TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18334, 17 February 1920, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The Moana, with English and American mails on board, via San Francisco, and the Manuka, from Sydney, arrived in Wellington on Saturday. The Christchurch portion will be delivered to-day. The following are the number of bags:—Moana 67 from London, 14 from Liverpool, 2 from Birmingham, 2 from Edinburgh, 14 (also 89 parcel bags) from San Franoisco, 2 from Vancouver, 22 from New York. Manuka—6 bags .and 22 hampers from Sydney, 19 bags and 27 hampers from Melbourne, 1 bag from. Adelaide, 2 bags from Hobart, 1 bag from Brisbane, 40 bags from London, 3 bags from Edinburg, and 1 bag from Liverpool. Yesterday's river report stated that the Waimakariri (both branches), the Rakaia and the Opihi were clear, the Waitaki 'was fishable, and the Rangitata was dirty. The Mokoia's departure from Wellington for Samoa has been postponed till this afternoon, owing to the vessel's utilisation in the ferry service during the week-end. Of the 123 legislators the number making the trip has been reduced' to 40. The following land agents were f anted renewals of their licenses by r S. E. M'Carthy, S.M., at the Magistrate Court yesterday afternoon: Wrenn and Brown, William Bain, John Jowett, Gillies and Yates, and Francis J. G. Wilkinson. The engineers' case set out for hearing yesterday by the Conciliation Council, and the metal workers' assistants' case set down for to-morrow have been adjourned to a date, to be fixed, pending Dominion conferences of the parties to. be held at Christchurch or Wellington. A telegram from Wellington states that the flaxcutters employed at the Great Mironui Mill, Makerua Swamp, have not been working since Thursday. They demanded an increase of Is 6d per ton on the current rates for green flax, but the demand "was refused. Some hundreds of men are affected.

During the influenza epidemio in 1918, doctors complained of difficulty in finding the numbers of houses. In view of a possible recurrence of the epidemic, a special officer has been engaged by the City Council to go round the city and see that the house numbers are easily visible. This work has been given to a returned soldier, who began his duties last week. At the annual meeting of the Rawhiti Domain Board, Mr F. Kibblewhite presided, and there were also present: — Messrs Israelson, Bellamy, Muirson, Stokes, Bisset, Gamble and Leaver. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £7l. The questions of felling trees and ~the disposal of firewood were referred to the Reserves Committee with power to act, and it was decided that Councillor Bisset be added to the committee. \

The supplementary rolls for the Christchurch Licensing District -and other licensing district's closed yesterday. The Christchurch licensing distriot comprises the electorates of Christchurch North, South and East, and Mr T. W. Reese is the returning officer. Nominations of persons to sit on the licensing; committees will close at noon on February 28, and any necessary elections will be held on March 9. Five persons are irequired for the Christchurch. Committee.

At the annual meeting of the Addington branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, the following resolutions were received from, the Rangataua branoh, and were endorsed:— " That the time has arrived when all reeulatiosn and lestrictions under the War Acts should be repealed." " That this branch emphatic ally protests against the deportation of one of our comrades in the person of Moses Baritz, for the sole reason tliat he is championing the cause of the working class of this country."

In relation to indentured labour in Samoa, the Rev J. J. North reported to last night's meeting of the Council of Churches that the Rev Mr Copeland, to whom the matter had been referred had advised him that he was in correspondence with leading men on the island. The council could expect to receive through Mr Copeland very reliable and unbiased information fum a humanitarian, standpoint. "I think, however, that the question is a much more difficult one than the Ministry suggested when it was laid before the House," concluded Mr North. • It was rumoured some time ago that merchants intended to charge farmers threepence per sack for the use of grain sacks this season, a rise of <oaid( penny on what was charged last season. Mr David Jones, president of the North Canterbury Farmers' Union, wrote to Mr W. G. "M'Donald, chairman of the Board of Trade, stating that the understanding with the Government was that the farmers should not be charged more than twopence per sack. Mr M'Donald has now replied stating that there is no truth in the rumour that a higher price is to be charged for the use of sacks, and he advises farmers who are selling grain to see that the previous arrangement is carried out.

The Christchurch railway servants recently asked for a special train to convey them to Motukarara, where they wish to hold their annual picnio on Sunday, February 29. The Department, however, refused the request, although the railway servants had offered to supply the necessary labour. Dr Thacker communicated with Mr Massey and Mr M'Villy on the subject, and last evening he received the following telegram from Mr M'Villy:—Your telegram regarding proposed railway picnics at Motukarara on Sunday, February 29. It is the settled policy of the Department to restrict Sunday running. For 'this reason and in the interests of railway men themselves the Department as a matter of principle has for years past declined to specially open up any line for the purpose of running picnio trains on Sundays. Sunday trains rim on suburban lines are, of course, available to the railway staff as well as the general public I gave careful consi deration to the request made in the first instance, and regret I cannot depart from the decision already conveyed to those interested-"

