General News.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18347, 2 April 1925, Page 8

General News.

Mabel Eliaabetli Williams, formerly of Otira, but now of Avoea, lias filed a petition in bankruptcy. A new thoroughfare leading to the Bugby Football Club at Llanelly is to be named] New Zealand street, in commemoration of the match between Llanelly and New Zealand. Three-quarters of a gramme of radium, valued at £12,000, for the Wellington Hospital, has arrived, and will be installed at the Hospital for the treatment of cancer. The installation will be completed in two or three months.

The secretary of the New Zealand Labour Party recently wrote to the Bank Officers' Guild asking that an opportunity be granted a representative of the Labour Party to address meetings of bank officers throughout the Dominion. The executive resolved that the Labour Party be informed that the. Guild does not in the meantime contemplate political action; it cannot therefore see that any good purpose will be served by acceding to the request. According to a "Wellington Press Association message the success of the limited night express to Auckland is so groat that, though the daylight train has not entirely been abandoned, it is stated that there is not much likelihood of its displacing tho present service. The Minister of Bailways, Hon. J. G. Coates, is considering the provision of second-class sleepers. Those in Australia are said not to bo popular, and extensive enquiries will have to be made before embarking on expensive construction. , <

The Government Meteorologist complains that liis apparatus in exposed positions is frequently stolen (states a Press Association telegram). "A thermometer in the observatory was stolen on March 4th, so that we have no record after that date," said Mr D.- C. Bates. "This also applies to the solar radiation thermometer, though we managed to get another. We have had frequent trouble down at the. observatory through interference by mischievous persons." Tho matter has been reported to the police.

The statement made by Mr Dean, manager of the All Blacks, to the Fdlding Chamber of Commerce that New Zealand butter is not obtainable in England, bnt is-used chiefly in blending, is given an unqualified' denial by Dr. Ritchie, superintendent of the Thames Hospital, who has just returned from over a year's stay in England and Scotland. Dr. Ritchie states that he purchased New Zealand butter of all brands in a Maypole shop in every town he stayed at "with no difficulty at all. He frequently saw the original boxes with the various brands at these shops. The "little owl," whose scientific name is Athene noctua, haß the doubtful honour of a "Gazette" notice all to itself. The notice is a formal announcement that the protection hitherto afforded to the bird is removed. Legally, it is no longer a friend to be cherished. A correspondent writes to the Wellington "Post" on the subject: "Orchardists in the South, being desirotis of disposing of the small birds, prevailed on the authorities to acclimatise the "little German owl." This bird, however, was evidently imbued with its national characteristic for thoroughness, and increasing rapidly, soon made short work of all and sundry bird life, quite regardless, of course, whether they were fruit-eat-ing or insoct-killing birds. In response to an urgent appeal, the bird has now been removed from the protected list, but the damage is not likely to cease on this account. It is an ill wind, however, that blows nobody any good, and doubtless the purveyors of spray, etc., will reap a good reward in the endeavour to check the spread of insect pests. Reports indicate that fantails, warblers, and many useful imported insectivorous hirds are being exterminated.

What is said to be the largest contract for a commercial building constructed in New Zealand to date, has been let for the new A.M.P. offices at £206,000 ('states a Tress Association message from Wellington>.

A letter was received at yesterday'? meeting of the Lvttclton Harbour Board, from the American Consular Agent, stating that the American Consular Service in New Zealand would do everything possible to have the American Fleet, or a unit of it, visit Lvttelton whilst in New Zealand waters during the coming year. Last week .'-it, as compared with ."7 the previous week, registered as unemployed with the Labour Department. The registrations last week consisted of:—l 7 labourers. 0 each hotel workers and storemen, - each clerks and enginedrivers; .1 each carpenter, driver, engineer, fireman, saddler, shop assistant, and wool-classer.

"Work and labour are going io go!" was an optimistic prophecy made by Mr W. T. Lil! at last evening's meeting of the executive of tlie Canterbury Progress League. "I'm sorry that 1 am old. - ' lie continued. "[ would like ,to live another fifty years, for then I am certain that, foolish as the idea seems now, everything will be done by the pressing of a button. In fact, electricity oven at this stage has been «o highly developed that I wouldn't live in the town upon any consideration!" "The biggest ever," is a risky claim to publish, but it was made for the great New Zealand cheese shown at the Imperial Exhibition at Wembley last year. It brought a correction from Wisconsin, and the figures relating to the big cheese made in that State and shown in Chicago sustained the claim. Another memmoth cheese from New Zealand is to be shown at Wembley this year, and the Dairy Produce Board reports that this great cheese, together with a number of assorted sizes, is being shipped in April, and final arrangements have been made in connexion with its exhibition in London.

