night s meeting of mc borough Council, made i eieiviue to tile recent outbreak of uysexueiy. Ino responsible autnorhios, lie saiu, shou.d bo written to, uiging them t Q take strong measures to get to the source of tne trouble. The matter was discussed at some length, various theories being put forward as to the cause of tho outbreak, all councillors being agreed, however, that steps should bo taken to combat tho tiouble. Cr. Ford moved: "That the health officer be written to urging him to take all possible steps to restrict the spread of the epidemic, and further tnat he should lie asked for recommendations as to the possible action of local bodies in the matter, by way of assisting tiie Health Department in this work. '

Tho By-laws, Finance, and Departs mental Committee reported to the City Council last evening that it had considered the Mackenzie County Council's rocommondation that an ad valorem duty of 10 per cent, be placed upon all motor tyres, the money to be distributed among local authorities to be devoted to the upkeep of roads. The committee recommended tho Council to endorse the County Council's proposal provided that *means were devised to preclude tho tax being used to reduce rates and also to ensure it being applied to the purpose for which it was imposed. Cr. Taylor considered the matter required further consideration. Ho moved that tho clause be referred back to the committee. Councillors contended that tho tax should bo hand, ed over to some central bodv for the purpose of maintaining arterial roads instead of it being handed over to local bodies. The clause was referred back to the Committee.

The City Council received notico from the Christchurch Domain Board last evening .tliat the Board's estimates for tho improvement and maintenance of the domain during tho year ending March 31st, 1918, provided for a contribution of £2500 from the local contributing bodies. The City .Council's proportion was £1500, half to be paid on Juno Ist, 1917, one quarter on September Ist, and the remainder on December Ist next. Cr. Burgoyne said he did not consider the Domain Board was treating the local bodies fairly. They had given an assurance that they -would not raise tho full rate, but this was the second vear in succession they had done so. Tho Mayor (Mr H. Holland) said ho was surprised at the Board's request, though doubtless they had a reason for it. Cr. Cooper said that at the meeting of the Domain Board ho had opposed the £2500 rate. He had contended that the Board's employees would be better employed serving the country than working in the gardens. Cr. McCullough said the Board only had three employees of military age, and they were in tho Second Division; the remainder were old men. Cr. Cooper said he knew this, but he contended that these men would be better employed serving in the country. The letter was received.

In the course of yesterday's meeting of the Sehvyn Plantations Board, Mr R. M. Morten expressed the opinion that tho Board's employees could at present be much better employed than planting trees. He considered that thev should bp dismissed. Mr Geo Scott did not agree with the latter suggestion. He thought the matter should be left to tho Efficiency Board, and if tho Board considered that the men could bo hotter employed in some other industry, tho Plantations Board could put them at the disposal of the Efßcicncy Board. Incidentally' it was mentioned that the employees consisted of two married men and one over age. Mr R. Nairn said that the time for tree planting extended from May to about September, and if those employees were called un by the Efficiency Board, they could go on planting after the farmers had done with them. It was stated that the 83,000 trees mentioned by tho overseer as necessary foi planting during the coming _ season would take about, four weeks for planting/ Mr Nairn ultimately movyd that the Board go ahead and purchase at oncc from the Government 25,000 laricio, and 5,000 ponderosa, and purchase other species as they found it necessary or advisable, and this courso was decided on.

The question of office accommodation for the City Council's staff came before the Council last evening, when the ByLaws, Finance, and Departmental Committee expressed the opinion that the best solution of the difficulty of providing - officc accommodation for the staff and for the convenience of the public would be the extension of the existing building northwards, and the Committee recommended that power to extend the building be sought. Cr. Hunter said tliere might bo less opposition to extending tho building towards the river instead of the other way. Cr. Taylor favoured holding the matter over till the new Council came into office. Cr. McCombs supported this. The Council should first secure plans and go into the whole question. Cr. Sullivan also agreed with Cr. Taylor's proposal. Cr. Burgoyne said they had to secure permission to build on tho land first. When they had secured such permission let them then prepare the plans. Cr. McCullough said Cr. McCombs knew the Government had already refused to allow the Council to build on the land adjoining the Council's office, and the Council had to seek permission again. The Council did not know yet upon what side of the building they would be allowed to extend or whether they would be allowed to extend at all. It was surely foolish to ask draughtsmen to prepare plans before they knew if they could build. The Committee's recommendation was adopted.

