NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 197, 24 September 1914, Page 5

NEWS IN BRIEF.

According to a Press Association message from Sydney, the Pacific Cable Board announces that the members of its staff at Fanning Island are all safe.

The Government weather report states that northerly wind, strong to gale, and very stormy weather may be expected, with much rain. The barometer is falling.

Enquiries made to-day concerning the condition of R. Perreau, the lad who was was run over by a tramcar last Thursday evening, are to the effect that he had a good night and is progressing as well as can be expected.

THE SUN Parliamentary representative telegraphs that the Factory Act Amendment Bill (Mr Wilford), which provided for the reduction of women's and girls' hours in woollen factories from 48 to 45 per week was put through Committee without discussion, read a third time, and passed. At the annual meeting of the Canterbury Rowing Club, held last evening, it was" unanimously decided that the club procure two "Honours Boards," one for the names of the "members who went to South Africa, and the other for the present members who are leaving with the Expeditionary Force. Mary Hannah Samuels, aged 60 years, residing at 511 Worcester Street, was admitted to the hospital last evening, suffering from injuries received as the result of a fall from a tramcar at the corner of Tancred street. She was unconscious when picked up, and was in the same state at 11 a.m. to-day, when enquiries were made as to her condition.

On and after October 1 next the 5.12 and 6.12 p.m. "expresses" to New Brighton will not stop at Stanmore Road as hitherto. It is desired that Linwood passengers should particularly notice this alteration, as some of them have been in the habit of using this car. The BurwoOd car immediately preceding is available for their use, and the Cashel Street car, making all stops, follows the expresses.

Mr Sam. Robinson, of Otaki, has invented an ingenious contrivance for the distribution of onion seed (says the "New Zealand Times"). So fine is the mechanism, and so well thought out, that one seed can be dropped at intervals of 3in, 6in, or 12in. The machine will naturally save.much waste, and do away with the tedious thinning-out process, and be a boon to gardeners generally.

Information received at the office of the Official Assignee this morning states, that Sarvis Thomas Robinson, commercial traveller, Christchurch, has been adjudged a bankrupt. The date for the meeting has not yet been fixed. Mr Bert Royle, representative for J. C. Williamson, Ltd., has been advised that the farewell tour of Mr Julius Knight, the well-known actor, will commence at Christchurch on November 7, and conclude in Wellington at Christmas' time.

An elderly officer going his round at dinner-time at a Territorial camp asked' the usual question, "Any complaints men!" and received a complaint from one mess about the soup. "Well, what is the matter with it?" enquired the officer. "Why, there's no end of.sand and grit in it," replied the mess orderly. "Now look here," said the officer, "did you come to camp to grumble or serve your country?" "Well, sir, I did come to serve my country, sir, but not to eat it." That it is not always advisable to make derogatory remarks regarding '' soldiers of the King'' was exemplified by an incident that took place at the parade of the National Reserve at' Invercargill. When on the march a bystander made use of an offensive epithet, which was resented by one of the reservists. Quick as thought he stepped out of the ranks and "landed him one on the mouth, causing the claret to flow, and making him see stars." He was so dazed by the sudden and unexpected onslaught that he did not retaliate, and the dispenser of justice resumed his place in the ranks. The following programme will be played by Dr Bradshaw, city organist, at the grand organ recital of Russian music to be given in His Majesty's Theatre at 8.30 p.m. on Sunday next, the 27th inst.:—-The Russian Hymn will be sung by Mr Leonard Barnes; Marche Militaire '( Tschaikowski); (a) Berceuse for violin and pianoforte, Op. 30, and (b) Basso ostinato for the pianoforte, Op. 5, No. 5 (Arensky); (a) Allegro con grazia (5/4 time), and (b) finale from the Symphonie Pathetique, for full orchestra, Op. 74 (Tschaikowski) (by request); Melody in B fiat (Nicolai von Wilm); Minuet in G, Op. 77, No. 10 (Moszkowski); Melody in E major, and Prelude in C sharp minor, for the pianoforte (Rachmaninoff); Melody in F major (Rubinstein) (by request); March from the Casse Noisette., (Nutcracker) Suite (Tschaikowski). "The stupid artificial division line in the railway service has not long to live" (says the "Railway Review"). The wonder is that it has survived so long in a go-ahead country, where a man's qualities of brain and hand constitute his only passport to success in commercial and industrial life. We are much more hopeful of a transformation in the railway service after reading the General Manager's special report to Parliament upon the whole system. Mr Hiley concedes what we have been asking for incessantly—the definite provision of actual opportunities for Division 11. men who have ambition to rise to posts of executive responsibility. We hope Mr Hiley will quickly get to work on the lines he has laid down. He may have to wait with extreme patience for the three and a quarter millions necessary to bring equipment and stations up to the mark, but it will cost very little, save ' some clear-headed, sympathetic organisation to start his Second Division promotion scheme.

