GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17343, 3 January 1922, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

Cancer continues to stand high among causes of death m New Zealand. In November, according to the Government Statistician, it accounted for fifty deaths, out of a total number of 40/ in the urban areas. "An unfortunate habit has grown'up among eei.ool teachers of collecting foi'mer examination papers and getting their pupils used to answering certain types of questions," said Mr G. M. Henderson, inspector of native schools, at the Native School Teaoners' Uonlerence in Auckland. Tiiis was a most porliicious liiabit of education, lie added, and it w<as in the high schools that the effect of examinations was most visible. After behaving itself in an exemplary manner for quite a. long period, the> Post Office clock on Frid-ay evening developed a. "go-slow" policy, the actual time being about one hour in advance of what the clock's dialß showed. On Saturday evening it definitely went "on strike" by refusing to strike. Its hands pointed to (j.a'6 all Saturday evening, and those staunch believers in "seeing the old year out and the new year in" by congregating in Callhedral square, did nob have the experience of listening to the dying year being tolled out from the Post Office clock. According to the District Inspector of Factories, Mr F. "Wilson, "Waikato has suffered less from unemployment than any other portion of the Dominion. Enquiries for .work, he says, have been remarkably few st the local Labour Bureau, and what applicants there have been have for the most part been outsiders looking for employment in the district. The class of employment sought was mostly general labouring, and the number of skilled farm hands who had applied was very few indeed. The bureau had been little troubled by artisans, though there had been an occasional visit from engineers, in which line work everywhere appears to be slack. Sound advice to New Zealanders riven by Mr William MoMaster, president of a large manufacturing concern in Montreal, when speaking to a "Press" reporter on Saturday night. He, with Mr J. Davidson, who is president of an enamelwaro manufacturing company in Montreal, are spending a month's pleasure trip in New Zealand, and it was obvious from their remarks iJliat they are also keenly noting how this Dominion is faring politically, economically, and industrially. Mr Mc•Master remarked: "As far as I can see, you have a wonderful country, but with the great prosperitv you have enjoyed vou seem to have "become extravagant in work and in other ways of life. You cannot expect to live cheaply if you lave high pay and short working (hours. A lien your factories are closed down from December 24th to January 4th, that is an awful wasto of time. In Canada tho manufacturers are not vgainst unionism, but they will not have ;ho 'closed slhop,' and every worker anxious to get on is allowed every opportunity to do so."

For the nine months ended September 30th last, the Government Statistician reports the approximate loss of wages due to 53 indu-trial disturbances was £'(>8.202. The disturbances nflected 8002 workers, and lasted in all 4Gu davs.

"What is deemed to be fire-blignt has made its appearance in the Pa tea district, says tne ''Press." Apple and pear trees have in some cases had large boughs completely burnt trn. At ni\st this was thought to be diu'to the salt spray, but it is now considered to be tfie much-dreaded fire-oHght. The Agricultural Department has been communicated with, and its pronouncement will be received shortly.

Consequent upon the city shops holding the late night 011 Friday, the business places in New Brighten had a very busy time on Saturday, tho business portion of the town being crowded with visitors. There was almost a total absence of the cracker nuisance, and the old vear closed without mishap. Yerv big crowds visited the beach on Sunday and yesterday, and at times tho surf was literally alive with bathers. The motor service, to Pleasant Point took many hundreds to that popular picnicking ground. On Sundav the Salvation Army's Silver Band visited tlie town, and played at different points. , Audible merriment is not much in order at champion chess contests, but quito a ripple of laughter was evoked on Thursday evening by one of the Wellington representatives, a genial, deaf, and all but dumb competitor, at the conclusion of the game he won from Mr J. E. Stevens (says the Auckland "Herald"). "Beat my schoolmaster 1" he wrote on a slip of paper, which lie passed to some onlookers, with the result that the stern umpire intervened to repress the consequent hilarity, Mr Stevens is tho well-known master of the Sumner Deaf and 'Dumb Institute, Christchureh, and his elated victor is an old pupil thereof.

