GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16397, 17 December 1918, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

A "Wellington telegram states that in accordance with the suggestion or the Efficiency Board, all the banks will close from December 25th to December 28th, inclusive.

The ro-opening of the Canterbury Public Library has evidently been very welcome. The librarian reports that during the past week 2231 volumes were issuocl for home reading, and about 400 volumes were consulted in the Reference Library.

An earlv sitting of the Magistrate's Court was' held yesterday, presided over by Mr S. E. McCarthy. S.M. Three first offenders were each fined ss, in default, 24 hours' imprisonment, and Ivan MeLaggan, a third offender, who pleaded for a chance to obtain work in the country, was ordered to come up for sentotice when called upon.

At a mooting of the _ Christchurch Master Printers' Association, hold last week, the following resolution was carlied unanimously: "That the thanks of this Association, r?nd of the citizens of Christchurch, are duo to the Health authorities, Nurse Maude, and to all those ladies and gentlomen who so devotedly gave their time and able assistance in stamping out tho influenza epidemic."

Owing to the death of Madame Rogers, the wife of M. Rogers, who was entrusted by tho French Government with a collection of fine art depicting the battlefields of Franco, these pictures will not be shown in Auckland. _ Tho War Funds Department in Wellington, in a communication received by tho French Consul at Auckland, acknowledges receipt of a statement of _ accounts in connexion with the exhibitions at Dunedin, Chrisfthurch, and Wellington. furnished by Messrs Rogers and Bigazzi, The net result, it is stated, is very gratifying.

Mr R. D. Martin, on behalf of the Combined Retail Shop Assistants' Association, waited upon the Hon. G. TV. Russell yesterday, with a view to securing a curtailment of the hours of work on Christmas Eve. Mr Martin pointed out that the majority of assistants had not properly recovered from the effects of the influenza, and were not theiefore in a fit state to stand' the strain of the extra hours. Mr Russell promised that he would telegraph to the Chief Health Officer, asking him to obtain the opinion of tho Crown Law Department as to the logal position with regard to having all retail shops throughout New Zealand closed at 9 p.m. on Christmas Evo. He added that he considered if tho public know the shops were closing at 9 p.m., they would make arrangements and do their shopping earlier.

Fine weather wag experienced yesterday for tho holiday in celebration of the sixty-eighth anniversary of tho foundation of the provinco of Canterbury. Fairly good patronage was extended to tho trains to the seaside resorts, and to Cashmcro Hills, but there was not the customary rush of holidaymakers, the recent epidemic, probably, being responsible for many observing tho day quietly in their own homes. Tho picnic provided by the Canterbury Automobile Association to the helpers in the epidemic was very numerously attended, and the outing at tho Selwvn Huts was thoroughly onjoyed. Cricket matches on Haglcy Park attracted good attendances of onlookers. The Sew Brighton Trotting Club's meeting, usually held on Anniversary Day, was not held yesterday, owing "to the Health Department's restrictions on such gatherings.

The proposal of Dr. Douglas, of Oamaru, that tho most fitting memorial for North Otago's fallen soldiers would be the planting of oaks at mile intervals along main thoroughfares was considered at a joint - meeting of county and borough representatives, at Oamaru,on Saturday morning;, and unanimously approved. The following resolution, moved by >Ir William Gardiner, junr., was carried: "That the meeting approve generally of the proposal, and* seeks tlu» co-operation of the Oamaru Borough Council to carry it out, the latter to bear its proportion of the cost." In ail outline of his scheme Dr. Douglas entered an eloquent plea for the oak as tho most suitable memorial tree. He instanced the Magna Charta oak as an example of rhe desired longevity, and said that while experts were unanimous in declaring it tho hardiest of tree<and thus suitable for sucli a public enterprise, sentiment decreed that tho oak should stand in memory of the hearts of oak they wished to honour, rhe fir-st miles along all main roads i j le )aniaru Post Office would bo marked by clumps of oaks, each dedicated to a towTi soldier, and thus within reach of city idatives. Each tree wonld lie strongly railed in. tho inscription plate, of fixed design in all cases to be affixed to the outer rail. Planting should be restricted to main roads so as to render a coherent scheme possible.

The men of H.M.S. Philomel were paid off at Wellington yesterday. Sir James Allen attended to say good-bye. He said he was very proud of their war work, which dated from August, 1914. The men had a splendid record of service.

On 0 oi the sights for tourists visiting Stewart Island this yoar will bo the kakas which have come down into the woods round bays and inlets of the island in droves (states the "Southland Nows"). Never in the history of tho oldest inhabitants, native or pakeha, havo the birds been so plentiful or so venturesome. Stewart island is a sanctuary for native game.

To-night, at 8 o'clock, in the Parish Hall of St. Michael's Church, a lecture will be delivered by the Rev. F. G. Brittan on "Early Christchurch.'' Mr Brittan was one of the original Canterbury Pilgrims, and the slides which will illustrate his lecture havo been lent by Christ's College and the authorities of the Museum. Thore will bo no charge for admission, but a collection will' be taken up.

The climate of Mussel Bay, on the extreme south coast of the island, is described by a Canterbury gentleman, who has visited this timber district on several occasions, to be similar to that of Nelson, and lie states that frost is quite exceptional (reports tho "Southland News"). There is no doubt that this state must be caused by a warm ocean current, as tender spring flowers and vegetables have grown without check in a bad season like the present, which has been a severo one in tho mildest districts.

