GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 17022, 20 December 1920, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

A grass at lledcliffs on' Saturaay alternoon at the residence of, Mr J. Lang, Pratt street. As tne flames wero threatening the fence and iiouse, , the Itedciilfs Fire Brigade were called out, but their services were not required. Mr It. B. Owen, hon. secretary of the Royal Ghristchurch Musical Society, has written to us expressing tlio givueiul thanKs of the society to the many people who so generously assisted towards tho complete success of yesterday's periormance of "The Messiah" in the Hospital grounds. The "Westport-News" says:—Roughly, the whitebait season recently closed yielded v only about £ILO to Westport as compared with £2000 to £2500 in former seasons. Such a shortage 1 , as occurred this year is unknown previously amongst those who have beew in the habit of annualjy spending timo on the waterfront with tnejr muslin nets. Tho directors of Crystal Palace Theatre, which is being taken over by a new company, met tho staff on Saturday night, at a farewell gathering. Mr j". T. Sutton, chairman of directors, presided, and thanked the staff for their services and loyalty in the past. Messrs* J. Robertson and R. T. Kirk replied for tho staff and orchestra respectively. Much satisfaction was expressed at the annual meeting of the Wellington Competitions Society last week that His Excellency the, Governor-General VisI count Jellicoe had consented to become t patron of the society. The retiring I president (Rev. A. E. Hunt) 'said he felt ! sure that Viscount Jellicoe would take a 'really live interest in the work of the society and quite unofficially of course, that His Excellency had, in conversation with him, intimated a desire to present a gold medal to one of the classes. On Saturday morning some of the city butchers were unable to fill the usual week-end morning ordenp for meat from their customers, and this led to a rumour that the slaughtermen at the ■ city abattoirs had gone out on Btrike, because they were not to receive tho 9s bonus. The report was false, and the manager of the abattoirs informed a "Press" reporter yesterday that the cause of the shortage of meat in the shops was that the holiday for Anniversary Day, on Thursday, observed at the abattoirs, throw so much work on;to Friday's killing for the week-end tfiat the slaughtering board, which was now limited in numbers, on account of several men Being away on shearing, was unable to cope with it. By Saturday afternoon, however, the retail butchers' requirements were filled. Some caustic things wero said by Bishop Richards at the annual meeting of the Otago Bible Society on Friday with respect to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's excursions into the realms of Bible criticism. "He is one of those persons," said his Lordship, "who is trying to get rid of the Old Testament and part of the New, and after reading one or two of his books I have come to the conclusion that the criticism brought forward by him is both amateur and crude. Ho does not know in tho least what he is talking about. In saying that I desire to, acknowledge my deep sense of gratitude for what lie has.accomplished in the domain of literature, but when he comes to the region of the Bible ho brings forward reasons and advances arguments which are not worthy of a man with a,scientific education." A new motor headlight, which, it is claimed, will prove a satisfactory solution to tho "dazzling" problem, was tested on Cashmere Hills on Friday evening, before a number of members of tlio Canterbury Automobile Association. Tho invention, which is one designed by Archdeacon Ensor, of Hororata, and Mr J. Sampson, motor engineer, of Christehurch, consists of an adjustable hood coming halfway down over the headlight, combined with a tongue-shaped reflector under the lamp, which is elevated simultaneously with the dropping of the hood. The trial iesultcd in a satisfactory verdict for tho invention. The light rays illumine the front of the car, particularly tho axle, and front wheels, and spread on the road sufficiently low not to interfere with the vision of the motorist approaching from the other direction, completely eliminating the dazzling effect. 3>uringthe singing of '"The Messiah" by the Itoyal Musical Society at the Hospital grounds yesterday there seemed to be a good deal ot doubt by tho male portion of tho audience as to tho fitness of things. Some men discarded their' hats —and risked suffering a* headache on account of their lack of protection from the sun's rays. Others thought it was not richt to smoke. A busy <3ffilSal struck a happy medium by going bareheaded and complaceritlv smoking cigarettes. One person noticing things and longing for the refreshing effect of the breeze blowing through his hair while he smoked a cigarette, feared that such an attitudo might appear incongruous, but at that moment'his eye fell on two men standing shoulder to shoulder. Tfiey were a magistrate and a minister. One had his liat off, and both were smoking their briar pipes. Naturally the person who was doubtful as to how he should behave* decided to follow his own inclinations, and many others, enjoying the music and appreciating the weather, * followed the example.

