GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16204, 6 May 1918, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

Another pupil gained his flying certificate at the Canterbury Scho'ol of Aviation on Saturday—S." A. C. Gallichan, of Takitahuna, near Palmerston JVortli. Colonel Chaffey and Captain Robertson were the observers..

At a meeting held on Saturday night under the auspices of the Workers' Educational Association, Mr E. Ji,. Stark, City Electrical Engineer, Jivered an instructive, illustrated' and experimental lecture on "Tho chemical considerations which enter into the generation and storage of electricity." At tho conclusion the lecturer was "recorded a hearty vote of thanks, on the motion of Dr. Thacker.

: A rather afreet''in; scene occurred at I the Military Service Boara in Auckland last week, when a mother of a soldier family heard rnu announcement tliat her last sou, who was also under military age, would be exempted and left with hnr. The distressed iu otter, who has had two rons killed in France and cno now reported missing, burst into tears in her gratitude, and, making up to her son, uttered loud praise and thanksgiving as she put her arms about him and kissed him. The young man naturally -was as deepiy moved by his mother's nervous collapse as were other spectators who sympathetically watched mother and son leave the Court arm-in-arm weeping

The "Lake County Press" repo:t3 that strychnine poison laid for the destruction of rabbits is playing havoc with quail in the district. In places where the birds»were numerous before strychnine was used, not one is to be seen now.

Captain Rolls, of tho Union Co.'s service, has (states the Auckland "Star") probably created a record within certain limits. By means of concerts, raffles, sports, auctions, etc., the sum of over £39,000 has been collected for the Red Cross since the outbreak of war. His vessel has given a motor ambulance, and maintains it in France. A resident of Petone has received a photograph, of a dog which had the unusual experience of travelling from France t-o England by aeroplane. The dog belongs to Colonel Weston, and was wounded at- tlie same time as its master in France. Colonel Weston was sent to hospital in England, whero lie heard that his dog had been rescued by Private Wright, lato of Petone, who had nursed it hack to health. At the colonel's request, Private Wright sent it; across to England by aeroplane. In the autumn months Akaroa is, as a rule, uncommonly well supplied with flounders. Last season, for instance, flounders were'so plentiful that, as the result of five successive nights' trawling, two fishermen realised £30, and on one particular occasion a single drag of tho net brought up on one small beach within tho harbour, 64 dozen flounders. This year, however (writes our correspondent) the flounder "crop" has been like unto the yield of the walnut and the cocksfoot, insignificant and distinctly disappointing. In a latter to Jiis wife in Masterton a New Zealand soldier says:—"You may have heard or read about- the pill-boxes used by the onemy. They are concrete houses built to accommodate twenty or more men, and the walls, etc., aro about G to 8 inches thick. There are hundreds of them about, and moro were used by the enemy as machine-gun strongholds. It cost thousands of lives to take these places, yet they are built front cement [ supplied by England to Holland, thonco to Germany. Thousands of cement casks are lying about near them (the pill-boxes) with the name of the manufacturers still on thom. Somoono has a lot to answer for in this blunder." The photographic expert of tho London "Daily Telegraph," dealing with the exhibition of pictures ty colonial photographers at the "Amateur Photogaphers: " gallery in Long Acre, singles out for'special mention tho work of Mr Nelson Stedman, son of Mr A. Stedman, of this city. A study by Mr Stedman entitled ''Hard Labour," is, lie says, "exceptionally fine in technical quality and good craftsmanship, and also shows a masterly rendering of life, strength, apd brilliant sunlight, without apparent straining after sensational picture-making." The picture alluded to above, au<f others by the same artist, can be seen in the window of tho. Iled Cross Shop next the General Post Office.

In connexion with the continuous service of prayer to be held in tho Cathedral from 9 a.m. till 9 p.m. on Wednesday, a circular letter has been sent to tho managers of all large business firms in the city by Bishop Julius and the Rev. A. T. Thompson, inviting their attendance. "We also ask your co-operation," state the authors of the circular. "We want you to arrange for your staff to have special leave to attend at the Cathedral at such hours in the day as may suit the exigencies of your business. . . . May we also point out to you that if such special arrangements are not made,, the Cathedral "will be quite unablo to accommodate the people in the after-work hours."