Many of the spectators who attended the Tennis Tournament at the United courts, Haglcy Park, last week came in motor-care;, wlineli, in the absence ot any adequate parking-place, were lelt standing by the side ol the narrow roadway leading from the Park road to tho courts. The work of getting the ears out again at the close of the day was on© of extreme difficulty, owing to tho narrow space available for manoeuvring and turning. Close by the cntraiico gato a number of bicycles were stacked, and 011 Thursday a machine belonging to Ardhdeacon Haggitt was badly crumpled up, presumably by a motorcar engaged in tho process of turning at the spot. Christ-cluirch allowed the dying_ year to pass quietly into the pant. Nearly all of the slhops were closed on Saturday night, and the thousands of people who perambulated the main streets did so merely to pass time on a .fine summer's night- There was no congestion until about midnight, when a fairly large crowd assembled in the Square. Groups of bandsmen played in different parts of the streets, and the skirl ot bagpipes could bo heard in the late hours. The crowd was good-natured, and there was a marked diminishmeiit in the ohiectionable explosions of loud bombs and detonators. The Now was ushered in by the chiming of bells, cheering, and demonstrations among youths of good-fellowship, and the letting off of crackers and a> few detonators, but these things did not last long, and within an hour the Square presented almost as quiet an appearance as it generally does at 1 a.m. "The native school teacher is one of the most useful of the many agents seeking to uplift the Maori race—the finest primitive race in tho world today" said tli© Rev. A. J. Seamer, superintendent of Maori missions for the Methodist Church, in the course of an address before the Native School Teachers' Association's conference, at Auckland. "In lonely situations, and amid an environment that tests the strength and elasticity of a man's mind, the native school teachers are to-day fashioning the characters of the rising generation. 1 ' The natiye school teachers, he said, were consciously or unconsciously stamping on the Maori mind tho high ethica l and sociaf ideals which the teachers themselves had received, directly or through inheritance, from the Christian religion. As for the native school teacher's wife—in hor patience and fortitude she commanded his highest admiration. Why New Zealand, rich, in coalfields and having great poss bilities for hydroelectricity, is so expensive in running power for factories and other places of industry is a question which puzzles Mr \V. McMaster. a large Canadian manufacturer. "Why is your coal so uearP" lie asked a "Press" reporter on Saturday. He said that the Dominion (Canada) Onal Company sent coal by boat to Montreal for 1000 miles, and in that city its cost was only 25s a ton. 'flu's coal was bituminous, and, while not as good as West port, was quite suitable for the furnaces. Mr McMaster, speaking with regard to Ihydro-eleetrie power, said ho had not seen anywhere in Europe or America ,a country with such potentialities, and ho was surprised that Now Zealand had not gone further in harnessing' its water power, which, was now running to waste. The currant from the Canadian electric works on tho Niagara was carried to towns and farms up to 200 miles away. While expressing surpriso that New Zealand exports so much raw material, such aa wool, skins, and hides, instead of having it manufactured locally, two large Canadian manufacturers now visiting New Zealand, said in the course of an interview with a "Press" representative on Saturday night that it would bo unwise to institute a. higUi protective tariff. In Canada the manufacturers did not want such a tariff, and the industries did quite well without it. If wages and other items in the cost of production were so high that the New Zealand factories cou.d not compete with foreign trade tlhe "fencing in" of those industries by a high protective tariff would not help the country to go forward. "You are going to have a dear country if you have a. scientific tariff ba.-ed on the high cost of labour and production. If Labour here is reasonable in comparison witth other countries, you have great potentialities for your industries," remarked one of the Canadians, who also said that lie had noted that the recent New Zealand tariff was mostly for revenue purposes, and not for protection. He considered New Zealand was acting very generously in according preferential treatment to the British Empire. Shortly after the chimes at midnight on Saturday had announced the end of the old year and the birth of the new, habitues of the Grand Hotel who were celebrating the advent of 1922 were startled l>y a loud crash, as of rending timbers (telegraphs our Auckland correspondent). The kerb outside * as lined with motor-cars, and one of them had suddenly started on a career of destruction downhill. Crossing Princess street at an angle ( it mounted the footpath, and collided with an old building qn the corner used as a Chinese laundry. It smashed the Chinaman's window, disfigured his doorway, partly wrecked the verandah, and then took a trip across the street. It dashed through a fence and fell 12ft or so into the reserve below, completely shattering a garden seat in its fall. Fortunately the car had a clear run, and the seat was empty at the time. The motor, strange to say, suffered but little damage. Hie Chinese occupier of the damaged premises apparently slept throughout the crash., for it was not until early on Sunday morning that he became aware of the state of his premises. "Velly stlong wind last night, eh?" he queried of a few early spectators, adding, "I no hear." The glint in his eye when he learned that the fcavoc was not due altogether to an act of God indicated that he was busy with the thought that the smash was after all not quito so irremediable as it might have been.

