GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17707, 8 March 1923, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

An Auckland telegram states that the boy, Frank Jtfett, wlio had been missing since the Takapuna Orphanage tire, is now reported to bo sate.

Byam Fetors, upholsterer, of 161 Fitzgerald avenue, lias tiled a petition in bankruptcy. A meeting ot creditors will be held ou March 16th, at ll o'clock.

No trace has been found of the youth Bashley, assistant purser of the ferry steamer Wahine, who disappeared on Saturday afternoon. Kaehley was last seen at about 3.15 p.m. near the railway crossing by an engineer of the Wahine. Yesterday search parties, comprised of police, officers, crew and stewards of the Maori, searched the foreshore and hills without result.

The spectacle of a meeting being con ducted with nobody present was to be seen at the City Council Chamber hail yesterday |at noon. A special meeting of the Council was called for that tim'i to discharge the formal duty of passing the annual accounts, but according to a previous understanding none of the Councillors was in attendance. The Town Clerk was present, as was his duty, and he, by the unanmous vote ot those who were not there, adjourned the special meeting until Monday night, when the Council assembles to transact the usual fortnightly business. A telegram from Wellington states that the sequel to the impounding of the Wellington Watorside Workers' Band instruments by a bailiff is the secession of the band from the Watersidcrs' Union. A new band will be formed, and the Harbour Board will bo asked to allow it to call itself the Wellington Harbour Board Brass Band, following the precedent of the Geelong Harbour Trust Band. The incident at Dunedin was not the result, it is claimed, of anything the band had done, and through it they have lost instruments, music, and uniforms. But as the band has met with some success,- the members want to keep it alive, and will now start a campaign to raise £IOOO for equipment. Mr Dtow has been chosen as conductor.

"Some Tendencies of Modern Drama" was the title of a lecture delivered by Professor J. Shelley last evening at the first meeting of the Canterbury College Drama Society. There was a good attendance of members. Professor Shelley dealt with various tendencies which had 'been noticeable in drama since the end of the last century. Realism, he said ; was giving way to symbolism and the psychology of the individual. He also touched on the relation of picture houses to the stage and showed" how the picture theatre had the effect of making 6cenery almost unnecessary.

Unless adequate protective measures are immediately taken Australia's mammals may soon be extinct as the moa (writes our Sydney correspondent;. This mournful prediction has been made by Mr Ie Souei, a noted naturalist, who is a curator of the Sydney Zoo. Many of the smaller marsupials, he claims, are even now practically extinct, and if something is not done, will be absolutely so within the next ten years. It is explained that one of the principal reasons for the disappearance of many of our unique species of animals is due to the ravages of four-footed invaders from overseas, notably the fox, the rabbit and the rat. As a result of Mr le Souef's grave warning it is possible that steps will be taken to establish properly patrolled sanctuaries for the Australian animals, preferably on islands, where there would be a chance of the fauna being preserved for posterity.

The All-India Parliament at Delhi was visited by the Rev. J. J. North and Mr T. E. Toneycliffe (an old Christchurch man) last January. The Parliament is housed in a temporary building standing beneath the famous "Ridge." The Parliament House in New Delhi is some years from completion. They were introduced into the House by the Hon. Mr Sastri, who retains the pleasantcst memories of his New Zealand visit. They noticed a very Oriental colouring about the Assembly. The Sergeant-at-Arms is a Sikh Resaldar f.ovcred with medals. The attendants arc a blaze of scarlet and gold, and wear ivory-handled scimitars. "Mr Spcakc" is a vctv impressive Englishman, who seems to enjoy great popularity. The benches are filled' with the representatives of the "hundred nations." Their colour is very varied, and all save the very Europeaniaed wear striking headgear. A very stately and able group of Britishers represent the Government in this youngest of our Parliaments. On the day of 'his visit they were maintaining a tough fight for a certain secrecy in police method, which they admitted was un-British, but which Indian conditions seem (o require. The Indian members were maintaining a fight which promised to last for weeks. The non-co-operators have split. Ghandi is still in gaol. A Mr Das has led off a section of them in an attempt to capture the seats in the House, and to block all business in -the old Irish way. Indian politics, tlio visitors concluded, are quite.live wires.

The Fire Brigade received a call early yesterday morning to 48 Dyers Pass road, Cashmere, the residence ot Mr W. R. Carey. Trees and wood in close proximity to the house were on lire, and these were quickly extinguished. About two cords of wood were destroyed. Commissioner and Mrs Booth-Tucker will conduct a week-end of salvation in Christcmirch on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday night in the Citadel a lecture wili "do given on "1 he Army of the Helping Hand," the chair being occupied by the Mayor- (Dt. Thacker). Services will also be held on Sunday morning and evening. The Superintendent of the Fire Brigade has received a cheque jor live guineas from Messrs Skelton, Frostick and Co. for the Brigade's Recreation Fund. The cheque has been sent in acknowledgment of the brigade's services at the recent are in the company's premises.

