GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15896, 9 May 1917, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

Our readers are requested to note the; rearrangement of our telephones, as set out in an advertisement over leader in this issue.

Tho auction announcements of P. S. Nicholls and Co., Dalgety and Co., Harris Bros., and R. S. McKenzie and Co., will be. round on page 13 of this issne. According to present arrangements, the Union Company intends to despatch the ferry , "flier" Maori from Wellington on Friday next for Lyttelton. _ The Maori has been laid up in Wellington since tho coal shortage. A quantity of coal for tho Maori's bunkers was brought to Wellington by tho Rosamond on Monday. Members of the Samoan Relief Force havo many of them served for closo on two years in a trying tropical climate, and now tho authorities are seeking to give them a measure of relief. In order that this may be done, volunteers are being called for from the ranks of men over military age. The selection of people to be summoned for non-payment of rates was something of a problem to the Hokitika Harbour Board (says the "West Coast Times"). It was only after considerable discussion that an equitablo basis was como to, the chosen victims being eight owing tho largest amounts and having no relatives at tho front, five in Hokitika and one in each of the country districts. At the Magistrate's Court, Hokitika, last week, when dealing with some charges against certain persons of being found on licensed premises during prohibited hours, tho Magistrate said ho had decided to raise "the tariff" for this offence in future. He had found that the fines at present inflicted by him had not acted as a deterrent, and thereforo ho had decided to mako an increase amounting to practically 100 per cent, on former rates. War against certain avoidable noises in tho Auckland streets is to be waged under tho now city by-laws now in force. These prohibit, for instance, tho use of cut-outs on motor-cars • and motor-cycles. Another by-law prohibits all undue noises by machinery, including motor-cycles. It is also provided that after next January no motorhorn other than a deep-sounding one may be used. Shrill whistles and a variety of other harsh warning-sounds must, in duo course, be abolished. A Merivale resident has had an unusual experience with one of his pear trees this season. Yesterday he showed a reporter of "Tho Press" a blossom from the tree, tho third time of olossoming. Some time ago he burned some rubbish under a portion of the tree, with the result that the leaves on tho particular part above where the firo was frizzled up. Now this portion of the tree is in blossom for the third time, but there arc no blossoms on tho other part of the tree, which is about 30 years old. "Do you know there is a strong medical opinion against tho quantitv of cigarettes smoked by soldiers and by wounded men?" asked the military representative at the Law Society special tribunal in Loudon, when a cigarette tobacco blender applied for exemption, "and that pipe smoking ought, to bo encouraged instead?" "If that is so, -why docs tho War Office order so many millions of cigarettes?" the chairman intervened. ''There is no harm in smoking cigarettes in moderation." Tho man was exempted for six months. A good deal has been heard from time to time of the important part that is being taken by women in industrial life in tho Old Country, but tho case of two girls in the Wairoa district, who havo been waggon-drjving on tho road for several months past, would be hard to beat (says tho "Poverty Bay Herald"). According to a Gisbornite who has just returned from Wairoa, tho girls are driving a; five and a seven-horso team respectively. Coming through on the coach he passed tho two teamstresses near Marumaru, and they appeared to handle their teams as well as any man, whilst ho was informed they could load their waggons equal to anyone at the Wairoa wharf. It is stated that the girls have taken to waggoning in consequence of tho illness of their father. The life must at times be an exceedingly hard one, and carting away out into tho country they must be exposed to all weathers. A Sydney "Sun" cable from London says:—Newspaper is selling in London at a pound. Some firms are paying _ 3d. An advance towards 4d is anticipated by the end of 1917. Newspapers arc economising, pruning the free lists and voucher copies, eliminating waste in machine-rooms, such as cutting down tho centre margins to a quarter of an inch. Tho "Daily Mail" has reduced its returns to 2 per cent. The "Telegraph" has reduced its size from 24 pages to 12 daily, and 16 on Saturday. Tho "Morning Post" has 8 pages daily and 10 on Saturday, the "Daily Mail" G and S, the "Dailv News" and "Express" invariably 6, whilo the evening papers have made between 33 and 50 per cent, reductions. Fifty-two provincial papers have increased the price to lid. London proprietors have conferred as to whether they should increase the price, maintaining the size of the advertisements, or reduce tli e size, restricting the advertisements. A steamer, while en route from New \ork to New Zealand, recently called at Pitcairn Island, the solitary home of the descendants of the mutineers of the ship Bounty. The commander of the vessel, before sailing, interested himself in tho welfare of the islanders, and invited, through tho American Press, contributions of goods for presentation to them. The matter was warmly taken up, and gifts flowed in from various directions, with the result that the vessel started on her vovage laden with about £500 worth of presented goods. On arrival at the island tho captain landed an American organ for the use of the inhabitants dresses for the women, a suit of clothes for each man, and miscellaneous other articles. Tho steamer also carried what was advertised in America as' the first official mail from the United States to Pitcairn Island, comprising 73 letters. The gratitude of the islanders for tho presents was touching, and their reception of the officers and passengers of the steamer was hospitality itself.

