GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17048, 20 January 1921, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The postal authorities at Christohnroh received word yesterday that the Malcura, which was laid up at Sydney, is about to re-enter the Vancouver service, and will leave Auckland on Tuesday next. The outgoing mail will therefore dose at Christtfhurch. on Saturday evening. The Makura will bring an mail from Sydney, but no particulars of it are available.; A very large number of entries have been received for the Canterbury Sweet Pea, Carnation, and Rose Society's, show, which will take place to-day and 10-morrow in Victoria Square. In addition to nearly 200 competition exhibits there will be a brilliant display of flowers, for exhibition only. The authorities of the Returned Soldiers' Association expect to' have the key of the Soldiers' Club handed to them on Saturday,'and will probably mate an inspection of the building tomorrow evening before formally taking it over. The Governor-General, Lord Jellicoe, will perform the opening ceremony'on his next visit to Cnristchurdh,

In sentencing a young man to one month's imprisonment 'at the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning for assaulting a constable in Cathedral square shortly after midnight on New Year's Day, the Magistratp, Sir S. E. McCarthy, said that such' a case was not one for a fine. The offence of assaulting the police in a crowd was getting too common, and a large section of the publio was in sympathy with those who committed this class of assault. In the present instance he meant to deal with defendant "with, the gloves off." Reference to the settlement of T.B. men was made at yesterday's meeting of the Canterbury Repatriation Board by the chairman, Mr A. F. Drayton, who stated that the Government had purchased land, at Hombv to be left open for application for all classes of returned soldiers, not necessarily T.B. men . He believed that the idea was to enable the men to get employment at the local freezing works. This, however, would not bft suitable for T.B. 'cases', for whom something should be done at once. The Repatriation Department should be asked to deal with the matter. Members present agreed with the views expressed.

The Commissioner of Taxes draws attention of taxpayers to the notification appearing in tq-day's issue that the due date of payment of the income tax and special war tax is on Monday, February 7th. Additional tax will accrue if the tax is not paid on or before February 28th. The demands will be posted from tflie office of the Commissioner of Taxes on or about January 31st. It shouljt Be noted, however, that individuals whose surnames commence letters I 5 J, K,.N, O, P wiH not receive thfiir demands Until some days latgr. lif these cases a new due date—viz., February 21st—will be fixed under section 12*. Additional tax will accrue twenty-one days thereafter.

The Canterbury District Repatriation Board met last night. Present: Messrs A. F. 'Drayton (chairman), and F. "VV. Hobbs, "W. Goss, H. S. J. Goodman, F. T. Eldridge, P. Davidson, and J. A. Clarke. The list of unemployed showed that 6S men had been placed in' positions since the last meeting.. Sixtythree applications had been received, including two from Imperial soldiers, leaving 16 men unplaced. The report was adopted. The report of the Sustenance and Furniture Committee stated that 37 applications had been renewed, of which 35 had been granted, and 2 declined. Twenty-nine applications had been received by the Trades, Tools, and Equipment Committee, 17 being recommended, 6 declined, the others bein tr held over. Two transportation applications had been granted. Of 21 applications received by > the Educational and Vocational Committee, all were granted. The report was adopted.

"There is no game in which rules are | so systematically broken as in howls," stated Mr C. Aschman at the bowling delegates' _ meeting at Wellington on j Monday night. He complained of "run- . ninn; up to the head," turning over bowls, infringements which were seldom takon to task by the umpire. "The .onus in each case," ha added, "is on the other players. If they complain i they are 'bad sports.' The president of the council, after hearing a request from Mr Aschman for umpires for each •game, paid a tribute to the work of the umpires during the present tournament. Further complaints of rules infringements were made by other speakers. "Why don't bowlers buy a threepenny, book of rules?" he asked, "If they did that there would be no need 'for protests." "If we have to have an umpire for each' game, then the game loses its dharm," said Mr N. Bell (Hamilton). "We have rules, true, but if a man turns over a bowl to see where it is, he puts it back in> the same place. . There are few 'pointers' in bowls!" The diactunon ended without ft resolution.

