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Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2292, 28 October 1914, Page 5

The inorease of revenue for the six months ended ■ September 30 last, as Increase in comparative expenditure for the previous year, was £229,357. The inorease in comparative expenditure for •the same periods was £461,936. A return giving a detailed statement of the position was presented to Parliament yesterday, by.tihe Minister of JusItice. ■.■'■.'

R. M. Gilmour's drapery establishment at Winton was completely destroyed by fire on Sunday morning (states a Press Association message from Invercargill). Tho damage is estimated at £4200. The insurance on tho building amounted to £250, and on ihe stock to £2300.

'A deputation from the . .Onslow 'Borough Council, consisting of the Mayor (Mr. Q. O. Crump), Councillor B. Lynneberg, and Mr. H. Abrahams (Borough Clerk), waited on the Finance Committee of tie City Council yester'day afternoon in regard to the charge for water drawn>from the city'e mamfor the Kaiwarra ward of . Onslow Borough. It was stated that the account for September's supply was £239 13s. Bd., and Mr. Crump pointed out that the amount was out of all proportion to that for the previous nionths, the amount for July being £23, and lAugust £34. It -was suggested that the meter had been affected, possibly by the vibration of the heavy traffic on the Hutt Road, and in support of that con.tention it was stated that there had Seen a marked diminution of pressure ■tot the forts, the New Zealand Candle Company's works, and at Newton and' Bon'B soap works, and that there had tecdj no visible percolation of the road or banks to indicate a breakage of the jnain. The Mayor (Mr. J. £Ltik©) promised the deputation that the City Engineer would be instructed to report bn the matter, and on the receipt of that report the committee would coneider the request of the deputation not to press for payment of the account.

'Among, the many _ rumours of Germans occupying positions of trust in. New Zealand which are being ciroulated by indiscreet persona very freely is one that concerns the son , of ■Hβ late Austrian Consul at Auckland, a Territorial • officer, detailed for special duty at tfhe s forts in Auckland Harfcour. The caee of -this young man was Raised in the House of Representatives yesterday by a question by Mr. J. Payne/ The Hon. J. Allen said that the man was an officer of Territorials, hnd a very good and loyal officer. Ho had been detailed for service at the forts, but there had been so much agitation against him that he was removed from the fort's and put on the staff of the Coast Defence Commander. The agitation still continued, and now the officer had applied for leave of absence. In view of the fact that the jnan was a native of New Zealand he (Mr. Allen) thought the 'agitation was u 'a little bio hard."

From the "Post Magazine" of September 12 we learn that from the staffs of the Commercial Union Assurance Co. and its associated offices no fewer than 687 members have been granted leave of absence for military and uaval_ services, and in the 1 case of the Alliance [Assurance Co. the numbers are not given; but twenty per cent, of the whole staff have gone to the. front, and this would probably represent. something ■like'the same number as the Commercial Union. In each case the offices interested have granted leave to all officers on full pay.and keep.their places bpen for them. . .-■■'■

The late Mr. John Newton's gift of Beats to the city and adjacent boroughs was referred to at Jast' night's meeti ing of the Karori Borough Council, and it was decided to accept the offer so ■far as it referred to Karori and to ttsk the trustees to convey to the family of the deceased the council's appro/",iciation_of the gift.; Particulars of the ■ gift have previously been published. .

There will be. no Sydney steamer arriving at Auckland, on Sunday (says a .Press Association telegram from Auckland); The Union Company's Maheno is still laid up at Sydney, and her nonHeparture from Port Jackson "to-day means that. a. month will have elapsed .without the arrival of a Union Company eteamer from that port. The difficulty of obtaining firemen is given as the reason for the failure of the Maheno totake up tho running.

A return presented to Parliament yesierday showed that the total amount of commitments, under the State Advances to local bodies on the date the Massey Government • came' into office jvas £711,820, and the total amount not yet applied for £64,310.

The annual report of the Immigration Department shows that the number of persons arriving from the United Kingdom waa 12,266—9067 adults and 2399 children.' Out of this total 6064 were assisted by. the Government. The declared .capital of those arrivals who applied for assisted) passages was £39,701. Of the 5064 assisted immigrants', 1188 were domestics, 943 farmers and farm labourers, 553 children of farmers and farm labourors. The MasBey Government's achievement in this respect is easily a" record since _ 1905, when the number was only 1751." The nominated system has ■ resulted in a Steady stream of immigrants of the best type. The number .of domestic servants obtainable is far less than the /demand, and special efforts are being jnade to considerably increase the previous numbers. Improved shipping arrangements have been provided. _ Tho Government's-scheme of immigration of farm boys has given satisfaction.

The Patents Designs and Trade Marks Bill, which has been introduced into the House of Representatives by tho Attorney-General, provides for the making by Order-in-Council of regulations for avoiding or .-.'jspanding in whole or in part any patent or license the person entitled to the benefit of which is the subject of a State ao war .V/ith Great Britain. The measure aisb provides for the granting, subject to necessary conditions, to British subjects of licenses to make and sell articles affected by such avoidance or 'U«pmi3ion. ffhe Act is to continue in force during the war, and for six months thereafter.

