GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16357, 31 October 1918, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

» The North and South Waimakariri were reported discoloured yesterday, the remaining Canterbury trout streams being clear. A. Fleming, 33 Andover street, Merivale, labourer, a Class C reservist, and A. Thompson, 32 Tay street, Fendalton, student, enlisted for active service yesterday. An Invercargill telegram states that the four military deserters who were arrested in tho Lakes district, Thomas Cooke, William Douglas Pearson, Lawrence Barton, and William Wallace Yeoman, were removed under escort to Dunedin yesterday. They had been hiding in tho bush for about nine months, living chiefly on birds and fish. "Deferred cablegrams are no good— at loast not when they're sent from the other end,'' said a returned soldier to a Wellington reporter. "A friend of mine sent a deferred cablegram on tho day he was leating England for New Zoaland, and it reached its destination only ono day beforo he stepped ashore at Auckland. That's 'deferred' w'th a vengeance." "I havo searched every day for two months, and have had others searching for me, but I cannot get another house," said the defendant in an ejectment case to Mr F. V. Frazer, S.M., at the Wellington Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. The plaintiff suggested a certain cottage at Lyall Bay. "That place is impossible," answered defendant, breaking down. "I am a widow, and havo to support myself and my boy. I have furniture of my own, and want to get a house whero I could let furnished rooms. A three-roomed house at Lyall Bay at 35s a week would be of no use to me, even if I could earn enough to pay the rent." Says the Melbourne "Argus" of recent date: —A glaring example of waste of paper is afforded by the annual statement of the State Treasurer (Mr McPherson), accompanied by the report of the Auditor-General, which was laid on the table of the Legislative Assembly. The report contains 282 pages, and with appendices is an inch thick. Many pages are blank except for a few printed lines. Following the usual procedure, hundreds of copies will be distributed throughout the State. If Mr McPherson is seeking opportunities of conserving tho paper supplies,of the State, the report affords one. At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Canterbury Employers' Association, held on Tuesday, the following resolution was passed unanimously:—"That the executive of the Canterbury Employers' Association wishes to express its surprise and regret at the recent action of the Board of Governors of the Technical College in granting leave of absence to Mr N. Goldsbury, who has been found guilty of refusing to submit himself for medical examination as required by the Military Service Act, and that until the Board give proof of a more loyal spirit the executive will be unable to continue its annual contribution to the funds of the College " It will bo news to many people that officials of the United States Weather Bureau have been deputed to the army to cablo every day the weather conditions of America to the Western fighting front in Europe. The main roason is that conditions of weather in the one hemisphere are likely to be reflected in the other, the trend of the atmosphere being towards the east. A great storm in Amcrica may have its counterpart to a greater or less degree in Europe some days afterwards. Fair weather in tho Western Hemisphere may mean tho same over in th 6 other hemisphere within the weelc. The American reports give considerable aid to the local ones in forecasting conditions favourable for airplane, artillery, and other military operations. Mr W. H. Joyce, secretary to Christchurch Education Conference, has recoived from the Hon. Sir James Allen, Minister of Defence, a communication in reference to the conference resolution: —"That tutorial classos on Workers' Educational Association lines be provided for soldiers in camps and on transports," which was forwarded to hiin. The Minister states that the soldiers on the last two transports had tutorial classes provided for them, and adds: —"We have already started commercial classes for returned soldiers at Rotorua, and, under the new scheme for repatriation the re-education and re-training of soldiers, will receive full consideration. I doubt whether it is necessary to provide tutorial classes for soldiers in training in our camps, but enquiry will be made in regard to.this matter." Sir Joseph Ward has acknowledged receipt of Mr Joyce's lotter, asking him to meet a deputation from the Christchurch Education Conference, and states that ho is unable to say at present when he will be in this city, but he will be pleased to meet ths deputation at the first opportunity.