Shootists wero jubilant with regard to the weather conditions that prevailed for tho opening days of the shooting season (writes our iillosmero correspondent). The south-west gale and accompanying rain had tho effect of bringing tho birds closer in shore, and causing them to fly lower than would have been the case in calm weather. Ducks are very numerous, and tho sport ou Wednesday and Thursday was good. This is borne out by the fact that- numbers have been sent away by rail,, while many others have been distributed throughout tho district. In quito a number of instances shootists were fortunate enough to reach the limit of twenty-five, fixed by regulation. There was also a lot of good shooting at the Rakaia mouth lagoon. Glorious weather and glorious scenery contributed to make Saturday afternoon a momorabie one to those who took advantage of the invitation issued by the trustees to visit Puke Atua, the latest addition to the Summitroad reserves. Throughout the day tho track leading to the hill-top was dotted with visitors, and the climbers were well rewarded on reaching • Douglas Rock. The scene has a pleasing appearance of rugged rusticiy-, and the sunlit waters of the harbour, bounded by tussocks, brown hills, and fern-covered gullies, lie in a delightful panorama beneath the gaze of the spectator. In fact, many of the visitors compared the scene favourably with some of the most famous spots in Switzerland and Italy. The beauty of the Summit has been greatly developed of late, and the reserve, "which is a large one, should prove to be one of the city's most popular pleasure reports.

Over 300 miles of roads in tho various counties and road districts of Taranaki have been tarred and sanded, and it is claimed that tho provinco has now the fincßt roads in tho Dominion. With tho increase in motor traffic, the upkeep of the various main thoroughfares became a very heavy burden upon the ratepayers, and steps were taken to minimise the cost of upkeep. Various roads wero laid down with a good crown of metal obtainod from many streams that run down from the mountain side, and, after being rolled with the up-to-date road rollers, which the various councils have, the surface was tarred and dressed with fine metal from the crusher. Tho experiment proved' so successful that many tarring machines are now at work, one of the councils alone having ns many as 10 road rollers of the most up-to-date pattern, and many miles of roads are being taken in hand each year. By this system the cost of upkeep has been reduced one-third, and tho -wear and tear of the vehicles running on the roads is also greatly reduced, thousands of pounds having been saved on tyres alone.

A foreign visitor to the National Apple Show at Auckland' declared that the fruit exhibited would compare more than favourably with fruit produced in any other part of tho world. He was quite prepared to agree with the secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Biitain that kelson Stunners were ; the finest he had ever tasted. While tho national aptile shows of this country mainly demonstrate the remarkable suitability of our soil and climate for tho production of hitrli quality fruit (says the "Star") +hev omphasise the fact that fruitgrowers are doing little to convert the anrje Irom an item of luxm v into a common article of diet. They can produce the fruit, but they still fail to realise the importance of standardising their produce, marketing it in an to-date manner, and facilitating the! purchase of it at a reasonable rate there is no export trade at the orepent tune, and there is a heavy production in more than one district. Just the time it would be thought to I encourage increased consumption bv ' giving the public a ready means of obtaining the fruit, in case and half-case Jots, delivered at their doors. Mav the present line show of New Zealand fruit stimulate growers to the adoption or improved marketing methods, and thereby build up the trade awaiting at their own doors instead of looking alone to an . export trade tq make; .their undertaking profitable.

We have received £1 from Mrs G.- A. E. Ross for our Serbian Fund, and also os from A.D. for our Canterbury Patriotic Fund. A cabled message from London dated May 4th, states that in tho New Zealand appeal case Marsh and another versus Imleger, judgment was reserved. An Auckland telegram states that tlie Labour Disputes Council in tho tramway dispute failed to elect a chairman, and the Minister of Labour has appointed tho Hon. George Fowlds. The first meeting of the winter work pariy of the Hospital Lady Visitors' Association wilL take place in the Nurses' Home, Christchureh Hospital,, on Friday next, at '2.30 p.m. On Saturday Mr W. Nosworthv, M.P., telegraphed to tho Hon. A. M' Myers, staring that an acute shortage of' petrol prevailed in the Ashburton county, and asking him what steps he proposed to take to relieve the shortage.

The fruitgrowers' confcrence at Auckland has concluded. The NewZealand Fruitgrowers' Fedoration officers for tho ensuing year aro:—President, Mr J. Longton (Canterbury), directors, Messrs .H. Paltridge and F. E. Nottago (Nelson), A. M. Robertson (Ilawke's Bay), J. Bennetts (Otaaro), and E. B. Izard (Nelson). Said Sir Robert- Anderson to Colonel Gibbon at tho sitting of the Defence Expenditure Commission at Wellington last week: "You are one of the most energetic men I know, but you appear to have too much energy." "j cannot, help it," replied tho colonel; "I am built that way." The hint was thrown out by Kir Robert that the colonel j might trust his sta/T more. •'You' aro not paid for attonding night alter night at the Supreme Court library reading up the Jaw on a case," said Mr .Justtco iiosking to a counsel in a case'at when the matter of a solicitor's bill of costs was undor joview. "Of coursc, wo don't know the law," he added with a smile, "but we aro paid on the assumption that we do." The Christchureh Recruiting Office advises that Arthur Brown, reported to j be one of the absentees from tho 41st Reinforcement draft, which left Christchurch for camp last Monday, had previously been given leave till May 20th, but through an oversight this had been overlooked. The number of absentees has now been reduced to seven, and enquiries aro boing made concerning these men.

