GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16408, 31 December 1918, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The southern portion of the Niagara's American, European, and New Zealand Expedition-iry Force mail will reach Christchurch by the Maori this morn*nu'- The mail is a very lieav y one, the Christchurch portion amounting to about 500 bags. Tho chief postmaster states that arrangements have been made by which tho wholo of tho mail will be delivered to privato residences by the letter-carriers by tho evening. The steamer Perth, which loft Newcastle on the 23rd inst., is bringing a arge Australian mail for New Zealand. She was due at Wellington yesterday 1 . Tho proposal to run an old English stage coach service on tho Port HillsAkaroa Summit road, Mr H. G. Eil M.P., points out, is a scheme which a committee of enthusiasts have in hand, and is not in any way connected with the Summit Road Association. The proposal to run a weekly service with a four-in-hand is one that the Association hopes to see realised in tho near future.

Spoaking at a luncheon given by Xh". Cleary, Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, to the French Mission, Mr C. J. eli. sa that he was not one of those who rbelieved that with the Allied victory the German menace had been finally slain. Tho militarists had shown no signs of repentanco. Their regrets were for their failures, not for tho wrongs they had perpetrated. J hough defeated, they would await the day of revenge, and the world must needs be watchful. There was vet no sign of a change of heart.

. Good progress continues to bo mado m connexion with tho Science Congress, which is to open in this citv on I'obruary 4th. Amongst additional papers received by th e sccrctarv (Mr Wm. Martin) are:—"Yellow Flax Disease," by Dr. Cockavne and Mr A If Cockayne; "The Control of Animal Disease in New Zealand," by I)r C J Reakes, "Public Health," bv the Hon' & (Minister of Public Hoalth) "New Zealand Fisheries and their Future Development," by the Hon. G. M. Thomson. There will be, also, a discussion on "The Preservation of the Native Fauna." and fire napers will be contributed by Dr. Adams, Government Astronomer, incorporating some of th 0 results of Dr. Adams's re" cent visit to America. The principal geologists of the Dominion will read papers on geological subjects. Amongst tho excursions which have been arranged are a visit to Lake Coleridge a visit to Arthur's Prßs, visits' to Dyer's Pass, tho Riccarton Bush, and Lincoln College. The arrangements in connexion with the Congress are in tho hands of various committees of citizens as follows Hospitality Commitee. chairman. Sir John Denniston; Finance Committee, chairman, Mr Albert Kayc - Excursions Committee, chairman, Mr Edgar F Stead.

The Telegraph Office advises that from to-morrow tho censorship regulation regarding the registration of cable •code addresses will be relaxed.

Yesterday's river report was as under: Waimakariri North clear, Waimakariri South clear, Rakoia dirty, Rangitata dirty, Opihi clear, Waitaki fishable.

At a meeting of the committee of the Oxford Rod Cross Association, a motion was unanimously carried, deprecating tho granting of badges and certificates to volunteer workers.

The Marlborough Law Society has passed a resolution asking the Government to appoint a permanent magistrate for the Marlborough district, and that tho official mentioned shall be resident in Blenheim.

In connexion with the Wanganui barracks cases, Sir James Allen (Minister of Defence) stated on Saturday that, Crampton having applied for a court-martial, and his request having been granted, it is now the duty of tho Commandant of the Forces (BrigadierGeneral Sir A. W. Robin) to name the members who will compose tho court. Tho proceedings will be open to the Press, and the fullest opportunity will be available to thoso who desire to make charges.

Tho local Health office has received returns in connexion with the influenza epidemic, stating that during the 24 hours ended on STundav ft t midnight one patient was admitted to the Waiuta Hospital, and nine remained at tho Roefton Hospital. The last return received from Westport, for the 24 hours ended midnight December 23rd, stated that one patient wat> admitted to tho local hospital, two discharged, and 31 remained. At_ the O'Connor Houso Auxiliary Hospital two were discharged, and two remained; at Denniston temporary hospital eight were discharged, one djed, and 38 remained, and at the Denniston Hospital twelve remained.

A land and estate agent, carrying on business in a large way in Dunedin, stated yesterday that there had been a regular demand during tho year for modern houses, especially • from five to seven rooms. This had been largely duo to tho high cost of building material, and also to tho fact that it had been extremely difficult to obtain suitable houses to rent. A crood many people had been, forced to buy houses simply because they could not not get them to rent. The demand for vacant sections had been very limited on account of the excessive cost of building. It only now wanted the cost to 1 go down, and he predicted a boom in the building of private dwellings. •

The bulletin of the Public Health DeSartment for the Canterbury Health district for the week ended noon yesterday shows that there were reported threo cases of scarlet fever (two in North Canterbury, and one in South Canterbury), one case of diphtheria (North Canterbury), eleven cases of influenza (six in Buller, one in Inangahua, two in North Canterbury, and two in South Canterbury), eight cases of measles (three in North Canterbury, four in Ashburton, and one in South Canterbury), and one case of enteric, and one of cerebro-spinal-meningitis in the North Canterbury portion of the district.