The supplementary district electors' roll, to be used at the forthcoming elections of Mayor and city councillors, and of the city representatives on the HarbouT Board and Hospital Board closed yesterday, and it is estimated that well over 5000 names will be' included. This will be the only supplementary roll to be prepared, and only those city electors whose names are on cither the main roll, which closed some weeks ago, or the supplementary roll, which closed yesterday, will be entitled to vote at •the elections later in the month. The main roll contains 31,652 names. An. unusually large gathering of Natives has assembled in Kawhia. The gathering was originally fixed for early in March, but was postponed on account of the epidemic. Women and children arc excluded from taking part. The visitors include Te Rata, Sir Maui L'omare, Minister of Health, and representatives of tho Western Maori district, and Dr. Buck. Political significance attaches to the gathering, in view of the general election. It is expected that Sir Maui Pomare will receive the support of Te Rata and his party, and therefore of the Waikato and West Coast Natives.

Tardy ratepayers who called at the City Council office yesterday to pay their annual due 3 found an inexorable 10 per cent, added to the amounts owing. Most of the ratepayers accepted the penalty philosophically, but others were inclined to raise a protest against what they professed to be an unfair imposition. A large sum of rate money was received through the post during the day. Each envelope was carefully examined, and if the postmarks showed that the dispatch was lodged during the afternoon of .March 31st the rates were accepted without penalty. In other cases they were only accepted subject to the further payment ( of an additional 10 per cent. Although Monday was as fair, and mild an autumn day as could be imagined, it was selected by the motion picture producer, Mr Beaumont Smith, to tako a series of street views of "Windy Wellington," with Mr Claude Dampier, the well-known eccentric comedian, as the person nonplussed by the vagaries of the city's breeze. Crowds of people congregated on Lambton quay and later in Cuba street to watch the fun. In an almost breathless atmosphere, the "audience" saw Mr JJampier's boater straw persist in blowing off, and with a desperate gesture the comedian made for his wayward headgear, which was invariably restored to him by some budding Mary Pickfonl, trained for the purpose. The secret of the hat's displacement (says the "Dominion") existed in a long length of cotton, which was cleverly manipulated by the producer.

Footballers and all who indulge in athletic pastimes will welcome the new "Athletic" Embrocation which is made specially strong and works wonders in quickly relieving muscles of all strains and stiffness. 2s 6d a bottle at McArthurs, Ltd., Chemists, McArthur's Corner. 6

'Turn your ideas into money! The Wade Lathe will execute any small turning job quickly and well! "Will tuni metals up to 4 inches in diameter by 12 inches in length. Fitted with three-speed cone pulley, slide rest, Cross feed. Does not require the installation of an expensive power unit. Price 60s. Further information from Ashby, Bergh and Co., Ltd. —6

Don't hesitate a moment when copsidering moving your furniture. J. M. Heywood and Co., Ltd., are the

people to do it for you. —6 Nothing makes you more tired jmd miserable than a bad cold. Eonnington's Irish Moss is pleasant to taku, and usually gives immediate relief. l r ou will find it well worth while to keep a bottle always handy. Large family size 2s (id.

AS SIMPLE AS LOWERING A WINDOW BLIND.

THE STUDEBAKER DUPLEX BODY DOUBLES MOTOKING COMEOKT.

The roller blind for household use has stood the test of time, as the most convenient and reliable of blinds. The same principle has now been used "By Studebakers as a feature of the new Duplex body—designed to give advantages of both closed and open car construction, with the cfiange-over a, matter of seconds. In bright warm weather when the motorist revels in the cool breeze created by the car's motion, the Duplex body Studebaker functions as an open car. When dark clouds gather, when an icy wind blows from the rainy quarter and the first drops of the storm come pattering down —then, down also come the snug-fitting, hitherto invisible, roller-blind side panels, held firmly at sides, top and bottom, when in place, and absolutely wind and water-proof. The driver, without leaving the car or even his seat, can, in thirty seconds, convert a Duplex Studebaker from an open touring car tg. a snug sedan.. No motorist needs to be told the advantage over the ordinary hood and side-curtains that the Duplex construction olfers. Duplex Studebakers, too, are not high-priced. "The Standard Six Duplex-Phaeton sells in New Zealand at £442, with American catalogue specification. Finish in Parisian red is £lO extra, and spare tvre and tube costs £lO extra. Let us show you what a let of extra comfort the Duplex feature gives to motoring, Adams, Ltd., New Zealand Agents for Studebaker Motors. Showrooms. 102-1-54 High street; Garage. 219 Tuam street. A 2661-7437