It was pleaded yesterday in extenuation of the offence of a young law clerk who was found on licensed premises' after hours, that he had passed in all except one subject of his law examinations. "Has he not passed in the Licensing Act?" asked the Magistrate. "That is not in the curriculum," said counsel for the defence, "it is a post graduate course!" In summing up tho case, his Worship Baid that although the offender was very young, he was nearly qualified to advise others on the laws of the country. Therefore no difference would be made in the penalty. Defendant would be lined 20s and costs.

A proud resident of Pukekohe afc the show gathering emphasised (relates an exchange) that the chief wealth of tho town was its great potatoes, onions, and other vegetables, and he did not see why these cattle enthusiasts, with their "Jerseys, Shorthorns,. 'Black-aaid-White,' and dehorned Angus, and 1 other flash cattle, should get such a fuss made of them when they cannot spare time to go through the hall to see homo industries and produce. They littte realise, perhaps," he added, "that Ave grow parsnips six feet long, potatoes that you have to cut in half before they can be bagged, and mangolds that have to be handled by crane. (Roars of laughter.) Yes, and let these cattle kings know that we grow- potatoes and onions for which we will take on «vny part of New Zealand."

The Minister of Public Works was "waited on" in an unusual way at To Aroha. A woman, after %eing introduced to the Hon. J. G. Coates, during his visit to Te Aroha last week, said she was sorry he did not fall through the decking of the local traffic bridge when driving over it that day, adding that no doubt such an accident would result in his officially condemning the structure, so that the Borough Council could compel the County ratepayers to contribute to the cost of erecting a new ferro-concrete bridge. The present wooden structure, states the "New Zealand Herald," is badly worn, and is inadequate for the increased traffic, but the County ratepayers have twice rejected loan proposals, and the Public Works Department declines to condemn the structure, as it maintains much of the timber is in good condition.

At its last meeting, the Eyre County Council was discussing a proposed new by-law limiting speed on the main road through Ohoka, when attention was drawn to the legal phraseology that "words importing the mascular gender include females." It was stated by one member that this form of word was more seemly than those once used in a draft form of regulations that came beforu a certain religious body for adoption. In this draft the same idea was convoyed in the words, "the masculine ge.nder shall embrace the female." After the laughter had subsided the narrator of the anecdote said that evidently lay minds did not see a joke as keenly as clerical ones did, for their laughtor was mild compared to the Homerie peals with which this idea had been greeted by Ins clerical friends gathered in Council. The fact that the number of fatal accidents in the streets of byduey anu its suburos last year exceeded those or the previous year by 06 per cent, is giving rise to some speculation as "0 what the conditions will be like ten years hence (writes our own correspondent). The iact of the matter is that Sydney, with its narrow, crooked streets aud haphazard lay-out, is suffering from growing pains. One essential course ot treatment is more strictly regulated pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The traffic regulations for vehicles have been added to and amended from time to time, but they are not yet sufficiently up-to-date, whilo the only alteration in the regulations governing passenger traffic that has beeu made during recent years to make people keep to the left instead of the right—an amendment which is more often violated than not. But the authorities are very confident that both the Norh Shore bridge and the city railway will be completed within ten years, and by that time also there is an excellent prospect of the doctrine of "Safety First" being thoroughly instilled into pedestrians and the drivers of .vehicles. Prime Ministers doubtless have some amusing experiences, but 'one that occurred to Mr Massey at Te Aroha is probably unique. The Ministerial party was waiting on ' the platform for the, outward train by whicu the' Prime Minister intended- to return home after a clay at the races, where ho had acted as patron for the Te Aroha Jockey Club out of respect to the memory of hie colleague, the late Sir William Hemes, who had been the club's patron for 21 years. Just before the train arrived ■ two' typical specimens ot the genus stable lad stepped forward and- one with outstretched hand and ploased smile said : "Hullo, Mr Massey. My word, I'm pleased to see you looking so well. How are you?" The head of his Majesty's Government, withjiis accustomed geniality shook hands heartily with No. 1 and then turned to extend the same courtesy to No. 2, whereupon the latter, with something of disappointment showing on his face ejaculated "Blime, me cdiber just bet me a quid he was game to g° ur> and shalce hands with you, and now I've lost a quid. I suppose I'll have to pay." Mr Massey wa6 quick to realise the joke, and when the laughter of the party had subsided he advised No. 2 to pay up, as his "cobber" had been too clever for him. The special meeting of the Christchurch Drainage Board, which was held on Monday night in committee to consider the question of the methods to be adopted for levelling a further area of sand hills at the sewerage farm to provide additional paddocks at the proper level for treating the raw sewage pumped up from the city came to no definite conclusion. The practice in the past has been to effect the levelling work by horse teams and scoops either by contract or day labour,' but a proposition was recently submitted to the Board for the purchase of a mechanical plant—tractors and scoops—wherewith to do the work, the claim being that a very material saving in cost would be effected. A trial was made with one particular type of apparatus, which, as far as it went, certainly indicated that a saving could be made. Other makes of machinery were also suggested. The Board as a matter of prudence decided to test the matter by hard facts and to call for tenders for formng the paddocks and oonstructng the drains and carriers required and at the same time to call for tender for the supplv of machinery suited [tt the work. 'The machinery offered will be subject to prooer test, and when all the data is available the Board will be in a position to determine -with some degree of accuracy which method will'entail less expense to the rateoayers.