The detail? of the new railway timetable to come into force after Saturday next, will bo found on pago 13 of this issue. The insuranee on tho house in Moorhouse avenue, owned by Mr G. W. Parsons, in which a firo occurred early yesterday morning, is -£220 in the Royal office. A number of Canterbury and Otago wounded and invalided fcoldirrs wtll arrive in Christehurch this morning. They will be entertained at luncheon and afternoon tea at the Y.M.C.A. The men are expected to reach Christchurch at 11.40. Enquiries made into tho position of the local coal trade go to show that there will be no shortage in Otago during the winter if the miners in the-pro-vince continue working as they are doing at present (says yesterday's "Otago Daily Times' 1 )- Ycry little Otago-mined coal r is now being sent to Canterbury. A New York paper of a recent date says: —A feature of the American Sugar Refining Company's balancesheet for the past year is an item of 1,000,000 dollars for future expenditure on ''trade-mark'' advertising. This is said to bo the first time that advertising has. been given direct recognition in tho balance-sheet of one of the larger industrial corporations. Loasby's Nerye Tonic and Blood Eqrichcr makes rich, red blood, imparts vigour ana health. 2s 6d and 4s 6d. 1 Akaroa's lake-like harbour, surrounded by its lovely green hills, 2} hour*' enchanting motor drivo from Christchurch ; there the visitor gains health, strength, and happiness. 6 Soldiers' Khaki Breeches, 10s 6d. 17s 6d, 25s tid. Puttees from 6s lid, at Armstrong's. 1 Most things can be anybody's gift— your portrait is distinctively, _ exclusively yours. Make an appointment to-day. Steffano Webb, Petersen's Buildings, High street. Telephone, 1989. 5 Armstrong, for Overcoats of every class. The best selection at lowest prices. 2 It's time to think about clipping your horse. Save time and money by ordering a "Burman" British-made clipping machine. Simple to use and quick—you can't make any mistake. Price 455, from- Lewis and Anderson Ltd., Cashcl street. G If von want an electric lamp, buy a Royal Ediswari, which is al] British. Turnbull and Jones, Ltd., sole agents for New Zealand. 6 700 dozen Gent's Wide-end Ties, new colourings, Is each. Gent's best quality Linen Collars, any shape or width, Cd each, at Armstrong's the Leading Outfitters. 3 White clothes, clean and sweet; sott hands, and no rubbing of tho weekly washing, make "No Rubbing" Laundry Help a unique boon. T. Hopkins, Grocer. 2 Coal famine 1 Are you saving coal and getting more heat by using "Koalore?" Those who try it repeat their drders. Call and see important scientific report. In packets at' sixpence (for i-ton) and 2s (for one ton). Hastie. Bull, and Pickering, Cashel street. (Wholesale and Retail.) 6 •Saddle Tweed Trousers, 10s 6d, 14s Gd 15s 9d, all sizes, at Armstrong's. Ltd. WANTED TO SELL—SECOND-HAND MOTOR-CYCLE. A regular bargain, 1915-16 model "Harley-Davidson" motor-cycle in splendid condition. New tyres. Price ■£05. Adams, Ltd., High street. 6