LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2281, 15 October 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Reserved judgment will be delivered by His Honour Mr. Justice Edwards in £he Supreme Court this mornnig in the case of - Watkins v. Watkins, an appeal from a decision of the Stipendiary Magistrate.

The German population of Somes Island wa3 augmented yesterday by the addition of seventeen German prisoners who landed at Auckland on Tuesday from Samoa.. They arrived in Wellington by the Main Trunk express yesterday morning, under the charge of Lieutenant D. Kenny, and w;ero at once taken to the island.

A question In regard to tie payment. )f tho troops was a3ked .in the House of. Representatives ; yesterday afternoon by Mr. G. W. Russell, who said that up to the present no money had been received by the,soldiers' dependents. The Minister of Defence (the Hon. J. Allen) said that the men wore paid in full, up to September 22, no money being kept back, because the men were then able to send what they wished to those dependent upon them. The pay was now about due; but whether it had'been "paid out or not ho did not know.

A member of the Legislative Council was asked yesterday if a certain ckth of which ho was speaking was bulletproof. "No,'.' he answered, "but even some honourable gentlemen's heads are not that." ■ . I ■

One of tho troopers who acted as guard for the German prisoners brought to Auckland liy tho steamer .Navua on Tuesday had a very narrow escape from death. ._ He was carrying a loaded riflfc, when, in coming out of a doorway leading from the second-class saloon, something caught tha. trigger, with tho result that the' rifle went off, The bullet just grazed tho trooper's face, lifting tho skin from his cheoK, and spent itself on the iron upper deck. ' Beyond- a slight bruise and shock the man suffered no injury. ' ''.-..•

Writing to his friends in Wellington, one of the Expeditionary Force m Samoa urges, them to send him some cigarettes by the first boat._ "At the present time there's not a'cigarette to be got on tho island, and some of the men who had a few nackets sent them by tho. last boat had, under-pressure, made a good thing out of them by selling out at a shilling per cigarette."

The' reports received by tho Labour Department, Wellington, for tho week ending October 10 show that 88 labourers registered as applicants fof work. Of that total 45 wero placed in Government employment, and 20' in private employment. As compared with previous weeks since the commencement _of the war, the number-shows a slight increase. In addition a number who.had registered previously aro still .idle. Tho applications from skilled men have been very few, although towards tho end of tho week the number of oarpentors applying increased from two to twelve. The position in Wellington; judging from the number seeking work, appears to bo much better than in Auckland and Cliristchurch. In Auckland thoro were 176 applicants during last week, and in Christolmroh 237.

. The sum of £90,000, subscribed towards tho British National Boy Scouts' Endowment Fund of £250,000, includes a legacy of £10.000. Eight of the leading banks contributed £250 each, whilst tlioro aro'scores of private contributions of £100. Tho siim of £2000 asked for in New Zealand is moderate comparison. ■

Constable 98, a large-sir.cd, youthfullooking member of tho local Police Force, won iho admiration of a largo crowd of passing citizens at Dominion Avenue yesterday afternoon. A number of men-o'-warsmen, marines, and a sprinkling of firemen, who had been celebrating their shore-leave less wisely than well, had got into an angry altercation, with all tho elements of a serious disturbance beliind it. Constable 98 arrived on the sceno just.as matters were looking very ugly indeed. Singlehanded ho set oi!t to disperse the heated disputants, and by a tactful handling of tho situation, !n the courso of which ho displayed admirable judgment in evincing good nature, firmness, or physical suasion, as the exigencies of tho moment demanded, ho succeeded in checking what looked liko developing into a serious street light. Tho police do not as a rujo get tho credit they deserve on ocoasions of this kind, but a Dominion representative who was present noted that hi this instance moro than one of tho onlookers at the close of tho incident congratulated tho constable on the plucky and tactful manner m which ho had carried through a risky and difficult task. Constable 98 thoroughly deserved their congratulations. "Among tho sights at New York,'' says Jlr. W. 11. Morris, who returned from America yesterday, "is the formidable array of German steamers tied tip there until tho war shall have ended Prominent among thorn is the leviathan Vatorlaiul, whish is so big that she sticks out into tho river, being muoli too long for the berth she is tied to. The appropriation of loan by ballot in connection with the Hutt Valley Building Society, at' Petone, resulted in Mr, D. 'Campbell (two shares) drawing £300 jree of interest.

