GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16787, 19 March 1920, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

A few days ago a nice quinnnt salmon, weighing 4lb, was caught by Mr Arthur Pilbrow, in the Ashburton river. Tho fish was in excellent condition.

The foundation-stono of the new public school at Opawa is to lio laid, with due ceremony, on April 17th. It is interesting to note that the first public school at Opawa was opened 48 years ago with a total roll number of *33.

Owing to the time and speed tests being held by the Automobile Association to-morrow, tho cars promised for the Veterans' outing for the same day will not be available, and consequently the outing has been postponed till the 27th inst.

For somo time (telegraphs our Wellington correspondent) there have been rumours that tho headquarters of tho Union Steam Ship Company aro about to l>o transferred" to Wellington. Yesterday, rumour got the length of stating that a site had been acquired. The latter statement, however, is denied by the local manager.

Beforo tho war a movement was started to constitute an Addington Brass Band, and certain funds were raised for the purpose. The war, however, put an end to tho project, and it was decided that the amount in hand, £18 Is 4d, should be handed over to the fund for erecting a memorial to South Island bandsmen in Hagley Park. The treasurer of tho fund. Mr G. Penlington, waited on tho Mayor yesterday, and handed over that sum.

An important suggestion relating to the sale of poisons is made by a Christchurch man who, while on a visit to Sydney recently, noticed a case in which the life of a child was saved owing to the antidote for the tioison, which had been taken inadvertently by the child, heing printed on the label. He told a reporter that he thought it would bo an excellent thing if tho labels on all bottles of poison had printed on them plain directions regarding the application of an antidoto in tho event of an overdose having been taken, or in the event of the poison having been taken by mistake.

Pedestrians who were in Colombo street, between Cashel and Hereford streets, about eight o'clock on Wednesday evening, witnessed the unusual sight in the city streets of a sheep following a man in the samo manner that a dog hangs on to the heels of its master. The animal seemed quite unmoved by tho attention it created, and a small dog that started to cross tho road, apparently with the view of attacking the sheep, thought better of it when it got to tho middle of the road, and turned back, tho result, probably, of the calm assuranco with which the sheep went on the even tenor of its way.

"Regarding unemployment, wo are in a better position than ever before," reported Mr A. F. Drayton to the Canterbury District Repatriation Bnmd last night. Mr Drayton stated that during tho week 39 applications for employment had been received, and 42 men placed in positions, leaving 19 unemployed on tho list. That was tho best renort ho thought tho Board had had. There were now only three clerks on the list. The trouble in future was eoing to be with the motor drivers. There were more motor drivers than rnrs to drive at the present time. Mr "W. Goss: There must be a big crowd of motor drivers. Mr Drayton said these men were going to present a problem.

Referring to the case of 1G T. B. soldiers at the Cashmere Sanatorium who wish to engage in various forms of j light, mixed farming on the communal t system, Mi' A. "NY. Jamieson, chairman of the Canterbury District Repatriation Hoard, reported to the Board last night that he had been interviewed by a leading farmer who had communicated to him a scheme propounded by him and other residents in his district to' provide a block of land for the men. This farmer stated that if the project were satisfactory to tho Government, residents in his district would form themselves into a committeo and would see that the T.B. men were cared for and looked after. His (Mr Jamieson's) experience of this fanner and those associated with him was that if they took the scheme in hand it would be an absolute success. The gentleman in question was going to a meeting of farmers in the district the next day. He (Mr Jamieson) felt confident that if they presented a definite scheme to the Government it would meet with the approval of the men on the Hills, and ho wished to point out that the Government officials in Wellington were most sympathetic. The farmer he had mentioned stated that it was possible also the married men would be able to secure separate allotments in different parts of the district. With the assistance of the Government, and the Patriotic Society. Mr Jajnieson ' felt. sure that the settlement would prove as successful as the Avonhead Settlement.

