TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17328, 17 November 1916, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

There is said to bo some shortage of coal-miners ia New Zealand, and the Wellington Labour Bureau wants men for work in the West Coast mines.

Some big totara logs came down the Waitara River during the recent flood,, reports tho Waitara "Mail.' Out of one log sixty fencing posts and some strainers were cut.

Dr It. H. Makgill, district health officer at Auckland during the past fifteen years, has accepted a position on tho 'Medical Service staff, and will he occupied principally on matters relating to the conditions in ill the military camps affecting the health of the forces in training. Dr Makgill recoil tlv returned to New Zealand after service in Britain and Egypt,

The Reference Department at the Public Library has been closed this week for renovation. It is many years since the walls received attention, but now they are freshly painted, and the result is that much more light is thrown into the room and the gallery, and a general improvement is noticeable. The work of renovation -is practically completed. Tho peculiar complaint known as neurasthenia was the subject of some comment in tho case heard in the Supreme Court in Wellington before Mr Justice Edwards. One doctor, under examination by Mr Wilford, acknowledged that it was a common experience to find that neurasthenia ended with the termination of a lawsuit. "With a man who is out of sorts," he added, "the causes of neurasthenia are almost infinite, hut tho commonest cause is an injury, accompanied -with shock." Mr J. L. Hay, writing from France under date September 19, gayo a graphic description of the conditions under which the men were working. He said it had been raining hard all day and it was bitterly cold. With the never-ending stream of traffic the roads soon became converted into an almost impassable quagmire and it was not difficult to imagine the condition of things in the trenches. " Tho tragedy of the thing is," adds Mr Hay, " that little can be dofie to make the lot of tho men' a little brighter, but at a time like this a few comforts are specially welcome. It is here at the front that tho men want something to supplement their ordinary rations." Advice has been received by the Lady Liverpool Committee from other reliable sources to the effect that comforts for the men in the fighting line are more urgently required than for any other purpose. The Lady Liverpool Committee is doing < good work in this direction and any gifts, comforts, etc., will bp gladly received. Pains in the limbs. Rheumatism, Sciatica. Liver-and "Kidney Troubles nre cured daily at Ivoasby's Pharmacy, v X Now White Voile Blouses, nicely trimmed with beading, smart turndown collars, Lusvinia sleeves,' 4s lid, at Armstrong's. 1 Pleasure in graceful line and wollbalanced form are universally inborn. My portraits are based on simple, natural lines, yet with full appreciation of the artistic responsibilities they entail. H. H. Clifford. Studio, 163, Cashel Street. -X

The Border Leicester ewe championship and reservo championship at tho Canrterburv Metropolitan Show both went to 'Mr D. M. Sutherland, of "Craigburn," Waimatc. A noteworthy incident at the Banks Peninsula Show yesterday was that the winning marmalade was made from oranges grown by tho exhibitor, Mrs C. W. Loete, in Akaroa,

Tho following were the on tries at tho Addington Metropolitan Market on Wednesday, those at the pro-Carnival sale being given in parentheses poscs of comparison .••—Cattle 714 {bit), sheep 5638 (0013), pigs 485 (059). Tho Board of Governors t>f tho M'Lean Institute met yesterday, the Mayor presiding. 'Hie Finance Committee's report w;is adopted. . Accounts Amounting to £BOO 10s 3d wore passed for payment.

At midday yesterday a thunderstorm with heavv rain passed over the greater part of the northern district. The rein, which lasted for about an hour, will do a great denl of good, the country being badly in need of moisture

A resident of Ohristchurch has informed tho Mavor that ho is willing to take the position of any man who is physically tit for the ranks and to relinquish 'it ;is soon as the soldier returns. The offer comes from a trained accountant and experienced business man who is strong and healthy and wishes to enlist, hut is prevented from doing so bv a slight defect in hearing. He prefers clerical work, which he is well qualified to do, but he will drive a horso and cart or take in hand anything of that character.