A drunken sailor from one of the' troopships hi port had a narrow escape from being, knocked down and injured by a tramcar/ifA Lambton Quay last night. Ho was evidently determined to board the tramcar hi quostion at all costs, and oblivious to the fact that it was going at a fair rat© of speed, and that he was at tho wrong sido for boarding, ho made one wild dive at it as it passed. The conductor shouted, and a mate' caught him round, the neck, but he was not to be baulked, ana i only increased his pace towards tho car. Tho motonnan saw that an accident was

imminent, and applied the brakes. Tho sailor then appeared to appreciate tho ' threatening look of the conductor and motorman, and, laughing raucously, allowed himself to be dragged on to the sidewalk by his mate.

A correspondent signing himself

"Anti-Humbug" , draws attention to some inconsistencies and shortcomings in tho recent tactics of 'some members of tho Opposition Party. He points out that when Sir Joseph Ward lately absented himself from his Parliamentary 'duties in order to spend some days in Auckland attending to party affairs, one of the party organs had the effrontery to attack the Government' for bringing down tho Legislative Council Bill during his 6elf-imposed absenco. "Because Sir Joseph Ward chooses to absent himself electioneering or for any other purpose," asks this correspondent, "should the business of Parliament be brought to a standstill?" Further, that while Sir Joseph Ward is reported as declining to make any', policy or political statement, or to say anything against. tho Government till the House rises, his henchman, tho •member for Nelson, addressed a meeting in the Auckland Town Hall on the evening •of tho day _on which the Leader of the Opposition's statement' was published. This_ is what the Opposition call "playing the game." j "Anti-Humbug" criticises tie action of the member for Nelson (Mr. Atmore) in commenting upon the eviderice in -a still pending inquiry, and in saddling the' Government with responsibility for certain happenings before it has been af-

forded an opportunity 'oi stating its. case or defending itself. Finally, our correspondent expresses curiosity as to what Mr.. Atmoro's constituents think of his action in running away from his Parliamentary dut :s to address constituencies with which he has no concern, and as to who finances Mr. Atmore in the matter of hiring halls, advertising, etc., in connection with these activities, unless it is tho AVard Party organisation.

The Greymouth police nave received information that tno man Fred Wat-

son, of Murchison, who was reported from the Hanmor Hot Springs as be- I ing missing,, has turned up all right. Ho was delayed by a fall of snow. The Trafalgar demonstration now being organised by tho Navy League for) Wednesday evening nest promises to be a great success. Moving pictures of the "New Zealand," topical lantern slides, patriotic speeches, and appropriate vocal items byMissMina Caldow, and Messrs. Clarkson and Phipps are to make iip a very effeotivo programme. - The gross' proceeds are to be.equally-divided be■ttfeen. the Mayor's Belgian Belief Fund and War Fund. School prices are to be presented during the evening to the successful competitors in tho essay competition on the subject, ."What naval disaster would mean to the British Empire." . >

An Auckland telegram published on Monday stated that a communication had been addressed to each, of the ten woollen mills in Now Zealand, asking them to inform the Defence Department how much khaki they could supply to meet the requirements of the New Zealand Government and the Imperial authorities. This was taken to imply that the Imperial Government"had'-"offered practically an open order to al* mills which were prepared to manufacture <■ khaki cloth for military purposes.; As no ordera have been placed, this as-, sumption is considered prematme, for it.-' is felt that the information may only be required as a guide. Textile papers to band by a recent mail showed that some of the -English mills were complaining that they were not getting a fair share of the khaki orders, so it is; apparent tiliat thore is no lack of facilities for turning out the cloth in England. It is a fact, however, that military blankets hare been shipped from \ New Zealand to the order of private ' firms in. England.

Punishment for drunkennesß in the early days in New Zealand was a fine of 55., so 7tv. Donald Frasor, of R-angi-tikoi, told his audience at a gathering of the Early Settlers' Association, held in Wellington last night. He explained that balf-a-crown went to the arresting policeman, and believed that the other half-crown went to tho Magistrate.

A patriotic action of a very generous nature has been performed by Mr. J. 0. Shorland, of Cuba Street, who ,has lent the Defence Department his 15-ton pleasure lannoh, the Rolmtai, for use) during the war. The Department havo been using the launch daily, in convey-, ing stores to Somes Island, for t.io. guards and prisoners there. Mr. Sbor-'j land will be thus deprived of the.use. of tho launch during the coming boat-' ing season, and his action'has thus been all tho more self-sacrificing.