"Maori children are hoing asked to compote with pakena children, who are trained in the mother tongue," said Mi' C. T- McFarlane, president of the conference of ii'.io Native School Teachers Association held at Auckland. He complained of the complexity of marry ot the examination questions put ehfrtren. "I have no he&itatnon m saying that the teachers themselves have frequently to look at these questions twice—and Then again. I say it is grossly unfair, and puts native school teachers under a gieat handicap. That manv of the young soldierfarmors are" as resourceful as _ their fathers and grandfathers were m the earlier davs of tiho Dominion's history is shown bv the fact that in ono district far removed from the city a party of voting settlers, finding money ratlier scarce for the Christmas time, were struck on the idea of pooling all tlio surplus vegetables on their farms ana send!nthem to the city, states ti.io Auckland "Star." There they struck a. high market, and were enabled' fit the minimum of expense to get the wherewithal to buy a few extra luxuries lor the festive season and have a good tunc beneath the cool shades of the fern trees whi-h grew around their primitive homesteads.

Welwvn Garden City, tho new English ideal town, has now a population of 800, after 15 months' work. All round the town, which, when fully grown, will house 50.000 people, is an agricultural belt which is to Ik? worked upon "guild" principles. About 500 acres aro to bo farmed at first, and there aro 300 acres available, which Mr Honrv Henshaw, the Director of Agriculture. expects to occupy. A liostol for agricultural workers is being built by a Guild of Builders. The specialty of the farm will be grade "A," certified milk produce. All surplus profits will l>e used to extend the industry. A general store, with IS departments, has been opened, so that (supplies can ho bought locally. Electricity, gas, and water supplies aro in going order. All the amusements, such as cinemas _ and threatres, are to be on municipal lines. The educational trust is at work making plans for tho first school, which are to be built on the most modern lines. The Christchureh Fire Brigade was kept busy during the week-end. _ No fewer than eleven calls were received betweefi 3 p.m. on Saturday and 2.17 p.m. yesterday. The details were as follows:—3.s p.m.. Saturday afternoon, grass fire in North Hagley Park, near Carlton bridge; 0.23 a.m., Sunday, malicious false alarm at corner of Colombo and Chester streets; 1.22 a.m., fireworks alight in the window "of a Chinese shop in Madras street, put out before much damage done; 1.34 a.m., rubbish fire in gravol pit in Strickland street, Spreydon; 1.47 a.m., malicious false alarm at the corner of Barbadoes and Armagh streets; 1.54 a.m., malicious false alarm at the corner of Fitzgerajd avenue and "Winsor terrace; 11.5 a.m., small firo in rear of Royal Hotel; 1.32 p.m., Sunday afternoon, small fire amongst packing cases in rear of Generul Post Office; 5.27 p m., grass fire in Byron street, Sydenham; 9.33 p.m., rubbish fire in Strickland street: and 2.17 p.m. yesterday, grass fire in a vacant section in Madras street. New Year's Gifts. —A lady's Present? "What better can you select than some choice Perfumery or high-grade Toilet Brushware? And the finest selection of these is at Loasby and Co.. chemists, opposite Ballantyno's. Loasby and Co. cany ono of tho largest selections of Perfumes, Powders, etc., in the Dominion. 