GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17206, 25 July 1921, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

If tie wicket ia playable to-day, progress messages giving the score® in the Fourth Test. Cricket Match at Manchester will be posited tip at "The Press" office to-m«rfow morning and on Wednesday morning. - * Oar Dunedin correspondent telegraphs that the invitation of the Oity Corporation to ratepayers in respect to early payments, of rates, so as to help the present position, has been responded to very veil, Up to tEe present 1620 ratepayers have paid rates totalling £IB,OOO, aa against 76& ratepapers representing £BOOO for this time i last year. The Forestry Department ia anxious to see as much planting going on in Nelson as . possible. It was stated by an official of the Department that the main work at present was to organise the milling industry as regards native forests. Another matter so far aa the Nelson district was concerned wM to endeavour to give forests on poor land a chance to regenerate. There was a great quantity of birch, and it would take between £0 and <jQ years to regenerate. Nefaon had tEe second largest forest area in the Dominion, 41 per cent, having been gazetted as a State forest, but it would take some time to ascertain approximately the extent of the timber, as some portions of the country were hard to get at.

A first offender, who was fined os : for drunkenness, m default 24 hours' imprisonment, was the only case dealt with the Magistrate's Court on Saturday morning The Minister of Pftblic Health has replied to' the City Council's resolution forwarded to him reiterating the desire for the appointment of a Commission of experts to investigate the causes of diphtheria, stating that the matter will receive consideration. * i The plans of the conoert hall to adjoin the proposed new municipal buildings on the Canterbury Hall site hare been approved by the special committee, and, when passed by the Council, will be included in the loan proposals for the new block. The death-rate from tuberculosis has been reduced considerably in the past 20 years, the Hon. Dr. W. E. Collins, M.L.C., said at New Plymouth a few days ago, but there was still room for a further reduction. He quoted the figures for 1918. "With regard to children between five and ten years, he thought a solution of the tubercular trouble, to a large extent, lay in proper care during and after measles and whooping-cough, which pulled them down and made them very receptive to the microbes of tuberculosis if they came in contact with them. At the fortnightly meeting of the Canterbury Repatriation Board there were present t Messrs A. F. Drayton (in the chair), H. S. J., Goodman, W. E. Leadley, Wni. Goss, and F, W. Hobbs. Two sustenance applications were received and approved. Of 14 furniture applications, eight were approved, four declined, and two hefc! over.' Tho Trades, Tool's, and Equipment Committee reported having received 13 applications. Six were approved, and seven declined. Of nine educational and vocational applications, seven were approved, and two declined. Street collections are not encouraged in New Plymouth. '"My own opinion is that these street should be discontinued," said the Mayor ("Mr F. E. Wilson) at the last rre ;3 t?ng of the Borough Council of New Plymouth, in discussing an application from the Plunket Society to hold a Baby Day •street collection on November 18th. The Society also asked for permission to erect stalls on the streets, and the Mayor proposed thnt the latter part should be approved, but that permission to make a collection be not granted. He remarked that though the practice had been permitted for some time, it was becoming a nuisance. Subsequently the Council decided, in view of the good work being done by t"he Society, to accede to the request. The Island of Niuafoou in the Tongan Group, is credited with having the only "tin can'* mail service 'in the world. I The island has a population of less than 100 natives, who are employed chiefly in the copra industry under the supervision of two Europeans. The mail for the island is usually taken by the Tofua, which is now employed in the Auckland and Western Facifio Island trade. The mails are put into a biscuit tin together with any bo&ks or papers by the passengers and crew. The tin is then sealed up and lashed to a pole and thrown overboard, being picked up and towed to the shore by a native, wno swims out to the vessel.