Day after dav in the House of Representatives Ministers are bombarded with questions without notice concern- ■ ing tho Expeditionary Force. Many of tho questions deal with more details , which should never be made the- sub- > jeot of a question in the Houso. Mr. Sidey asked one such question yester-, day,-exactly similar to one which the Minister of Defence had answered on. a previous occasion. After answering tho question Mr. Allen expressed his opinion about tho conduct of members ) who brought up such questions. "I should bo very much bettor pleased, \ said Mr. Allen, "if tho honourablo gentleman, when he has a matter of i this kind to inquire about, would como and see mo instead of bringing these things up in the House. (Hear, hear.) , Tt seems to ,me theso questions are be- : ing brought up for a purpose, and I don't think it is a proper purpose It honourable gontlemcn would see mo 'about theso questions, thoy coulil all ' bo settled and dealt with long before thoy aro brought up in the House.-"

A gathering under the auspioes of the Early Settlers' Association was held in Godbor's Rooms, Courtenay Place, last evening, for tho purpose of hearing an address by Mr. Donald Eraser, who made a special trip from Bulls to relate some of his early experiences to the meeting. Mr. Robert 'Hosie was in the chair. Mr. Fraser arrived in the ship Blenheim in 1810. .He spent : Christmas Day on tho vessel in port, and landed, on New' Year's Day, IS4I. His rominiscenoos proved full of interest.. Other speakers during the evening were Messrs. H. A M M'Konzie, Enoch Tonks, and Johu Smith. ' A.London cable message published in the Sydney "Sun" last Thursday read es follows:—"Mr.-Pember Reeves, a Well-known. New Zealander, formerly' 'Agent-General for tho Dominion, was arrested as a spy at Arras., He ;-as taken before the Gorman commandant, who interrogated him, and then ordered his release." • ' . Shannon's grocery . store, 'Anderson Hay Road, Dunedin," was gutted by fire tfhis morning (states a Press Association message from Dunedin). Insurances: On the building, £300: on tho stock and fittings, £200; on the furniture, £100. A house adjoining the store was badly damaged. .' . , .. The lecture of Mr; Evan- Parry, the Governmfent ekotrical expert, - last evening on- the Lake Coleridge-Christcliurch electrio scheme was' for the initiated. Mr. Parry stated that there were two lines leading into Christchurch by' different routes, the adoption-of-tho two routes being an insurance against, interference by local atmospheric disturbances. Each line would carry 4500 kilowatts, but'if'-tho necessity arose' would ,probably carry' double that number/ -The'; 'three-phase,. seven-strand aluminium.wires were stretched on ironbark poles' 42ft. in .length, buried to .a depth of six feet,- and the normal spac--ing between poles: was 400 ft:'' The long- - est span was 1300 ft. The insulators were placed; 6ft. apart in.-triangular form', and each one had a special protective fitting against arcing.- Mr. Parry illustrated his lecture with several views of the new-transmission line, and an'array of tables dealing with the more abstruse equations'referred to; .and 'used in'connection with the big work. '■'The financial result of the last three ;municipal organ recitals at Christchurch his considerably improved, ac-. cording to a report presented to the Christchurch City, Council by the Bands and Organ Committee..- Tho committee considered the reason for the financial, improvement had been principally owing-' -,to;the charge of 6d. for admission being "required, and probably partly on ac-: count of the announcement'of the fact •that-the..recitals might be discontinued owing .to the disappointing result : .of the! collections.' :,The loss on the last threerecitals had been only £5 Is". 3d:, which'; ,as -the. city, organist's fees had already' been provided, the. committee regarded as;satisfabtory..,,;.lJporivthe committee's TMotnmendatao.n/.'it was .'decided to continue-: the;'recitals ,for the present;

..;' A, meeting of'..''wholesale, and retail fruiterers was , held at iDunedin- on Saturday,'.to urge \the' necessity. of ah early,, resumption.; ;of the, 'Melbourne-Hobart-Bluff steam service. 'The following resolution was carried:—"That ■ this association communicate with tho ■Union' Steam. Ship Company and Hud'.dart, Parker Company; asking them to do everything in their power towards "starting, at any. rate the, inward service from Melbourne:" - Tho '.matter was fully gone into by .-various speakers, and.the seriousness,^of the position shown. Early'fruits;'; such as clierries,. apricots, and pears, , usually come through the Bluff services ,and, it was stated that unless something is done to reinstate, this /service,-., the -outlook, : so far as retail fruiterern are ■ concerned/' between now and Christmas will bo extremely critical. It was also resolved to' write tof'the. Prime Minister; bringing under his notioe'itiho',present cbtiditioli: of affairs. ■•■' ' ■ ■■' v-'' ' . ...''-'.:- '•■

