GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 16078, 7 December 1917, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

A contingent of sick and wounded New Zealand soldiers has reached a port in tho Dominion. None of the party is seriously incapacitated. '"Another job for tho Aviation School," remarked Mr "W. H. Winsor, at the conference regarding a public pound, when some mention was made of the computation of tho distance stock wero taken to a pound on the basis of "as the crow flies." Proposals recently made by several Victorian flour millers to establish bakeries in somo of the Melbourno suburbs are likely to be carried >nto effect. Meetings have been held in connexion with the 6chcme, and it is believed that certain localities have been practically decided upon, where an early beginning in the operation m&y be made, according to Melbourno papers. Strawberry crops in the Auckland district are turning out very well this year, and growers anticipate that supplies will be quito equal to, if not better than, those of past good seasons (says Tuesday's "Herald."). Some of tiie old beds were somewhat affected by the dry weather in November, but tho new beds are yielding large 'juantities of fine berries. Fairly large consignments are being purchased for Wellington, Wanganui, and Palmerston North, but, owing to the prolific yield, prices aro not affected. The Bank of New Zealand is about to issue ten-shilling notes of a new design. Ine new noto is printed in light pink and dark blue. It has the bank's Aame in old English lettering in a straight lino across its upper half, and the vignettes of Now Zealand scenery, with. Maoris and kiwis in the foreground, on either side, which are features common to all the lower denomii nations of notes issued by the Bank of New Zealand. The pink notes of the present iaauo will not be immediately withdrawn from circulation. They will be re-issued until, by wear, thoy havo become unfit for further circulation.

All the Canterbury rivers were reported clear yesterday.

Two twenty-year-old recruits—John Murray Dunn, 46 Essex street, Linwood, clerk, and Thomas Thomson, 10 Barretta street, joiner—enlisted in Christchurch yesterday for active service. With reference to the statement made by Captain Baldwin before the Wellington Military Service Board oil Wednesdav (to the effect that no Second Division men would be called into camp before April), it is explained the Press Association that it applies only to the 12th ballot, gazetted this week. Tlie chairman of the Christchurch Licensing Committee (Mr T. A. B. Bailey. S.M.), yesterday announced the committee's policy in regard to the licenses of- hotels where licensees who are members of the Second* Division are called out for active service. The practice, he said, would be to allow tho wives of Second Division men to hold permits to contirfuo their husband's licenses during the husband's absence. The committoe, however, did not lay this down as a hard-and-fast rule. Every case would bo decided on its merits, but on the general principle the c-ommitteo were agreed. "This work," said Mr O. C. Mazengarb, in appealing beforo the Third Military Sarvice Board at Wellington, on Wednesday, for a "blocker," a special employee of tho National Hat Milk, "is particularly hard on the hands, and it takes a considerable time for them to get hard enough for the work." "I know a number of other occupations," said Mr A. O'L. Considine, "which are equally hard on the hands." "Personally, I would feel more sympathetic to tho 'blocker s' case after I had spent a month in my garden in January," remarked tho Chairman (Mr D. M. Findlay) in conclusion. It is rather early to make any forecast of the probable touring traffic of the coming holiday season, but the number of enquiries at tho Auckland office of the Tourist Department as to tho possible trips shows little variation as compared with last year (says Tuesday's "Herald"). In view of the withdrawing by the Railway Department of the usual holiday fares and special excursion trains, it is quito expected that tho indulgence of tho public in long tours will bo restricted, as compared with other years. Tho booking for holiday purposes at resorts handy to Auckland is considerably brisker than is usual at this stage of the season —probably as a result of the reduced facilities for long-distance journeys. Mr Holman : s simplicity of tasto and ' 'abhorrence of too much baggage are said to have led him into an awkward predicament last September, when, on his visit to 'Washington, ho went to pay his respocts to President Wilson at. the Whito House. On his arrival Mr Holman learned that formal dress was expected, and he was obliged to meet the situation by borrowing -Lord Northcliffo's silk hat and Sir Gordon lloborts's frock coat. This levy of garments was not made at haphazard, but was tho result of a canvass of tho British official set, which showed that Mr Holman's head fl,nd that of Lord Northcliffo wero of one size, and that Sir Gordon's coat would fit tho New South Wales Premier's figure. This story is given on tho authority of the Central News Agency. Apparently guito a number of people consider it quito proper to graze their stock on the public roads at night. O'ne instance was mentioned at last night's conference regarding a public pound for Christchurch, in which a man with 30 head of cattle made a practice of letting them looso' on the roads at night. The first case against him resulted in. a fine of ss; tho next time he was fined 20s; tho' third time he was fined ss; it was thought that the highest amount ho had been called on to pay was £2. At these rates, it was said, it paid him to uso the public roads as grazing paddocks. It was also narrated that recently the ranger of a certain local body went into camp, b\it temporarily resumed his old job, unknown to the residents, when down on leave. Tho result was that next day quite a of people were going about the district with "bridles looking for animals that had been impounded.