The Mayor, Cr. D. G. Sullivan, M.P., and the Town Clerk H. R. Smith) have been asked to represent the City Council's Electricity Committee on the occasion of the Ministerial visit to Lake Coleridge next week. The annual- picnic of the Taxi Proprietors' Association takes "place on Monday at Motukarara, and permission has been granted by the municipal authorities for the cars conveying the picnickers to start from Moorlmuso avenue, west of Thirham street,, and go along Manchester, Higjh, and Armagh streets, and Oxford terrace. -The proceedings at the meetings of the Wairoairi County Council are not always as orderly as miji'.t bo desiredowing to some extent to the habit of councillors conversing when a discussion is proceeding. In order to try to remedy this, Cr. C. E. Cross has given notice to move at the next, meeting that seats at the Council table be balloted for.

According to Cr. J. Clelland, the growth of California thistle in the Waimairi County is becoming a serious mat- ■ ter. It i* flourishing unrestricted in the Waimakariri river-bed, and towards Kaiapoi, and there are more than mere evidences of it on the Marshland road. Cr. Clelland blames the inspectors of the Department of Agriculture for not seeing that the requirements of the law are observed.

About ten o'clock on Monday Evening, in Hereford street, between Colombo street and Oxford terrace, two pedestrians were astonished to see a queerlooking creature strutting along the middle of the street. One of them stepped off the footpath and recognised the strange visitant as a bittern—a bird fairly plentiful in Southland, but rarely, if ever, seen about Christchurch. The bird, on the approach of the pedestrian, made off into the site of the new post oftoe buildings.

Among the immigrants who arrived at Lyttelton by the Pakeha on Tuesday were" an English farmer, hia wife, and nine children, the latter comprising seven bo.vs and two girls. The newarrival said that he had not come out to New Zealand without mature deliberation, in fact hS had been considering the matter for three years before he sold out his English farm. He intends to settle in Canterbury . The Bank Clerks' Union, Sydney, has decided to issue a subpmna on the directors of the varibuß banks to attend before the Arbitration Court to show how their incomes have been advanced during recent years. Mr Smith, secretary of the union, said that it was desired by the organisation to compare the increases in salaries of the directors with those of the staff in the various banks. It had been, he snid, also decided to call for the records showing increases granted to the directors and other leading officers. An unfair way of fishing for trout in Victoria Xake waa mentioned at last night's meeting of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society by several members, who stated that they had seen boys attempting to catch the fish with bread. A member also stated that he hqd seen boys attempting to "foul hook" trout. The chairman (Mr M. H. Godby) did not appear to treat the matter very seriouslv. "I do not think the boys can do much harm," he said. "If they can 'foul hook' the trout in the lake, they can teach us a point or two." It was decided that the curator of the Society should be instructed to inspect the lake occasionally with a view to stopping the practice. An accident occurred during the progress of the North Shore v. Ponsonby cricket match on Saturday, in whifch N. C. Sneddon, who captained the Auckland representative team in the recent Southern tour, suffered a painful injury to his right eye. He was bowling at the time, when the batsman, L. >Gr. Hemus, who had run down the. pitch, drove the ball veryhhartd t and Snedden, who had followed up his delivery, and was therefore very close to the "batsman, failed to get his hands up in time to protect his face, the ball striking him almost full on the, right eye. He was immediately motored to *a doctor for medical attention, several stitches being poit in the wounds above and below the eye. "When Hemus was making the stroke the end of his bat scraped the ground, otherwise the ball would have been lifted well over the bowler's head.

The annual camp of the Boys' Gordon Hall, in conjunction with the Y.M.C.A., breaks up on Saturday, after a successful run of three weeks. The camping site is on the property of Mr Walter Parkinson ? Kaituna Valley, and is in every way ideal for the purpose. The camp has been attended by. forty boys, under the direction of Mr P. M. Velnn. A full programme of activities has been maintained, including cricket, hase-*ball, football, recreational games,' swimming, and rambling. Concerts and similar attractions have also bean held. One of the most interesting features of the camp was a walking tour over the hills to Port Levy, and an over-night camp in a building supplied by Mr J. Fleming. Other walking parties ■ were takeo). to the .resttoiifie at Kaitu&ii, to tho summifc of Mt. Herbertj and other parts of the native bush, which abounds in that locality.