The Otago Education Board on Wednesday asked its iusjiectors to prepare a report as to tho temporary vacancies at present filled by uncertificated teachers which in their opinion might now bo filled by certificated teachers. The significance of this is that before, the end of the year tho Training College will be turning out a number of trained and certificated teachers, and the board is naturally concerned to know in what positions their services may be utilised to most advantage next year. In the course of his remarks to 'the lnenibors of friendly societies at Christchurch on Wednesday evening Mr R. E. Hayes, Registrar of Friendly Societies," stated that the .scheme in the Finance Act which he was dealing with was estimated to cost about £22,000 per annum, and might be taken as an evidence, of the Government's desire to assist the societies. In addition to this the Government was also under a heavy liability in connection with the reinsurance of war risks for the protection of tho societies' funeral funds, and had already expended some £IO,OOO in that direction. Messrs Leslie. Jones, Fleming and Fox, of Wellington, recently made the ascent of Mount Egmout. . At 7000 ft the party got above the clouds and a magnificent view was obtained. During the ascent of the final IOOOfr., though the party aseeukled very slowly on'account of the leader having to cut steps in the ico that distance, the heat from the sun was very great, and though all were smothered in face cream, their faces were badly burned. -The ice formations on the summit are now very grand, tho action of the wind and rain forming numerous ice eaves. On account of the 'warmth the party remained over au hour on top, enjoying the view and taking Alpine photographs. Mrs C Stratford, of .'l3, Suffolk Street, Linwood, has received a postcard from her son, Private Stratford, in which ho states that, notwithstanding manv rumours to the contrary, bo is alive and well. Flo loft New Zealand in January as a member of the Ninth Reinfdrceiuents, and, after spending some mouths in Egypt, proceeded to France, where he, hud many weird experiences, lie complains that many of the parcels- sent, to soldiers fail to reach 'their destination, and relates his own experience. He says that recently he was informed that a parcel was awaiting him at the military post office, but on applying for it was informed that he had been wounded, and that tin. pared had been sent to tho hospital where lie'was lving. "But." he adds, " in spite of tins, I hare still a whole skin, 1 am thankful to say." A case of considerable hardship in tho non-delivery of correspondence sent to a soldier son at the front is reported by Mr A. Asher, of Marion Street. Wellington, states the "New Zealand Times." Mr Asher has a boy, Private J. Asher, serving with the Commonwealth Expeditionary Fore*. Ho was through the Gallipoli campaign, and ho is now in Franco. From time to time he has written to his parents complaining that he never gets a letter or parcel from them, and they have been unable to understand bow this can bo so, because a letter has been written and sent to him every week, and parcels worth sever.nl pounds in the aggregate have been sent periodically. Mr Asher has, however, just received a bundle of letters marked "Cannot be traced. Return to sender," and bearing dates for 191-5 anl 1916. On the other hand, Mr Asher's other son, Ser-geant-Major C. Asher, who is with tho New Zealand Forces, gets his letters 1 , papers and parcels regularly. He is also in touch with his brother, and the two brothers correspond with one another at the front. Apparently the Australian Army Postal Service docs not work as well as the New Zealand Army Postal Service. There was a good attendance in the Art Gallery last night when Mrs Mickle, wife of Dr A. F. Mickle, gave a lecture on "Russia and tho Russians."" Tho lccturo was under the auspices of tho Women's Christian Temperance Union, and the president, Mrs -T. M'Combs, presided. Before the lecturer was introduced Mrs M. Young played the Russian National Anthem and other Russian airs;on'the piano, Mrs Mickle, who lived in Russia for some years, and who appeared in tho picturesque dress of a Russian lady, gave many of her own impressions of the country and tho people, and described the two large capitals, the churches and cathedrals, the art galleries, tho architecture, the .shrines, tlio language, the religious observances, tho industries, and the progress. Dealing with tho last-mentioned subject she said that she rememlwred when tho first chaff-cutter was taken on to tho estate of her Russian friends. It was quite a new thing to the inhabitants, and it seemed to bo so extraordinary in its operation that some of the peasantry rushed from it, saying that it was "an English devil": and now Russia, with her immense factories and her vigorous industrial life, was a serious competitor with Great Britain in the manufacture of almost everything required for agriculture. A vote of thanks was passed to Mrs Mickle for her lecture. The proceeds will go to the Red Cross and Lady Liverpool Funds. Don't throw away your saucers. White and Gold Odd Cups, just-arrived, 6% Od dozen to clear, best value. Drayten's Emporium, 705, Colombo Street. Gentlemen's Mercerised Neglige, Shirts, new patterns, ils lid, 4s b'd, at Armstrong's. 3 Cropo Varsity Suits lor small hoys, Browns. Creams, Greys, wonderful values for 6s lid, at Armstrong's. 4 Don't let your children grow up without their being frequently photographed by StefFauo Webb, 252, High Street, and mail their photographs away in time to reach Homo for Xnias. 8 '•Tho weakest go ij the wall "—Be strong and healthy. Tako Baxter's Lung Preserver to resist coughs, colds and throat troubles. Nothing else so good. Splendid tonic, too. Get a % bottle to-day. Is lOd every where.' 2

