GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17452, 12 May 1922, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

The Registrar of the Supreme Court will sit in Chambers to-day at 2.15 p.m. to settle the civil list. It is proposed that the first demonstration of community singing will' <e hold in the -Liberty Theatre on Wednesday next at 12.30 p.m. Our Grey-mouth correspondent telegraphs that it is understood that the opening of the Otira, tunnel will result in the building of a now and considerably larger station at Greymouth. Great changes will also take place at Elmer-Lane, to whicli plaice Uno locomotive workshops and other departments will bo transferred. Two pears, one 2Jlb in weight and the other 2ilb, made an interesting exhibit at the Woolston Horticultural Society's Show, held yesterday. They were grown by Mr P. Cook. Mr T. ItRadcliffe showed rather a novelty in the form of an alligator peai\ The plant, which is a native of Tahiti, seems to flourish and throw out extensive foliage, in pure water. A case relating to the groat importance of finger-print evidenco in sheeting home the crime to an offender was referred to in the Supremo Couit at Wellington by Mr Justice Reed. His Honour pointed out that the absolute reliability of such evidence had been accepted as a foregone conclusion by. practically every civilised country. His Honour spoke of the fact, so well established, that not only were a person's finger-prints peculiar to that person, but a similar infallibility existed- as to the .prints taken from any part of the human body. In this particular case, continued his Honour—against Mervyn John Cudby—finger-prints had 'been discovered on glass; which was probably the most fatal- medium upon which a criminal could place his fingers, so retentive was it of prints from which excellent photographs oould so easily be taken.

It is common knowledge that a charge of burglary is more serious than one of brtpaki'ng and /entering, but what is the difference? The burglar works at night, the man who breaks and enters by day, night : being defined for the purpose,of the distinction as from 9 p-m. to 0 a.m. A definition of breaking and entering (by way of a door) was given by Mr Justice Reed at Wellington this week during the progress of a criminal case. If a door was shut tight, whether it was locked or latched or not, a person who opened that door arid entered without lawful right to do/so would be guilty of breaking and entering, whereas if a person found a door open and walked in, or found a door partially open and opened it wider before entering, he would not be guilty of breaking and entering. A charge of theft, of course, would lie •should that person remove anything from the premises.

"In the whole of the islands of Polynesia and Melanesia, including New Guinea, there- are only one and a half million natives," said Dr. Guy Scholefield, lecturing at the Wellington Community Club this week. "They could cr.rry ten or even twenty millions. In Australia the population, is only 1.6 to the t-quare mile. Yet close at hand, in the island of Java, is a vigorous Asiatic population of thirtyeight millions—as many people as there are in France. India has 300 millions, China probably 400 millions, Japan 50 millions. This teeming mass of people, hard-working, patient, intelligent, could pass by mere boat passages from their own densely crowded lands to these fertile islands of the East Indies, which it is estimated could carry 500 millions. , The only thing that has kept them back has been the insufficiency of leaders and of means to develop them."' "They play games with great vigour," said* Dr. Guy H. Scholejield, in referring to the Polynesian race, in the course of a lecture oerore the Wellington Community Club on "Problems of the Pacific." "Cricket became so popular in Samoa once that it had to bo forbidden by law except .on one or two days of the week. Whole villages and tribes would travel from place, to place pluying matches, in which lG{Ca-side took part, and -which lasted for weeks on end, so that the plantations were neglected anj the food supply ran short. It was just like the Maori going to a tangi. When it was over cvervbodv was "stony broke." It is only by working that the Polynesian race can save itself from complete extinction. But the question is how to get them to work. When the Germans left Samoa, and the plantations began to £et infested with rhinoceros beetle, whbh threatened to destroy them altogether, the N-'.'w Zealand authorities set iri picture palaces, and, instead of charging for admission in money, they charged so many beetles for an adult and so many for a child. The result was very satisfactory for a while, but gradually the interest in the pictures wore off." "Hard work is unknown," says a Civil servant who has returned to Wellington after eleven months in Samoa"Do not imagine for a moment that the Samoans or the Chinese are bowed down with hard labour from early morning till lat-? evening. The Sanioan never works unless he, wants .money. He practically spends his time in eating and drinking. . ■ . The Chinaman does as much work in a week as a white man would do in a forenoon. The half-caste, on the other hand, is a fairly good worker. You may take >t as a maxim that the greater proportion of white blood the greater the volume of work and industry. The Sanioan lias an economic theory that one often hears expounded by white workers. For instancy, the price of copra fell from £35 to £25 per ton. That was enough for him. He will cut no more coconuts till the price is at the former level. The Sanioan attends church ns often as fivo times a day, not so much because he is being Christianised, but because there is no work attached to it. But they honestly like being under the rule of New Zealand, and on that point- their Celestial friends are in agreement."