All the Canterbury rivers wore re-1 ported clear yesterday. j The headmasters of the four Napier schools have advised the pupils to attend .school bootless and stockingless as n protest against the high cost of living. The AYoolston Fire Board met last nipht. Present: Messrs C. Hill (chair-, r.ianl. F. A. Tapson, L. Hart, and J. C. Hobson. Inspector Hugo advised that lie would inspect the Brigade this evening. i The fifth of the series of Lenten ad-j dresses being given in the Cathedral. i>y the V.rv Rev. Dean Carrinpton w-s well attended last nipht. A special offering is beinp taken up on behalf of a native Chinese minister doinp missionary work as an Anglican in China. The City Council hare been offered, hr Mr J. J. Bovd, of the Oiehtinga Zoo. two young b'ons for £100. and . black bears for C'<!o each. As, however. the Council lias nothing to do with lions or bears, the Mayor has dire'Trr! that letter be sent on to the Domains j>oard. A Pre«s A s: negation message from AYellincton says that Mr R. L. Paterson was credited with stating at the j recent conference of Chambers of, Commerce that compulsory voting [ would lie passed next session, and for j this lie had the word of the Prime Min-I i-ter himself. Mr Paterson states that' this is incorrect, and that what- he did j say was that no doubt compulsory voting would become law next session, as he had the word of the Prime 3linister in favour of this reform. The Canterbury District Repatriation Board met last evening, Mr A. W. Jamieson presiding. It was reported that four applications for sustenance had been granted, and of 31 applications for furniture grants, 27 had been granted, and four declined or held over. Of 20 applications received by the Trades, Tools, and Equipment Committee, 9 were recommended, whilst it was reported that 3 had been declined, 7 held over, and one withdrawn. Of 40 applications received by the Education Committee, 33 were favoural>ly recommended. Reporting to' the Canterbury District Repatriation Board last night, Mr F. AY. I'lobbs stated that the Board's Trades, Tools, and Equipment Commit-j tee had received an application from a man for an advance of £300 to enable j hint to go into business in England. Mr Hobbs considered this was entirely against the spirit of the Act, if not against the letter, and upon his motion it was resolved: "That, in the opinion of this Board, it is not the intention

of tho Act that moneys he advanced to start men in business in countries outside Now Zealand.'' There were S9 cases of influenza reported in the Canterbury-Westland Health District between noon last Monday and noon yesterday. Details are: —Buller, 8 mild and 1 pneumonic at AYestport. North Canterbury, 24 (Christchurch, 13 mild, 1 pneumonic); Sumner 3, mild; Tokama 1, mild; Springston 4, mild: Greenpark 1, mild; Darfield 1, mild); Ashburton 2, mild (1 each at Allenton and Hampsteadl. Pouth Canterbury, 54 (Timaru Makihiki 1, Waimnte 4, Waitohi 3, Pareora 1, Plen«ant Point 3. Temuka 3, Fairlie 2, Albury 2, Clandebovo 1. Gomldino 1, Otipua 2, Kimbell I—all mild).

It is anticipated that the conference convened by tho Canterbury Progress League relative to the question of better communication between Christchurch and its port will not be held for a month or two. Tho precis of reports on the various schemes is at present in the hands of tho printers; it will be illustrated with plans and views in order that the various proposals may be thoroughly understood. When ready for issue, copies will bo supplied to tho different bodies affiliated to the League. A certain period of time will requiro to be allowed for tho members of thoso bodies to assimilate and discuss the inand it is calculated that this will take tho better part of two months.

The earnings of taxi-men were brought into prominence at a sitting of tho Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr V. G. Dnv, S.M., during tho hearing of a case involving a claim and counter-claim for damages as a result of a collision between a motor-car and a horse and gig. In his evidence a taxi-driver said that his earnings amounted to about £3 10s per day. "How many pay income-tax then?" asked Sir Day. Tho witness explained that of this sum about 30s per day had to be paid out as expenses, leaving the net cTaily earnings at about £2. Mr Day'agreed with counsel that taxi-driving appeared to be a profitable occupation. "Such an income," he said, "exceeds my own —after the payment of expenses."

The Public Health Department has received information that consignments of shaving-brushes recently received in Great Britain from Japan have been found to be > infected with anthrax. A similar condition has been found among shaving-brushes imported into Australia, and their import has been prohibited in both countries as a result. Tho importation of Japanese shaving-hrus'ies into this Dominion was also recently prohibited by Order-in-Council. Brushes had previously been received in New Zealand from Japan, but no cases of anthrax have been notified in the Dominion. As the goods received in New Zealand were distributed beforo the fact was known of infection having occurred in other countries, the Public Health Department considers it desirable that all consignments of shavingbrushes of Japanese origin should be disinfected, and has notified importing firms accordingly.

"American universities have developed on lines of popularising tho work, and that is one of their most striking features," Professor Laby told a representative of the Sydney "Daily Telegraph," on his return from America last week. Professor Laby, who occupies the Chair of Physics at Melbourne University, comes back most definitely of the opinion Ihat the English system, exemplified by Oxford and Cambridge, with its high standard of knowledge, is very much more valuable to the community "Some American universities have been so popularised that discipline, standard of knowledge, and general quality of work have definitely deteriorated and been sacrificed to numbers. Columbia University, for instance, has 22.000 students. Not that these largo numbers should be denied tho opportunity of education. But to flood the universities is a ques-tionable-way, and the work could be done qxiite as effectively by technical i and continuation classes," secondary and evening schools, summer schools, and i the like." According to a statement made to the Canterbury District Repatriation Board last evening by Mr T. M. Charters, Repatriation Officer, from 1-5 to 1G per cent, of returned soldiers to whom the Board makes furniture grants meet • their payments irregularly, and there I are some really bad cases' in which no I effort whatever is made to repav the 1 money lent. The greatest trouble is I connected with men who disappear,! leaving behind them absolutely no i trace. These remarks gave rise to con-! siderable discussion on tho -part of mem- j hers oi the Board. The chairman (Mr; A. W. Jamieson) stated that the respon-' nihility rested with the Repatriation' Department, not with tho Board, as the Board's recommendations had to be approved by the Department. In fairness to those who met their obligations, : something should be done to get at thoso who did not. In cases of hard- i ship, where it was impossible to pav regularly the Department was reasonable and lenient. Other members considered it was an attempt absolutely to rob the Department. Mr A. F. Drayton thought the Board should discover the exact position and see if it was necessary to be more careful in futuTe. It was decided that a return of defaulters should be prepared for the Board's Sustenance and Furniture Committee, and that the committee report on the position to the Board. (