A alight shock of earthquake was felt at Rangiora at about seven o'clock on Wednesday evening. It was preceded by a rumbling sound. A slight shock of earthquake was also.felt at Oust at 6.68 p.m. on Wednesday. The Dunedin correspondent of the " Lyttelton Times" states that the retail section of tho Otago Employers' Association decided by a substantial majority to close from 1 p.m. on the Saturday till tho Wednesday following during both Christ mas and New Year weeks.

The following note appears in Trentham camp iordors:—"The Commandant desires to record his approbation and high appreciation of tho action of Private F. Lloyd, P Company, Nineteenth Reinforcements, who pluckily, without hesitation and regardless of tho risk he himself was incurring, dived to the rescue of Private L. Pickering, who was exhausted, having been overcome by tho strong current, and successfully brought him to safety. Private Pickering's life was saved by this plucky action, and the Commandant is bringing tho incident, which occurred at 2.15 p.m. on November 10, before the Royal Humane Society." A conundrum was presented at the sitting in Auckland of tho Commission appointed to investigate the circumstances of the sulphurio acid explosion on the Moiiowai. The Court had. ordered that tho drum in which the explosion occurred should not bo moved from its position in one of the Customs Department buildings. By some misunderstanding tho drum was conveyed to the Courthouse yard. Mr C. C. Kettle, S.M., raised the question of safety. Mr A. J. Parker, Government analyist, described tho proper position in which tlic drum should be placed, but he said the temporary wooden bung might be half gone at that time. There might bo an explosion at any moment. Suggestions were then mude for the disposal of the drum and Sergeant M'Donnoll to have it conveyed back to the Customs building. Another suggestion was that the drum should be placed in a cellar uuder the Courthouse, and locked up. "What shall we do with the blessed thing?" asked Mr Kettle, despairinglv. Finally, it was decided, after tho drum had been inspected by an expert, to have it returned to the Customs building. Referring to labour questions in the building trade, the annual report of the New Zealand Builders and Contractors' Federation, which is meeting m Wellington, states that the Executive Board of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners approached the Federation Executive with a request that a conference ho held in Ohristchurch for the purpose of considering terms for a new Dominion carpenters award. After consulting tho centres, tho executive replied that as the awards did not expire until December 16 of this year, and as the master builders would meet in conference before that date, it bad been decided that delegates should not be appointed to confer with the Amalgamated Society. Tho Wellington District Council of the same Amalgamated Sociey also proffered a request that tho master builders should meet it in conference "with a view of giving effect to the pronouncement of the Arbitration Court regarding granting a war bonus to all employees. 1 Ins request was deelinecf, tho federation Executive, in its reply, expressing the opinion that trades unions were apparently reading into tho pronouncement or the Arbitration Court much more than was intended by the Court. Fair progress, it is understood, is being made by the five victims ol the sulphuric acid explosion on the Monowai who aro still in hospital at Auckland. In the case C. Falkuer, waterside' worker, who deceived severe injuries to the face, both arms and thd ieft leg, it is problematical as to whether or not he will regain las sight, His iace is dishgurcd from thte severe burns. H. Bames, waterside worker, who received injuries to the face and both eyes, can now distinguish light from darkness. J. Coutta, waterside worker, who received severe injuries to the face and both arms,, is disfigured, and in his case, too, it W questionable as to whether he wilt bo able to see again. George Jones, waterside worker, who sustained injuries to the face, one eye, both arms back, thigh and right leg, is understood to bo hnahle to close one eye, owing to contraction caused by one of the burns. G. Mitchell, sailor, was burnt.on the iright leg. He baa been able to walk for sonic days. J. Anderson and J. Jones, waterside workers, who both received injuries to the face, are outpatients. All are men of middle-age, and with the exception of Coiitts, Mitchell and J. Jones are married.

