GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16272, 24 July 1918, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The result of the drawing t»f the socond ballot of Class C (married men with two children) will be published in "The Press" to-morrow morning. The auction announcements of W. E. Simes and Co., Harris Bros., and Charles Clark will be found on page 11 of this issue. A contingent of Fijian recruits will reach Auckland shortly, and will be sent to Narrow Neck camp for training. There will then be representatives of four dark-coloured races in training— Maoris, Rarotongans, 'Gilbert Islanders, and Fijians. Recently the board of directors of tho Bank of New Zealand vot°d the sum of £1000 to the Red Cross Fund (Copper Trail), to bo apportioned equally between Ihmedin, Christchurch, Auckland, and Wellington. Last woek the board decided - to voto £200 to the French Day. Tho bank has also contributed generously to tho Italian Fund in Sydney, and the French Fund in Melbourne. Two boys, 13 years of age, were to liavo appeared at the Juvonilo Court yesterday, charged with having broken and enterotl a dwelling, and stolen £4 in cash, and articles of clothing to the value of £4 17s. "YVlion the case was called, only one boy put in an appearance, the mother of the other stating that as sho was leaving home to brn<g him to the Court, he "belted." The Magistrate, Mr T. A. B. Bailey, therefore, adjourned both cases for a week, to ensure the attendance of both defendants.

The following sentences of district, courts-martial, held at Tienthruii have Leon confirmed :—Desertion when under orders for active service and loss of equipment. Private W. H. Hulston, J>etails (lateTJSth Reinforcements), 120 days' delent ; on and stoppages of pay 14s; Private N. J. Sullivan,, Details (into 38th Reinforcements), 112 days' detention and stoppages of pay £1 2s lid; desertion when under orders for active service. Private H. H. J. Mills, Details (late 39th Reinforcements). Pivato R. S. Newdick, Details (late 39th Reinforcements). Private E. G. Mart'n, Details (late 38th Rsinf~rcom*'nts). Private W. Clarke. Detnfs (late forcements), Private H. E. Norton. Detail- Hfte 3flth Reinforcements). Prvnte A. Sutherland. Details flate 38th Reinforcements) ; all" 9ft days' detention.

O*io of the dangers of > carrying a botflo of beer in the hip pocket—a popular means of transport on account of the excellent camouflage made by the coat —was ii'ustrated in f-cm«what amusing circumstances at Melbourne Hosnital recently. The "case" —a middle-atred man rende-ed boisterously cheerful by an over-indulgence in liquor, but covered in blrod from wounds in the head —swnyed into the cpcualtv room and smiletl penin'ly at the attendants. He was entered up in the register as a "cut head and C 2 Ho," the hospital equivalent for intoxication. From the rather incoherent story told by tlio man, it appeared that he had almost reached his Lonsdale street lodgings, shortly after 6 p.m., when ho missed the dcorsten and fell to the navement. Then, he declared, the bottfe of hoer somehow contrived to reach his head and hroak. He did not mind the piin in his head.he confined to tho lady doctor, hut he did r°rret the lost of the bwr. Oblivious to his injuries—a nasty series of cuts above the temple, "which had to be shaved —he borrowed a shilling from his fri°nd. and gallantly invited tho lady doctor to the pictures". She refused. The "case," laconically remarking that he had had "a cheap hair cut and shave," went home.

The "Red Triangles" will give a | concert in the Theatre Royal on Saturday night. Owing to the inclement weather, the Armagh street Hall Sunday School annual tea and prise distribution has been postponed until "Wednesday of next week. ' Matters connected with the establishment of an Orthoptedic Hospital at the Christchurch Hosp.tal will come up for discuss'on at to-day's meeting of the Hospital Board. It is anticipated that a definite decision will be arrived at. A suggestion is to bo submitted at to-day's meeting of the Hospital Board that in view of the rigorous weather being experience'.!, arrangements l>? made for supplying coal to tho recipients of charitable aid in need ot

'•I shouldn't know my child now if 1 I met her in the street. I saw her last when she was 3i years of ago, stated a defendant in a maintenance case at the Magistrate s Court yesterday. The "child" referred to, in giving evidence, stated that she was a married woman. Defondant was very harry when questioned concerning jus financial position. He stated that n° did not know how much he had in the Savings Bank. "Would you bring, vonr cnvines ly>ok along to the Court and sell it for £1?" a«kod Mr Cnssuly. "Defendant signified his ? take stioli a chance, but admitted that lie mieht have as much as £4 credited to him in it. The Post and Telegraph section of the Public Sorvioe Appeal Board opened its sittines in Christ cHirrh yesterdav. Tlie Board consists of Messrs F. V. Frazer, S.M. (acting-chairman), J. H. Richardson (Government represents tive), J. Alexander (Tolegrapli Deprirtment representative), and H. L. Seyfield (Postal Department representative). Aecomoanying tho Board are Messrs A. T>. Thomson, Assistant PuMi? Service Commissioner, Mr J. MKNamara, representing the Post and Telegraph Department, and Mr D. Fouhy, secretary to the Board. The Board is sitting in the Ministerial Room at the New Government Departmental Buildinns, and is dealing with postal and telegraph appeals. It will remain in ■Christchurch. for several days.

