GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17940, 7 December 1923, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

A witness at the Supreme Court yesterday had just finished a description oi an alleged sale of sheep, when his Honour enquired: ,:v »Vhat' happened then?" The deponent, & aheep-aeakr, looked slightly embarrassed when he stated: '"AVellj we had a 'spot.' " The Court enjoyed the joke, and then hie Honour advised witness never to make such disclosures unless he was questioned.

An applicant for exemption from service ou a Supreme Court special jury yesterday pleaded that he was deaf in one ear. In reply' to his Honour's questions, he stated that the ailment wfi3 brought on by an attack of hay fever. "I might sneeze for a quarter of an hour if I got in the box,' 1 he said. Counsel agreed that a deaf man would not be wanted on the jury, and the man was consequently discharged. The War Pensions Appeal Board will sit in Christchurch about the third week in January to hear a number of appeals which have been lodged against the decisions of the Board. Advice has been received from the Commissioner of Pensions that those soldiers who desire sin advocate to appear, on their behalf before the Board can be represented. It is probable that all Canterbury appeals will be dealt with by the Board in Christchurch.

Regarding the question of the legality of the Christchurch Tramway Board's action in issuing free passes to returned soldiers suffering from war disabilities, raised by -the AuditorCeneral in connexion with the Board'u balance-sheet, the executive of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association has decided to memorialise the Governor-General on similar lines to those upon which tne Board has decided to memorialise his Excellency. The executive has also decided to have drafted an amendment to the War Contributions Validation Act, 1914 (No. 2), with the object of legalising the issue of such free passes, and to ask the C4overnment to pass the amending Bill next session.

Farmers' Day at Lincoln College will be held on Tuesday, December 18th, not next Tuesday. Brahms' Requiem will be repeated at the Cathedral on Sunday at 6.30 p.m. The ordinary evening service will be held at an earlier hour. A large congregation was present in the Cathedral, last _ night, when Brahms' Requiem, which is a regular feature of the Christmas Hervices, was sung. The baritone solos were sung iby Mr Chas. Clarkson. &nd the soprano solo by Master Hamlin. The collection was in aid of St. Saviour ?s Orphanages. For the Summer School at Geraldine during the Christmas and New Year holidays, which is to be conducted by the Canterbury District Council of the W.E.A., the "secretary (Mr G. Manning) has already received 108 applications from adults desiring to attend and from 15 children—a total of 121. It is hoped to increase the limit originally fixed—loo—to 110, but this may be possible only if some of the applicants drop out. Of the total number or applicants sis require accommodation in priivate houses, and nine others have already secured such accommodation. The difference between the Englishman and the American as regards sociability is so well known that a few remarks made by Mr C. Rhodes at the Auckland Rotary Club luncheon in i illustration of the point gave rise to a good deal of laughter. "The American," said Mr Rhodes, "is cheery, breezy, aud as merry as a sandboy. This is especially noticeable in the hotels, but I was at an English hotel for nearly three days before anyone spoke to 'me, When men spoke in a whisper it seemed remarkable, and it was quite a relief when a waiter dropi ped a dish on the floor." He could j not help being reminded of the club- [ man who indignantly asked the porter the identity of the gentleman sitting next him at table. "That is Lord Castlereagh," was the reply. "Well, remove him," snapped the clubman, "he has been dead foe two days." The latest issue of tho "Boys' High School Magazine" contains an*, interesting letter from Mr G. L. Tacon, who is well known in business circles and who is an old boy of the Christchurch Boys' High School. Mr Tacon wrote | under dato July 6th last from Salonica,, where he was with a British geological j party in connexion with certain oil propositions. During the Great War Mr Tacon served with the British foroes in the Salonica region. Much of Mr Tacon's letter is devoted to describing the misery and suffering of the Greeks who were driven out of Turkey, and to the great need for relief for the sufferers. He stated that splendid work was being done by various organisations, notably by the American Red Cross, by the For the Children Fund under Dr. Nansen and his agents, and by the Anglo-American Relief Committee of Salonica. Mr Tacon expects to ba back * in London by the end of next month. McArthur'e Xmas Showing is now complete and surpasses both in variety and quality any of previous years. Here will be found a whole host of dainty perfumes and powders, toilet soap and powder puffs, manicure sets and scent sprays, etc.—the kind of gift any lady will appreciate. Be sure and sea this unique selection. McArthurs, Ltd., Chemists, opp. Ballantyne's. 6 It is easy to account for tho huge erowds that daily throng Armstrong's two shops, when you view the great array of wonderful bargains that are now showing in all departments. Huge stocks of new season's goods arc being sacrificed at greatly reduced prices, in order to make a speedy clearance. Tho contractors will soon be busy with the big rebuilding alterations, and fixtures must bo emptied to make »oom. Don't wait for tho big rush ol Christmas .shopping, make your visit to-day to either of Armstrong's two shops, Colombo and High streets. G Pilkington's motors run twio® daily between Christchurch and Akaroa. -—6 BARGAINS IN USED MOTORS. 1 ADAMS LTD.'S LATEST SALE LIST. £loo.—Smart American five-seater with full road equipment, Motorcycle will be taken in part payment. £l2s.—Newly-finished French roadster, full 3-seater. Will take motorcycle in part payment. £l3s.—Late model Ford, electric lights and starter. Looks like new. £l4s.—Chevrolet 5-seater electric lights and starter; upholstery covers; cord tyres, magneto ignition. Newly finished £lso.—Light model Studebaker 0seater, electric lights and starter. Newly finished. £lsO.—Late model 5-seater Maxwell, electric lights and starter; rear wind screen; newly finished. £l7s.—Nicely finished Dodge 5-seat-er, electric lights and starter. Seconds hand Ford \j-ill bo taken in part payment. £27s.—Late model Studebaker, light six, 5-seator, same guarantee as new car. « Adams, Ltd: Garage, 219 Tuam street. —6