GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15917, 2 June 1917, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that Parliament will meet on Thursday, 23th inst. It is expected that war legislation will occupy most of the session.

The auction announcements of Harris Bros., Charles Clark, and P. S. ISicholls and Co., will be found on page 15 of this issue.

During tho hearing of a truancy case at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, the mother of a small boy* whoso attendance at school had been very irregulai, stated that the boy had kept at homo to pick potatoes. |J 0 had also been in bad health. "J think it is a gross injustice to keen anv clilid away from school—and thus deprive him of the education necessary to lit him properly for the battle of 'life— to nick potatoes, said the Magistrate, Mr A\y\ern Wilson, m fining the defendant

At the annual meeting of the Waimato Acclimatisation iSocietv it was reS. "farding the protection of quinnat salmon, to suggest that trout nnd salmon privileges should bo embraced m one license at £1 Tier annum stHrt i at + th ? dai ' y ° atc ' l sholll d bo restricted to four salmon during tho duration of the season, which was to be as heretofore. The mover stated that roin t^" sand? nf salmon were going up the Waitaki River. All tho itecr 1 " " ko ™° u

A court-martial to hear charges nreferred against Henry William I&nokls, who, it is alleged, refused to obev the lawful commands of a military officer *ill 6 :t m the Officers' Club* rooms' King Edward Barracks, at 10 o'clock this morning. Owen Francis MeKeo who was arrested on a charge of havintr failed to attend before a Medical Board when ordered to do so, was released™ Thursday evening. McKee had beS hunger-striking sinco his arrest but m reason was given for his 'refeaS McKee rorused to submit to an ex am hi ation by a military medical officer laving when urged to do so, "I refuse to submit to the machinery of an Act to wnieii 1 conscientiously object."

A public meeting, convened by tho Mayor, will be held in the King's Theatre on Thursday ev.ening to consider the question of stopping tho salo of alcoholic liquor each day at 6 p.m. At the final meeting of the Red Cross Motor Carnival Committee, it was announced that tho net amount handed over to the Red Cross Society as the result of the Carnival was £2009. Quito an amusing incident happened at the Tuarangi Old Men'e Home, Ashburton, a few days ago. when the Military Medical Board visited the homo to examine two of its inmates, who wero practically cripples, but whose names were drawn in the second ballot. Needless to say, tho men were placed in Class D, not fit for any service. The rainfall at Auckland for May (says a Press Association message) was S.Ol inches a record for the month during the past 63 years, for which the average is 4.39 inclic<s. The total for the twelve months is 86.43 inches, an increase of 35.02 inches on tho preceding period, and considerably more than tho total for the previous twenty-four months. • Tho Mayor of Christchurch has received a communication from Mr J. L. Roche, Attorney-at-Law, Boston, Mass., U.S A., enquiring for tho whereabouts of Mr Edward Dunn. 70 years of age, a native of County Waterford. Ireland. Mr Dunn first settled in Sydney and then resided for forty years in Christchurch. Mr Roche •states that the object of his enquirv is purely a personal matter. A ellington message says that in the Supremo Court George Camwell sued the Blackball Coal Comnany for £001 damages for injuries received while assisting to discharge coal. The defence contended that the injuries l wore not very serious, and the accident was unavoidable. The jury found that plaintiff was entitled to £400 damages. The question of entering up judgment was deferred.

Tho strong and gusty southerly experienced oil Thursday was responsible for tho electric light being cut off at Lyttclton from 4 p.m. till after d p.m. Tiio effect of the wind in Heathcotc Valley was to make the wires of the transmission lino clash together, and cause a contact. The trouble on Thursday night was with the first snail —8 chains in length—from the valley up the hill, and the linemen had nn exceedingly difficult job owing chiefly to the character of tho wind, the intensity of which reached a clin:ax about 9 p.m. Matters were rcmodied before ten o'clock. Steps have been taken to prevent a recurrence of tho trouble.

A concert was given in the Kaiapoi Methodist Sunday-schoolroom last evening in aid of the Church trust fund. Thcro was a largo audience. The first part consisted of songs and glees, contributed bv tho churcli choir, Mrs M. R. S. McLaughlin, Misses J. Hoskin, E. Thome, Master F. Chapman, a mandolin solo by Mr J. Hownrth. and a recitation by Miss Hilda Chapman. Mrs H. Cory acted as accompanist. In the second part Kate Douglas Wigging's story, "The Old Peabody Pew," was presented as a play by local artists, and commanded the interest of tho audience throughout.

In the report of the chairman submitted to tho Technical College Board last night, it was stated that the train services as at present arranged had not . seriously ' atfocted the day school, except that about 50 pupils travelling by the North train had* to leave at 3.15, or half-an-hour before tho close of afternoon school. The present Lyttclton service cut out absolutely all pupils from Lyttolton attending tho evening school, about ten in number. It was very unfortunate, but the only thing that could be done was to 6upply tho students with the homework sot, and correct their exercises if they posted them back. He thought that tho Department should be prepared to ,recogniso continuation by" correspondence in this way as being entitled to capitation.

