GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17862, 7 September 1923, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

An unprecedented influx of men of an undesirable class into towns that are being fitted with electricity was the subject, of a letter from Mr W . H. Ware, electrical inspector, to the Palinerston North Borough Council. Thewriter stated that many of the men were endeavcuriir; to work i hem selves in as trained men. and as some of them were utterly impossible, be asked the Council not to grant- licenses without the strictest investigations.

At a meeting of the Workers' Educational Association's Summer School Committee the secretary (Mr G. Manning ) was instructed to visit Kowai Bush, Purau, Diamond Harbour, Fort Jervois, and Geraldine, and report to the next meeting of the committee on the facilities afforded by these localities for holding the summer school at this year.

An extract from an advertisement for a public school teacher in tho l.'-pok Islands gives an insight into conditions of life in that part of cur New Zealand Dominion. The advertisement states: "Applicants should be free from family ties which might, lander them in their work. r lney must bo prepared to endure isolation, and must possess the missionary spirit needed to overcome the disadvantages inseparable from the pioneering work which is to be expected."

The Education Department discourages entries for their November examinations of candidates who have no chances of success. The Department now states: '-'While many head teachers take the necessary steps to prevent unprepared candidates from sitting for examination, there are still altogether too many candidates who enter without any chance whatever of qualifying." for the intermediate examination it is shown that 1883 candidates entered, 1483 sat for examination, and only 340, or 18 per cent, of the entries, secured passes. By tho Narkunda, sailing at the end of October (writes our London correspondent), Mr Ernest Gray, I'.R.G.S., will leave on his fourth conducted world tour. The first party was organised in 1920, and as 10 was a great success, the others have naturally followed. The third worldi tour which has lately been completed enabled its organiser to put the ripest touches of oxperience into the smallest detail of tho arrangements making for the comfort and satisfaction of his fellow-trp.v-ellers. The Narkunda party will be in New Zealand about Christmas timo.

Applications from nominated people desirous of taking advantage of the Government's migration scheme are coming into tlie Oince.of the High Commissioner more freely than was the case a few months ago (says our London correspondent on July M6th). During the month of August the Rotorua, tin* Tainui, and the Dorset will be leaving for New Zealand carrying 700 assisted passengers. The Migration Department here has booked for (September 700 berths by the lonic, B emuera, and Rimutaka, and 800 for October, the steamers being the Arawa, Ruapehu, and Suffolk. Five of these vessels will be carrying parties of domestic servants.

A report on the result of primary school teachers' appeals against thengrading, recently held throughout New shows that less than 3 per cent, ot the graded teachers entered an appeal this year. Of these more than 1 per cent, withdrew, leaving less than 2 per cent, to be dealt with by the grading officers and the Appeal Board. Of, the 98 appeals dealt with, 18 were allowed by consent, the inspector's recommendation being subquently confirmed by the Appeal Board, 'the Appeal Board itself allowed 23 appeals'. Several matters in connexion with the grading that arose during the hearing of the cases by tho Appeal Board will be discussed at the conference of senior inspectors to bo held this month.

The flying fox, which has been such a formidable nuisance, and so destructive to the Samoan fruit crop, shows no sign ot abatement, says a Government report. In Queensland and New South Wales, where its ravages axe so very pronounced, experiments have been made with liquid lire and mustard gas, but it is understood that these dangerous expedients gave no satisfactory .results. For the present tho Department is relying on shooting as the most practical method of dealing with the flying fox in the islands, and issues of ammunition are allowed in exchange for a certain number of flying fox feet. Although this method had not had a very long trial, it has so for achieved a fair measure of success, and is to be continued.

Occasionally the dignity and decorum which characterise the proceedings of the Supreme Court are momentarily upset qy : tJio innoqenfc mistakes of people seeing the interior of tlie court tor the first time. Sucli an incident occurred yesferday. A witness, who was within a year of the age which would entitlo him to a vote, when called on to give evidence, stepped briskly into the prisoner's dock. "Making an early start," commented one of the counsel engaged in the case, amidst laughter. "Ambitious," was the brief remark of another. The youth, who by this time had become aware that it was he who was the cause of the merriment, raised another laugh by the hasty manner in which he quitted the box*.

For some time past scarce and early works by R. L. Stevenson have been bringing remarkable sums at auction, yet something approaching & record was attained at Sotheby's Auction liooms this week, when the 1870 tract of six leaves, "An Appeal to the Clergy of the Church of bcotland, with a Note for the Laity," was offered as the property of the Foreign Missipnary Committee of the Church of Scotland (writes our London correspondent, under date of July 26th). Eventually it pussod into thfe 'hands of Messrs Quaritch. who had to give as much as £460 for it. The only other copy is believed to be the one in the Harry Widener Library at Yale, which in 1903 went for a comparatively small sum. Some Jenner relics also came under the hammer the same day, and an autograph letter, containing interesting references to vaccination, was sold for £S<l. Three portraits of the fameus doctor, by his cousin, Stephen Jeni.er realised £9O, £O(3, and £136 respectively.

