GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16221, 25 May 1918, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

In the placo of our Literary Corner on page 7 this morning we print tlio concluding portion of Prince Lichnowsky's memorandum. The auction announcements of W. E. Simes and Co., 11. S. McKenzic and Co., Charles Clark, National Mortgage and Agency Co., and Harris Bros, will be found on page 13 of this issue. The foundation stone of the newschool at St. Albans will be laid by Mr K. H. Andrews, member of the Board of Education, and late chairman of the School Committee, this afternoon at 2.30. The committee invites all parents, ex-committeemen, and past scholars to bo present. The necessities of the Coal and Blanket Fund wore mentioned by the Mayor (Mr H. Holland) to a reporter yesterday. Mr Holland said that at a recently-held meeting of the committee it was'reported that arrangements had been made for tlio supply of coal for the v/intor months. The increased cost of coal and blankets, however, threatened to seriously curtail the activities of the committee, which had incurred liabilities amounting to £150, while all its available funds at present totalled £24. Yesterday there was considerable speculation abroad as to the reason wbv the matter of releasing the imprisoned men, Hunter, Langley, and Flood was being, apparently, hung up in Wellington. It had been expected that the necessary proceedure would havo been completed and the men released by the close of tlio previous day. or at the latest yesterday morning. Yesterday, Mr J.'McCombs, M.P., made further enquiries into the subject. From a private source in Wellington, he received advice that the Minister would not mako a definite statement until after an interview with the GovernorGeneral. "Unless we can get food from Australia, New Zealand is on the verge of famine," was the rather gloomy prophecy of a South Island farmer, a delegate" to the Second Division League's conference, at Wellington on Wednesday. Ho added the rather doubtful qualification: "Fortunately, we will be able to Ret food from Australia; that is if shipping is available." The delegate went on to refer to the fact that a very much smaller quantity of wheat will be harvested in New Zealand next season, owing to the dearth of labour. In his own case, he would, for this reason, only be able to grow 15 acres instead of, as last season, 100 acres, which had paid him well. Tho somewhat exciting arrest of two military deserters, named Frederick H. Paintin and William Price} at 169 Victoria street, recently, resulted yesterday morning in a prosecution by the police, before Mr T. A. B. Bailey. S.M., at tho Magistrate's Court, of W T illiam Georgo Price and Ella Elizabeth Price, under section 153, subsection 3, of the Army Act, with assisting deserted soldiers to conceal themselves. Mr J. A. Cassidy, who appeared for the accused, said that considering the gravity of the charge, he would apply to have "the case remanded. Chief Dotcctive Mcllveney offered no objection, and a remand of one week was granted. It is almost certain that many in tho long list of "missing" published m yesterday's casualty list will 1 iier bo "reported to bo prisoners of war, hut in most cases months must elapsp beforo definite information can be received. In tho moantimo these men will bo dependent for everything above the starvation allowances supplied by tho Huns o~i what they or their fellow-prisoners receive through the Central Committee for tho Relief of Prisoners of War, London. A joint committee of tho Red Crass and Navy League is now making an urgent appeal for funds for all British prisoners of war. Surely there can bo no more deserving object. If you have not already sent a subscription, do so to to-day to the secretary, Mr Treleaven, 119 Worcester street. 1 At the Farmers' Union Conference yesterday, fchero wit.? a discussion regarding "tho unpatriotic attitude of some farmers at the present time in refusing to grow wheat at all on their farms, which were perfectly suitable for wheat growing. "I think.'' said Mi ! 1!. Evans, "that the land of many of those men should be taken away from them altogether and niven to men who i are prepared to put it to tlio vital use jof producing food for this country. The I Minister of Agriculture's attention j should he drawn to this matter." Mr ! C. H. Elisor .snid it was quite futile to | talk of making men grow wheat. In a few oases it might possibly be cV>ne, but in tho larce proportion of cases it was absolute lack of la'oour that put men out of the business. "Enfc oats," said a burly Scotsman,. "You'll grow finei men on oats than you ever could on wheat!" A local optician in a large way o ; business states that the trade, in com mon with others, is suffering throng} the effects of the war (says the "N'ev Zealand Times"). Those who weri fortunate enough to hold big stocki of lenses in 1914 may still bo able t< supply all demands, but the sliortagi in this line is growing very acute Most of the lenses used in New Zea land come from America, and the con trolling company there is already find ing it difficult to get the skilled lab our required owing to the cali for mei to avenues of military employment am active service. Lenses are also im ported in smaller fron France in normal times, but this sourci of supply has been completely cut o! for three years past. Apart fron lenses, frames and the fittings fo: frames for pince-nez and spectacles ari also in short supply. An exhibition of European an: American posters collected by Mr C Lloyd Jones was opened in Sydney las week by Mr J. D. Fitzgerald, M.L.C president of the committee in charge of the exhibition. Mr Fitzgerah , stated in the course of his remark that he hoped those people who mad advertising an eyesore and an offend against the civil conscience would lean something from this exhibition. As Min ister for Local Government, he wa goina: to ask the Government durH; {he coming session to deal with tlii •natter very drastically. He had al readv appealed to the better feeling of those advertisers who defaced th landscape, and lie had warned then that any legislation would be retro soective, and that they would have t f° r offence in this direction no" matter how long previous. He ha< received nothing but offensive replies and he now again warned them tha the Government would not tolerat having the country disfigured by sue. advßcfcisementa.