The Mayor (Mr H. Holland) informed a "Press" representative, last evening, that on Friday, at the Lake Coleridge works, there was a record maximum load of 4292 kilowats.

The By-laws, Finance, and Departmental Committee reported to tho City Council last night that during the past fortnight fourteen persons had been granted certificates of ability for motorcars and fifteen for motor-cycles.

Pormits to construct buildings having an aggregate value of £10,82.'} were is" sued by the Riccarton Borough Council during the past twelve months. In spite of the fact that the war lias had a detrimental effect on the building trade, the, figures disclose a not at all nnprospcrous state of affairs in the borough.

The C.D.C. called the attention of the Defence Department to the fact that the medical examinations revealed cases of men suffering from gonorrhoea. Ihev were rejected as medically unfit, and turned loose to convey further infection to the community. We arc informed that the Government has decided that eases so discovered will in future be segregated.

Councillor 11, W. Wise, at last night's meeting of the Riccarton Borough Council, asked whether it would not. be advisable to ''shako up the Government in regard to the lighting of the Riccarton station.'' He thought it a disgruc-c that electric lights should be installed all round the station, aud yet the building its?lf should bo illuminated by means of keros-.'re. He moved that the Government should be written to on the subject. Cr. Ford seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

The Abattoir and Reserves Committee reported to the City Council last evening that it had-been approached by the Slaughtermen's Union which had set out demands for a new agreement, including wages at £4 10s per week of 44 hours. Tho present rate of wages was £3 10s for 44 hours. There were other proposed alterations that did not present any insuperable difficulties. The deputation from the Union which waited upon the Committee on the matter had been informed that the representations made by it would be considered, and that if a new agreement was not arrived at before the expiration of tho existing one, any increaso in wages granted would date back to April Ist.

On more than one occasion at tho City Council meeting last evening the (4fjrgo of electioneering was made by councillors against others. The special committee appointed to report oil tho question of educating the public in regard to proportional representation recommended that four public meetings be held in the City, at which the system could be explained. This led yr. Jameson, who is not seeking re-election, to ask whether these meetings wero oonnected with the electioneering campaign of any member of the Council. Cr. livOombr; offered to try and secure the services at the meetings of Mr Lbgoen, the Hon. G. Fowlds, and others, and it was accordingly agreed thai no members of tho Council speak at these meetings if held, and that the Town Clerk try and arrange to secure Mr Hogben.

License fees for builders' hoardings caino again before the City Council last evening, when the By-Laws, Finance, and Departmental Committee stated that it had given the matter further consideration, and had decided to recommend the Council to pass a resolution that payment of a fee of ono farthing per month for each superficial foot of street enclosed with a hoarding for the period during which such hoarding was maintained would he sufficient compliance with the by-law until otherwise decided (this would . reduce the fee by 75 per cent.) and that the City Surveyor bo instructed to see that in all cases where part of a street was enclosed by a builders' hoarding, the wooden platform running round the outside of the hoarding, provided for in Section 37 of By-law No. 1 bo constructed. After some discussion the clause was adopted.

Stop It (Loasby's) cures summer coughs just as easily as it does hard old winter ones. . Is 6d ana 2s 6d, Grocers and chemists. 3

If you want an electric lamp, buy a Royal Ediswam, -which is all British. Turnbull and Jones, Ltd., solo agents for .New Zealand. 6

A long time since your last photograph was taken ? Time now for a new one. Let Steffano Webb take it. Telephone 1989. Petersen's Buildings, High street. 6

No argument avails with a woman like facts! The clean clothes without rubbing, have proved that "No Rubbing" Laundry Help is absolutely a blessing! J. M. Gow, Grocer. 8

No on-i likes moving, but the work can bo made much, lighter if competent men are employed. J. M. Heywood and Co., Ltd., have them and threo up-to-dato pantechnicons. Telephones 250, 1241 and 2174. 6

Secure your new Dinner Sets before Easter. Exclusive designs in black and gold effects; Round-shapo Vegetable Dishes, now on view at Drayton's, 765 Colombo street. 6

WANTED TO SELL—£IS lo s TRIUMPHS FOR £10 10s. This week we are offering ten only best "Triumph'' bicycles for £10 10s each. Call and seo them. Adams, Ltd., High street. G