GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16360, 4 November 1918, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

It is particulariy requested that letters intended for the Editor, or any other matter for publication, shall be addrcs6od to "The Editor of 'The Press,' " and not to any member of the staff by name, as the latter course is likely to lead to delay and inconvenience. Tho Minister of Defence has been advised that the first portion of the 43rd Reinforcements has arrived safely at its destination. We have received £1 from H. for our Red Cross Fund. The Otago Carpenters' Union will make application to the Arbitration Court this month for an increased war bonus of one penny per hour. A telegram from Clydo states that the severe frosts of last week proved disastrous to the orchards, at a majority of the places cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, and even apples and pears, being practically wiped out. The ninth of November is to he celebrated in New York as "British T>ay," "in commemoration of the British defence of Ypres in 1914; and in recognition of the service so long and so faithfully performed by the British Fleet in guarding tho free sea of- liberty/' Referring to the possibility of another voyage to London to take part in the limpire Councils, Mr Massey stated on Saturday that there was no knowing when another call might be rt-ceived. However, ho would not discuss the matter at present. Mr C. P. Taylor presided over a meeting of the Canterbury Fruitgrowers' Association on Saturday night, when Mr R. Nairn gave an interesting address on "The Functions of the Leaf," illustrating his remarks by exhibiting specimens. At the conclusion the speaker was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. At Sockburn, on Saturday morning, four more pupils of the Canterbury Aviation Company took their "tickets." These were A. L. Piper (Christchurch), L. R. Henrys (Wellington), I. J. Black (Blenheim), and A. W. Morland (11akaia). Major V. Leeming, M.C., and Captain D. M. Robertson were the examiners. A message from Wellington states that an advance in-the wholesale price of standard brands of tobacco was made on Saturday—viz., 7d per pound for cut and 5d per pound for plug. Enquiries made show that the rise is attributable to the increased cost of all leaf and other raw materials; also labour freights, and handling charges generally. Discussing the influence of heredity on crime, Sir John Donniston, in his interesting address to members of the W.E.A. on Saturday night, stated that there wero families in whom a criminal tendency had been traced for generations. One family in America was estimated to have cost the State a million and a quarter dollars in seventyfivo years. One such family at least was well known in this Dominion. "That, in view of the dislocation of business generally caused to the.present telegraphic communication by storms, the Government bo asked to place a sum on tho Estimates at the next session of Parliament to provide for direct communication between Wellington and Lyttelton, either by a cable or wi'roless installation," was a remit from Canterbury passed by the Chambers of Commerce Conference at Wellington last week. ' The benefits of the army physioal training scheme as practised in the Expeditionary Force camps, and especially in the CI camp, have been so pronounced that interested observers nave expressed a desire to have an adaptation of the scheme to civil life. A start in this direction is the provision for training on similar lines for Territorials and Senior Cadets. A Wellington "Post" reporter was informed by the Minister for Defence on Saturday that Colonel J. L. Sleeman, 1.G.5., Director' of Military Training, desired to have the Territorials trained by expert instructors, and arrangements were being made accordingly. . A deputation representing the Canal League Executive and delegates who were appointed to the League by various public bodies will wait on the Hon. T. M. Wilford, Minister of Marine, at Warner's Hotel to-morrow, at 9 a.m., when the aims of the League in regard to the canal and.Port Christchurch will be placed before Kim. The deputation will be introduced by Dr. EL. T. J. Thacker, M.P., who will address the Minister, together with the chairman, of the League (Mr J. J. Graham), Mr George Scott, and other advocates of the canal scheme. Following tho deputation, the chairman of the League will motor the Minister to Mount Pleasant for the purpose of letting him view the site of the canal scheme from a point of vantage. The second annual conference of the Now Zealand Retail Watchmakers' and Jewellers' Association, which extended over three days, conoluded on Friday. Representatives wero present from Auckland Feilding. Napier, Gisborne, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin,and Invercurgill. The following officers were elected: President, Mr F. P. Osmond Smith (Canterbury); president-elect, Mr W. Coltman (Auckland); hon. treasurer, Mr M. M. Heinemann (Wellington); delegates to the executive council, Messrs P. N. Denton (Auckland, L. W. Ludwig (Canterbury), H. S. Hislop (Hawke's Cay), W. Crawford Young (Weliinpton). H. W. Lloyd (Otago), D. Gillies (Nelson and Marlborough). During the conference tho visitors were entertained by* the members of the local association. The next conference is to be hold in Auckland during October of next year. In his address on crime and the punishment of criminals to tho members of the Workers' Educational Association on Saturday evening, Sir John Denniston repeated what he had said than onco in public: that it seemed almost incredible that while no intelligent person would entrust the management of any complicated piece of rtachinery to the hands of a man absolutely ignorant of mechanics, yet narents and guardians were