The procedure that should bo adopted by resorvists drawn in a ballot Vho, having a doubt as to their medical fitness, are desirous of submitting themselves for re-examination, was indicated at Monday's sitting of the First Auckland Military Service Board. In the course of tho day three applications for further medical examination wore made, tho reservists in each instance producing, written testimony from private practitioners to the effect that they were suffering from longstanding complaints. Major J. L. Conlan stated that this class of application was increasing, end it was one with which tho board, with tho great mass of work in front of it, should not be troubled. Reservists who required a second modical examination because they considered that they should not havo passed fit at tho first, should apply to tho group office or Divisional Headquarters. Then, if they were refused, they could apply to tho Military Service Board. Tho trouble in some cases was that reservists did not place their medical history before the examining doctors, who would not reject the testimony of any reputable doctor.

It has been generally understood that, when members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force married in England, and were subsequently killed in action, their-widows wore entitled to participato in the New Zealand pension scheme. It now transpires that this is not so; that tho War Pensions Acts do not include these' women, who will not roceive one penny of money from tho New Zealand Government, and further, aro not entitled to any pension from the British authorities. A somowhat painful case gave rise to this discovory. A member of tho New Zealand Main Body, well-known in Christchurch, where ho was omployed in a leading office, was wounded at Gallipoli, and invalided to England. There he met an English girl, and shortly after married her. Later he went to Franco and was killed in action. The dead soldier's parents made arrangements to bring tho widow, badly shaken in health, to New Zealand, and she is now on her way out. Enquiries wero made concerning a pension, and it was then discovered that the young woman is not entitled to one. It is understood that the Canterbury Patriotic Fund "ill grant assistance.

Rudolpho Gonsalez, impresario of the Italian Grand Opera Company which toured New Zealand some months back, is now a bankrupt, and some interesting evidence was brought to light -n the Sydney Bankruptcy Courts last 'week. The petitioning creditor was Innocentio Olinto. one of the chorus of the company, who had obtained a verdict in the* Supreme Court respecting his return fare to Italy. In the course of his examination Gonsalez stated that his share of the profits of the company in Australia was one-seve'nth, about £1100, besides his salary of £10 to £12 per week. His expenses were about £7 or £8 per week, and he lived 011 his salary and sent his share of one-seventh to his. relatives in Italy. When tho company came to Australia an arrangement was made with Mr Ben Fuller, but later on the company carried on itself. In Australia it mado a profit of about £8000. Bankrupt was responsible for contracts entered into with artists? An account book produced showed that the Australasian season realised £56,464, and deducting the expenses, tho profit for the tour . was £7914. Bankrupt admitted that 1e had brought Olinto to Australia, but denied that he had ever agreed to pay his fare back to lialy. After voluminous evidence had bcon taken, the further examination of tho bankrupt was adjourned.

According to a cable message in tho Australian papers, the latcit German periscopes are to be two inches in circumference and almost invisible. The Christchurch City Council is inviting tenders for the removal and re-crection of the Godley statue. Tenders close on the 13th. inst. Speaking to a "Press" representative last evening, Sir James Allen, who had returned from a visit to the Queen Mary Hospital, at Hanmer Springs, said* that he had gained the impression that affairs at the hospital were going very smoothly. The grounds and surroundings had been improved, and the men seemed to be contented, happy., and well occupied. The question of fire escapes in hotels was referred to at yesterday's meeting of tho Christchurch* Licensing Committee by the chairman (Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M.), who stated that at tho next sitting the committee desired a comprehensive report on all fire eseapos in hotels, and tho directions posted up conveying information as to how to reach the escapes. "A relic of barbarism,'' "like tollgates, a thing of the past and cumbersome," wcro descriptions of tho Dominion's Impounding Act, given by Mr W. H. Winsor. at last night's conference which discussed the establishment of a pound for Christchurch and surrounding districts. The discussion showed that whilst the desirableness of a pound was generally admitted, no representative was very anxious to have it established in his particular district. Tho red deer forest at the head waters of the Pomahaka will bo re-opened to sportsmen during tho coming season (says the Dunedin "Star"). It was first opened three yoars ago, when only a few licenses were granted. Since then the, herd has increased, and South Otago and Southland sportsmen report that there are numerous fine heads ill the forest this year. Fourfeen licenses will be issued for tho forthcoming season, and'it is anticipated that there will be an excess of applications. The question of repatriation of sol* diers was again before the Advisory Board of the New Zealand Patriotic Societies at "Wellington yesterday, when the Lands Committee submitted tho following motion: "That in order to repatriate soldiers it is essential immediately to create a repatriation department, and that an Advisory Board, consisting of expert civilians and icturncd soldiers, should bo associated with such department." The Board approved of the motion, which is to be E laced beforo the National Efficiency ioard. It is claimed that thcro is nothing to prevent a widow of a New Zealand soldier from participating in the widows' pension schemc of 1913, and drawing a pension under that Act besides a war pension, provided she does not possess more than a certain amount of capital. sonic women are in a better position financially as the result of their husbands dying at tho front than they would bo if their husbands wero at home in Now Zealand following a civilian pursuit, is evidenced by a case which has come under tho noticc of tlic r lhe_ husband of a woman with eight children was earning about £2 a week as a labourer beforo he enlisted. _ Word of his death has now been received, and it is stated that tho widow will now bo entitled to a pension of £8/ per week, made out as follows: £2 widow s war pension, £4 children's war pension, and £2 widow's civilian pension.