The artistically bound book of specimens of typography by students of the typography, class at the ChTistchurcn Technical College would, be impossible to surpass as an advertisement for the' efficiency of the class, and the benefits to be derived by young compositors who attend it. The .book of specimens contains many "ijoba" of high-class workmanship, ana it is apparent that it has been impressed on tne students that simplicity is as much desired, by_ the man paying for the printing its it is by the employer of the compositor. The hon.- examiners (Messrs A. J. Benzie and J:* W. Baty) of the work of the students: "The exhibits of practical composition are naturally few, but are of sufficient merit to demonstrate the fact that attention is being paid to the principles of correct typography. \Ve congratulate the instructor, Mr Wykes, on his work and the students on their efforts." •

Discussing the question of tho improvement of the river Avon, the Mayor yesterday expressed the 'opinion, that one solution is to be found in thel establishment of a River Board, consisting of representatives from / the local bodies through whcsa districts the river flows. Such a Board could devise ways and means of raising revenue for the improvement of the river from the owners of lands wihicn would be, as a consequence, benefited. I>r. Thacker thinks it is quite within the range of practicability to make the river navigable for inotor launches from New Brighton to. the Barbadoes street bridge, and possibly to Jviccarton. _ The rich silt dredged from the river could be deposited on some of the low-lying lands on tlhe banks of the river in the Bur-wood-Shirley district, and would thereby feriiliso them. _ Some portions of the course of the river could be rtraightened, thus providing areas for boating and rowing.

A lecture on "The Treatment of : Wounds" was given hy Dr. Spencer Dauiell at last night's meeting of the Christehurch Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade. The great danger j with wounds, said the lecturer,. was in- ' feetion, and it was the duty of the first j aider to prevent this by the discreet i use of antiseptics. Strong antiseptics • should be used with caution, because they were prone to cause coagulation of the albumen. Bealp_ wounds always required special attention, beiauEe, where sepsis occurred, there was a possibility of meningitis. The lecturer issued a warning to gardeners whose wounds, he said, shbuld' Teceive Special attention owing to the danger of tetanus, or lockjaw, which existed where manure was used. At the same meeting a letter was j received from Mr Ezra Treleaven, a I former member of the division, enclos- I ing a donation of £1 Is. A vote of I thanks to Mr Treleaven was p&Sßed • unauun<malg« ) v i

Yesterday's river" report was as follows: Waimakariri (both branches) clear. R.akaia clear, Ashburton clear, Opihi dirty, Waitaki clear. "Receiving day" in connexion with, the annual exhibition of the Canterbury Society of Arts will be .February "Ist, the private opening will be on March 10th. and the publio opening the following day. It has been decided to Combine tlie art crafts exhibition with the exhibition of panting* and art crafts exhibits will be received on the same date as that fixed for the receipt of paintings. There died at Opotiki a few days ago (says the Auckland "Star") Arapeta Taraao, one of the biggest phicfs ot the Kawaitangohua, a sub-tribe of t tlhc Whan auapn nu i. Arapeta was nearly one hundred years of age, and sixty years ago was a major in the British Anny. At the time of Volkner's murder, he had buried his fourth wife, and ■is survived by No. 13. At one time he ran a scow between Opotiki and Auckland.

An indistinct telephone message a few nights ago led to an amusing misunderstanding. A member of the Acclimatisation Society stated at last night s meeting that he had received a message from which he had gained impression that a man. had been bitten at the Public Gardens. It was explained by another member at the meeting thnt the message referred to a "bittern, which had been found in Hereford street bv the police, who desirerl to know if the bird should be taken to the gardens.

Birds build their nests in many unexpected places, but there are very few that would care to hatch their eggs m the little hollow underneath a moving switch rail at a busy railway station (says the "Dominion"). Yet a skylark has made her nest in such a place at one of the busy "points" at the Lambton goods yards, and yesterday according to the goods shed staff, hatched three eggß. Engines, are shunting carriages, waggons, and across the points all doy, and yet the bird has not been frightened away.

