LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19830, 22 December 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The bedding for the now fever ward at the Ashburton County Hospital has arrived, but further equipment has still to come to band. In case of emergency the new building could now be used. A sugar famine is reported in Ashburton. A few days ago a consignment ■was due for Canterbury, but the boat went on to Dunedin without calling at Lyttelton. It is now doubtful whether supplies for Ashburton will come to hand before the holidays. During the high wind on Saturday evening, a tall poplar tree in Charles Street, Kaiapoi, was blown down, carrying away both the electric light and telephone wires, with the result that the residents at the east end of tho town were without light or power during tho week-end.

Two policemen had an oxciting scuffle with Wo opium smugglers on the cliffs near Cremorne Point, Sydney Harbour, a few days ago. Two men approached tho shore in a skiff and dragged a big bag from the boat. As they walked up from tho water’s edge the constable.-, closed on them, and a fight ensued, during which the men managed to escape. They dropped the bag, which contained ninety-eight tins of opium, valued at £2700. Later in tho day the police visited a house in Cremorne and arrested a man on suspicion.

The patients of the Cashmere Military Sanatorium very much appreciate the weekly visit of officers of the Salvation Army, whose kindness is displayed m the shape of gifts of fruit, papers and confectionery. The patients wish them a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. A very successful entertainment was held at the sanatorium on Tuesday evening, in the form of a fancy dress euchre tournament. At tho conclusion of the cards judging of tho fancy dresses was done by Mrs Treleaven, of tho Red Cross Society, and the 0.C., Major Aitken. Pork sausages featured in cases heard in the Magistrate’s Court at Wellington on Friday, states the “Post,” when John Kuch, pork butcher, Courtenay Place, was fined £2 and 17s 6d costs for selling sausages alleged to have been adulterated with starch. Mr J. Prendeville, of the Crown Law Office, said that the Pure Food and Drugs Act provided for tho addition of 6 per cent of , starch, or an equivalent of 12 per cent of bread. Defendant’s sausages contained 10 per cent of starch or an equivalent of 20 per cent of bread. Mr H. Putnam, for the defence, urged that Kuch did not, know that he had put more than tho authorised quantity of starch in the sausages. David Morgan was fined £5, with £2 2s 6d costs, for selling sausages unfit for human consumption.

After a long interval, the children cf All Saint’s Sunday School, Sumner, together with the children of the Uodeliffs Mission Hall Sunday School, held a picnic on Saturday afternoon at the homestead of Mr and Mr? Scott, M’Cormaoje’s Day. A special trim was provided, and the afternoon was spent in games and races. A large number of parents attended, ar.d Mrs Scott presented Ibo priv.es wun at the recent Diocesan examination by the Sumner School. The list was as follows; Intermediate division—First-class honours, E. 0. S. Powell and M. Wiggins Junior division—First-class honours) A. lv. Poweli. At the conclusion of the gathering cheers wore given for the host and hostess, and also for the Rev and Mrs E. C, W. Powell and the teachers.

In tlio midst of a warm, discussion ct the Conciliation Council at Wellington on Friday afternoon, states the “ Post,” on the question of equal pay for the sexes for equal work, one of the assessors in the dispute, which concerned the employees in private hotels declared that the kitchenmaid of today was the chef of to-morrow. &#id one of the assessors across tho table: “Then Lord knows thev will have to change a lot.” What man in New Zealand to-day, he added, would work m a kitchen if he could get anything else to do? Ho considered that a kitchenmaid getting 30s a week and good, nourishing food and decent accommodation in the establishment, was in receipt of the equivalent of at least £3 5s a week. Was that not good enough for what were often ignorant country girls?

Hundreds of Christchurch citizens have been cured by Dr Fellow's Pile Cones when every other known remedy has failed. Price 3s 6d box, from chemists, or direct. Loasby and Co-, chemists (opp. Ballantyne’s). X There is one intimate, personal gift that carries with it the real spirit of Christmas—your own portrait. Let Steffano Webb make it Petersen’s Buildings, High Street. 'Phone 1089.

Christmas Goods at' Christmas Prices I Very charming is the selection of goods being offered by Messrs Hastie, Bull and Pickering, Cashel Street. Beauty is combined with utility, nearly everything offered having a useful purpose. The prices and quality are very attractive. 1