Several electrical engineers -with •whom a reporter discussed the irecent fatality at Burwood when n plumber was electrocuted consequent on a piece of piping he was holding coming in contact with live electric wires, expressed the opinion that the fatality was a strong argument m favour of all electric lines being covered, or insulated. There was some doubt as to the efficacy of insulation in the case of wires carrying high voltages, but on the general principle that electrical lines should bo insulated, the opinions expressed wero practically unanimous. The fact that Wednesday's fatality at Bottle Lake is the fifth of its kind that has happenod in and around Christchurch, indicates that the matter is ono that calls for action that will reduce, if not remove altogether, the danger from baro electric lines.

During a discussion at tho meeting of the Christchurch Domain- Board yesterday concerning the renewal of tho lease of the Tea Kiosk, the chairman (Mr H. J. Beswick) incidentally remarked on a nuisance arising out of tho salo of Sweets at the kiosk. "The trouble is those sweets that they buy at tho kiosk which are Avrapped in papers," he said. "Tho people buy them, adjourn to the seats, oat tho sweets, and throw the papers all over tVr- r"-ound. Tho result is that the attendants have to pick up those papers one bv one." "But many of the public buy the sweets in town, and take them to the "Domain and eat them there," suggested another member of the Board. "No. it is the sweets sold at the kiosk that are tho cause of tho nuisance," replied the chairman. Eventually the leaso of the kiosk was renewed without any reservation as to the sale of sweets.

A letter was received recently by Major. Conlan, military representative associated with the i'irst Auckland Military Service Board, from an Auckland citizcn, over tho militaiy age, drawing attention to the fact that although lie and others had offered their services for farm work, and numerous advertisements were constantly being inserted in tho newspapers from men willing to act as managers and workers oil the farms of inen called up for service, mo.st of the farmer appellants for exemption urged that farm labourers and managers wero practically unobtainable. This was not the case, and he gave these statements cn emphatic denial. The letter was forwarded to Mr Arthur Gillies, expert adviser to the National Efficiency Board. who replied that the assertions made by the citizen were endorsed by the experiences of the National Efficiency Board. Although the Trustee Boards had been circularised, and lists of names had been sent round, tho Board had not had a single application from farmers for managers or workers.

The difficulty of obtaining a true translation from Maori to English was illustrated at tho Supreme Court at Auckland on Wetinc-sdny (says the "Herald"). The caso before Air Justice Stringer was that of the eight Maoris who were charged with manslaughter, and the statements made to tho police by the accused were being discussed. Mr H. H. Ostler, one of the counsel for the defence, in commenting on the translation of certain portions of the statements, said it was difficult to preserve in English all tho subtle shades of meaning and niceties of expression used in the Maori. In order to illustrate his point, ho asked an interpreter of tho first grade, who was giving evidence, to translate into English a verse in a Maori Bible. The English version is: "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus." Tho interpreter translated the Maori reading as follows: — '"Hero tho person referring to these matters and I hurried on quickly. Amen. Yes, come 0 Lord Christ." His Honour remnrked tlint allowance must be mada for the liccnso taken by the translator when translating in tho first case the English into the Maori.

Over 240 teeth, many of them well over an inch in length, were takon from tho mouth of "Deg Island Jack," the huge shark that was captured a few dnys ago in Fovcaux Strait by some Bluff fishermen. They wero in seven rows, and made a formidable armament. "Is this the same old trouble*, tho saleyards?" asked Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday. when a man was charged with leaving a motor-car unattended in a stroot in Lower Riccarton. Tho polico constable, who was giving evidence, replied in the affirmative. His Worship remarked that it seemed advisable that a recognised motor stand should bo erected in the vicinity.

A jnoatine: of tho Hbaihcotc County Efficiency Committee was held in the county offices on Thursdav. Present— Tho county chairman (Mr Flavcll'), Messrs T. Bray. J. F. Scott. W. Wilson. Mr J. A. Pannett was unavoidably absent. The chairman explained what was required of the committor, and trustees were nominated. The chairman and Mr J. F. Scott wore appointed representatives on tho General Committoo. The Finance Committer* of tho Domain Board reported to the Board yesterday afternoon that it had been* rcso'vetl to recommend tho Board to contrihuto the sum of £5 towards the expenses of the Curator. Mr James Young, on his projected trip to tho West Coast, for tho purpose of procuring specimens for the Native faction and the proposed rock garden. Tho co rami tree's recommendation was adopted. The 6witch near Broadway's corner in the Square was, yesterday afternoon, at about 3.30 o'clock, again responsible for a temporary block in the tia.nway tralfis on that "portion of the line. A tramcar was passing over tho switch when, by some means, one wheel was caught on a branch line, and tho car brought to a jarring stop. After considerable exertion it was hnuled back on to the right line, and the string of waiting cars forged ahead.