A full meeting of tho executive of] the Independent Order of Oddfellows was held in Christchurch yesterday. Present —G.M. Bro. W. Hunter (Christchurch), D.6.M. Bro. It. Itobb (Gisborne), G.W. Bro. C. J. Taibot, AI.P. (Fairlie), G.S. Bro.. W. lkid (Duncdin), G. T. Bro. L. Doans llitcuio (Dunedin), I.P.G.M. Bro. A. H Ballantyne (Dunedin). Such a gatheiing as a full executive of tho order is stated to bo unique except at Grand Lodge sessions, which are usually held overy two years. Owing to the fact) that the session has not been held since 1915, mostly on account of tho allocation caused by thp war, it was decided to hold a meeting of all tho executive officers. Tho sitting was a long one, much business of great importance to the organisation being transacted. Tlio officers state that it is satisfactory to know that notwithstanding the heavy financial claims occasioned by the war the Order is holding its own t being •still in a specially strong financial condition. Last evening the members ot the executive were entertained at a social and dance in the Ridgeley Hall by the members of the North Cantoibury district.

Intending passengers by tbo steamer Maori from Wellington on Monday did not anticipate a smooth passage | south, in view of the stormy weather prevailing throughout New Zealand, and their fears proved to have been well founded, for rough as the vessel s previous trip to Lyttelton had been, thi voyage was even moro trying for both the ship's officers and passengers. Ihe Maori left her berth at Wellington at 3 19 p.m., and immediately after passing into the Strait enoountered boisterous head seas and a high wind from the south that at times attained the tore© of a hurricane. So unfavourable were the sailing conditions that tho vessel, which has usually a good turn ot 6pecd, could make progress at only &ix knots an hour whilst negotiating Cook Strait, which speed she increased to eight knots an hour further south. _ Even in consideration of tho unpropitious state of the weather it was oxpected that the Maori would roach port at daybreak, but as the hours passed and she did not put in an appearance, many of tlioso awaiting her arrival anxiously watched for her code signal, which eventually appeared about 10 a.m. the ve~sol arriving outside the moles at 11.10 am., after having completed a vi yage occupying twenty hours, nearly double hei usual time. Tho Mararoa, which left Wellington at 3.10 p.m. yesterday, will have probably bad another rough voyage, and it ib not anticipated that she will arrive early in port to-day. For some time it has been apparent to tho members of tlio Otago Military Service Board that- appellants who undertook to sow wheat, and on these grounds in some cases obtained exemption, had failed to fulfil their promise. At tho sitting of the Board at Oamaru on Monday, Captain Levien (the military representative) made reference to this matter, and said ho hoped _ that the Board would make the conditions stringent with regard to the sowing of wheat crops. The chairman (Mr Widdowson, S.M.) said this was to be the condition on which when t-growing appellants were let off. Captain Levien said that theso conditions appeared to be very easily broken. He understood that in some

rases crops grown by appellants who had been exempted tvere known as "soldiers' " or "sliirkors' " crops; tho ground in some cases being scratched bv tine harrows and the seed shot out over the area with a shot gun. This question cropped up at a later stage in the proceedings, when the chairman asked how it was going to be arranerM t'"_at these conditions should be complie 1 with. Captain" Redmond said in reply that representations would be made to District Headquarters in" tho matter. The chairman suggested that a list of the requirements should be furn'shed to the superintendent of police in Dunodin. who would • doubtless keep an eye on. what was being done. Captain Levien ■=aid this would be quitb satisfactory. All he wished w-at, that those who fa : 'eri to comply with their promises should be brought to book in order to prevent a recurrence of the conditions prevailing.

A circular letter has to all lted Cross brandies in tho Canterbury Military District by Mr J. A. Flesher, chairmjin of tho -'Our Day' committee, in connexion \yith the copper trail contest with Otago. In appealing for assistance and support he says:—''lt is hardly necessaiy to remind you that but for tho response to the Empire J'Our Day" appal, it would be impossible for the British Re:l Cross Organisation to carry on its work and meet tlio needs to which it m nisters. 'The Organisation is now confronted —as inleed the whole Empire is confronted—with a task still greater than any it h.ns hitherto faced.' For 1915 tho. Rod Cross expend ! ture was £1,182 065; 1916, £1,533,732; and 1917, £'3,672,356. During the year ending October inst the expenditure exceeded tho income by over £200,000. For tho same period the income showed an expansion of 13 per cent., whilst the expenditure increased 138 per cent, (over ten times as fast). The figures show that our responsibilities to tho sick and .wounded are growing heavier as tho war proceeds, and that there is need for greater effort, more self-denial, and' more liberal response on' the part of everyone if the sacred obligations of caring for and providing things that are necessary for tho brave soldiers who have become sick or been wounded, whilst fighting for us, are to be met. Will jou be good enough to call a special meeting of the members of your branch at the earliest possible date, and make all arrangements necessary for a succcssful effort? It would bo a good plan to invito the cooperation of all local bodies and other j organisations in your district in any | arrangements ,you make."

