LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2283, 17 October 1914, Page 6

Tho Jtarine Department received tho following telegram from Captain Bollons, of the Government steamer Hinemoa, concerning tho wreck of tho Kairaki:—"Diver reports wreck Kairaki now lies nearly upright about twenty degrees list in-shoro; after part sanded tip to level of deok; forefoot clear: starboard side clear to bilge; top of starboard propeller visible; fore-hatch and bulkhead of top-gallant forecastle smashed in; after part of coamings forehatch "carried away; master's room, officers' rooms, and forecasfclo gutted. No signs of bodies. After-hold full of sand; hull of vessel intact as far as can bo seen.' Nothing moro can. bo done. Have removed spar."

Whiio somo Now Zoalanders have been giving of their substance and their sorvico to help tho Empire, a few have tendered to the Government that least welcome and most proffered of all free girts—advice. One Minister received a most serious letter from a gentleman at Kaiwarra, a letter to eay that he, the gentleman of Kaiwarra, had received confidential information, that one of the most up-to-date submarines had recently come into the possession of tho Brazilian Government, and it might possibly be- acquired by Great Britain for use in the North Sea. Another piece of advice was from a wellintentioned old lady. Sho sent along "a splendid recipe for making a plum pudding without eggs" I

Following upon the shooting incident on board the Ulimaroa on Tuesday night, when Martin Belharrie, a fireman, was shot in the loft hip. a man was arrested by Rawle and Detective Cameron -yesterday who will bo charged with imlawIfulijDshoffting Belharrie. The man will appear in Court this morning. Belharrie's condition is not serious, . and he is reported to bo doing well.

The body of Edward Espada, a ship's fireman, who has been missing lor the last three -weeks, was discovered floats ing in tho water near the Railway Wliarf yesterday. Espada was la3t seen sitting on the edge of the Railway Wharf. The body, which has been identified, has been removed to the Morgue. An inquest will be held on Monday.

There was a slight disturbance in the Town Hall last night, when Mr. Philip Snowden was lecturing, and a man had to bo ejected. Mr.. Snowden was speaking of the change which had come over public opinion in England with regard to the social problem, and said that trade union leaders found that tlie men who drank were usually the first to want to go on strike for the slightest cause, or for no causo at all, and usually they were the first to go back. Tlie speaker was interrupted by a man in the body of the hall, and remarked to him: "I don't want to point out a concrete illustration." This remark' was resented by the interrupter, and lie caueed a disturbance.. Cries of "Put him out" were heard, and an usher approached with that intention.' A scuffle jtook 'place, but further assistance was ready, and the man was put out forcibly, contesting every step.

"The School Committees are nonentities, sir. (Laughter.) They are, sir; I was a member of a School Committee." (Renewed laughter.)— Mr. A. Glover (member for Auckland Central), speaking in the House 1 of Representatives yesterday afternoon. ,

"Anyone who knows the poverty associated with even tho most civilised States of tho worla to-day must bo delighted that therb are such men as Mr. Snowden bold -enough to step out and speak for tho masses in the cause of emancipation which they and their dependents require."—Mr. D. M'Laren, at the civic welcome to Mr. and Mrs. P..Snowdon yesterday afternoon.-

Apparently the sinking of the Newland Shipping Company's steamer Kaipara involved tho loss of a contribution from New Zealand, for tho relief of distress at Home. The "Western Daily Mail" of August 21 reports that the Lord Mayor of Bristol,, addressing a meeting on tho previous day, said that the British and Dominions Produce Association had received a cablo from Mr. W. D. Lysnar, the resident director in New Zealand, stating that shareholders in. the association and other producers had authorised a largo amount of beef, mutton, and lamb on/ board the s.s. Kaipara, a liner on her way to Avonmquth, to bo given to tho' families of Bristolians .on active service. A number of names were associated with this practical example of sympathy and loyalty, and the retail value of the meat was no loss than £460. The gift produced warm applause, and the Lord Mayor saidhe had provided for the distribution of this gift, so that it might roach those, for whom it was intended.