An Order-in-Ccuncil is gazetted prohibiting the ininortation into New Zea- ! ]tiul of Sinn Fein and Irish Republic Brotherhood badges and portraits of Do Vr.'crn. ''President of the so-called Irish Republic." Delegate* of the New Zealand Clvdos{lPlo 'Horse .Society, at a meeting held r>'t *\=hhurt'->n. decided to make an annual distribution of four gold medals for a Clvdesdiile competition at the various A. and P. shows in the Dominion. The adionrned , meeting of the f'V'i'stchurch Amateur Operatic Sorietv will bo held at the Bristol Piano Co ; s rooms on Tuesday evening next, at pirht oVlork. The business of the meeting will be the adoption of rules and the appointment of officers. The bin tent in Colombo street is crowded etch nicht for the Hnrhort JVoth Vision. Tlie Council of Churches is behind the effort, Mr Booth's scarchino- addresses are very effective, and r"Tv choruses are _ introduced Mr Booth's subvert at < .30, will be, "The Gate of Hell." The contractor for the carriage of ' mails between the railway station and the chief nost office is now conveying mail matter bv motor-lorry. This is a little matter that the Canterbury Progress League has agitated for. It is understood that the postal authorities are cbtaining motor-waggons, and when these come to hand the Department will do its own carriage of mails between the station and tho post office. To-morrow, from 2 to 5 p.m., Stevens street, from "Wilson's road to tho east side of Lancaster street, will he closed against all vehicular traffic while the tennis tournament is in progress in Victory Park, so that motor-cars may be parked in this portion of the street. Cars to be parked in Stevens street must enter from "Wilson's road, and all other traffic must proceed to the entrance to Victory Pari: via Fnlsgrave street and Stevens street, and leavo by way of Lancaster street. In connexion with the Mount Cook motor service, an aerial transport service from Timaru to Mount Cook is being contemplated, and Captain Dickson, when on his southern flight, was asked to make a flying survey, but. he was unable to do so on this occasion. From his knowledge of the mountainous country, "he did not think it prolnble that a successful aerial service could be established, especially as the tussocks would spoil any landing grounds on the route, but he would not express any definite opinion until he liacl made a tour of the country. In responso to an invitation to attend

the meeting of the Canterbury Progress League next week, the Hon. I>._ H. Guthrie has written to Mr P. R. Climie as follows: —"I should be glad if you ivould convey to the oxecutivc of your council my thanks for the kind invitation extended to mo to be present at the next quarterly meetins of the council of your League on Wednesday, the 24th inst. I have just returned from an extended trip in the North Island, and, unfortunately, it will be impossible for me to get away from Wellington to attend tho mooting. I may state for your information that I have been in Canterbury on three occasions since my appointment as Minister of Lands, and when next in the district shall be pleased to adviso your League."

Reference was. made at the annual meeting of the Port Christcliiirch Leaguo to tho approaching election of two members to the Lyttelton Harbour Board to represent the combined district of the counties of Paparua, Tawera, Malvern, Springs, Ellesmere, Halswell, Henthcoto, and Selwyn, and the borough of Spreydon. This combined district is at present represented by Messrs T. 3>. Boag and J. Storry, who hold office till April 22nd, 1920. Dr. Thacker urge 1 at last night's meeting that the League should put up two candidates, and said that if it got one candidate elected there -would bo a majority on tho Board in favour of Port Christchureh. Tho question of putting up candidates was subsequently discussed by the meeting in committee. Other members of tho Harbour Board whoso term of office expires on April 22nd, are Messrs W. J. Walter, F. Horrell, and Geo. Scott. Tho Magistrate's Court at Cromwell was occupied on Wednesday hearing cases against landowners for failing to destroy rabbits, tho charges being laid under tho Act of 1918. When a defence was put up, Mr Mosley, S.M., said that he had no jurisdiction, and that tho power was absolutely in tho hands of the inspectors, who had only to swear that they visited any area affectcd and that in their opinion sufficient and necessary steps were not being taken to destroy rabbits, and a conviction must follow. Although tho Act migh!; bo excellent he was placed in an extraordinary and unfortunate position. Fines were imposed varying from £100 (in one instance for a second offence), £40, and £10 in six cases of a first offence. It is expected (says a Press Association message) that the landowners will make strong representations to the Government on the position.