The Moratorium or Mortgages Extenfcioa Act was again mentioned in the 'Magistrate's Court yesterday morning. iWalter Joseph Cresswell proceeded against Larney Bros, for'£loo and interest due on a promissory note. The point raised in connection with the Act was that tho promissory note was collateral to a mortgage. The facts of the lease were admitted; the promissory noto was overdue. It was stated that, the 'Act did not permit any action regarding the actual mortgage, so accordingly plaintiff sued on the promissory note, which was given as security. Counsel for the defence, Mr. 0. C, Mazengarb, Submitted that this was just a way of evading the Act. Mr. Mazengarb stated that the purpose of the Act was to protect the mortgagor against proceedings arising out of the non-payment of the principal sums secured by the inortgage. The Act would be rendered nugatory were tho plaintiff to succeed, as there were numerous'cases where promissory notes were held as collateral seturities. Mr. H. E. Evans appeared for the plaintiff in the case, and after hearing tlie evidence tho Magistrate (Mr. ( \V. G. Uiddell) reserved his decision.

The War Contributions' Validation Bill (No. 2), introduced into the House of Representatives last evening, provides for the validation of contributions for the relief of distress occasioned by the war by local bodies or bodies of porBons, whether corporate or incorporate, whether such distress _ exists :<i N«w Zealand or elsewhere in tho British Dominions, or in any country a'■••l to Great Britain, if such contributions aio tiaid into any public fund established for the purpose of' such relief. The Fill also authorises the making of fllbivar.ces by local authorities to dependants of former employees who are or r.iny bo members of any expeditionary force <or on. active servico in Now Zealand.

Complaint is made at the rate the trams travel down Hopper Street (towards Webb Street).- The pace is supposed to be limited to seven miles' an hour, but several of the motormen on the section are said to entirely disregard the official instruction, i .

Friday next is the date fixed for the hearing of the Supreme Court (Full Bench) case in re Harawira Pikirangi deceased. The Court will bo asked to decide questions in regard to the settlement of the .debts of a Native out of the proceeds of the sale of Native land. ' .

The unhappy oondition of the families of some Imperial Reservists, settled in New Zealand, who had been '' .called' to the colours, was referred to in the' House of Representatives yesterday by Mr. C. K. Wilson. ,Ho stated that a number of these Reservists were .settlers on Government sections, and as they would have no chance of paying their rents for some time, he would suggest to the Prime Minister that the rents be remitted. Mr. Massey said the matter was an Imperial affair, rather than one for the New Zealand Government. The New Zealand Government had arranged to pay married Imperiaj. Resbrvists the same rates as were paid to other members of the Expeditionary Force. In regard to their rents, he would be glad to see that no hardship was inflicted either on Reservists or their families through the men being called to join their regiments.

The lot of tho ratepayer is not altogether an enviable one this year, and he whose property has theoretically increased in value will be found lamenting in the wailing place of the _ City. The rate, demands having been issued last week, the money is now being received at the council's office at a rate described as "fairly satisfactory." The demands for the second half-year's rates will be issued on December 3.

At the annual general meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Society this evening, at the Dominion Museum, a number, of interesting papere will be read. Miss E. M. Pigott, M.A.,- will describe the developments of the ovule and embryo of Notopanax arboreum. Dr. J. A. Thomson will give an account of additions to our knowledge of recent Brachiopods of New Zealand. Mr. J. 0. M'Dowall will submit a note on matai beer. The meeting will be open to members and friends introduced by members.

No opposition was entered to an adjournment being granted till next Friday of the case against Edward John 'Jones (secretary of the Wellington Waterside Workers' Union) of alleged theft, when it was mentioned in the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning. Mr. H. F. O'Leary appeared for the prosecutor (Thomas Joseph Ladd), and Mr. M. Myers for defendant. The latter' 6tated that an agreement had been come to for the case to be heard on Friday.

In the Shops and Offices Act Amending Bill provision is. made for tne licensing of tobacconists. Every tobacconist must pay a license fee of ss. por annum, and each holder of a-j license must close his (or her) premises at tie hour agreed upon by a majority of tho tobacconists in any place. A breach of the law may lead to an endorsement of the license or its cancellation. This provision is the outcome of representations made to the Government in Wellington recently by the Master Tobacconists' and. Hairdressers' Association, which complained of the trade done by the Chinese storekeepers after the agreed upon time for closing (8 p.m. on week days and' 10 p.m. on Saturdays).

The fire brigade received two calls yesterday, both to gorse fires—one to Kelburn and the other to-Happy.-Val-ley. Both outbreaks were subdued before any damage was done.