The opinions of many New Zealanders regarding tho new sensation, on the western front, his Majesty's landships, commonly known as "Tanks." were obtained first-hand by Mr H. M. Smee-, ton, of Auckland, during a recent visit t> the Walton-on-Thames Hospital. "They laughed over the impression the ' Tanks,' produced on the Germans at tho battle of Flers," writes Mr Smee■ton. "Tho Germans first ran away, then paused and , looked back, then went on running again, but were quite undecided what to do or where to run to escape this iew terror. One man said "that he saw twenty of them in his sector, and the uncanny way in which tlio ' Caterpillars,', as our men call them—' Tanks ' being the, German name for them—which are over 30ft long, squatted across wide trenches and enfiladed the occupants from both sides would have been amusing if not so horrible. They climb down a bank and up the other side, and keep on tHek steady way, six to eight miles on hour; quite indifferent to rifle or machinegun bullets, which spatter them all over. Their own guns;' 1 meanwhile, deal out death to the German gunners, and spread terror on every hand. They do not appear to try to smash the German gun, but to kill or disable the gunners."

Mr S. Gompers, president of tho American Federation of Labour, in a letter to Mr H. Hunter, secretary of tho Now Zealand United Federation of Labour, suggests that Labour organisations in all countries should demand that at least one Labour representative bo present in tho delegation from each Government at tho General Peace Congress. Mr Gompers says:—"This would proride an agency whereby wage earners of all countries could present to the General Peace Congress the human side of all matters under consideration and could urge and secure protection for tho human agents in industry and commerce. Tho Labour movement of all countries is the only organisation that stands distinctively for humanity without being actuated by private gains or selfish interests. Representation of Labour in the General Congress would lead to a broader viewpoint upon all matters and would inject ideals of democracy and human freedom. This plan is being considered by my colleagues of the Executive Copucil of the American Federation of 'Labour, and in tho near future may bo formally approved by our national organisation. I would be very glad indeed if you would take the matter up with your colleagues for consideration, and write me at your earliest convenience as to your opinion upon it, and the attitude of tno workers of your country towards it." English Manufacturers Samples of high .class hand-made cambric Underclothing showiug to-day for the first time at Armstrong's. 2 200 pairs Men's Dark Tweed Trousers for working men, 6s (id, just opened at Armstrong's, ' 6

Mr Drew, a. member of the South African Parliament, is coming to New Zealand on the Moeraki, which left Sydney yesterday.