•A, timely rescue from-drowning was effected between 5 and 6 p.m. on, Tues'day by Mr. Robt. Cashman,. a tnessen-' goi-jin tho Government Buildings. Mr. Cashman was walking along the Clyde Quay Wharf,' when he'heard someone call out that a child had fallen off the sea wall. With commendable promptitude he threw off his coat and vest, and diving in, swam to the child (a boy about five years of age),,and with some difficulty managed to battle against an' oiit-ouroent to ! the wall,, where, with the assistance'of anothor man who had jumped in to his aid, he climbed with tho boy up a ladder which had- been ■ lowered to assist the rescuers,.

The following extracts are taken .from an interesting letter received by the , Very Rev, Dean M'Kerina, V.G., 'of Masterton, 1 from : Archbishop Redwood, concerning the present war. - Writing from Bayonne, France, under date August 9, His Lordship says :—"My plans ■ - f °r a tour of Franco'fell through, for ~suddenly all tho trains wore seized by the French Army authorities, and pas■;Senger traffio suspended sine 'die, in! order''to ,make the general mobilisation of,the army. So I had to'stay hero as a sort of prisoner, not of war, but because, of war. Having at last got; - '.by vmeans of an English Consul here, a ; passport for Spain, I am going there shortly, and please God, visit the principal cities, including Madrid/ Seville,, and- Barcelona. 'As Barcelona (as the Marist Fathers have several homos there) I shall be' at heme. I shall get to England later. on, either by sea or land. . Well, the tremendous _ general European' conflict has begun, and I am glad England is thoroughly m for her share, and : it is the general opinion that the three, France, England, and Russia, will defeat Germany, and. give her unbearable pride and .. arrogance a sajutar.v lesson. Germany has made herself hated by most of Europe, and by. well- ; iiigh all the world. She is into it at last. France this time is quite ready,' V<hd you will hear of her achievements, or.: I am wonderfully mistaken. Al-. ready the German merchant trade is paralysed, not to say destroyed, on sea, and I expect that, if if fights, her 1 fleet will be; ruined. Belgium's defence of Liege is heroic, and has completely up--set the Gorman plan of a surprise to France by rushing at her through the .Belgian territory. Now Franco has all the time required to meet her. in or near Belgium, nnd British .troops'''-will be at hand to help." •

It appears that the establishment of an isolation hospital at Raetihi for the Natives of that district who were victims of tho typhoid fever outbreak has become so popular among the' Maoris (says tho Wanganui "Chronicle") that developments are causing tho authorities some hard thinking, Tho hospital at first was viewed with a good deal of suspicion,'and it will bo r'emombored that a raid was made during tho temporary absence of the European nurses ' one death resulting. Tho excellent treatment and the recovery of air patients made such an impression upon the Native mind that tho news spread far and near, and that.is precisely tho cause of the present difficulty. The institution has become too popular. Patients who should bo taken to other hospitals are convoyed to Raetihi, and the authorities are at a loss to know how-to deal with tho unexpected development. '- When sick Maoris arrivo at tho isolation hospital they cannot be turned away from the: doors, and yet it was never meant that typhoid fever patients should bo brought from as far south''as Taihape Tho problem is receiving earnest attention.

Bro. J. Rose, C.T., presided at last, evening's meeting of tho Hope of Petono Lodge, 1.0. G.T. An apology was received from Bra.' A. B. Thompson; Grand Chief Templar, for being unable to deliver a lecturotto.'on account of a slight indisposition. Bros. Kinsley and Rose-took charge for the evening, and a pleasant timo was spent in recess.'.

"Eye-witness" writes: —"May I ask | you to Le so good as to correct an erroneous statement which appeared in your 'Local and General' column yesterday morning, reflecting unfairly on the morale of tho Legislative Council? It is tftere stated that when a massing military band was heard on Tuesday afternoon 'tho efflux from the Legislative Council was so great. Uhat the Leader of the Chambor moved the adjournment of the Council until tho band stopped playing.'- The truth is that thero was no efflux whatever. A member was addressing tho Ciiair at tho time when the noise began, and he made 'a' valiant attempt to drown the music, but without success. Then the Hon. tho Leader of the • Council interposed a suggestion that, as it was impossible at the moment to hear what Ins honourable friend was saying, the .ActingSpeaker should leave tho chair until quiet was restored. The Hon. Mr-. Carncross accordingly loft the chair, and'then, but not till then, soveral members left the Chamber."