The following letter has been received at the Eunedin "Star" office from Brigadier-General A. W. Andrew (chairman of the Bov Scouts Association), and "Mr L. M. Isitt, M.P.It is only that before leaving Dunediu we should thank your citizens for ihe response made to our appeal. In three. days canvassing we have not met with one refusal. This is n tribute at once u> the public's appreciation of the value of the j?ov Scouts movement and the liberality of Dunedites. "What lias most impressed us. however, is the spirit in which the subscriptions have been given. Instead of grudging gifts and frigid receptions we have been welcomed and encouraged and our task made a pleasure. Four men went .for a motor ride on Friday aftepicon 'says the "Tiniaru Herald"). They travelled about 2X) miles—.through Waimate. ipi .Shearer,' i "Hill to Hakataramea, across the "\Vai- j taki. through Kurow, down through i Dur.troon to the "Main South road at, | Pukeuri Junction, and back to Timaru. I That i-. not very remarkable, but .the facts that made it something unusu il I in joy rides were that the four men's : aggregated 304- years, they were. all S?otsmen. all retired farmers, all j members of the Central C-üb, all were! once will acquainted with the country j they toured: hut- one had not seen it; lor* fifty years, and'two not for forty; years. Tile other man was something of an outsider, having visited the district within the last tcu years, so ho had. to drive the car. Always dear to a. woman is choice Perfumery and Toilet Tho largest selection of rare. Perfumes, Powders. Toilet Soaps and Brushwaro is at Loasbv's, chemists (opp. Bnllantyne's)—that's why so many people aro purchasing their Xmas gifts there. 0 Athletic sports are the great attraction at Christmas and New Year. Running shoes now being opened up, sizes fi to 9, price 255, at Hannah's, 117 G'aslicl street. 7 Christmas' gift suggestions: Hairbrushes and manicure sets for ladies and men: Inth sjslts, face powders, .creams, perfumes, 1 mirrors, etc., for Indies only, at E: Cameron Smith's, 9*3 j Worcester street. SBGI9 j The buying of Christmas gifts and | holiday wear is now only tho matter of a Tew days. There aro toys, too, that must bo bought for the little ones. It t is well to x>oint out that thero is one firm here where you can buy almost everything that is practical for Christmas gifts and holiday wear under one roof. Toys included, and such cheap toys, too. **\Ve refer to Armstrong's, who have two huge stores fully stocked with suitable, sensible goods for Christmas gifts for every member of tho family, and Armstrong's price all their goods less than other people. 6 ! The new Doulton "Lustre," the decorated "Rouge Flammo," ltuskin ware, and the new "Oriflainme" ware are among soino of the charming Christmas tjift goods on view at Hastie, Bull, and Pickering's, 113 Cashel street. Christchurch is the centre of great commercial activity just now, due in part to the heavv demand for Golden Rule Soap, "NO RUBBING" Laundry Heln, and the "Keep Smiling" Boot Polfsh. ' H5414 Much delay in tho harvest field can be saved by overfliauling machines andi fitting spare parts now. We carry a big asosrtmcnt of spares for Albion and Johnston Binders and other implements. Y.es, if ordered with your binder twine Ave pay .railage on both. Order to-day. Ivorys, Ltd., 21 Manchester street. 6 Thrifty Xmas buyers will combine art j and utility by purchasing Clima presents at "Drayton's," Colombo street north. Inspect the Torquay Jugs, Teapots, and Plates. D2796-9«io A very fine collection of attractive pictures eminently suitable for Christmas presents has been landed by J. W. Gibb, 105 Cashel street. 6 Pilkington's motors run twice daily between Christchurch and Akaroa. 6 Farmers having hay and grass crops coming on should lose no time in ordering Mowers, Rakes, find Strippers. We have tho very best in these lines. P. and I>. Duncan, Ltd., Tuam street. Christchurch.. P.O. Box 1-24. 9600-4 XMAS DISCOUNT SALE OF TYRES AND MOTOR ACCESSORIES. Messrs Adams, Ltd., come to tlio rescue of the searcher for suitable Christmas pVesents with timely suggestions as to articles most likely to be appreciated by.a motoring friend —and in these days there are few who do not own a car or a motor-cycle. Their first suggestion is—a tyre. They offer the best tyre on the market—the Fisk — found by test to give best mileage on New Zealand roads. For the purposes of this sale all Fisk tyres (and- a full range is carried in Btock) are subject to 10 per cent, discount off list prices, with an additional 5 per cent, discount for cash. Then there are various sorts of motor accessories which make ideal .Xmas presents. We have an enormous' stock, and offer 10 per cent, discount off marked prices during this special sale. Mascottes, plated, from 7s 6d upwards; tyre pumps, which a lady can operate with ease; head and side lamps; storage batteries: dashboard clocks j fire extinguishers; "and a' range of other sundries too numerous to particularise. These aro shown in our commodious and handsome showrooms, all prices being, clearly marked. And remember, you get a discount this week of 2s in the £. Adams, Ltd., 152-154 High street. 6 DEPENDABLE BICYCLE TYRES. Saville and Co., direct importers oF highest quality bicycle tyres—British manufacture, 12 months' guarantee, 1/s 6d. Michelin a.nd Duplop tyres also obtainable at Saville's, near Theatre -Royal. 5583&—463