Captain Euan Dickson completed his aviation tour at 4 p.m. yesterday, when he returned to tho Canterbury Aviation Company's _ aerodrome at Sockburn. Captain Dickson, on alighting, was warmly congratulated on his very successful trip, and on the good condition in which he had brought tho machine back. Considering that tliore was not ono hangar availablo between Christchurch and Invcrcargill, and that in some cases tho landing places were not all that could be desired, the aviator's performance in completing tho month's tour and giving almost daily displays, without entailing any serious injury to the aeroplane, is a remarkably good one. It was estimated that the actual flying mileage covered was 3600 miles. Yesterday morning Timaru was left at 11.30, and Tomuka was circled, and Asliburton reached at 12.15. After doing somo "stunting" over the show grounds at Ashbnrton, Cantain Dickson left on his last stage of the journey. Like many larger centres of population, Norfolk Island has suffered considerably of recent months owing to tho holding up of sh' ping and the general dislocation of industry due to strikes; and a further set back to the island was supplied by tho influenza epidemic last year (savs the Melbourne "Age"). The industries of tho island are not numerous, but they depend largelv on shipping, which has been scarce during the past twelve months. One of these industries is the export of lemon juice, rind, and seed for the use of cordial manufacturers in Australia. Lemons <tow wild in the island, but the lack of shipping space has recentlv hampered the exportation considerably. Again, some time ago a company was formed to carry out the export of smoked fish to the mainland, but although the outlook was promising, difficulties have fceen met with in.securing the necessary refricerated space, while "the shinning scarcity has also affected the whaling industrv in some degree. j Tho War Office notifies that it has been decided that free passages to the United Kingdom may be granted to widows and orphans of Imperial reservists recalled to the colours from abroad on mobilisation, and who have died whilst serving during the war, subject to the following reservations: (1) Each caso to be one of proved hardship; (2) free passages only to be given to children in cases where the mother is returning to the United Kingdom, or where they are orphans; (&) when the reservist lived in a self-governing colony, the wife and familv only to bo given passages provided the wife had emigrated within three years before her husband's death: (4) applications for passages should be submitted to the War Office, London, not later than March 31st, 1921, for consideration. When applications for passages are r.ot made later than that date, passages will be provided, other conditions for entitlement being fulfilled, even though embarkation cannot be arranged for until later.

The many aids to beauty that a lady now has at her disposal can bo best appreciated bv an inspection of tho unrivalled stork of Perfumery. Toilet Soap?, and other Toilet preparation? carried by T.oasbv and Co., Chemist* (opp. Ballantvne's). G School of Art students' requisites, artist? colours, canvas, brushes, drawinn papers, and drawing materials, at Gibb's Art Depot. 105 Cashcl street. G

Armstrong's, Limited, with their autumn display. show lovely new ranges of smart, up-to-date mode] blouses, chic crentions, which cannot fail to appeal to ladies of taste for their undoubted charm and simplicity. They are made up in the newest fabrics, anil can be had in all sizes. 1 Christchurch women are taking a keener delight in music, flowers, and voire culture, etc., since "No Rubbing" Laundry Help liberates them from washboard slavery. Is per packet. (5 Limited number breakfast cups, only Is each, thin quality circle tumblers lis dozen. Rest value at Drayton's. Colombo street. <3 Pilkincton's Motors are now running, Christchurch-Aknroa. at 20s return. 0 We learn that Messrs T. Armsrtong and Co. have bought out the entire stock of juvenile apparel held by the Cash Clothing Company, Manchester street, who have given tip this section of their business. Those requiring boys' suits, overcoats, etc., will, therefore, find it to their advantage callinsr at Armstrong's early. - POWERFUL ANT> RELIABLE—TEE "BIG X." 0 No motor-cycle produced in America has a higher reputation for reliability, durability, and all-round usefulness, than the Excelsior, hotter known to motor-cyclists as the "Big X." The twin-cylinder motor is of 7-9 h.p., the three-speed gear is of the latest and most efficient type, the front forks are of the reinforced military type, and the wonderful "kushion sprocket" gives an ideally smooth and equable transmission of power. The "Big X.'' was a primo favourite among despatch riders on the Western front, owing to its strength and reliability, and these advantages are equally valuablo in peacc-timc. Tho price of the Excelsior, with lamp and horn, is £140; electric model, £145. Adams, Ltd., Motor-cycle Showrooms, 152-154 Higli street. 6