At Unngiora. on Thursday, tho special Medical Board re-examined -jf> C 2 reservists. and passed -'2 as lit to enter the CI camp. A ninetoen-year-old recruit named JSmith, 21 Southey street, Sydenham, butcher, enlisted in Ciiristchurch yesterday lor active service. V CI draft is due to leave Christchurch on June 3r<l. Owing to this da to be ins King's birthday. the C.D.C have written to tho authorities in Wellington asking if the departure of the dratt could be postponed. A good method of reminding th® public"that yesterday was Sailors' Day in Christchurch was provided bv a horse-drawn lorry which patrolled tho streets bearing on it a largo model or Nelson's flagship, the Victory, t'J 0 lcend, "England expects you to do voiir duty," being conspicuously displayed. The conservation ot the wheat supply was a subject dealt with at the Farmers Union Conioreiici- yesterday, and Mr W. A Banks suggest.d that it was high time the practice of making wholemeal bread was commented. as in England. "You should eat mere potatoes," ejaculated a meiu!)Or of tho eoiiierence. •'Don't suggest that," said an-ther farmer. "Don't ioil people to oat potatoes. or you will luive them accusing you of even trying to co.'re? thein in regard to what they should eat." The new wing of tho Ciiristchurch Technical College will be opened by the Hon. J. A. Hanar. (Minister of Education) on Saturday week. A meeting will be held in the College Hall at 2.30 T).m., whon addresses will be delivered by Mr J. C. Adams, chairman of the Canterbury College TJoard, Mr C. H. Opie. chairman of tho Education Board, and Mr C. T. Asehnian. president of the Canterburv Educational Institute. After the ceremony tho college buildings and workshops will be open for inspection. "Many people make a tremendous row about, a rise in the price of bread," said a speaker at the Farmers' Union Conference yesterday, "but if you keep a tally you will find that tho bread bill is the' smallest necessary item in tho housekeeping account. I find it is about half tho size of my meat bill and butter bill." "And about a quarter tho size of your boot bill," udd_ed another farmer.* "We pay about 27 per cent, duty on our boots without a murmur, but' grumble very much at a Id rise on tho loaf.'' The small bird nuisance was referred to at tho Farmers' Conference yesterday by Mr .1. Oibbs Stanton, who said that owing to the last two mild winters the small birds were worse than ever, and doing an immense amount of damage. Poison, i.e., strychnine, which he usoil to buy at a cheap rato in one and two pound' lots, he could not get now. The last time lie enquired at tho chemist's with regard to tho price he was asked 12s 6d per ounce, and at a chemist's in Ciiristchurch ho was asked 9s Gd an ounce and told it was not procurable. He wondered if the Union could arrange for a supply at wholesale rates for distribution among tho branches, or to anyone who needed it. Tho president, Mr I). Jones, undertook to sea that enquiries were made, and recommended that phosphorised grain should be used. He personally had had considerable success with phosphorus as a poison. The position of farmers in regard to subscribing to the war loans was touched upon at the Farmers' Union Conference vestordav, and Mr C. H. Ensor stated that the Shcepowners' Union had been in communication with the Treasury authorities on the _ matter. From these communications it would appear that each loan would be taken separately, and the fact that a man had subscribed to an early loan would not helr> Irm when the subsequent loans came along. "Tt looks as though wo had better-hand our farms, in to the Government," said a member of the Conference. The president, Mr L>. Jones, said he did not think that farmers need be alarmed. The Government naturally had to take wide powers, but there was no prospoct'of a man beinp driven to extremes, as it would obviously defeat the Government's main object to do that. Tho funeral of the late Mr Charles Broun, who died suddenly on Tuesday night, took place at the Linwood ccineterv yesterday afternoon, and was largely 'attended. Tho lat© Mr Broun had taken a very deep interest in the Scottish Society, of which he was a past chief, and * his body was buried with Highland honours. A lament cti the pipes was played whilo tho coffin, which was draped with the deceased Scotsman's plaid, was being conveyed to the hearso, and again at the graveside, whon, following the old Highland custom, leaves of ivy were dropped into the grave. The service was conducted by the Rev. A. T. Thompson. The Scottish Society was largely repr~sente;i at the funeral and provided the