Our Duncdin correspondent telegraphs that the final meeting in connexion with the Copper Trail Campaign showed that, after paying all expenses, the net amount of the contributions in Otago and Southland totalled £38,451, this sum, together with Southland's donations, being in excess of the amounts mentioned in the appeal. A pleasing feature in connexiim with tho campaign was the splendid response made bv the school children in Otago, the suni of £350 being contributed by them, £285 beinc; realised by the sale of flags aiid £65 by donations.

"I don't think we 6hall get 5 per cent, of tho men who went away to take an intelligent interest in a club,' said Mr C. Atkinson, a returned soldier himself, at last night's meeting of the council of the New Zealand Aniatour Swimming Association, in forwarding an opinion that swimming clubs should build up their membership with bovs, and not "rest on their oars" until the men came back from the front. _ He himself had had, ho said,_ experience of the difficulty of roping in returned men to club membership. The war seemed to havo taken the lioart out of them as regards the sport.

A young man boarding with a private family at a neighbouring town (says the "Pahiatua Horald") was affected by the prevailing opidemic, and in order to protect themselves from possible infection the persons of the house locked the unfortunate man in his room, where, presumably, he was to take his chance. His position became known, the doctor ana nurse obtained access to him l>y a window, which the owners had omitted to nail up and protoct with barbed wire. This means of access was continued until the young man was well enough to be moved, when he was moved, via the window, to less nervous neighbours.

When hearing judgment summons cases at the Wellington Magistrate's Court, the Magistrate said that according to the Act, before a judgment creditor could get an order, he had to prove that the judgment debtor was earning more than sufficient to provide the bare necessaries of life for himself and dependants. "In these days, when tho purchasing power of thfe sovereign has dwindled to 12s 6d," said the Magistrate, "I cannot make an order against a man who is supporting a wife and several children on £3 or so a week.'' "Well, these sort of people should not be allowed to contract debts," said the lawyer for the creditor in the case before the Court. "The tradespeople should not give them credit," replied the Magistrate.

Canada to-day is sard to bo the richest _ country in the world per capita (writes our Toronto correspondent). Her war debt per capita is lower than that of any other fighting nation. During the past year Canadians accumulated 480.000.000 dollars in bonds, and over 100,000,000 dollars in cash more than they had on July 31st, 1917, that representing concrete accumulated wealth. On July 31st this year tho deposits in banks were more than a billion live hundred million dollars, or 160,000,000 dollars more than was on deposit in Canadian banks on the same date a year previous. In tho meantime Canadians had invested 425,000,000 dollars in the Victory Loan, 1917, and besides that they liad bought in the twelve months 60,000,000 dollars worth of provincial and municipal bonds.

At yesterday's meeting of the Patriotic Association (telegraphs our Dainediu correspondent) it was decided that the Defence Minister be written to with a request that ho would be so good as to take the necessary steps to ascertain where the New Zealand prisoners of war are, and how they are being treated, as such information would be very much, appreciated by the relatives of those men, and also by a largo number of citizens, who are interested in- tho men's welfare. Tho mover of the resolution said that oue explanation put forward of the absence of cabled news on the point was that the cables were congested, yet such rubbish and nonsense as tho message about the dangerous illness of tho ox-Kaiserin was sent. Apparently our Government were not interested in the 333 Now Zealand prisoners of war who were still in Germany.

Superior perfumery at Loasby'smake splendid Xmaß gifts. Atkinson and iardloy's perfumes in cut glass bottles and presentation caskets. Old English Lavender Water and Eau de Cologne. Best English and French hair brushes for ladies and gentlemen, and manicure sets in unexcelled variety and value at Loasby's, Chemists. 1

For washing hospital linen use ".No Rubbing" Laundry Help regularly to ensuro perfect cleanliness. Is packet sufficient for seven weekly washings. Wardell Bros. 2

Tho shop of a good jeweller is always a happy hunting ground for those seeking high-class presents or gifts for Christmas. Watsons, Jewellers, Ltd., have large and varied stocks of suitable gifts in electro-plate, silver, and gold. Useful, serviceable things, and heaps of novelties at pre-war prices. See windows. Watsons, Jewellers Ltd., GVo Colombo street, Christchurch. 1

You can depend upon everything being done promptly and well if you only hand your snipping documents to J. °M. Hey wood and Co., Ltd, They are recognised as experts at this work. Telephones 250. 1241. and 2174. o INSPECT THE NEW FISK TYRES. We have to announce that we have just received a shipment of the new Fisk tyres, and -wo invite all motorists to call at our garage and inspect the most popular American tyre. Davo thoroughly tested the Fisk, and can recommend it as especially suited to New Zealand conditions. _ It is the tyre witii. a pure rubber cushion below the tread. Prices—Ford sizo, 30 x 3Jin, rubber nbn-skid, £'6 10s: Stude'oaker size, 8/5 x 105, £9 18s 6d. Five per cent, discount for cash. Adams, Ltd. Garage, 219 Tuam street. x TWO-SEATER FORD, £140. For sale, two-seater Ford, finished m clove grev, electric lights; tyres in good condition. Suitable for traveller or commercial iaan. £140. Adams, Ltd., Tuam street. G