- Such is the eagerness of those concerned to receive news from the outside world that the "postman" has usually left the shore so long that he reaches the steamer much further out than the spot to which it could safely be taken. After commenting on the progress made by the Bugle Band at St. Andrew's College, a writer in the "St. Andrew's Collegian" remarks: "A rival organisation is, however, coming to lignt. True to their Scottish blood, some members of the school have shown a partiality for that weird Scotch instrument—the , bagpipes. Should any visitor on Tuesdav or Friday nights think that he has stumbled on a tragedy, we hasten to assure him that it is not some-unfortunate boarder undergoing hideous torture, but.only the pipe band practising." A word of praise is given Mr James Erskiue, the instructor. At the Open Day at St. Andrew's College Cadets' camp, £l4 was oollected for tne purchase or instruments; this amount, with £8 from the camp funds, has been devoted to the purchase of a set of*pipes—the first to become the private of the band. A total of £l2O is required to start the band going. . . y The current' number of the "St. Andrew's Collegian," the magazine of St. Andrew's College, Christcliurch, fully maintains' the high standard ' set by previous issues. The latest issue covers activities of the college from the end of last year to the first term of the present year, and full are given of the scholastic doings as well I as the sports' side of the life of the [ college. It is remarked in one of the articles that the present term "marks a notable milestone in our corporate progress. Only eleven boys left at the end of 1820, and the newcomers numbered over sixty. The college roll has leaped from 119 to 192 in the course of a year." Of this 192 there are 61 boarders and 181 day boys. In addition to the reports' of scholastic and activities, the "St. Andrew's Collegian" contains a number of interesting articles, and is also illustrated by several views of the college and the grounds. Workmen employed on tho Government relief works at Him&tangi appear to be a very contented lot. In conversation with a local representative of the State Forestry Department, a "Manawatu Standard" reporter leamt that the men seemed to have settled down quietly to work. During the last month none of them left the job. On an average they are earning £8 per month —this after paying , for rations—so that a steady man may be expected to have a substantial amount .to his credit when the summer comes and the work is discontinued. Recently, tho bell tents, | which had :been borrowed from the Defence Department, were returned, and ndian pattern tents, such as were issued to the Rifle Brigade in England, erected in their stead. The camp is | now'more self-supporting than when firs# inaugurated, mutton being killed and preparod on the spot, and the camp cook making Ins own bread. This results in no mean saving to the men, as they are charged only for the actual cost of rations supplied. The work is now proceeding more satisfactorily, since those engaged have become familiar with the routine and method. A story illustrative of remarkable dexterity on the part of a pickpocket was told in the Criminal Sessions in Melbourne recently. One evening George Day, of Napier street, Fitzroy, got into conversation with a man whom he met casually in a' hotel near Spencer street station. He mentioned that his brother had lost both his legs at the war. Tnb stranger expressed sympathy, and Day, with a pass or two of his hands over the stranger's thigh, indicated that each limb nad been cut off "there and there." In this simple manipulation Day had cleverly gone through the stranger's trousers pockets, and abstracted a purse containing £l. Being found guilty, he was ordered four months' imprisonment by the Judge for larceny from the person. This recalls to mind (says the "Age") a story that Dante, a clever magician, who was accidentally killed some years ago by a companion whilst on a shooting expedition, used to tell privately of how, on the public platform, in face of a large audience, he was robbed of & valuaWe gold watch that had been given by his father. Preparatoiy to performing ono of his tricks was Dante's custom to invite some persons from the audi- ! enoe to walk on to the platform, and, j after passing their hapds over his clothes, to assure those present that he/ had nothing concealed about his attire that would asist him in performing the trick. One evening at wie c]pse of the performance Dante' found that one or the members of his committee, evidently a highly-qualified pickpocket, had got away witn his watch.

evident from the fact that arrange Messrs Tapper Brothers. One young man who wanted to see a tickets in the circle for each night. He il Lnvorl alone and tmrchased four for e"ck in the front stalls. When he came out he offered to people in the oueue 15 of the tickets for sale at £l—and sold the lot. His profit was one free ticket and £5 in hard cash. Eels! Eelsl Eels! They were in their thousands at the Maori pa at Waitara yesterday (says the "Taranaki News' of TueJay). hanging on lines drving and curing, frizzling against a 14ft long fire in the open, or smoking in the smoke room were of the lamprey rarietv, and, according to Dr ihe total weight amounted to four Thev were taken out of the , bed of the Waitara river. Bracken fern is thrown in, and the bl : nd eels become entangled and the skilful Maori throws them out in thousands. They are regarded as a great delicacy, especially when they have been exposed to the weather for a week or two. At a large gathering of landholders held in the Excelsior Hotel, Lyttelton, on Saturday, Mr R. Allen presiding, it wfis decided that a Rabbit Board be formed under the Rabbit Act. The Board's district will take m the whole of the Peninsula from Godley Heads lighthouse to the rabbit-proof fence at Motukarara. The Board will consist of eight members, and