Phthisical cases that leave Home ports on troopships benefit greatly by the sea voyage. This fact has been noted many time's' during recent years, and it was commented on by Sir James Allen (Minister of Defence) in conversation with a reporter at Dunedin on Saturday. The Minister expressed pleasure at the marvellous improvement made by very many men on' the way out. "On arrival in New Zealand," he said, "the majority of the cases are well on the r<jad to recovery, and the treatment they receive hero ensures to every man the best chance of regaining his health." He added that at present there were only six cases of the kind in tho sanatorium at Pleasant Valley, while several men who were almost cured

were on leave. It may bo that when proper provision has been made at the Waipukurau (Hawke's Bay) institution phthisical cases will be treated there instead of at Pleasant Valley.

A vory largo number of .people are > stated to be making enquiry as to travel i to England (says the Auckland "Her- , a 'd )• Fully half of these are women, who nave long been waiting for restrictions to be lifted. There have been living in this country many English people whose song will shortly be discharged from the Imperial Forces, and who wish to go Home to rejoin them. , One of the groatest obstacles to travel is the incroase on all passages to England imposed by tho British Government. This amounts to £40 in the first or second class, and £16 in the third, making the cheapest first saloon fare second saloon £82, and steerage £37. Thus only those with urgent reason for travelling Home are seeding to do so now, and many are travelling steerage rather than wait for the removal of the increase? The manager of a well-known Auckland tourist asrencv stated last week that over 200 neoplo wore thus waiting to travel, but it was not at all probable that the restrictions would be lifted for several months. Practically 'every British line in the world, with one or two "well-known exceptions. are subject to the increase. Meanwhile, passenger tratric is being resumed. The Panama route is already under way. and the Suez and Cape Town routes will be open to passenger traffic in February. In view of the licensing poll to be taken in April, 1919, registrars of electors are at present busy purging the electoral rolls. Jn some instances they arc issuing forms of objection to electors who are not now residing at the address appearing on the roll, and in the event of these objections not boing returned on or before January 6th, 1919. tho elector's name will bc> struck off the roll. In cases whore electors notify registrars that they now reside in anothor electorate, the registrars forward to 6iich electors claims of enrolment in respect of tho elector-ito to which the electors have removed. A start will bo made with the printing of the main rolls immcdiatelj- after January €th, and copies will bo made available fov consultation as soon as the nrintinfr is completed. The rolls will be finally closed about March 6th (3o day*s prior to tho date of the poll), and in tho interval between the printing of tho rolls ami this date, electors should satisfy themselves that their namr\s appear on the roll, as after March Gth no enrolments can be received. As thive is generally sotr.r, confusion, it is well for electors to remember that the Parliamentary roll Cinder which the licensing poll will be taken') has no connexion with the municipal roll, rnder which the election of Mayor and city councillors is taken. Superior perfumery at Loasbv's make splendid gifts. Atkinson and Yardlcy's perfumes in cut glass bottles and presentation caskets. Old English Lavender Water 'and Eau de Cologne. Best English and French ha.ir brushes for ladies and gentlemen, and manicure seto in unexcelled variety and value at Loasbv's, Chemists. i Everyone in Christchurch knows ' Watson's," .but there are still some people who do not avail themselves of the .opportunities offered by this enterprising firm in the matter of obtaining the most artistic jewellery at moderate prices. The firms New Year stocks inY.'t© early inspection. Watson's, Jewellers," Limited, 695 Colombo street, Christchurch. 3 For Washing hospital linen use "No Rubbing" Laundry Help regularly to onsuro perfect cleanliness. Is packet sufficient for seven weekly washings. \\ ardell Bros. o >ou can depend upon everything being done promptly and well if youon'y hand your shipping documents to J. M. Heywood and Co., Ltd, They recognised as experts at this work. Telephones 250. 1241. and 2174. 6

I HANDY 2-SEATER FORD, £140. Now on view—Two-seater Ford, newly painted dove grey; electrio lights and new tyres. Suitable for commercial man. £140. Adams, Ltd., Garage, 21? Tuam street. 6 LIGHT 4-SEATER TOURING CAR, £235. For sale, a bargain—Neat-looking, light 4 cyl.. 4-5 seater touring car, finished in dark blue. Magneto ignition. "Hoodite" seat, covers, and full equipment. £235. Adams, Ltd.. Garage, 219 Tuam stroot. 6 HANDSOME 3-SEATER STUDEBAKER, £275. Ready for delivery—Threo-seater, 4-cyl., Studebaker, beautifully finished in cream. Eloetric lighting and selfstarter. Five good tyres and usual equipment. Sound investment •at £275. Adams, Ltd., Garage, 2151 Tuan£ street. 6