6 NEAV YEAR GFITS. Notwithstanding an excellent Christmas demand upon their stocks, Messrs Ilastie, Bull, and Pickering aro able to offer a very choice assortment of New Year and Wedding Gifts. Late goods just opened. HSSO7-1397 Spare parts for all Albion and Johnston Harvesting and Hay-making Machinery. Depot open mornings only Christmas week. Irorys Ltd., 21 Manchester street. 7 A wide. choice of gifts for ladies awaits you at E. Cameron Smith's shop, 96 Worcester street. They include exquisite Perfumes and many other specialties of the Toilet-maker's art. 6 "NO-RUBBING" Laundry Help always conveys a happy message to tho wilo: "Less work, better laundering, more leisure" Is everywhere. 10 To-dny's news is for tho super-busy folk—was you list so long that you forgot to writo somebody's mime in it? Or did you mean to buy a Christmas gift but just put it off, and put it off, and then found you hadn't time to make your purchase after all? Maybe you hadn't quite decided what you would really buy —perhaps jou haven't exactly it is to be yet. Here are a Jew suggestions to help you conclude. For a lady—handkerchiefs, gloves, silk hose, bag, perfume in case, blouse length, sill jumper or blouso, fur coat or necklet. Men folk —ties, brace 3, silk half-hose, silk handkerchiefs, silk shirts, leather collar boxes, leather suit-cases—-any any of these will be appreciated, although they can be purchased at surprisingly low cost at Armstrong's Ltd., Colombo and High streets. —9 Pillungton's motors run twice daily between Christchureh and Akaroa. 6 Repairs to traction engines, boilers and combiner, in town or country. New engine cranks to fit any engine. Brasses, gear wheels, pistons, piston rings and wheel plates, cylinders bored, new main axles. New shaker and shoe cranks, new drums, drum spindles and ring oiler bjariirgs. Saunders concaves, straw elevators, suction dressers, etc., etc. P. and D. Duncan, Ltd., Tuam street, Christchureh. —9 Our men understand the necessity foi care, and "safety first" is our rule in regard to your property. For moving, storage, or distribution, como to ub first. J. M. Heywood and Co. Ltd. *14943

BUY A MOTOR-CAR AND LEARN TO DRIVE IN THE XMAS HOLIDAYS. Adams, Ltd., announce further reductions to-day in the prices of used cars! Buy a car and learn to drive during the Xrnas holidays. Free tuition in driving is given to any purchaser requiring same. FURTHER INDUCTIONS IN PKICES. Here are brief details of twelve cars taken from our list. -Note the wonderful value offered:— Ford, 5-seater, electric lamps, good tyres. Reduced to £l3a. Overland (Model '/oj, 3-3 eater, looks like new; e.l. and s.s., good tyres. Reduced to £260. Humber (.iuiglish), 10 h.p., 6-seater, electric lights and bankey wheels; looks like new. Reduced to £450. B.S.A. (Englisn), 5-seater, with Silent Knight Daimler engine; electric light and self-startor; just repainted styiish shade. Reduced to £225. Overland flight model), 5-seater", e.l. and s.s.; smart appearance. Reduced to £225. Studebaker (1916 model), 6-seater, e.l. and s.s., good tyres, finished in grey. Reduced to £260. Chevrolet, 5-seater, 0.1. and s.s., in splendid running order and just repainted ; detachable rims. Reduced to £250. btudebaker, 3-seater, e.l. and s s., stylishly finished in cream. Reduced to £250. Clement-Bayard (French), 3-seater, beautifully finished in cream; full equipment. Reduced to £225. Ford —o-eeater, electric lights and self-starter; practically new; finished green. Reduced to £250. Adams, Ltd., Sno-.vrooms, 152-154 High street; Garage, 219 Tuam street. 6