MOTOR CYCLES. We have just lauded a shipment of Bang Dick and Singer Motor Cycles, finished in dove grey, with several improvements. There is no need to dwell on the quality of these motors, as recent results can prove; winning every side car trial except one takes a lot of beating. These victories speak for themselves.

A lock of John Wesley's hair was sold at Sotheby's recently. It was cut off when the famous divine was eighty-one years of age. With it was sold an autograph letter signed "John Wesley, date 1789." The two articles realised three guineas.

A railway accident occurred yesterday at Mount Egmont quarry, says a Press Association telegram from Stratford. A section of a ballast train having got away, one waggon jumped the points, and others followed. Guard F. Ryde had one of his legs broken.

The opening ceremony in connection with the electrification of the North New Brighton Beach tram service will be held at the New Brighton Trotting Club's grounds on Wednesday next. Special cars will leave the Square (Bank Corner) at 2.30 p.m. for the Pier, returning to the trotting ground. The ceremony has been arranged by the North New Brighton Burgesses Association, and the New Brighton Trotting Club. There will be several addresses and afternoon tea will be provided. A dental ward was opened at the Timaru Hospital to-day, and it is intended to make it available to the public for three hours every Thursday. Members of the Dental Association will take it in turn to give their services at the ward, which will be under the joint control of the Hospital Board and the Dental Association. The fees charged by the board for dental operations will be exceedingly low, so that the benefits of the ward may be obtained by even the poorest people. . Miss Marie Lorain, a handsome young woman who has no arms, was married in New York on July 20 to a young man named Charles Geradi. The bride is '' The Armless Wonder'' attached to a side show of a large circus. The city alderman, who performed the ceremony, was not made aware of the deficiency of the bride, cloaked by the bridal veil. At the proper point he said in the customary way, "Now the ring, please." A somewhat awkward pause, and the bridegroom whispered to the clerk, who whispered to the alderman—and the officer went through without a ring. But at the signing of the register the alderman was puzzled anew. The bridegroom duly signed, and the alderman asked, "How about your wife?" Quickly the bride kicked off her slipper, revealing a dainty foot with a stocking like a glove. She took the pen between her toes, and signed her name in a good round '' hand.'' The couple looked radiant, starting on the honeymoon. Mr J. F. Atkins, representing" the Lyall Bay Surf Club, waited on the Baths, Libraries, and Beaches Committee of the Wellington City Council, and asked that woollen neck-to-kmee costumes should be permitted to be worn on Lyall Bay beach. The following bylaw is to be considered by the council: — '■ '' No person in swimming coatume who is over the age of 10 years shall be or remain on any public foreshore open to the public except for the purpose of entering the water, or when leaving the water to reach any bathing shed or other place for the purpose of dressing unless such person shall be clad in the swimming costume known as the Canadian costume." Mr Atkins pointed out that the Canadian costume was found to be dangerous for life-saving purposes. It also had many other disadvantages—it shrank, and slipped up over the back when in use. The costume used by the Lyall Bay Club was approved by various Australian swimming clubs. The committee reserved its decision in the matter.

The difficulties encountered by colonial boys who wish to become officers in the Royal-Navy was referred to by Mr W. J." Napier at the annual meeting of the Auckland Navy League. Two smart, clever young lads, sons of an Auckland professional man, wished to become'naval officers. They were of just the right type, and Mr Napier as- ! sisted them in putting in their applications. '' But it' was simply heart-break-ing, " said Mr Napier. "I had the greatest difficulty I ever had in my whole life. I wrote some five and thirty letters, some of them very strong letters, and the amount of red-tape and obstruction, and. what I might call 'tomfoolery,' I met .with-from .the Education and Marine Departments of New Zealand was simply incredible. The boys were capable mentally and physically, and had been thoroughly instructed by a coach of undoubted repute, but it/Was a most difficult task to get them admitted." Mr Napier added that he had scores of letters in his office from boys who were anxious to join the navy and qualify as officers. How many people know the difference between a crocodile and an alligator? Among the few are tihose who have sojourned for any time . in the Northern Territory of Australia. Mr Frank Hurley, the official photographer of the coming Shackleton Expedition, who has just returned from the Northern Territory, states the difference with a knowledge born of personal intimacy with both of these animal horrors. The alligator, he says, the fiercest of all the saurian family, is, compared to the crocodile, as the wolf to the lamb. He grows to a length of between 18 and 20 feet at maturity, and is chiefly distinguishable by his short snout. The crocodile seldom attains more than 14 feet in length, and included in that measurement is a long and tapering snout. When desirous of adding to her family the alligator builds a nest, which consists actually of a mound of earth mixed with dry grass and other vegetable matter, and thereon lays her eggs, leaving them there to be hatched ; by the heat generated by decaying vegetable matter. On the other hand Madame Crocodile selects an open spot, scrapes a hole in the sand and there lays her eggs, which are in due course incubated by the heat of the sun. In one crocodile's nest Mr Hurley discovered no fewer than 68 eggs. The economical aspect of Mayors proclaiming half-holidays for public functions was referred to by Mr A. Leigh Hunt at the meeting of the council of the Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce, says the '' Post.'' Mr Hunt pointed out that whereas only £4OO or £SOO was raised towards the Patriotic Fund as a result of the recent cricket match in the Basin Reserve, for which the Mayor proclaimed a half-holiday, the observance of the same entailed a: direct loss to the community of some £4OOO or £SOOO. This meant that the ! community was so much the poorer, whereas if a subscription list had been sent round the same sum might readily; have been raised without entailing any; such loss. Mr G. Winder considered that when the troops went away the business places ought to shut for half a, day, and thus give the men a good send- 5 off, even if it did inconvenience business. Mr W. Reed said he was at a loss to follow Mr Hunt, as in his opinion business lost by closing for half a day in a city was picked up later. Mr Hunt replied that his remarks were meant to .apply"to factories, where production ceased by closing them for half a day. As to the departure of the Expeditionary Force, he quite agreed that all business places should bo closed on that day, for the day if necessary.