The following nominations have been received for representatives on the Christchurch Tramway Appeal Board: —Emplovers: James Arthur Frostiek, emplovees, Samuel Francis Scott. An" old landmark in Christchurdi, the wooden building at the corner of Oxford torraco and Armagh street, is rapidly being demohshed. The building has stood for well ore4o years. It was built by Mr C .1. Bann, and used as billiard rooms for a considerable time. The site w.U be devoted to the Metropolitan 1™""* Club's new offices, which should be finished by November. A complicated law suit involving the circumstances of a deal in land had been occupying the attention of the Supreme Court for three days. Counsel for the plaintiff was explaining that thero had been only one previous action between the parties to the case. His Honour: "I trust they don't have them more than once a rear." Judging by the tired smile which nickered upon the laces of the jurymen and Court officials, it was hoped that the parties would have no more actions at all. A demonstration of a wonderful invention, in the shape of a direction indicator for motor vehicles, was given in the Square on Monday (says the. Palmerston North 'Times"). The system, which is surprisingly simple, though remarkably effective and useful, consists of- arms, which are controlled by a number of push buttons, and in a" flash, give most explicit and easily discernible instructions to the approaching motorist from any angle, as to the intentions of the driver of the car fitted with the patent. Corns —little rebellions of the feet against past shoe indiscretions —sometimes quiet—sometimes very active in disturbing one's peace of mind —but there's no need to suffer —Loasby and Co.'s new extra strong Corn Cure will quickly and painlessly remove them. Is 6d a bottle at Loasby's, opposite Ballantyne'e. 6 The elusive charm-of personality is expressed in such subtle ways as in the fastidious choice of an exquisite perfume. We've just received a new shipment of Houbigant perfumes and powders which now await your selection. These new perfumes surpass in fragrance any we've yet received from France. D. Ferguson Glanville, Chemist, High street. ■ GG154—0804

When you have to moT.<, give the work to J. M. Heywood and Co., LW. They will send you careful and reliable men, used to handling Furniture. Telephones 250, 259, 1241. H 5720-6532 Millions of packets of "No-Rub-bing." Laundry Help sold to Grocers last year. Truly nothing succeeds like success. 12 MODERN MOTOR-CARS BY GOOD MAKERS. • FROM £175 UPWARDS. ADAMS LTT>. AGAIN CUT THE PRICES OF USED CARS. Adams 1/td'e latest cat in the prices of used cars brings an up-to-date touring car of good appearance, with electric lights, self-starter, detachable rims etc., 'by a first-class maker, within the reach of all, prices for such care ranging as low as £175. Here are a few representative offerings from the present stock: — 5-Seater Studebaker, el. and s.s., spare rim and tyre; newly painted in buff shade; 6turdy and strong, £175. 4-Seater Chevrolet, el. and s.s.j just re-finished in stylish light shade; a very smart looking car; and economical to run; £175. o-Seater Studebaker, el. and s.s., spare rim and tyre, etc., beautifully finished ; a very popular model; £195. 3-Seater Briscoe," el. and s.s., spare rim and tyre, neatly finished; a light handy car; £195. Oakland Six-Cylinder, 3-seater, el. and s.s., spare rim and tyre; smartly finished in dark blue; powerful and economical to run; £195. 5-Seater Dodge, el. and s.s.,'spare rim and tyre; handsomely finished and fit for all-round work; £220. Special to Ford owners: —A secondhand Ford car will be taken in part payment for any of the above. Adams, Ltd.: Showrooms,. 152-154, High street; Garage, 219 Tuam street. 6