A request for the speeding ur/of the trains between Wellington and Palmcrston North was made to tho General Manager of Eailways by a deputation introduced by Mr. Robertson, M.P., yesterday. The down morning train and the up evening train were especially referred to. The deputation also asked that the Main Trunk express should stop at Levin. Mr. Hiley said ho would give the questions raised his serious consideration.

"The Message of the Old Testament for -this Generation" is, the eubject of an address to be given at Victoria College to-night at 8 o'clock by the Anglican Bishop of Wellington (Dr. Sprott), "under tho auspices of tho College Christian Union. The Bishop is thoroughly acquainted with the latest phases of modern Biblical criticism and its bearing on the interpretation of the literature of tho Old Testament. His previous lectures at Victoria College were well attended and highly appreciated, and his .addross to-night is sure to ho an interesting one. Students and the general publio are heartily invited.

The Greymouth Borough Council, the Chamber of. Commerce, and tho Jockey Club and Trotting Club telegraphed i yesterday to the Minister of Railways, asking; him to inaugurate a daily service irom . Christchurch, commencing October 26, Greymouth Carnival Week, the proceeds of which are to bo devoted to tlio Patriotic Fund.—Press Association.

The cheese factories in. South Taranalti are now beginning, to pour their products into the West Coast Refrigerating Company's stores at Patea at the rate of about 1000 crates per day. This reprosents a value of about £30,000 per week. The staff were busy last Thursday loading up the Hawera for Wellington with cheese for the Rualiiuo. This liner is expected to .tako away nearly fifteen thousand crates of cheese, valued-at least at £75,000. Tho Corinthic is taking Eeven thousand cases of cheese and three thousand boxes of butter.

Serious allegations against a police sergeant wore made in the Magistrate s Court yesterday by Mr. P. W. JackEon, who appeared for a young man charged with being a rogue and a vagabond. Mr. Jackson said that his information was to the effect that before he arrested tho accused man SerCeant Cruickshanks gave him a nasty kick; that at the police station tho samo sergeant tripped accused to tho ground, knelt on his stomach, and ■nearly throttled him. Tho next morning tho man's tlirtat was considerably swollen and lie could not eat for somo .'time after. Theso allegations were emphatienllv denied by Sergeant Crmckslianks, and witnesses who saw tho arrest stated that thoy did not see the sergeant kick the accused. Inspector Hemlroy, besides pointing out tluvt tho allegations were irrelevant to tho caso before the Court, said that Mr. Jackson had his remedy—his. client could take proceedings against Sergeant Cruielnsnanks If fIQ aesirod.

Splendid rain fell all last* night, savd a Press Association message from Timaru yesterday, and has practically saved the country, as the situation was becoming serious. A heavy fall •of enow in the back country has done an. immense amount of good.

Tho following unions have been registered by tho Labour Department un-< iler the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act:—Palmerston North Tim-' her Merchants' Industrial Union of Em* ployers; Napier Furniture and Furnishing Trades Industrial Union of Employees; Christchurch Taxi Touring Car Owners' Industrial Union of Employers; Duncdiu Furniture and Furnish-, ing Trades Industrial Union of Employ-' ors; and the New Zealand Furniture Trades' Association of Employers. The Christchurch Eugineors. Canterbury Range Workers, and the Canterbury Metal Workers' Assistants have also registered as one union.

A difference of opinion with the police constable at Johnsonvillo ae to a per*; missible riding pace led to iho appearance at the Magistrate's Court yester-A day of Arthur Stannard, charged witlu furious riding. Tho constable stated in evidence that on several occasions when ho remonstrated with Stannard; on the subject of pace the latter replied: "What am I to do? Am I to walk?" At the hearing yesterday?, Stanhard said ho did not think cantering was dangerous. "It would bo all, right if you stick to cantering," remarked tho Magistrate as he made an. , ' entry which carried with it a fine of. £1. j A statement has been circulated to' the effect that some uneasiness exists in the minds of some of the employees' of tho Government Printing Office regarding contributions to tho War Fund" which the employees have been requested to make. A number of the em-j ployees are said to ho under the ira-' pre'ssion that tliey are to be compelled to give a day's pay as a donation every month. .-The Hon. F. M. B: .Fisher* Minister in charge of the Printing Office, in response to an inquiry on the subject by a Dominion reporter yesterday, said that the apprehension of, the employees was entirely without; foundation. So far as he knew the men had not been asked to make any! fixed contribution, or in fact any contribution at all. They were at perfect liberty, like every other .citizen, ltd use their own discretion in tho matter*

