GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17061, 4 February 1921, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

I The Opihi and "VVaitalri rivers were reported fisliable yesterday, and both branches of the "Waimakoriri and the I Rakaia clear. The weather was dull at Tomuka, and fine ia. each of tho j other cases. Tho Boys' High School resumed yesterday, after the Christmas and New I Year holidays, neatly 200- new beys | presenting themselves. The Girls' High School also resumed, the total number, of old .and new. scholars taxing the available accommodation severely. In respect of the commercial course no fewer than 00 prospective scholars, applied for the 25 yacancies existing. A "Press" reporter asked Sir Heaton Rhodes, Minister of Defence, yesterday, if there was any truth in the rumour that the Queen Mary Hospital .at Hanmer Springs was likely to be given up shortly' by the Defence I>eBartment, and handed to the Health 'apartment. The Minister stated that he had recently visited the institution. As.more soldiers_left the hospital and more civilian patients required the use of it, it would no doubt be desirable, he said, that such a transfer should be . brought about, but there was no likelihood of this being done at present. , ' On Friday last the first coal taken from Lynch s mine at Dobson was railed to Grevmouth, .a. numher of those interested 'in the company which owns the mine, and which is a Christchurch one, being present on the occasion. Everyone was pleased with the quality of the good bard coal from the mine, and also with the excellent progress made during the short period which has elapsed since operations began. Now that a railway siding has been provided several new faces are being opened up, and tho output, at present 250 tons per week, will rapidly increase. The much looked for "run" of, quinnat salmon in the northern rivers bas commenced, and is certain to attract anglers from all parte of the Dominion. As early as December 20th, Constable Berry, of Glenavy, succeeded in landing a quinnat salmon weighing lPlb, in addition to several heavy trout. Several anglers also hooked good fish, but in most instances failed to land them. ' There are large numbers of salmon, at the mouth of the Waitaki river, and are daily' proceeding upstream. A species of trout, believed by -some to be the Atlantic salmon, is running in the "Waitaki, and up to last Monday three -had been caught, the largest beine one of 151b weight, which was taken Dy Constable Berry. The prospects of an early run in the Rakaia are bright, and it is stated the salmon are to be seen in large numbers near the mouth of the river. Many people are not aware that Mr J. R. Hooper, who is making such excellent breaks 'in the contest for the amateur billiards championship of England, is the ex-New Zealand lawn tennis champion (says the -•Dominion."). In tho nineties Hooper won tho singis? championship of New Zealand on threo separate occasions, and was one of tlw> Dominion's best players at a time wher there was a strong contingent of firstrankers. He afterwards went to Australia, and came into prominence there at billiards, winning the amateur championship on a number of occasions. His play was so much ahead of the average amateur that there has been a good deal of speculation for years past as to bow he would shape against the pick of the amateurs of England, more especially against the champion, C. B. Fry. Now at last the matter is, being put to a test, arid up to the present stage Hooper has handsomely beaten all his opponents, and appears to have an. excellent chance of carrying off the coveted honour. Should he succeed it will be the first occasion on which the title has gone to a competitor from overseas. At the time of the Pari link a raid in 1882, when the late Hon. John. Bryee (who was Native Minister) rode on his white charger at the head of his troops into the pa to arrest To Whiti and Tohu, the late Rev. J'. A. Luxford was in the midst of a very successful ministry in- the Hawera district (says the Auckland "Star"). It is said that it was at this time that the military spirit caught him, and he went on from stage to stage till he reached the rank of Lieut.-colonel, when he was appointed senior Methodist chaplain at the "Weltham military hospital. So exasperated had the 'settlers become at tho arrogance of Titokowaru and hie followers during a long period of years in ploughing up their land, and in many other high-handed actions, that when the Te Whiti coup .came about many of the people were in a very angn- mood and Mr Luxford did much by his conciliitory methods to bring about a feeling of moderation at a time when it was much needed. The Rev. C. H. Laws, 8.A., preaching at the funeral service at Pitt street Methodist Church, at Auckland, on Sunday afternoon, said that early in his ministerial career Mr Luxford was marked out for military distinction of a very high order, this being brought about by the keen grasp he had of all matters which attracted his attention, and for his'broad outlook on such a big question. The re- | mains of the departed clergyman were accorded a military tuneral at Waikaraka cemetery on Sunday, this being I his expressed wish.