Councillor D. G. Sullivan, M.P., moved at the meeting of the City Council last night, " That the council disapproves of the action of whoever was responsible for giving permission to the Chautauqua entertainers to erect a marquee on Latimer Square." Councillor Harper, chairman of the Reserves Committee, said that when he was first asked to grant permission he vraa not at all inclined to do so. Then a deputation of the guarantors of the Chautauqua waited on him. He pointed out to the deputation that, if he gave permission to Chautauqua to use the square he might have to grant the same permission to a circus. However, the deputation urged that the entertaniment was of an educational nature- He did not have an opportunity of calling a meeting of the Reserves Committee, but he rang up Councillors Hunter and M'Kellar, both of whom were in favour of granting permission. Ho failed to get m touch with Councillor Sullivan. He had granted the necessary permission thinking he was acting for the best. After discussion the motion was lost, pnly Councillor SuMivafn voting for it. "Characteristic" "distinctive""true to life," are expressions we hear by those who have their portraits made by Steffano Webb. We are particularly successful with children's portraits. Peterson's Bldgs., High Street, Christchurch. Telephone 1989. > X

The following stock were slaughtered at the city abattoirs during January:— Cattle 1058, sheep 8707, lambs 8420, pigs 996, calves 639. The following •were condemned ;—Cattle 17, sheep 38, pigs 29, calves 3. During January the sum of £202 3s lOd was taken at the Municipal Baths. From April 1, 1919, to January 31, 1920, the sum was £1073 19s 4d, £489 13s Id more than for the same term in the previous year. In the Supreme Court at Dunedin yesterday in a breach of promise action, Annie Joseph Anderson, spinster, versus Peter William Gordon Spiers, bank clerk, a verdiot was entered by consent for plaintiff fW £l5O.

A meeting of officers of the Canterbury Regiment, N.Z.8.F., will be held in the Officers' Club, Worcester Street, to-morrow evening, at eight o'clock, for the purpose of discussing the final disposal of the King's colours presented to the regiment. The By-laws and Finance Committee of tho City Council has instructed the City Surveyor to prepare a survey plan showing land that must be purchased by the council if it accepts Mr C. Wood's offer to give a chain of his land along the route of a proposed road from Leinster Road to Heaton Street, to give access to Elm wood Park.

The City Council has not yet taken steps to prepare a municipal reserve at the corner of Wordsworth Street and Queen Street, Sydenham, for a children's playground, but the Mayor has communicated with Councillor J. W. Beanland (chairman of the Works Committee) on the subject, and he has been informed that the work- of preparing the ground will be gone on with at once.

The City Council, at a speoial meeting last evening, decided to raise a loan of £1852 to make extensions to the convenience at the corner of High and Cashel Streets, and to provide pipeclay fitments in the existing iron conveniences. The estimated cost of the extensions is £IBOO. The resolution to raise the loan will be formally confirmed at an ordinary meeting of the council on March 15. The lack of suitable accommodation for passengers at the Linwood railway station was referred to by Councillor E. E. Langley at the meeting of the City Council last evening. He said that on some days, especially Sundays, there were 150 people waiting on the station at one time. On Councillor Langley's motion, seconded by Councillor H. Hunter, it was deoided to make representations to the Minister of Railways on the matter.

The Council of Churches received at its meeting last night a response to a letter which had been sent to Mr C. B. Matthews, Controller-General of Prisons, urging the necessity of certain prison reforms. He wrote stating that improvements in _ directions indicated were likely to be effected by the Department in the near future. In relation to medical attention, Mr Matthews said he was of opinion that the complaints of the ex-prisoners referred to were without foundation.

A representative meeting of farmers and other users of power was held at Te Awamutu yesterday to consider the position arising out of the acute shortage of .benzine in the district. It was resolved to telegraph to the. Prime Minister and the Board of Trade pointing out that unless supplies are in sight within two days thousands of cows will have to be dried off and great loss in production sustained. Already a great many milking maohines are idle, and it is difficult to get labour for hand milk- < The position is Berious .in the dairying districts. m At a recent meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association held in Wellington, a committee, with Colonel Mitchell, D. 5.0., M.P., as chairman, was set .up to consider the land question as it affects returned soldiers. However, it was decided that before the committee could open negotiations with the Government it would be necessary for »t to obtain some reliable data regarding the demand for land by returned men. With this object in view Mr W. H. Leadley, secretary of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association, is compiling a roll of members of the association, who want to get on the land. It is hoped that the new club rooms of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association will be ready in time to permit of the opening ceremony being performed by the Prince of Wales. The completion of the building has been delayed by the shortage of bricks and cement. The association is making representations to the Board of Trade on u the matter, and it is hoped that the required materials will be obtained in time. It is not yet definitely known whether the Prince will be able to perform the opening ceremony. Mr W. E. Leadley, secretary of the Christchurch Association, wrote to Sir Francis Bell, acting-Minister of Internal Affairs, on Friday, asking if arrangements could be made, but so far he has received no reply.