A pleasing ceremony took place during the dinner adjournment- at - the House of Representatives last night, when the Taranaki members of Parliament, accompanied by Sergeant Bezar, an old Maori war veteran waitred upon, the Minister, of Defence (the Hou.. J. Allen) and presented him with a group of photos, handsomely framed. Tho photos were of the monuments and cairns erected in the TaTanaki district in memory of the lives lost in various engagements there. These have been placed at Tβ Ngutu, near Okaiawa, where Von Tempsky and his men fell, at Manaiaj Viotoria Park, Normanby, the Ohau cairn, and Taru Taru, Mokai. The presentation bore the inscription as 'follows:—"Presented by the Royal Veterans of Hawera and district to Hon. Jas. Allen, Minister of Defence." The veteran present, who act. Ed as the veterans' representative, was Mr. John Findlay, who said that they all recognised that the spirit of Imperialism was just as strong now as at the time when the veterans were fighting for the Old Flag. He was proud of the way the Dominions were responding to the call. In reply the Hon. J. Allen .said that he would always treasure the gift. He hoped shortly to visit Taranaki, when he would seo the monuments and cairns.

As the result of a recent prosecution of the Austrian proprietor of /a restaurant in the middle of the business portion of New Plymouth/ (states a Press Association message) two medical men yesterday inspected the back yard of tho • premises, which had been proved to be in a pestilential state. It is understood that the doctors will, recommend the entire closing down _of the business, pending the repainting and disinfecting of the premises, and the carting away of the Tefuse.

At last night's meeting of the Karori Borough Council a long letter was received from the Tramway Boacd in reference to the tram sorvice to the borough. It was referred to the Tramways Committee to report to the next meeting with a recommendation thai the question of arranging for a minimum fare from the City to the tunnel should be considered.

The New Zealand Moderate League is active at present in view of the proximity of tho general elections. The organiser (Mr. B-. A. Armstrong), it is stated, met with great support in his tour throughout the Dominion, and in all tho large centres branches of tho league have been formed. To make the efforts of the league more effective electoral committees arc. being set up, and a meeting with this object in view is to be held at the Lower Hutt on Thursday evening, at which Mr. E. P. Bunny will preside. A coridal invitation is extended to all thoso in favour of the league's objects.

A most enjoyable "kitchen evening" for men only was given by the Rev. C. H. Harvey (acting-vicar of St. Paul's Anglicau Parish, Thorndon) in the Sydney Street '/.Schoolroom _ last night for the purpose of obtaining a collection of articles euifable for tho kitchen stall which will be one of tho attractions at the bazaar to bo hold on November 4 and 6. There was a' largo attendance, and all present entered most enthusiastically, into the proceedings which were never for a moment allowed to become dull. Musical items were contributed by Messrs. Harvey, Farmer, and Caiwell Cboko, and Master' Panlthurst, and recitations by Messrs. Clark and Oswin. Every itom was heartily applauded. A number of choruses such as "It's a Long Way to Tipperary," and "Pviilo Britannia" wore sung by the company. Ample opportunity was given for smoking and conversation, and much interest was shown in tho opening of the gifts which were numerous and varied, ranging from a manglo to a frying-pan. Supper was provided and much appreciated. Mr. Harvey was heartily thanked for tho enjoyable evonjng that had been spent, the company singing "For He's a. Jolly Good Fellow." A very euoccssful gathering was brought to a conclusion by the sinaine of tie National Antliojn.

Several handsome donations of stock have been made by sottlers in the Masterton district towards the Belgian Poor ,Fund. Mrs. Peter M'Laren has donated 400 primo fat wethers, valued at. about £500; Mr. Dan Cameron, of Martinborough, 200 fat wethers; and Mr. David Sutherland 200 fat -wethers. Others have contributed , smaller lots.

The Mortgages Extension Amendment Bill (No. 2) which was introduced in the House of Representatives last niglit provides for the suspension. at any time that it may be necessary of tho Mortgages Extension Act or for the modification of any of the provisions 'of that Act. The Prime Minister stated that the object of tlie Bill was to give tho Government power to deal with the question of a moratorium if necessary during the recess. "

The Council of tho New Zealand Aoadomy of Fine Arts has decided to increase the commission to be charged on the snle of pictures at its annual exhibition in December by tho addition of a further 5 per cent., and to donate the whole of the commission in addition to the not takings of the ex"hibition to the Belgium Belief Fund,

When the Bill dealing with the milk supply of Wellington was before tho House of Representatives last week it was pointed out by Messrs. Forbes and Hindmarsh, M.P.'s, that the provision of a general clearing station for the city's milk supply would entail considerable hardship on tho small suburban producers, who supplied the people round about the neighbourhood, ond who would under the provisions of the Bill have to send their milk in from such suburbs to the station ; and then convey it out again before it could bo purveyed. This matter was considered by the Public Health Committee of the. City Council, which has passed a proposed amendment, which it. considers likely to meet the case presented by the small supplier, which amendment has been forwarded to the Leader of tho Upper House for inclusion in the measure when it is considered, by that body.