hearers, while representatives were also present from the Caledonian Society, including Mr C. S. Thomas, the president, vicepresidents. and directors, the Biclimont Working Men's Club, and other organisations with which the late Mr Broun was connected. In the Magistrate's Court at Nape on Tuesday, Harry Hill proceeds against E. P. (Jill. Ciiristchurch, t bankrupt, the Official Assignee in tlia estate, and E. Cameron, company secretary, of Wellington, for £'85 17 Od. The claim was the return of £50 or the equivalent in shares in the Nev Zealand Picture Supplies, Ltd., and th balance as damages. Mr B. J. Dolm appeared for tho plaintiff, and Mr 11 B. Lusk for the defendant Cameron In opening, Mr Dolan said that tin ease has been complicated by th bankruptcy of Gill, but the main point in the claim were that Gill iiffluencei Hill to purchase 50 £1 shares in th New Zealand Picture Supplies. Thes shares, which were represented to b worth a quarterly dividend of 10 pe cent., had not been received, but 5 shares in Hayward's Pictures, drawin a dividend of only from 3 to 5 pe cent., had been sent in their placc Plaintiff would seek to prove that th defendant Gill, as agent for tlfc corn panv, represented that Haywards an Fullers were onlv names used for tw branches of the Picture Supplies, wliic' were said to hire films and also t screen them. Tho defendant asked fo the return of his money and damage' or the 50 shares in the New Zeatnn L'ieture Supplies. The defence relic on ■ tho third defendant. Cameron, a the representative of the firm for wliic Gill was the a cent. His Worship ri served his decision. Mr W. Esprey, of Sydney, one of th adjudicators at the recently-held Coir petitions in Ciiristchurch, was prescn at the meeting held in .connexion wit the formation of a Competitions Sc cietv in Wellington on Wednesday even ing" Mr Esprey, who was welcome by the Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke), sai that he had just completed a streni ous fortnight in Christchurch, wher the talent in a majority of the classe was of a high standard. What ha struck him, too, in Christchurch wa the good sportsmanship which prevaile among those who did not attain a hig enough standard to entitle them t awards. He had also adjudicated foil years ago in Dunedin, where the con mittee and citizens had extended t him the greatest hospitality and kinc ress possible, a remark which also aj plied to Christchurch. He was ui lighted to find that the idea was bein taken up here, as literary, musica and elocutionary competitions were great educational factor in any commi nit v. more so than other institutior which favoured examinations, as gave students the chance of public ai pearances —if successful, three appea ances, viz., at the competition, in tl finals, and on "demonstration nights, a fact which urged them on to furth< fctudv in the different branches of ar It was said that even a br.d perforn ance was a good lesson, ns it showe others what not to do. In New Zei land he had found the standard fairl ••i'crh, so good at times that the adji dicator was at his wits' end to mai the award.

The Christchurch 1 joys' 1001 will ro-opon on luesdaj, Jum 4tl . V the Auckland Magistrates Court /'TttilS iho s A«cklnTul on April 13th. The second term of C'hnsi:s bo held on Tuesday. .Jmu 4th. .t a.m. , Wo havo received £5 ps from .1. \\ • ! K. Lawrence for the 1 nil- ! Fund and 5. from M. and U.A. Uu tho Sailers' Fund, which wo W wurdod on to tho sccrotarj ot tlu spec-live fumls. Tho continuation of tho course ot lectures bv -Mr K. I'. Stark, city olmru-al otidnocV, on .'Elootr.oity undor tho auspice* of the Workers' hdticational Association, will he- given at tho Cit> ; Council's demonstration loom at .A> j this evening, tln\ subject being Magncts nnd Magnetism. \t tho Bov Scout conference to-niglit at tho Y.M'C.A., short address will be given on scout work by sej oral speakers, including: ! e ~ "°v 011 ' , l ?