LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2282, 16 October 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

"Now Zealand is the most fertile country in tho woild," said Major Norton at tho Central Chamber of Commerce last night. '

Workers' tickets may only be used on the Oity Tramways during epecified hours. This has long been, the subject of complaint by a section.'of citizens, whoso hours of work preclude their being able to tako advantage of tho concessions. Tho City Council recently toceived a letter from a resident suggesting that tho hours during which work-ers'-tickets might bo used should be extended. The council decided last night to inform the writer that it could not see its way to make any alteration in the system at present in forco.

"You are only a German, and I am a Britisher," said John Weston, when ho was ordered out of Gottfried Wahren's hairdressing shop, in Lambton Quay, on Wednesday, last. . Weston followed this declaration of war up by striking the proprietor a violent blow on tho face and chest. Weston appeared in Court yesterday charged with drunkenness and assault. "As n "matter of fact, you aro a Swiss?" said Inspector Hendrey to Wahron, when he was giving evidence in the box. "Yes," replied Wahron' proudly. "In that case," cried the accused from the other side of the Court, "I apologise most sincerely." Accused was formally convicted for drunkenness, and fined £1, with costs Bs., for the assault.

According to advice received from Westport yesterday there is no improvement in the condition of tho steamer Mangapapa at Karamoa, tho vessel being practically embedded in sand. Mr. A. Walker, surveyor for Lloyd's at Wellington, is proceeding to the West Coast. ,

"That in view of the apparent determination of the General Manager of New Zealand Railways to abolish the To Aro Railway Station, the City Council tako immediate steps - to- negotiate to eecui'o the same for a market site, and that an effort bo made to retain' tho railroad to Tβ Aro, it being essential'to the success of a Metropolitan Municipal market.".—This was the text of a resolution moved by' Councillor J. i'uller, jun., at last night's meeting of tho City Council. Tho resolution was seconded pro forma by Councillor L: M'Kenzie, but on being put,to the vote was lost on tho voices.

It is proposed to make a procession of decorated motor-cars a feature of the Battle of Flowers, which Miss Johnston is organising in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund. The members of the Wellington Automobile Club have been invited to participate, and those who desire to do iso are requested to communicate with 'the secretary, Mr. H'., Dillon-Kelly.

It has several times occurred to me regarding pur long-expected issue of liing George postage stamps (writes "Philatelist") tbat the present might bo a >suitablo time for their appearance unless for soaio good reason tho date of issuo is to be still further postponed. Everyone knows that new stamps aro oagerly bought up by collectors and doalors, so that if for no other purpose a considerable amount of revenue could bfl made by putting tho King. George iseue into circulation.

The Nowtown Park Nursery is to bo enclosed by a. new fence and a retaining wall and footpath is to be formed at o cost of £200. ' .

Thero are at present 210 names on tho list of unemployed in Timaru. The unemployment committee recently formed report an increase of 24 casual labourers, and two tradesmen (included in tho'above total) during last week. Tho committco has decided to communicate with tho Labour Department with a viow to finding places for 30 men on works in and about Timaru. During tho past week employment has been found by tho Labour Bureau for four labourers and ono tradesman.

In the course of an address at tho New Zealand Club's luncheon ill Christchurch yesterday, Mr. James R. Boose, Secretary of tho Royal Colonial Institute, stated that since his arrival in Australasia he had been informed that tho British War Office authorities, owing to want, of space at the present juncture, had applied to havotho Institute mado tho headquarters of the whole of -the Empire troops arriving in tho Mother Country,.—Press Association.

Tho City Council has decided to svnive its claim to select an area for quarrying out of a certain area of 10 acres 0 roods 44 perches at Moraington, provided an exchange is mado with, tho Corporation of some land equal in value to that now under consideration, such exohange to bo approved.by the Oity Engineer and City Solicitor.

Something in tho nature of a record was put up at the port yesterday when early in tho morning thero were no fewer than twenty vessels —nearly all ocean-going—at anchorage in tho harbour. These represented a gross tonnage of something liko 132,000 tons. The vessels berthed at the wharves also represented a heavy tonnage.

A number of seamen from the Ulimaroa returned to that vessel late on Wednesday night, some in a rather unstable condition after their evening of leisure in tho city. When they arrived on board tho. vessel it is not exactly known what happened, except that ono Martin Belhainie was shot in tho left hip from a revolver. It is said that the wound was sustained in a scuffle, but members of tho crew deny any knowledge of the affair, whilo tho' injured man, it is umiorstood, Illumes nobody. Tho wound, it is understood, is not a very serious ono. Tho men at tho clieeso factory who went on strike lmvo, says our Greytown correspondent, commenced, work again.

An application for permission to erect a verandah with supporting columns to a wooden building at Willie Street has been refused by the City Council, as Willis Street at this point is loss tlum 50 feet in width, and lias a double lino of tramway running through the same.