At the final meeting of tho Executive of the "Schools' Day'' Appeal in, aid of the Rod Cross Funds the treasurer (Mr J. W McGregor) reported' that the credit balance amounted to the highly satisfactory sum of £536 17s. The proceeds of Sunday night's concert in the Theatre Royal will he devoted to the Nary League War Fund. Mrs Burnes-Lougnnan has arranged a very attractive programme,, which will include items bv Miss Renie Olds, Mr F. C. Pen fold, members of the Fisk Jubilee Singers Company, and Eveiybody's Orchestra. Seats may be reserved at The Bristol. In telegrams concerning the charges preferred against certain persons of obtaining money by falsely representing that they were endeavouring to obtain the release of a woman from an institution, it lias been stated that the institution was a convent. This is not. the case. The institution concerned s not a convent at all, but a reformative home for erring women. A rather extraordinary happening is reported by Mr A. W. Sands, a Waikato farmer. Mr Sands states that about 4 a.m. he was awakened by the screams of his six-year-old child, and, upon investigation, fouiid the child saturated with blood, having been bitten by a rat on the nose, under the eye, and through the lip—in all no fewer than twelve places. The marks of tho rat's teeth are plainly visible. "The person who dees not lie up with an attack of influenza is not only acting foolishly in the interest of his or her health, but becomes a menace to everyone else," said a well-known medical man to a "Dominion" reporter, on Tuesday. "Whilst the influenza that is raging in Wellington now cannot be identified with the very severe Spanish influenza that is scourging the Old World," said the doctor, "it is not a form to be despised, and is pneumonic in form, 33 it is leaving easos of bronchitis, congestion, and even pneumonia, behind it, to a far greater extent than, ever beforo." As the American papers have for weeks past been printing photographs of the supor-Dreadnought of the air, which by this time has probably made its appearance on tho Western front, it is disclosing no secret to tho enemy to say that if this .gigantic bomber is only half as formidable as it looks the Germans are in for a particularly dirty time (says "Lloyd's News")). It would not be surprising if one of these monitors, which in length extends to what tho Americans call a "block," was the first machine to cross tho Atlantic by air. They have on trials covered more than the distance between America and Europe, at an average speed of ninety miles an hour. It is scarcely an exaggeration to say that each of them could carry a platoon of "Yanks" across the ocean, in addition to petrol and provisions. The reccnt announcement that the mobilisation of men already posted to reinforcement drafts was to be setback one month seems to have been interpreted in somo quarters as an indication that tho turn of tho tide of war had slackened the demand for reinforcements (says the "Dominion"). The postponement was made possible by the fact that the number of men in the training camps was in excess of immediate requirements, but it does not follow that all the Class C men, and perhaps tho Class D men. also, will not be required to mobilise in their turns. It was stated officially recently that the casualties of tho New Zealand Division in two months' fighting (August 23rd to October 21st) had numbered 6SOO. Since then the Division has been engaged again in attacking and capturing important German positions. The cablegrams have indicated that the Allied High. Command does not intend to stay its offensive during the winter months. This may mean more heavy fighting for the New Zealand Division durino- the months immediately ahead. The New Zealand reserves were large at the commencement of tho Allied offensive, and they are still substantial; but if fighting continues for the next six months on the present scale there will he need for the reinforcements that are within reach. Men who have already been posted to drafts certainly ought not to count upon any further postponement of mobilisation. Loasby and Co., chemists, announce that business is now being conducted in their new and up-to-date pharmacy, cr. Cashel and Colombo streets (opp. Ballantyne's.) 1 The week-end sale of home-made food supplies at the Red Cross Sales Depot, Cathedral square, will be in charge of tho Darfield Soldiers' Sewing Guild, who will have on offer a large supply of cooked foods, cakes, etc., also country produce, meat, butter, eggs, and cream. Intending; purchasers of cream will kindly bring their own jars. 1 An attraction of the China stall on Navy Day will be a beautiful piece of china, presented by Mr Jas. Jamieson. There will also be for 6ale several signed pieces of china, together with cut glass and other valuable articles. 6 Think of your soldier now in camp j buy him a present—a suitable one that he will appreciate. Watson's Jewellers, Ltd., will help you with suggestions. A fine stock of pipes, razors, wallets, moneys-belts, wristlet watches, etc., affords ample scope for satisfactory choosing. Watson's, Jewellers, Ltd., Colombo street, Christchurch. 8 No ine likes moving, but the woris can be made much lighter if competent men are employed. J. M. Heywood and Co., Ltd., have tHem, and three up-to-date pantechnicons. Telephones 250, 1241, and 21/4. 6 An interesting letter, relative to the Naval Dependent' Fund a which appears in another column ovor the signature of the President of the Navy League, this issue, is of more than ordinary interest. Few of our readers, we think, will fail to realise the. responsibility laid upon everybody in an island Dominion like New Zealand to make Naval Dependents' Day, F-iday, a great success. Mr Boole's appeal to our country readers, chairmen of local bodies, etc., is especially worthy of note among primary producers. 6 M r wife speaks with great eloquence in praise of "NO RUBBING" Laundry Help for washing all dirty clothes clean without the backaching, rubbing slavery of the old washboard days. Old Colonist. 4 THE BIG? X. . We have received a shipment of tho new Military Model 7-9 h.p. Excelsior motor-cycles, the special points of which are: Cushion spring drive; special side-car frame; detachable centrebar over motor; cradle spring forks* Liberty magneto ignition; powerfu» safe brakes; chain on right-hand side, for side-car service. Price £110, with lamp and horn. Adamß, Ltd., High street. 6 B.S.A. MOTORS. A small shipment of 4i H.p. singlecylinder B.S.A. motor-cycles is to hand. Special points: Unbreakable motor* car gear-box, three speeds; economy on petrol and tyres; extra wide mudguards and specially strong rear forks and spokes. Price £110, with lamp and horn. Adams, Ltd., High street. 6 FOR SALE—STUDEBAiIER ROADSTER, £315. Now on view at garage, three-seater Studebaker Roadster finished in biscuit shade, condition first-class; full equipment, good tyres. Has had very careful usage. Price £315. Adams, Ltd., Garage, 219 Tuam street. . 6