®~ well, V.D., Captain 0 100 e southland Commissioner), ainl tho Mayor. Tho chair will bi? taken by Limit.Colonel Croswell at 7.30 p.m. \ bv-election was hold at. Wostport to lill a vacancy in the BorotK'h Council, caused by the resignation of'Mr J. W. Fair, -who poos into camp. Tho polling resulted: 1?. Wookes 33".), W. .T. Wilson 232, T. Saniuel o(5. Tho successful candidate was tho nominee of the Labour Representation Committee. At tho Farmers' Union Conference vesterdav. a patriotic remit from the Waiau branch was carried unanimously to tho folbwin ▼ effect: "That members of this union, cfter tho war, when pur- j chasing goods "mlertnke, as far as possible, to give preference to tho manufactures and productions if those countries which havo most loyally supported the Allies during the war." Colonel T. 11. A. Valintine. Director of Military Hospitals, Lieut.Colonel 11. H. Makgill. Assistant Direetor of Medical Services, and Lieut.Colonel Christie, arrived in Christchurch from Wellington yesterday and inspected the Burnhani Industrial School premises in connexion with tho proposal of the Defence Department to take it over and convert it into an orthopiedic hospital. Yesterday morning a Papanui tramcar was derailed near I lines'.s road owing to fresh metal having recently been | laid there. The result was that several business men wore delayed in their trip to town. On Thursday night .a collision occurred between two ears on Mcorhouso avenue, which resulted in a ■ certain amount of damage being done to each. Thero were, however, no passengers on them. An Auckland telegram stales that the case arising out of the recent seizure of Sandford's trawlers, Countess and Muriel, was terminated yesterday, nfter fi hearing occupying several days. The respective masters were charged with trawliny within the prohibited limits of Haiiraki Gulf, and with not carrying trawling lights. The cases were dismissed, the Magistrate saving that there was great doubt as to the position of the vessels. Speaking nt the Empire Day demonstration bv the Overseas Club last night, tho Rov. J. Paterson considered .that one of the greatest mistakes in this country was that history was not made a leading subject in our schools. Tt was a crime to this country, and to tho British F_mpirc, that history should not he tauslit to our growing boys and cirls. and bv that ho meant not only English history, but history showing how tho world had grown up. At last night's meeting of the NewZealand Amateur Swimming Association, the secretary (Mr P. N. Rundle) referred to tho statement made in Australia by Dick Cavill, a well-known swimmer, that he had received appearance money while in New Zealand. Mr liundlo stated that tlio Association had never on any occasion paid nptJKiraiicc money to any swimmer. The. last man who had tried it had been disonalificd for life. Tho chairman (Mr J. Buchanan) also strongly denied the allegation. Mr Rundlo said that the bookmakers in Australia wore making a big effort to caoture tho best amateur swimmers—they" wero offering them attractive inducements to enter professional circles. It would be a sorry day when professionalism gained the day m Now Zealand. The sport at the present timo was clean, and he hoped that it would remain so. It was moved and carried that the secretary write to the 'iS'ydnev Referee" (in which papor.tho statement was published), officially denyincr tho statement, nnd thanking one* of "its contributors, Mr W. F. Corbett, for defending tho Association m its columns. Feeling tired, weary, low-spirited, sleepless: 1 Lonsby's Nerve Tonic and Blood Enricher will cure you. -3 Merivalo Football Jerseys—bluo and white—new stocks in at Armstrongs. ( Have us enlarge that, old portrait you treasure so highly. Wo retain tho expression of the original. Steffnnn Webb. 2-52 High street. Telephone IHB9. £ Tho delight of thrifty wives! "Goldec Rulo" soap, "Golden' Jtulo" candles, "No Rubbing" laundry help. 'Phone your'orders—Wardell Bros, and Co. i Oculists' Prescriptions.—Having oui ! own machinery and a large 6tork oj j lenses and spectacle fittings, you car ' safely trust your prescription work t( us. Charge? moderate. Repairs t< I frames and broken lenses matched : Waltor J. Watson, D.8.0.A., London ! Optical Specialist, G95 Colombo street. | Genoral Carrying of all sorts under taken by J. M. Heywood and Co., Ltd Their plant of horses and vehicles ii ■ one of tho largest in New Zealand. < I Akaroa's beautiful harbour! En jo; > its poii'ont autumn and winter nerve resting climate. Modern accoinmoda .tion, and glorious motor drive fron j Broadway's, Christchurch —25s return Two Specials.—Child's collapsibl | push chairs, rubber tyres, reclinin ' hacks, oOs each; drophead sewing ma | chines, five years' guarantee, all at tachments, £7 19s Cd. Drayton's Colombo etreet. I "Big Bon" still procurable. In spit : of difficulty in shipping, Messrs Hastic Bull, and Pickering, h'ave secured limited supply of "Big Ben" an' "Sleepmeter" Clocks, which aro on sal at their Casbel ntrcot warehouso. 20 EXCEPTIONAL STUDEBAKER OPPORTUNITY. Now on View —Latest model 5-seatci 4-cylinder touring Studebaker. standar Canadian iinish. Only run 400 mi lei Owner has purchased Studobaker Si> Price, for qu:ck sale, £420. Full guai anteo given. Adams, Ltd., Garage, 21 Tuam street.