llecentlv the Ashburton County Second Division League wrote to Mr AV. Nosworthy, M.P., asking him to explain his reason for not supporting iu Parliament the Leaguo's demands in regard to allowances, after promising that he would do so. Mr Nosworthy now states that a separate meeting of the Liberal Party was held, and also one of the Reform Party, at which the Dominion's financial position was put very forcibly before the members, and the question of allowances discussed. After this a joint meotmg of parties was held, at which Mr Massey, Sir Joseph Ward, and. Sir James Allen told members in confidence the financial position and the length the Government could go in meeting the demands of the Leaguo. At that meeting, which comprised most members, it was unanimously decided to support the Government on its proposals. When a division was called for. ho and other mGml>ers after what the Government

had told them, did not feel justified in voting other than with the Government, and taking their full share of the responsibility, by which he felt ho was doing his best to support the League and tho interests of ail.

Where is tho money coing and where are hotel patrons spending their time? This question, addressed to managers of places of entertainment and proprietors of refreshtnents rooms and "marble bars" in AVellington proved difficult to answer (says the "Post"). "We have not done an increased business," said a gentleman in the entertainment line. "In fact, there has been a slight fall-ing-off in our returns since Saturday. That, however, is not due to six o'clock closing, but is generally experienced at this time of the year, when people are going out of town or saving their money for Christmas. I don't think people who went to picture shows in the evening ever had much to do with the hotels, and the change is not likely to make much difference to the picture houses." Enquiries among marblebar proprietors also showed that the change had meant very little to them. "On Saturday we thought we ' werO doing bigger business," said one, "but wo found that this was due not so 'much to six o'clock closing as to the fact that money was plentiful at the end of the month. That is always the case, and it is then that there is a great demand for strawberries, 110 matter how expensive they may be. On comparing returns for the last few days we find that business is no better than at this time'last year. In fact,, it is not quite so good, as we have our own troubles. Having to release the girls at 10.30 p.m., we have Had to employ men, and we cannot get the number that we require." Want a Truss? Let Loasby fit you. Large assortment just landed. Why suffer? Come and "ask Loasby about it." . Advice and medicinc, 3s 6d; children, 2s. 1 Armstrong's Summer Sale. —Attractive bargains displayed to-day. 1 Christmas Holidays.—The Retail Drapers have arranged to keep open till 9 p.m. on Friday, 21st, till 6 p.m. on Saturday, 22nd, and on Monday, 24th (Christmas Evo), till 10 p.m. Open till 9 p.m. Friday, 28th, close 1 p.m. Saturday, 29th, and 6 p.m. Monday (New Year's Eve). 1 " Showroom will present fresh bargains to-dnv at Armstrong's Summer Sale. 2 Your Christmas Gifts should hare a strong personal note. There is no such fine way" to attain this, as by giving "Steffano Webb Portraits" of yourself. 252 High s'troet. Telephone 1989. •"» Household buyers will romember Armstrong's Summer Sale for bargains. Drapery at loss than wholesale cost. 3 "Golden Rule" Soap and "No Rubbing" Laundrv Help winning on their merit. Storekeepers should order early to avoid disappointment. Ford and'Mirams. K Men's and boys section will stir with fresh bargains at Armstrong Summer Sale. 4 Tennis Balls. We havo a shipment of Ayres' 1918 Balls cloee at hand. Book now, as they are selling freely to arrive. New Rackets by same boat. .Lewis and Anderson, Ltd., Cashel street. ■ ® FOR SALE. FIVE-SEATER ''OVERLAND" CAR. £170 NET CASH. This is a splendid chance to 6ccure_ a motor-car for the summer se 2r°"; ~ with full set of extras. Terms, net cash. Adams, Ltd., 219 Tuam street, b