"We never think of building a house in America without heating every room," said Mr H. W. Tieihann, the ■ United States timber expert, in the course'of a lecture last night, "and it seems strange to come to a country where the winter is "not so cold, but which seems colder on accoupt of the lack of Tieating in the houses."" The Prime Minister has informed the Mayor that he will be willing to receive a deputation»from the City Council during the short stay he proposes to make m Christchurch on his return from Dune din. The City Couucil intend to ask that authority be given to set off bank credits on special loa!» accounts against the overdraft on the general account. As the law stands i.t present this cannot be done. Counsel was cross-examining a defendant in a judgment summons case at the Magistrate's Court yesterday | and was enquiring into the teiuperiUeness of his habits. Defendant said that he had about two drinks a day. [ "Do you ever have any more than that?" asked counsel. "Yes," came j the reply, "I had six with you, about J a year ago, at the Clarendon." Counsel sat down rather discomfited, while general laughter prevailed. The many friends in New Zealand of the late Sir Ernest Siiackleton read I with keen regret the statement published recently that Lauy Shackleton was left penniless owing to Sir Ernest having put his all into the Quest expedition. The news came from Ne-v York and was published by the ''Weekly Press" beneath a portrait of Lady Shackleton. We now learn that an intimate friend of Sir Ernest's, distressed by the news, cabled Home from Wellington, making enquiries, and was relieved to get a reply that the report was unfounded. A curious idea of magnanimity was expressed by a- witness in a criminal onso at the Supremo Court yesterday. Under cross-examination, witness said that 'ho had resumed his friendship with a oortam man two years ago, _ because he (witness)' was sorry for him, and had got him some clothed. Ho lmd not given the other Ina.ll tho clothes, nor had he paid for them, but had arranged for a tailor to supply him with a suit. "W'ho paid the tailor?'' asked counsel. "No one. Ho hasn't bee.i paid yet," replied witness. A point of considerable interest to solicitors, tenants, and landlords was mentioned by Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., during the hearing of a case in the Magistrate's Court yesterday. It has been customary to regard the seven clear days necessary in giving notice to quit as dating l'rom any day on which the notice is given. Mr Widdowson stated that tlie notice must be given so as to fall on the day on which payment of rent is duo. Thus, if Thursday is rent day and notico is given on the next day, Friday, it does not become effeotivo for thirteen days. During the hearing of a criminal case at the Supreme Court yesterday, Mr M. J. Gresson questioned a Crown witness regarding a crime for which | lie was then serving a term of five years' imprisonment. Counsel asked witness whether he had since attempted to inculpate others in oonnexion wit)h the crime. The Crown Pixwecutor (Mr i A. T. Donnelly) objected to the crossexamination, and was upheld by his Honour Mr Justice Chapman. _ .Mr Gresson attempted to explain his objective in asking the questions, but he was interrupted by his Honour, who said that he remembered the case perfectly, for he had, when in the Nortii Island, sentenced the. witness to a. term of five years' imprisonment himself. The nights are getting colder, there is a dampness in the air, everything is ripe for, the contracting of a winter cough that will plague you for months. Don't allow even a slignt cough or cold to make any headway, but nip it in the bud by ■ taking ''Stop It." the most successful cough and coid etire. Sold by all chemists and stores, Is 9d and 3s a Loasby and Co., chemists (opp. Ballantyne's). 6 Aspmwall. the Prince of Diggers, is ready to help and save money tor potato growers. Digs at one-tenth the cost of hand labour. Prices reduced. Ivory'o Ltd., 21 Manchester street. —6 Pilkington's motors, run twice daily between Christchurch and Akaroa. 6 We are specialists and when we say that we mean we are not general drapers, but we sell only Men's and Boys' apparel. This has been so, for nearly 50 years.. We therefore maintain that we are in the best position to give value to the public. This week we are advertising special lines in Men's Overcoats and Underwear. Call at the N.Z. Clothing Factory and purchase your requirements for the colder weather. —5 Abraham Lincoln will always be lovingly remembered for abolishing negro slavery; likewise Christchurch commercial travellers for their part in abolishing Washboard Slavery with "NoRubbing" Laundry Help. 13. To-day will be bargain Friday at Armstrongs' and their two hur-e shops will be showing exceptional bargain lines in all departments. We would draw the attention of our readers to tho long lists of bargains advertised by Armstrong's on page o of this issue. Tnis progressive firm are always keen on value giving, and their bargain Friday specials have been priced so low, as to compel tho attention all keen shoppers. ADAMS, LTD'S, ANNUAL STOCKTAKING SALE OF USED MOTORS. ■ Stock-taking time finds Adams, Ltd.. with very few used cars on their hands this year, because the firm has met the market" by offering particularly good value. However, there are a few cars left over, and rather than carry them on the stock-sheets into another financial year, they are being, offered at prices which make a quick sale a certainty. SMART-LOOKING BRISCOE ROADSTER, REDUCED FROM £275 TO £250. Particularly uatty and attractive is. this 3-seater (clover-leaf) Briscoe Roadster. It is of recent model, has run less than 8000 miles, and is equipped witty electric lights and self-starter. The finish is French grey, and a spare rim and tyre are included in tho equipment. £275 was allowed on this tsar, but we offer it, to ensure clearance, at £250. . STYLISH "OAKLAND SIX" ROADSTER, REDUCED FROM £325 TO ' £275. This car is nicely finished in Oaklnnd green, and is a recent model, equipped with electric lights, self-starter, spare rim and tvre, etc. Especially suitable for commercial traveller. At £275 this handy six-cylinder car is absolutely wonderful value. MODEL 90 OVERLAND TOURING CAR, REDUCED FROM £350 TO £3OO. Finished in dove-grey, and luxuriously equipped, with electric lights, selfstaiter, spare rim and tyre, ■side windshields. upholstery covers, etc., this car. of the most popular typo ever turned out bv the makers, is a particularly sound investment. It is one of the most carefully-used cars we have ever offered, and at £3OO it is sure to sell quickly. Adams, Ltd.: Showrooms, 152-154 High street; Garage, 219 Tuani street.