The committee of the. Royal Welling< ton Choral Society has arranged all its. principals for the performance of Col< eridge Taylor's beautiful cantata "A? Tale of Old Japan," to be given b the' Town Hall on November 20. They are as follow:—Soprano, • Madame Emily, Briggs, of Wanganui; contralto, Mrs. Rosewarn, of Napier; baritone, Mr/ James Jago, formerly of Diraedinj,; tenor, Mr., J. M. Simpson, of. Dun-0 edin. Tlie performanwce of "The Mes-;, siali" has been fixed for Friday, De-> cember 18. It is rather a coincidence! that the Auckland Choral Society ia performing "A Tale of Old Japan" two: nights before tlie Wellington concert*

We have to acknowledge tlie receipt of si copy of a new patriotic song on-i titled "For Home "and Empire," tha' words and music of which are by A. E.Hodson (arranged by Salvatore Cim--ino). Tlie melody is conventional butj rhythmical, and is nicely wedded to the •' spirit of tho lines. The profits accnw nig from the sale of the eong are to' be devoted to the relief of any room* bers of the Expeditionary Force or their, dependents who may require assistance. "Ye Sons of New Zealand!' is the title of another patriotic eong re« ceived. This is composed and written;: by Oswald D. Avison, of Hastings. .' \

Max Edward B.unzel, chief cook o£; the Wairuna, was charged at the Magistrate's Court yesterday with etealuiK a bottle of whisky from the bar of the Wellington Hotel. Bunzel, who is a naturalised German, denied the theftand had Mr. P. W. Jackson to defend him. A barmaid went into the • box and said that 6he had been serving Bunzel and some of his mates and; had just opened the bo,ttle in questioa wlion some other customers arrived, and she left it on the counter. Whcnl she turned round it was not there.' Bunzel and his mates said they, knew nothing about it; A constable was the next witness. Ho had seen .Buuzel with' a bottle of whisky (of tlie same brand as the missing' bottle) which he 6aid ho had purchased. While the constable was with him Bunzel conveniently, dropped the bottle into the gutter. Thd constable then took him down to tlie | hotel, where he made a statement to. another constable. At this stage Blr<> Jackson entered n plea of guilty tori his client. Tho Magistrate imposed a; . fiiie of 10s. Inspector Hendrey inter-., posed with: "Bunzel has apparently, enjoyed some of the whisky." "Only a nip," said Mr. Jackson. "Accusect , will be ordered to pay ss. 6d., the cost of the bottle," said the Maais-i. trate. "Then he may have the whis-, ky?" asked Mr. Jackson. ■ "Yes, hei may have it," replied the Magistrate.-

The ladies' provincial golf championship meeting and tennis tournament will' open at Heretaunga on Monday with two qualifying rounds for the championship. Play will begin on the arrival of the 9.4 a.m. train from lington. , . ' '

Two deputations, representing the Pahiatua Racing Club and tho Woodlands Hunt Club, waited upon the Prime Minister, asking that one of tlw new totalisator permits to bo usuedj under the Gaming Amendment Act of. this session be granted to each of the two clubs. The Prime Minister gave similar replies to both deputations. He, said in effect that no promise could Dβ made until all tho applications for porn mits had been sent in to tho ment. The date for the closing of ap« plications would be advertised, nnd no v licenses irouli bo issued until tlie b&~ ginning of next year. • ' Tho Food Commission nas completed its sittings for tho present, and a re. vised report dealing with the prices of wheat and flour has been prepared and handed to the Minister. Before it H presented the phraseology has to ba revised for the purposes of issuing thai effect of tho report as an Order-in, Council The Commission will be calW ed together in the future as circum/ stances dictate.