The Sydenham Bowling Club will open the season on Saturday week, when members and visitors will be the guests of the president (Mr J. Y. Beattie) and Mrs Beattie.

James Kilminster, a farmer residing at Belmont, Wellington, was admitted to the hospital last evening, and died a few minutes later. He was apparently trying to cross the Tailway at Belmont, and did not notice an* approaching train, the engine of which knocked him down, crushing his right side. Kilminster was sixty-seven years of age, and married.—Press Association.

Rev. Dr Sheldon, of Kansas, United States, is at present visiting Christchurch, and will deliver a series of prohibition addresses in the city and neighbourhood. Dr Sheldon is well known as the author of a number of books, including i "In His Steps," '' Philip Strong's Crucifixion,'' and "His Brother's Keeper." On the lecture platform he is one of the bestknown men in the United States, and has been chosen as one of "The Flying Squadron" which will conduct the American campaign for national prohibition.

The members of the Maori party who were received by the King and Queen at Buckingham Palace on June 4 are expected to arrive, in Auckland towards the end of this month. The party comprised Te Rata, the Maori '"king," Tupu Taingakawa, Te Waharoa, Meta Karaka, and G. G. Paul, the interpreter and secretary, and they sailed from Auckland on April 11. The return journey was begun in the steamer Otway, but when the war broke out that vessel was delayed at Gibraltar. Returning to London,, the "king" party took passage in the Blue Funnel liner Nestor, and according to advice received ' in Auckland this week they expect to reach Sydney in time to join the Riverina on September 23, and arrive in Auckland on the following Sunday. "It is a despicable thing' to misuse" the King's uniform at a time like this and to utilise it to impose upon gene-rously-inclined people," said Mr F. V. Frazer, S.M., when Thomas Francis Hill and Frank Wilson were brought; before him in the Auckland Police Court on a eharge of soliciting alms. Hill, who appeared in the dock wearing a Territorial uniform, was stated to have joined the Epsom camp on August 15. The same night he absented himself without leave, being arrested a fortnight later by the guard. He was sent to the hospital to recover from a drinking bout, but left, and was finally discharged from the force on September 7. Since then, with Wilson, he had been begging in the streets from other Territorials and civilians, the proceeds being spent in drink. His Worship said that 14 days' hard labour would have a beneficial effect in the case of each of the accused.

A prisoner named Griffiths, who made a sensational escape from an Invercargill gaol gang, has been ordered to for-

feit 720 marks (equivalent to three months' remission of sentence); and ; be placed on bread and/'water for seven .days. He and the other prisoners were employed at low water doing some worfc near the rowing club's sheds, when he made a bolt for liberty. Under cover of a bridge he removed his gum boots and trousers, and, watching his opportunitg, bolted across the mud flats, making under the old jetty in the direction of Crinan Street. He was at once noticed by the warder in charge of the party, who called upon him to stand, but he refused to do so. Two shots were fired with the purpose of intimidating him. He, however, succeeded in gaining! the shelter of the old jetty, about fifty yards distant, and once there he was safe. After floundering over the mud flats, which were in places knee-deep, he reached Crinan, Street, thoroughly saturated, and black with mud. Noticing a bicycle on a verandah, he promptly annexed it, and with it made off in the direction of Enwood. Arriving at the Enwood store, he left the bicycle at the roadside, and made oft' on foot'in the direction of Metzger'a bush, on the Oteramika Boad. On reach- : i»ig a house where he had formerly resided, he secreted himself by crawling underneath the floor, and was there secured. ■■„ '