Detective M. Mason, of Wellington, a well-known member of the police service, has resigned, and through his solicitors has asked the Commissioner of Police and the Minister -of Justice for an inquiry before a Supreme Court Judge, into the alleged causes for his resignation. Mr Mason alleges that in a recent case before the Court, which ho investigated, he was not satisfied with the guilt of the accused persons, yet his advice was not taken, and in the.witness box he had to tell the truth as to his opinion on the matter. He fears that there are other matters which affect his service, and in the interests of justice and the public, he asks for an independent inquiry, as provided under the Police Force Act. The resignation has been accepted. Reports concerning the social services .of the bodies represented on the Council of Churches were roceived at last night's meeting of the council. The Rev J. Paterson said there were two phases of social service which were not attended to. The council should consider whether as one body the churches represented should establish a hospital and an old people's home. He suggested the appointment of a sub-committee to consider the matter. There was a muchfelt need for a private Protestant hospital. The Rev J. K. Archer said that, speaking generally, the old people's homes in New Zealand were a disgrace to the Dominion. They were altogether behind the times. What they ought to get was a great passion for the wellbeing of the old people as a whole. He did not favour tho establishment of a special institution by the churches. "I want to see more of a civic conscience among the churches," said the speaker. ■"Our civio conscience is at present practically nil." Influenza need cause little alarm where commonsense and " Brittol " are freely used. "Brittol" is a coaltar product, manufactured by the British Distillate, Limited, at Sockburn. Dilute it with water, and use it in sinks drains outhouses, etc. It kills smells and disease germs.. Sold almost everywhere, x " Glorious summer " ig a happy hunting season for coughs and colds. It is bo easy to neglect the simple sniffle and sneeze—and the result is a severe cough or cold. For that cough or cold take " Baxter's Lung Preserver." 2s 6d large bottle. 2 You can depend upon everything being done promptly and well if you only hand your shipping documents to J. M. Heywoodand Co., Ltd. They are recognised as experts at this work. Telephones 250, 1241 and 2174. X Gibb's Art Depot for Picture Framing, Pictures, Artists' Colours and Drawing Materials. 105, Cashei Street. X

An application to have adjudicated a bankrupt Avon A. West, who for some time carried on a tailoring business in Christchurch, was made before his Honor Mr Justice Herdman, in Chambers, yesterday morning, and the official assignee was appointed interim receiver and manager of the estate. West's whereabouts are not at present known to the authorities.

Reports from most parts of the Ashburton County go to show that the rape and turnip crops are doing remarkably well this season and feed for fattening purposes never looked better. The blight made its appearance early, but the recent rains, and the heavy dew at night, have completely checked the parasite, and the growth of the plants is now vigorous, and in many cases the crop is ready for the lambs. In a collision case heard by Mr S. E. M'Carthy, S-M. at the Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon the plaintiff claimed £4 for depreciation in the value of a horse. Plaintiff said that, although the horse was not injured, it had, as a result of the accident ; become so frightened of motor vehicles that it shied at one it saw. The horse had been used in a delivery cart, but now it was not safe to allow it to stand on the road alone, and so it was not much' use for delivery work. Plaintiff considered that before the accident the horse was worth £ls. He was now pre-, pared to sell it for £2. The Magistrate allowed the plaintiff £2 10s for depreciation in the value of his horse. All those gentle aids to beauty so appreciated by womenfolk are best purohased at Loasby and Oo.'s Pharmacy (opp. Ballantyne's). Toilet Creams, Perfumery, Toilet Brush ware, Manioure Sets, etc., are in endless variety, representing all of the best productions of the leading manufacturers of the world. 6 Pilkington's Motors are now running Christchurch-Akaroa at 20s return. 7442 THREE SECOND-HAND CAR BARGAINS AT ADAMS, LTD. 1918 Model 40 h.p. Studebaker, 5-7-seater, for sale, painted oream, fully equipped with all the latest fittings, including electric lamps, self-starter, spare rim, complete with cover and tube, also full set of tools. This car wo can thoroughly recommend, as it has only run a very small mileage, all the tyres being in the best of orderPrice £395. We will be very pleased to give any prospective customer a good trial with this car. Carriers and fruiterers are invited to •inspect a sturdy Clement-Talbot Motor Delivery which" we have for sale at a very low price. Car is fully equipped with electric lamps, tools and spare rims. This car has a fine roomy body and would be very suitable for a fruiterer ot greengrocer. Any trial given. Price £165 Five-seater Chevrolet Oar for sale, in really tip-top order and condition. This car has only been driven by a very careful farmer about 6000 miles, and is just as good as new. Car is fully equipped with eleotrio lamps, self-starter, spare rim with cover and tube, full set of tools, etc., and is finished in a smart brown shade. Tyres are in the best of order. Price £265. ADAMS. LTD. Garage: 119, Tuam Street. X