The Citizens' Defence Corps lias received from Messrs J. C. Williamson, Ltd., an invitation to all returned soldiers to witness tho play " Tho J3oomerang" at the Theatre Royal this evening. Admission passes can be obtained by the returned soldiers at the C.D.C. rooms, Hereford Street, any time to-day. There was a -good attendance lastevening at the monthly meeting of tho Scottish Society, -Chief .1. Williamson presiding. Mr Leslie Strachan gave an interesting address on the life and times of'"Bonnie Prince Charlie" ui which he paid a. high complement to the loyalty of tho Scots of that .period in remaining true to "the romantic Stuart prince, despite a reward of £BO,OOO for his hepd. The speaker declared that similar loyalty characterised the Scots in the present war. The lecturer also dealt with the forbidding of the wearing of Highland costume and its ultimate restitution, and the institution of the Highland regiments Speaking at the Burwood School last evening on the occasion of unveiling tho school roll of honour, -..he Hon G. W. Russell said that Germany had contemplated the war for many years prior to tho outbreak 1 of hostilities, and the British Empire wag overrun with German spies. It would be information to his audience when ho said that earlier in tho war, in a smashed German spy motor-car in France was found the plans/of all the fortifications in New Zealand thus showing Germany's sinister motives so far as this country was concerned. It was only duo to the strength of the British Fleet that the Dominion owed immunity from German aggression.

After the luncheon adjournment at the Supreme Court, Wellington, on Tuesday, the foreman of the jury made a complaint to the presiding Judge, Mr Justice Edwards, on behalf of himself and colleagues that the jury seats were hard and uncomfortable. His Honor said that lie had been informed that efforts had previously been, made •to obtain cushions for the seats, but the Department evidently considered them to be an unnecessary luxury. "Perhaps, gentlemen," he said to the jury, "the Department considers that you might go to sleep if the seats were too comfortable. 1 commiserate with you, hut I cannot assist you." The Hamilton (Waikato) correspondent of the Auckland "Star" writes: The depletion of the forests of New Zealand and the exportation of timber from the Dominion was referred to by Mr W. Auld, at a meeting of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. He thought the chamber might make some representations to the Government on the matter. Mr O. B. Smith said the sooner tho New Zealand timbers were got rid of the better. At present millions of pounds a year were being spent on timber for building which had to be renewed about evory thirty years, owing to the "rotten stuff" which the New Zealand forests provided. This was a question of national importance, and the sooner differejht forms of material for building purposes were provided the better. In view, of the visit of an Auckland delegation to the forests above Rot'oiua it was decided to take no action in tho meantime.

Announcement was made in Fiji by Royal Gazette of November 7j? says the Suva correspondent of the " New Zealand Herald," that the Government is bringing in a Bill to authorise the raising of a loan of unlimited amount for war purposes, the money,' pr most of it, to be remitted to England. It is 'iikely that this method of" raising money is being adopted in other Crown colonies. The rate of interest is 6 per r eeot per annum, and debentures of £5, £lO, £25, £SO, £IOO and £IOOO will be offered to the public. The term of the loan is to be three years for tho £o bonds, and up to four years for the balance, with the right of repayment at an earlier date. The bonds are transferable, and not subject to stamp duty. There will be no income tax, because'there never has been any such tax in Fiji. It is confidently anticipated that a large sum will be realised for Imperial purposes. Mrs T. H. Alexander, of Ashburton, has received from her nephew in Franco ft letter, referring to the death of her son, Sergeant T. Alexander. The writer says:—"Just a line to express my deepest sympathy regarding the loss of Cousin Tommy. It was the dayafter the big advance. We were marching .across the open to take up a new position, and the Huns were shelling a good deal. I was about fifty yards from Tommy's platoon, and saw a shell land beside it, but took no more notice, as one or two wounded !is an everyday occurrence; but when I got into our position I heard or Tommy beinc wounded. Having to dig in, I couldn't go to see him. It op-, pears that the first shell wounded him. He bandaged himself up, and, like the. good soldier he was, he went back to see how some of his men were While he was there a second shell killed him. He was sincerely mourned by .ill ins company."

ESTABLISHED SINCE 1852"STUDEBAKER." Look at page 8. There you will find some interesting facts bearing upon "Studebaker" quality and reputation. Adams Ltd., Christehurch. 1898