> The Christchurch Boys' High School will reassemble at 9 a.m. to-dny. A nineteon-year-old recruit, H. L. Dent, 6 Brett's road, St. Albans, land salesman, enlisted in Christchurch yesterday for service in Samoa. In Dunedin the Arbitration Court's business was disp sed of yesterday mornI oig in one hour and twonty nnnutcs. This constitutes a record and testifies i to the success of the work of the ciliation Commissioner (Mr \\. rl. Jiagßcr) in this district for tho past three months, telegraphs our Dunedin correspondent.

Tho Acclimatisation Society's proposals in connexion with the collection of animals in the Gardens, was referred to by the Mayor (Mr Holland) in cotirse of conversation with a reporter. Mr Holland expressed the hopo that the Society would proceed cautiously in the matter, as tho present collection gave gront pleasure to children and other visitors. It was his ambition, and he believed it was the desire of many citizens, that after the war an effort should be made to establish a Zoo in Christchurch. When Mr Holland's attention was drawn to the fact that the Society only proposed to eliminate certain bir'ls and nnimnls, some of which aro considered to bo noxious, the Mavor remarked that specimens of Utoxious animals were of educational value.

The Hon. H. F. Wigram is strongly in favour of the selection, without any further delay, of a sito for the Town Hall. In a letter to the Editor, he> outlines the growth of the Corporation's interests, which may grow still further, and goes on to urge that -while lie doc« not advocate the erection of a Town Hall in war time, it would bo to tho interest of the city to choose a site now, and so lay tho foundation of a definite scheme on which to woik "Another reason for avoiding further delay," lio says, "is that city land is not getting any cheaper, and that war time might be a favourable opportunity to buy, though Dot to build. Many sites available twenty years ago havo since been sudbivided and built upon. A further reason for present action is that tho site selected might require a good deal of preparatory work to mako it suitable; it might need the diversion of the roadways, the raising of the level by tho deposit of 'spoil,' and tho lay-out of the surrounding grounds. All such work would take time, and could ba dono more efficiently and economically if taken in hand gradually and without rush, so that the city be ready when the time came for it to build." He concludes by suggesting that. the City Council should appoint a commitI tee to consider the matter.

Feeling tired, weary, low-spirited, sleeplesst Loasby's Nerve Tonic ant! Blood Enricher will cure you. 3 Stewart Robinson announces to-day a special sale of goloshes and gum boots, and hundreds of pairs aro now available at reduced prices. 6 There are a good many photographic obligations you liavo never paid. Call on Steffano Webb at once, 252 High street, Christchurch. Telephone 1989. 8 Quick Optical Repairs—When your eyeglasses get broken, it is most important that you should get the correct lenses fitted again. We have tho machinery and large stock essential for correct optical repairs. Walter J. Watson, D.8.0.A. (London), Expert Optician. 3 "No Rubbing" Laundry Help does the washing while you restl Is 3d packet sufficient for seven largo family washings. Kincaid's, Ltd. 3 Drayton's Specials.—Coal buckets, 2s 3d; cinder sieves, 4s (3d; Thermos flasks, 6s 6d; English-made wringers, 27s 6d. Guaranteed one year. Try Drayton's, Colombo street (North). 3 Electric Pocket Lamps. If in search of a useful Electric Torch, you will find the latest improved kind at Ashby, Bergh's. They are simple, satisfactory, and cheap. A real boon to motorists. Ashby, Bergh, and Go., Ltd., High/ street. 1

For Departing Soldiers.—The New "Gillette" Safety Razor, with unbreakable mirror complete, 255; Autostrop Razors, "Seven o'Clock" Razors, Wristlet Watches, Money Belts, Wallets, Knives, etc. Hastie, Bull, and Pickering, Ltd., Cashol street. 6

The public do not havo many opportunities of viewing genernl ranges of sample goods. During tho year many thousands of pounds' worth of these specimen garments and goods are received by Armstrong, Limited, from their lteeA, energetic buyers at home and abroad, and, generally speaking, are the best of tho lines represented. Messrs Armstrong announco that all samples utilised are to bo disposed of, and will be submitted to the public at U:ss than wholesale prices. 1

STUDEBAKER MAKES SNOW TRACK FOR OTHER CARS.

In the week following the rocent big snowstorm, the Waimairi County Council's electrical department placed its A-cylinder Studebaker van at tho disposal of the Public Works' and Post and Telegraph Departments. Mr D. Dobbie, tlio Council's electrical engineer and Mr J. W. Butchcr, driver of the car, kindly gave a reporter a few farts" about tho car's performance./Tlie Studebaker car, with four passengers and 3icwt of gear, went out on the Tuesday, following the storm, and was employod to force its way through the snow and form a track for other cars between Hororata and Coalgate. Although at some places the snow was radiator high, the Studebaker battled through, accomplishing a job which other cars bad found impossible. This particular Studebaker - has been 21 months in the scnvice of the Council, and has run 25,000 miles, being kept so busy that there has not y.t been an rpportunity to clean out the engino. Tno dig reserve power of the Studebaker was of enormous valuo in tho recent einorgency. # 5309