What apple trees may produco when in full bearing, is indicated by the fact that Mr H. B. Everett, of Umukuri, near Motueka, has gathered no loss than 173 bushel cases of Stnrmers from six trees, ranging from 12i eases to 40 cases per tree. The apples were not packed for marketing, and would probably bo reduced by 15 per cent., but even 150 exp-ort cases from six trees would be a yield that would give a groat return per acre from an orchard.

Private John Williamson, tho sprightly recruit from Hhtama, who has Jong sine© passed the CO mark, hag wx-itten from France to a friend, regretting that ho has been ordered home (says tho Waipukurau "Press"). He put m threo solid months of fighting, and while on leave took to ice skating, which brought about his downfall. While skating, he received injuries which prevented his return to the troucho3, and tho doctor finally ordered him back to New Zealand.

A witness at the Palmerston North sitting of the Appeal Board stated that h© had two sons who had returned from the front, and both had been wounded. One had boon offered a pension of 5s per week, but ho had refused to take it. Mr D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., chairman of the Board, controverted witness's statement. "I may tell you," said 'Mr Coopor, "as chairman of tho Pensions Board, that such, a pension has nover been offered to anyone."

In viow of tho alarm expressed in some quarters regarding tho outbreak of diphthoria in Christchurch, the following figures referring to tho case g in some othor hospital districts are of interest. Tho figures are for the week ending May 28th, and they show that in Wellington, with a population of 111,000, tnore were 26 cases; in the North Canterbury district, with a population of 130,000, there woi% 28; Cook (Gisborno) Hospital district, population 20,333, 21 cases; and Southland, with a population of 51,000, 20 cases. Dr. Chesson point 8 out that the figures show that tho North Canterbury district is in no worse case than others; in fact, on a population basis it is better than some others.

At tho sitting of the Conciliation Council at Gisborno (says the "Times"), the Commissioner, Mr T. EJarle Giles, when referring to carpenters' apprentices, said that ho did not think the facilities for training apprentices wero satisfactory. Ho, considered that there was not sufficient encouragement givon by the Government to young follows to learn their trades. Something would have to be done in that direction. Tho Stato paid for tho training of teachers, paid their salaries while they were being trained, yet apprentices for skilled trades were not given any assistance, Tho time was coming when greater aswould have to be given to apprentices; tho young fellows would, havo to _ bo trained or else the trados would die out. It was stated that there had been a carpentering class at the Technical School* but it had not beon supported and had lapsed. One of tho employers said that ho had offered to give some of his time at tho shop of an ovoning to teach his apprentices, but it was not taken up. "Too many picture shows in Gisborne," remarked another employer.

I*o cough is too stubborn or severe for Loasby's "Stop-it" to cure, Is 6d, 2s Cd, 4s Cd. Larger bottles are cheaper. 6191 , 3229 pairs of boots sold during the month of May, constitutes, a record. This is very gratifying to 'us, showing that our method of pushing all stocks out to the purchasing public for cash has served a useful purpose. Still further bargains available. Stewart Robinson. Cashcl street West. 6 Soldier Portraits of tho type vou'll like —full of manliness and character— mado by Stoffano Webb, Photographer Petersen's Bldgs., High street. W8234 White clothes, clean and sweet; soft hands, and no rubbing of the w'eeklv washing, make "No Rubbing" Laundry Help a unique boon. T. Hopkins, Grocer. ' o A Hot-Point' Grill Stove makes cooking a delight. Two stoves, two operations, at the cost of one. Turnbull and Jones, Ltd., sole agents for JN'ew Zealand. g You can depend upon everything being dono promptly and well if you only hand your shipping documents to J. M. Hey wood a nd Co., Ltd. They are recognised as experts at this work. Telephones 250, 1241. and 2174. fl English Enamelwarc stands tho test. Saucepans Is Bd, Pearl quality 3 S 4s, 4s lid. Pie Dishes is, Jugs' 2s' Plates, Kettles, etc., bought at prewar prices. Inspection invited. 3>rayton's Emporium, Colombo street {north). 3

Akaroa, tho seaside health resort, has a motor service from Christcbureh daily, only 25s return. Most modern nccoinmodation in Dominion. iteduced tariff offered to returned soldiers. g Coal famine! Are you Baring coal and getting more heat by using "Koaloro?" Those who try it repeat their orders. Call and Bee important scientific report. In packets at sixpence (for J-ton) and 2». (for one ton). Hastie. Bull, and Pickering, Cashel Btreet. (Wholesale and Retail.) g