Kjngfish are reported to be plentiful itf the vicinity of the Great Barrier, Auckland, and good sport has beenjpioyed there recently, says the >ew Zealand Herald." Fair numbers haves been caught, though the fish were not large. Good sport'lias also been obtained near Canoe Rock 4 off Kawau, A number of kingfish • were caught near 1 the beacon in the Rangitoto Channel recently. It is rather early for large fish, which do not generally appear until February and March. So far no heavy catches have been reported from Russell, but the majority of anglers do not visit that area until later in the season, when the water is warmer and fish ■ more plentiful. _ Several parties Jiave 'heon fishing off Mayor Island, in the Bay of Plenty, where kingfish are apparently plentiful at. present. Commenting on the charge of treachery in connexion with the Jutland battle, the "Wanganui Herald' says: "It is a far cry fnom Zeebrugge to New Zealand. Cut it is a fact that several weeks before the British naval attack on Zeebrugge harbour, when several old British cruisers were sun': in an effort to block the channel, a letter was despatched to Wanganui containing the information that such an effort to be made and giving the names of tCt least one of the cruisers and the commanding officer who subsequently tooX part in the action. This is but one ofmany instances where Information con-' corning the intended operations of the British leaked out before practical results were attempted, and to_ this leakage is attributable many failures and disasters."

As . soon ias you suspect either cough or cold, take".a dose of "Stop-It." The tremendous demand for this remedy is ample proof of its efficiency. Wise people always keep a bottle of "Stop-It" m their houses—they know the virtue of both the medicine and prompt treatment. Obtainable at all chemists an,d stores, is 9d,"35, and 5s 6d. Xoasby and_ Co., chemists"(opp. Ballarityne's). 6

Every summer see® a marked advance in tlie popularity of Sharpe Bros, famous Gold Seal cordials and beverages as hot weather drinks. This year Sharpe Bros, have produced a super-cordial, which they are selling at 3s per bottle. It is really-much, cheaper than the 2s cordial, as besides having far more body in it it goes nearly twice as far. Ask your grocer for Sharpe Bros.'s cordials or ring up Sharpe Bros., 276 Armagh l street. 'Phone 1761. 58849-6930

. Binders at £97 each have given farmers a shock, but we have a few binders, mowers, and hay rakes left out of an, earlier shipment, which we are selling at the old* price. Call and inspect the light draft Johnston Mower, best' value in New Zealand. Ivorys Ltd/, 21 Manchester . street.. 8

Unless the battery of a motor-car is periodically examined., some tiny flaw in the mechanism, which can easily be put right if taken in' hand right away, may develop into a serious defect, resulting. in serious injury to the battery. Have your battery examined by the Christchurch Battery Co., 83 Kilmore rstreet, three dpors east ,of Victoria street. C2982-G622

Ladies and gentlemen, whenever or wherever you find a storekeeper doing his utmost to satisfy all demands for the famous "No Rubbing Laundry Help," load him with your best wishes. L ' . .. . H 3114-.6797

When yott trust your goods to us you are certain tLat they Will be carefully handled. Shipping—moving—storage; we do them all, and .do them well. J. M. Heywood and Co., Ltd. H 4943

ARRIVAL OF "8.5.A." TWINCYLINDER MOTOR CYCLE.

About the most important development' in motor-cycling for 1921 is the placing on colonial markets of the "8.5.A." 7 h.p. twin-cylinder model. The 4J h.p. single cylinder model "B S.A." hafi a reoord for engine efficiency, economy, durability, and beauty of finish, which is only equalled by the "Triumph." This new model "8.5.A." id ,the first successful attempt by a British manufacturer to give a highpowered twin-cylinder machine with all the virtues "of the single-cylinder type. The "8.5.A." twin has been undergoing exhaustive tests for years. It now represents the ,f B.S.A." standard of perfection, than which there N is nothing higher in the world. Adams Ltd. will have one of the new machines on view in their window to-day. It has" extremely wide mud-guards, allowing the use of non-skid-chains on tyres, a.pd the chain gear is enclosed in an oil-tight aluminium case. The diling apparatus is a little more elaborate, but otherwise there is little departure from the lines of the single-cylinder design. The great achievement is the lifting of twincylinder design to the single-cylinder standard of efficiency, and in this respect the new "8.5.A." is absolutely revolutionary. For hill-climbing and side-(Sir son-ice this* machine may b« confidently expected to break all records. 1