It is understood that tho Postal authorities have at last taken stops to prevent telephones connected with tho establishments occupied or frequented by well-known l>ookmakers from being used for betting purposes (says the Wellington "Post"). A number of telephones here and in Auckland, so it is reported, have been cut off. Tho postal officials who should have knowledge of the matter will make no statement in reference to it. Tho remarkable suitability of the Auckland province for fruit culture is being conclusively demonstrated at tho National Apple Show (declares the "Star"). While there are certain varieties of .apples and pears which can be grown to perfection in Auckland, as well as the majority of the stono fruits, it is probably in citrus culturo "where the greatest development will tako place. Orarfges of a quality rivalling that of imported fruit can be grown in very many parts, and lemons thrive everywhere. There is a great future before lemon production in this part of the DominioHj when growers are told how to cure this fruit—information they have asked for in vain for many years.

The fifty-third anniversary of tho Durham street Methodist Ohurch was celebrated yesterday, when special services wero held in the morning and evening, the Rev. Dr. J. Gibb, of "Wellington, being the preacher at both services. In the oourse of his morning sermon, Dr. Gibb .spoke of the need of a God-mado religious revival to spiritualise the material revolution at present going on in the world. A well-attended "Pleasant Sunday Afternoon" gatliorintx was held at 3 p.m., when Dr. Gibb gave an address, and a musical programme arranged by Mr Ernest Firth was given. There were large congregations at nil services. Tho anniversary celebration will be continued to-morrow, when a congregational social will be held at 7.45 p.m.

All kinds of trusses at Loasby's. Stocks getting short, and no supplies arriving. Purchase now. Loasby. 2 The week-end sale of homemade food

supplies was in charge of the Belfast Reel Cross branch, and resulted in the sum of £91 being added to the funds.

Result of competitions:—Tray cloth, Mrs G. Johns; child's frock, Mrs McCullum; worked cushion, Mrs Higgot; Liberty cushion, Mrs Harris; light rue, Mi s Doak; dai-K rug, Mr W. CJaridge. Donations: Master Cyril Wilsou 2s Sd, Mrs A. A. Mclvellar £11 15s (not £11 10* as stated last week.) 1

Pursuant to Board of Trade notice of the i!nd inst., the price of bread will be: For cash over couuter, Did; delivered, JOd; as from to-day.—J. Evans, Secretary, Christchurch M.B.A. 1

Mr «). Radford desires to announce that ho has been engaged as head-cut-ter for tho men's and ladies' tailoring departments of Messrs W. Strang© and Co., Ltd. Mr Radford commences his

new duties to-day, and trusts that his clients and friends will favour him with a continuance of their orders. 1

The- best value in gents' attire is always to bo found in Armstrong's outfitting departments. Holt shirts, new pattern and good cloths, that wash well, -is lid, os lid, 6a lid. Gents' sanitary iicuced underwear, stout make 3s lid, 4s 6d for best, medium -weight 2s lid, 2s lid. Merino underwear, 2s lid, 3s Gd, 4s lid, natural wool 4s lid, 5s lid, 6s lid, 8s 6d, tho firm's famous low prices. j. "Big Bon" still procurable. In spito of difhculty in Messrs Hastie, Bull, and Pickering, have secured a limited supply of "Big Ben 7 ' and "Slecpmcter" Clocks, -which are on sale at their Cashel street -warehouse. 207

Once a year at least, say on your birthday, you should be photographed at Stcffuno Webb's, Petersen's Buildings, High street. Telephone 1989. 4

"No Rubbing" laundry help, "Golden Rule' soap, "Golden Rule" candles, "Golden Rule" writing tablets. Winning on their merits. Royds Bros, and Kirk. Ltd., wholesale agents for "No Rubbing" and ''Golden Rule."- 5

Oculists' Prescriptions.—Having our own machinery and a large etoT-k »f lenses and spectacle fittings, you can safely trust your prescription work to us. Charges moderate. ReDairs to frames and broken lenses matched

Walter J. Watson, D.8.0.A., London, Optical Specialist, 695 Colombo street. 1

Visit Armstrong's for overcoats of all sorts every time. Gents' D.B. Ulsters 32s 6d. 4os 6d, 59s 6d, 69s 6d. Raincoats 355, 39s fid, 49s 6d, -with a grand stock to select from. o

Shooting Goods.—Guris of highest grade, and reliable ammunition. This is what the sportsman wants—and gsts, if ho puts himself in our hands. Don't forgot the odds and ends: Cleaners, Oils, Cartridge-belts, Gun-cases, etc. Ashby, Borgli and Co., Ltd., High street. 5