The eighth annual report of St. Dunstan's, which is just to hand, comprises a comprehensive review of the great work being done in England on behalf of the war blinded. The Blinded Soldiers' and Bailors' Care Committee and the Blinded Soldiers' and Sailors' After-Care Organisation are the titles of the two charities which, since the early days of the war, have been popularly known as St. Dunstan's. On April 30th, 1923, the two bodies, with their assets and liabilities, were absorbed by a new organisation, with a more definite constitution, known simply Hq St. Dunstan's. The new organisation is incorporated under the Companies' Act as a company, ans the constitution is similar to that of 'an ordinary company, with the exception that members, governors, and executive take the place of shareholders and directors, and that the organisation may not trade for the profit of any of the members or of those who control it. The new constitution, states the report, offers many administrative advantages, ■widening and strengthening the basis upon which St. Dunstan's is to be governed. The executive, in another section of its report, makes its annual appeal for subscriptions to this widely kiiowu charity.

1 The first- of a series of popular lectures in aid of the Canterbury ColI £ War Memorial, will be «vcn in ! the Col We Hall to-night by Frofeasor j Arnold Wall, the subject 'ceing llie ' Swiss Aips«" • The UeDartment of Public Health i has recommended a first-aid outtit or l uce in schools. The contents include ! sal-volatile (for use in taint- : fedine (tor bruises), boracic acideucalyptus and vaseline ointment (tot : burn-"'', and oil of cloves (tor toothf 1 > I a cue;.

That :ije Education Department is ■ilive't ~ tin 1 importance of securing experts t-u direct the instruction m singintr and drawing in our public schools bv the latest statement, ot the Department 011 the subject: We hope that- the time is not far distant when we shall be able to have in each education district at least ono specialise tc-acher of singing and on© of drawing/' The Hirst-like appearance of a. young ladv iif her night nU-ire walking alone the' street- is. to say the least, imibi-Jl-With eves Kaaing ever up« ards at n. briszht 'light in front, and with j. steady, determined tread, a -white-clad figure startled ono or two people who hap:K-ntnl to be in the vicinity ot tho Savov about midnight on Fuesday (say.-, Yesterday's "Otago Daily Times ). Iho presence' of two constables was re-as-snnnn;. and trie nambulisin explained the circumstance roiieved the tension. The young lady walked 011 pa.st. the light into the ctanciiess beyond, and when well out of the glaring rays of. tho light she seemed to recover her senses, <nic! commenced to stagger. Then the- policem-en, who had been following silently. moved up and supported the somnambulist, wlio \vas naturally bewildered sit first. I« appears that sho had, in some inexplicable manner, arisen from her bed, taken her departure from the place where she resided, and found her way from street to street, eventually arriving at- the Savoy. S'lis was conveyed hack to her residence, little the worse for her adventure, and those who had witnessed the remarkable happening were not sorry that the experience was at an end.

A remedy that is proving most successful in treating influenza, is "StopIt," the \vell-known cough and cold medicine. Taken according to directions, "Stop-It" is the safest and best remedy you can get for influenza. Sold by all chemists and stores. McArthurs, Ltd., Chemists, opp. Eallantyne's. ®

The sreat problem of dressing school boys well, at small expense, is easily solved by- a visit to eithor of Armstrong's two shops. Among tlie many special bargains at present offering are Boys' All-wool, hard-wearing Tweed Sports Suits in all sizes, to fit boys age from 5 to 16 years, at 27s 6d the suit. These Suits are easily the best valuo offering in the trade, and are particularly well made in a good, easy fitting style. Also showing, a wonderful selection of Boys' Odd Knickers for school wear, including a special line in all sizes, priced at 5s lid per pair. _ ® Pilkington's motors run twice daily between Christchurch and Akaroa. —6 FOR COLDS OR INFLUENZA and as a Preventive, take Laxative BROMO QUININE Tablets. The box bears the signature of E. W. Grove. 2 FOUR STUDEBAKER "LIGHT SIX" ROADSTERS. WITH CHRISTCHp-RCH-BUinr bodies. AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY .—£4 so. Undoubtedly the most popular roadster model on the New Zealand market at ■ present is the Studebaker Six," with one of those beautiful, specially-designed and magnificentlyupholstered bodies made in this city. Hitherto the supply has been quite unequal to the demand, for as soon nS Christchui-ch-built roadster body is put upon a ''Light Six" chassis the car is sold like a sliot. However, Adams Ltd. have just at present four of these cars on view, ana for sale, in their showrooms. These four "Light Sixes" have the popular type of locally-made body which provides a rear "dickey" scat—enabling the car, when required, to carry comfortably as many as five passengers. . One of these care is finished in buff, another in carmine, another in grey", and yet another in a delioate shade of light blue. In each case the upholstery is in real grained leather of a shade in pleasing harmony with the exterior finish. Each car nas a plated radiator and plated fittings. The price of these roadsters is £450 —a. wonderfully low price for a six-cylinder, 40 li.p. «ar by such world-famous makers as Studebiikcrs. Adams Ltd.: N.Z. Agents for Studobaker Motors. Showrooms, 152-164 High street. 6