the following were appointed a Provisional Committee:—Messrs J. F. Scott.R. M. D. .Morten, W. J. Langdale, R. Allen, A. Chalmers, L S. Tftells, and T. Beadel. This committee will later comprise the Board when it is constituted, and the district stock inspector will be a member of the committee ex officio. A meeting of the committee will be held on Wednesday to arrange further details. So used is the public to having meat passed at the Government abattoirs by properly-qualified inspectors that very few meat eaters nowadays realise what they are missing, states the "Wanganui Herald.", One aspect of this wa's revealed during the hearing of an action in the S.M. Court concerning the feeding of pigs with uncooked animal matter. The abattoir inspector, Mr E. C. Howard, said that as many as 25 per cent, of the pigs which came into the abattoirs were diseased, and Buffering from tuberculosis, due to the manner of feeding. Pigs slaughtered on farms were not inspected when killed by the owners. The Slaughtering Act makes it compulsory that all meat fed to swine shall" be Soiled, so as to minimise the spread of tuberculosis and other diseases. The importance of this law cannot be over-estimated. A farmer who allowed nips to feed off _the carcase of a oow which had died in tho field was fined £2. If you suffer with Rheumatism you may as well save endless agony and considerable expense by taking Loasby's Rheumatic Pebbles at once. No other medicine clears the blood of ufio acid so quickly—always successful. 2s 6d a box, all chemists. Loasby and Co., Chemists (opp. Ballantyne's). 6 _ Buying what you require at less than you can get the same quality elsewhere is real bargain buying, but one must look around, examine the price tickets in the windows, _ then satisfy oneßelf that the quality is rights then buy at the cheapest store 1 From what we can see, there is only one Store in it for value, and, that's Armstrong's, whose strong position, big business, and all cash polioy, enables them to undersell ■ everyone, well, we welcome them, and oak everyone to inspect their windnws-6 The "Lady of the House" who de--1 lights in beautiful table appointments has', the opportunity at present of se- '. curing "life-long" silver-plate spoons ' amF forks from Hastie, Bull, and Pickering, Ltd., 113 Cashel. street. They are offered at the latest prices. H 5442-1232 Kof-Kof-Kof-Kof-Kofgo. Yes I Kofgo | makes the Cough go. One does relieves, one bottle cures. Sold by E. Cameron Smith, 93 Worcester street 58897-1061 Housewives of cheerful voice and sunny countenance are very plentiful throughout New Zealand now, thanks to Keep Smiling Pumioe Soap. Price sd: all grocers. J. Rattray and Son, Ltd., wholesale agents for "No Rubbing." 6042 Recent trade returns show that the British Motor Lorries dominate the New Zealand market in spite of being higher priced. The new price of the British 8-ton Maudslay makes it the host value in New Zealand to-day. Call and inspect. Ivorys Ltd., 21 Manchester Btreet, Christchurch. 15582-2137-2. Make sure that your rooms are artistic by securing your pictures from Gibbs' Art Depot, 105 Cashel street, and have ing them framed there. G5426 Pilkington'B motors run twice daily between Christchurch and Akaroa. d Gteat reductions in Tillage Implements and fittings. Best crucible steel mouldboards, SeHars and other patterns, each. Skeith blades lis 6d, standard pattern. D.F. Ploughs £33. Three-furrow riding plough £SB ss. The best and cheapest ploughs in the world. P. and D. Duncan, Ltd., Tuam street, Christchurch. P.O. Box 124. 7 Big reductions in Wringers, wood or iron frame, guaranteed one year, prices from 42a 6d. Drayton's Emporium, Colombo street (North). 83045

UP-TO-DATE LIGHT STUDEBAKEH TOURING CAR —£225. The cheapest Studebaker we have ever offered. A five-seater, quite up-to-date, in good running order, electric lights, selfUtoarter, good tyres, finished French grey, for £225. Enquire to-day. UP-TO-DATE LIGHT TOURING OAR —£200. This is a quite, modern Light Touring Car, 4-seater, with wire wheels, electric lights, and full road equipment. We offer it at £2OO to tempt a quick sale. Has had very light usage. HANDSOME OVERLAND ROADSTER—£3OO. This fine Model 90 Overland Roadster, beautifully finished in light blue, has run only a small mileage. Equipment includes electric lights and selr-starter. Offered for £3OO, but well worth £4OO. smart-looking" OVERLAND TOURING CAR FOR £250. This Overland car has been repainted carmine, and looks like new. It has full equipment, electric lights, etc.. and a good roomy body. Ideal for week-end tnps, and a bargain at £250. UP-TO-DATE STUDEBAKER ROADSTER —£375. This handsomely-finished and luxuri-ously-equipped Studebaker roadster (3seater), with beetle-backed body, has been used only by a member of the firm, and is in such splendid condition that we guarantee it as new. Price £375 for quick sale. Adams, Ltd. Showrooms, 152-154 High street; Garage, 219 Tuam street. 6 i 2-SPEED DOUGLAS £4O. Douglas motor bicycle—with lamp and horn £4O. Latest models—2| and 4 h.p. Douglas motor cycles, 3-speed-Icick ftarter and clutch now available .at reduced prices.—Saville's, near Theatre Rojal, Douglas agents.—Bßß3B-