A five-roomed house in Harrow Street, • Liiurood, owned ami occupied by Sir. AY. D. Conroy, was practically destroyed by lire at 12.20 yesterday morning (states a Press Association inosßiige-' from Christchurch). Tho building was insured in tho National Insurance Office, and tho furniture for £100 in tlio State Office.

At a public meeting in Christchurch, presided over by Mr. A. Boyle, and attended by nno hundred and fifty people, a branch of the Now Zealand Moderate League was formed. Mr. 11. A, Armstrong, organising 'secretary of the league, addressed tho meeting'.— Press Association.

'That the council consider the advisability of cleaning tho public footpaths ill tho business area of the City, such work to bo carried out at nightj' '-This was a resolution moved by Councillor L. M'Kenzie at last night's meeting of the City Council. The proposal met with the- general approval of Councillors and the resolution wae carried unanimously.

"Wo have lienrd there ie no MoaU Trust," said Major Norton, when lecturing at the Central Chamber of Commerce last night. He continued: "May; I not venture to differ. We found last year that a member of a leading firm in London belioved to be in the Meat Trust bought up all tho 61b. tins of New Zealand canned meat and sent it to New York. New Zealand canned meat was being bought in London and shipped to Now York, where it was sold under' the brand of a well-known firm there." He belioved that when the war was over there would be a. great market for New Zealand frozen meat iu Germany and France.

At his lecture last night Major Nor-<: ton was asked hie opinion on margarine, and its effect on tho English mar«' ket. He said that undoubtedly margarine was making progress in England. It was a fine article of food for . the money and was never going to he stamped outj there wore too many millions behind it. "It is very near time," he continued, "that New Zealand and Australia woke up and did something to advertise butter against margarine. It is far better to get up and-fiVht it than be down and squeal about it."' Many of the firms who were buying Now Zealand butter on.open consign-: ment, he said, were manufacturers 08 , margarine.

At the adjourned quarterly meeting of the Thorndon ,Methodist Churches, an.invitation was extended to .and ac* cepted by tho Rev. G. S. Cook to con-

tinue as superintendent minister for A fourth year. It was intimated that tho Rev. P. J.' Cossum had decided not to remain another year in the circuit. It i was considered wise to endeavour to i secure a single minister for Karori and Northland Churches. Tho financial statement disclosed that there was a deficiency on the quarter's working of £15 14s. Id., making a total deficit of £37 3s. sd. Tho special collections in tho circuit for tho Britain, Ireland, and Belgium Relief Fund amounted to £7. 6s. 4d.

The City Council has.decided to intimate, to the Railway Department that tho council will facilitate ,tho erection of warning hoards at dangerous level crossings in the City, tho sites being fixed by tho Uity Engineer. ;

After a spell of fino weather heavyrain 6et in. at Gore about eight o'clock yosterday morning, 25 points falling in. two hours. Shortly before ten o'clock snow began to fall, and had not abated at 1 p.m. Over one inch has already ' fallen, which is the heaviest experienc-* • ed for several years. The cold snap will j bo severe- on young lambs.—Press Association.

The Rotorua. Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday night (states a Press Association message) passed a resolution: taking strong exception to tho statement by Mr. Dalziell to the effect that the public of Rotorua concur with the , present proposals for assisting the Taupo Timber Company in completing the lino to. Taupo.

Letters received by the City Council' and placed before last night's meeting included one from Sir Alexander Godloy thanking Hie council for tho use of the Town Hall for the Church parade last Sundav, and for all tbat had been done for tho comfort and convenience of the troops in the various camps near tho City. A letter was also received by tho council from Colonel E. W. 0. Chaytor expressing his thanks for the many kindnesses rendered by tho council to members of tho Expeditionary; Force.

Considerable trouble was' experienced), by the officers of the Maitai on the evet of leaving San Francisco by the action; of recalcitrant firemen, who evidently looked upon America as "the land of the spree." The trouble was so serious that tho Mayor of San Francisco visited tho steamer and made inquiries. The-, steamer was detained in port a.day af- \ ter her projected sailing date.

A difficulty about votes by local] bodies and other organisations to Patri-, otic and Distress Funds was brought'; •under the notice of the Government in.; the House of Representatives yesterday,; afternoon by Mr. T.. M.'Wilford. Mr,! Wilford mentioned especially the case; of unions who had voted sums for thej relief of local distress arising out of! tho war, and l who had now discovered: that they had no legal power to do so.. Ho would suggest that tho Prime Minister should introduce a clause in the "Washing-up" . Bill to legalise the votes. Mr. Maesey said the subject was: a somewhat difficult one to deal with. He could not ask Parliament to Rive , : local bodies or.other organisations a>. general' ri<*lit to lovy a war tax on their: contributors. This would bo giving tea wide powers. At tho same time the. Government did not wish to stifle patriotic or charitablo generosity, and) something would have to bo done. What; hp would suggest to his colleagues waij. that all the local bodies who had made , contributions should be ascertained, and then a clause in tho "Washing-up" Bill or a small Bill could bo introduced' legalising all tho specific votes.