The Minister cf Marine has ordered an enquiry into the wreck of the Oraaka to be held .as early as possible The North express, which leaves Christehuvch at 0.5 a.m., was three quarters of an hour behind time yesterday in reaching Culverden. The delay was 4ausod through the extra sCiunting necessary en route. The Hon. C. J. Parr, in a speech at the opening of the I'ukekohe Technical School, expressed tho 'hope that the school age for the elementary course would be shortly reduced to twelve j years. At loisst 25 to o3 per cent, of the boys cf the .secondary schools tool; courses unsuiiL-d to them. "I hopo it is not- a ('i-nnan piano!" remarked a- member i last night's meeting of t'-ie General Committee of the Navy League, when the secretary stated that a T.inno had been purchased for the Navy Lca.gue Kali. The chairman (Mr H. J. Marriner) gave an as- \ surniice that the piano was not of German manufacture. In unveiling a memorial tablet to soldiers at the Kiinibolton School yesterday, the Hon. I>. H. Guthrie, Minister for Lauds, said that tho Government was not going to press soldier settlers for tho payment of interest and capital during tho present time of financial stringency, but would help the soldiers to tide over the bad time. The sending "of an-invitation to the Australian Navy to visit New Zealand t.-as suggested by Mr C. E. Bevan Brown at last night's meeting of the committee of the Canterbury branch of ilu- Navy League. Mr Bevan Brown said he thought the committee might ask the Minister of Defence to send such an invitation. Mr Maxwell su'eported the suggestion, which it was decided to forward to the Minister. Mr Bevan Brown said he thought friendly interchange .would promote a common spirit of naval defence. A Press Association telegram from! Yvanganui states*tha.t a public meeting j was held last- night when tho aims and objects of the Welfare League were j explained by Mr D. McLaren. There j was an attendance of about sixty, but ] there was an organised opposition, and tlie speaker was severely, heckled. At the close of the meeting the speaker was tendered a. vote of thanks. One motion was carried to the effect that "-After hearing the address this meeting of citizens of Wanganui is of opinion that it is not in the best interests of the community that' a local branch of the League should be formed." *As soon as you suspect either cough or cold, take a dose of "Stop-It." The tremendous demand for this remedy is ample proof of ita efficiency. Wise people always keep a bottle of "Stop-It" in their bouses —they knoiv the virtue of both the medicine and prompt treatment. Obtainable at all chemists and stores, Is 9d, 3s, and 5s fid. Loasby and Co., chemists (opp. Ballantyne's). 6 Canvases, oils, water-colours, every requisite for the artist and art student, can be secured at Gibbs', 105 Cashel gtx'eet, opp. Ballantyne's. 6 Pilkington's motors run twice daily between Christehurch and Akaroa. 6 Stocks must be lowered. Cash must be found. Armstrong's are heavily stocked, and intend to turn the stock into cash, and to do this quickly, and make no error about it, they have arranged to run each Wednesday to Saturday a, number of special lines at such ridiculously low prices that everyone will * want _ to snap them. Just make a point of seeing the bargains in tlhe windows. Armstrong's always keep fajth with tho public, and when they say they are slaughtering goods they do slaughter them. , Jy Potato blight Qxas made its appearance in many crops during the recent bad weather, so potatoes/ free from disease will bring highly remunerative prices. Bordeaux mixture applied with a two-row sprayer (horse-drawn) will ensure a clean crop at .little expense. This sprayer -costs £l3, and can also be used for spraying fruit trees, whitewashing; etc. Call and inspect- at Ivory's, Ltd., 21 Manchester street. 15382-7790 "Chester" Dinner Sets, English make, now arrived, stock pattern, 32 pieces Dinner Set £5 ss. "Drayton's," withput delay, .Colombo street (north). 3 . For washing all hospital linens and every variety of summer clothing, use "No Rubbing Laundry Help" regularly. Wardell Bros, and Co. H 54146797 AN IDEAL "WEEK-END CAE, FOB, £2OO. For sportsman or family man—we offer a. -Monarch 5-seater 4-cylinder car. It carries full load equipment, and is ready for service to-day. Price reduced from £225 to £2OO. Adams, Ltd., garage 219 Tuam street. A STURDY ENGLISH CAR FOR £215. English cars are hard to beat for serviceable qualitfes. "We offer a fourcylinder Humlber, with wife wheels, full road equipment, for £215, reduced from £225. Suitable for farmer or business man. Adams, Ltd., garage, 219 Tuam street. SPLENDIDLY BUILT FRENCH CHASSIS FOR £l4O. This should appeal to country storekeepers or others wanting a sturdilybuilt chassis for delivery service. This Clement Bayard chassis, with ah appropriate body, would pay for itself in six months. ' Adams, Ltd., garage, 219 Tuam street. SUPER® "BIG SIX" STUDEBAKER FOR £650. This big seven-seater car can climb any hill and runs 20 miles to the gallon. Energetic man could make £ls a week in hire service. Nicely finished in-silver grey with all extras. Reduced from £675. Adams, Ltd., garage, 219 Tuam street. SERIES 18 STUDEBAKER FOR £350. This splendid car, with finish as new, has magneto ignition, e.1., and s.s. It carries seven people comfortably. No car has a better reputation for reliability and durability. "Reduced from £375. Adams. Ltd., garage, 219 Tuam street. 6 DEPENDABLE BICYCLE TYREJS. Saville and Co., direct importers of highest quality bicycle tyres—British manufacture, 12 months' guarantee) 17s 6d. Micbelin and Dunlop tyres also obtainable at Saville's, near Theatre Royal. 58835—463