content to leave so wonderfully delicate a machine as the body of a growing child to the. control of that child, without any practical information or guidance as to its construction and functions. The clnss of crime he had been speaking about in its most flagrant form—sexual offences—while it might be in many cases the result of heredity, was largely tho result of social prudery and dislike to facing a somewhat difficult and delicate duty. (Hear, hear.) He was glad to think that public opinion on this point was being largely modified. (Applause.) At a meeting of the Timaru branch of the Farmers' Union on Saturday, Mr C. L. Orbell drew attention to the fact that the newspapers recently reported some remarks by a Baptist minister in Auckland, who was reported to have said that farmers were gloating over the fact that as a result of the far thev would be getting 4s a pound for their wool, and 10s a bushel for their wheat. Such an assertion was untrue and absurd, and should not be allowed to go unchallenged. Farmers as a class were not making any profit out of the war, nor would they seek to do so, and the remarks of the minister in question were entirely without i justification. (Hear, hear.) Mr Wrieht suggested to Mr Orbell that he might add that the farmer worked harder for his money than the minister. Mr Bennett said he would further suggest that the attention of the minister in question be drawn to the desirability on his part of paving heed to tho Biblical injunction, "Ye onght to study to be quiet and mind jour own busi--11868." (Hear, hear.) 1

The whole of the takings at "The Rendezvous" Soda Fountain, High street, to-morrow (the opening day), will bio devoted to the Navy League War Fund. Sir John Denniston, in his address on "Punishment for Crime" to members of the Workers' Educational Association on Saturday night, quoted soveral passages from "the works of Sir John Salmond, Solicitor-General for New Zealand. Sir John Salmond, ho said, was a leading British authority on jurisprudence. his test books being used in nil the universities. He wns not exactly a New Z'ealandor, but near enough to be one, and we eouid be liroud of him. Loasbv and Co., chemists, announce that business is now being conducted in their uew 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 ltcd Cross Sales Depot was in charge of the Darfieid Soldiers' Sewing Guild, and resulted in the sum of £78 being added to the funds. Competitions were won by the following: Iced cake, Mrs Giilanders, boudoir cap, Mrs 15. Wright; ducks. Miss Jarman; cooked ham, Mrs Gave; ease pipes, Mr J. Smith: uncooked ham, Mrs Stark; golf coat, camisole top, handbag, baby frock, and cigars not finished yet. Special sale of flowers during Carnival Week; we hope owners of gardens will send in a generous supply. 1 An eye point! If your eyesight troubles you don't put off seeking advice— because delays are dangerous. We are in the position to give you an expert and scientific examination, and can determine at once the requirements necessary to give you a perfect fitting pair of glasses. Watson's, Jewellers, Ltd., Colombo street, Christchurcli. 8 Visitors and othors should make it convenient to view the Splendid »Speoial Showings for Carnival Week of Drapery and Clothing, being made by Armstrong's, Ltd.. at their 6tores. Victoria square and High street. Tho display will certainly command admiration, and Armstrong's famous low prices, shown on every article, will stand comparison and should command business. 1 Fordson Tractors —The Farm Tractor of proved ability. First shipment, to arrive in New Zealand early in November. Anticipated prico £320, f.0.b., Timaru Fuli particulars, Canterbury Motor Co.. Ltd. 1 Tho brilliancy and beauty of the Diamond Kings showing in Cyril K. Whale's window in Cashel street commands tho attention of all prospective purchasers. For the quality in evidence the values aro exceptional. 5 Famine in Hardware Trade. —Tho following lines, which aro in vo.y short supply, may still be had at Messrs Hustto, Bull, and Pickering's, Cashel street: •Scythes, Scythe Handles, Axes, ''One Man" Saws, Screwing and Boring Tcols and all Engineers' Tools. Lathe Chucks, Screws for Metal and Wond, Fowl Netting, Hoofing Material, Cutlery, Sensors of all kinds, otc. ' 1 Felt Hats of quality, new shapes and | shades; also Panamas for holiday wear, at Armstrong's. ' 2 • The after-effects of Influenza are tho worst. Much present and future suffering may be avoided with a fow doses of our Special Influenza Mixture, 2s (id bottle. E. Cameron Smith, Chemist, 9o Worcester street (just off Square). 0 j Just think of it! One largo packet of the famous "NO RUBBING" Laundry Help sufficient for seven weekly I family washings. Only Is 3d. Wardell Bros, and Co. 1 Special value. —Strong W. and G. odd Cups, 4s lid tlie half-dozen. Limited number in stock. Also Plates, 43 6d the half-dozen. Drayton's Colombo street. 4 THE BN7,X. We have received a shipment of the new Military Model '7-9 h.p. Excelsior motor-cycles, the special points of which are: Cushion spring drive; spocial side-car frame; detachable cent) ebar ovm' motor; cradle Bpring forks j Liberty magneto ignition; powerful safe brakes; chain on right-hand side, for side-car service. Price £110, with lamp and hox-n. Adams, Ltd,, High street, 6 FOR SALE— ROADSTER,, £315. Now on view at garage, three-seater Studebaker Roadster finished in biscuit Bhado, condition first-class; full equipment, good tyres. Has had very careful usage. Price £315. Adams, Ltd., Garage, 219 Tuain Etroet. (5 FOR SALE—REGAL ROADSTER, £210. Now on view at garage. 20 h.p. 2-3-seater Regal Roadster, finished in dark green, • over-size tyres, Auster wind-scroen.. Car and full equipment in exceptionally good order; used only for town running. Pi-ice £210. Adams, Ltd., Garage, 219 Tuam street. 0