LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2401, 5 March 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The "fishy" taste which has come to Ibe associated with the Wainui-o-mata water during the autumn season was referred to by Councillor W. H. P. Barber" at last night's meetingqf the City Council. He asked if the .City Engineer could do something to prevent a_ recurrence of the nuisance next year instead of waiting to cure it when it arrived. The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) stated that the City Engineer informed him that the matter was. a .scientific one, and would be better dealt with in a report at the next meeting. This brought from Councillor R. Fletcher the remark: "It is not injurious, but it is not nice." (Laughter.) Spurious half-sovereigns are in circulation in Carterton, one being palmed off on a local business firm. Another presented at one of the local banks on Monday was easily broken in half by tho teller. Heavy rain fell over the whole of the South Wairarapa ' district yesterday morning—the first in some parts for about six months.

• The mean population of Greater Auckland during the year 1914 was 116,712, of Greater Wellington 74,789, of Greater Christchurch 86,852, and of Greater Duuedin G5,812. Of all the cities, Wellington had the highest birth-rate, 25.38 per 1000 of population, the rates for the other cities being as follow:—Auckland. 24.78; Christchurch, 22.22; and Dunedin, 21.70. The deathrates were: Auckland) 9.42 per 1000; Wellington, 10.47; Christchurch, 9.-SS; and Dunediu, 10.22.

The Wairarapa Po!o Club is sending a team with sixteen polo ponies to Hawke's Bay next week. The team will comprise Messrs. D. H. Riddiford, C. Bennett, R. Riddiford, and Frank Evans, The number of persons arrested in Wellington for drunkenness in 1914 was 2551 males and 392 fermi'es; in Auckland the number was 1774 males and 219 females; in Christchurch, 1003 males and 189 females; and in Dunediri, 853 and 58 females.

The Wellington Homing Pigeon Society held the first young-bird race of the season from Huntorville on Wednesday, February 24. Fcurteen lots (a total of 126 birds) competed,■ the winner's time being 2hrs. 22mm." llsee. Tlio best speeds were: Mr. G. Bruce's nomination, 1311.9.vd5. per minute; Mr. P. Lamb's, 1311.3vd5.; Mr. Ridding's, 1303.4vd5.; Mr. Bolton's, 1302.9yd5. ; Mr. Elliott's, 1301.8yd5.; Mr. A. Clark's. 1301.3yd5,; and Mr. T. Miller's, 1300.5 yd*.

From present evidence there appears to be a very good prospect of there being a straight-out contest for the Wellington Mayoralty between the sitting Mayor (Mr: J. P. Luke) and Mr. Robt. Fletcher, M.P. There does-not appear to be any present chances of Labour, as represented by the Trades and Labour Council or its more extreme cousine, putting up a candidate since Mr. A. H. Hindmars" l , M.P., refused nomination, and unless some "dark horse" is in training_ there will only he the two candidates in the field next month. It will be the first occasion on which the Mayor of Wellington will be elected for a twoyear term.

The "patriotio" potatoes that were planted on areas of the Town Belt by '"hool children, and other helpers in Wellington South and Island Bay are now ready for digging and disposal, and the Mayor has already been asked to provide some assistance in the harvesting of the tubers. The potatoes are said to be well grown and excellent in quality. The suggestion, as to the disposal of the potatoes is, says the Mayor,, that a special'dajSßball be appointed on which the potatoes shall be sold by auction by the Chief Inspector (Mr. James Doyle). As the proceeds are to be devoted to the Mayor's patriotic Fund, Mr. Luke expresses the hope tttat the public will attend in large numbers, and that the bidding will be spirited. The National Reserve (Island Bay and Berhampore Section) has been granted the use of the pavilion at Wakefield Park on two evenings per week for lecture purposes. The Lyall Bay Soction of the Reserve has been granted the use of the Lyall Bay Reserve for drilling purposes. A correspondent under the nom da plume of "Dookem" writes in emphatic) terms in. support of Dr. Fyfie's. recent statement that Mr. Page,, the City Organist, has bad_obstacles placed in his way because be is a Roman Catholic.

"We must concentrate upon the child and the adult," recently remarked Mr. John Burns in discussing social problems of the day, and this maxim has been long the accepted ideal of t* e Salvation Army, both from the social and spiritual point of viow. In New Zealand the Army has evolved a most attractive programme for the young people—it is, of course, based upon the official regulations from Home —and a most inspiriting I work is being accomplished in the direction indicated. On Sunday, in the Alexandra Hall, .Abel Smith Street, Commissioner aud Mrs. Hodder, assisted by the Chief Secretary (Lieutenant. Colonel Powley) and national headquarters staff, will conduct young people's meetings all day. The gatherings will be of an interesting, homely character, the main, object of the Comi missiouer being to deepen the spiritual life of the rising generation. The move- | laent throughout the' Dominion is said to he admirably organised, and at the

various centres there are large and growing attendances.

By Order-in-Counoil gazetted last night, the Miramar Borough Council are authorised under terms and conditions prescribed to erect electric lines within the borough. Iliis authority will Jeayo the council free to go on with their project to install electric light iu the borough. Mr. AY.. Tonka waited on the City Council last night nnd urged that tbo remaining spoil being taken from the Newtown car sheds should bo deposited in Park. Boad to improve the surface. At the present time the road, from that portion of Newtown Park where the nur-, sery used to be, up to Mr. Webb's residence, was full of hollows, and dangerous fdr women, and children,, and be hoped this council would give the matter immediate attention. If they Would allow

the spoil to ho sent there, he would be willing'.to pay the contractor any extra charge that was necessary. He also urged that the road should be widened | to a distance of 40ft. instead of 33ft., as at present intended. The .Mayor (Mr. J. P. Lulce) promised that the council would favourably consider the request. The following appointments .of depnt.r registrars of marriages, births, and deaths are gazetted:—George Ernest Lyon, Weber; Rowland Leigh Jellcoe, Greytown; Martin Francis Hanshery, Opunake; Noble Baxter, Awakino. Regulations_ are gazetted for the conduct of elections of members of the General Council of Education, to be set _up under the Act of last year.

By Order-in-Council, published in the Gazette last night, the importation of certain boots and shoes into New Zealand- is prohibited. It is an offencai against the Footwear Regulation Act, 1913, for any person to any boots or shoes (including slippers and sandals) the soles of which consist wholly; or partly of leather or any imitation of leather, or of any material having the appearance of leather, unless—(a) the soles thereof are of leather without admixture or addition other than of materials used for filling spaces, shanks, or rubber outsoles; or, in the case of ladies' fancy or -evening foot-. wear, of heels of wood or celluloid; or (b) a statement of the material or materials composing the soles thereof is conspicuously and legibly stamped upon or impressed into the outer surface of the solo of each boot .or shoe. The Governor-in-Coimcil has power to prohibit the importation into New Zealand of any goods the.saleof which in New Zealand would be against the law, ana this power he has exercised in respect of boots and shoes wliich do not conform to the law as above 6et forth.

Owen Seamen's poem, "To a False Patriot," which deals succinctly' with the folly of shouting drinks to troopers, has been printed in poster form' bv the New Zealand Alliance for display all over the country. The poem is neatly framed in a red, and Mne border, and is surmounted by a Union Jack. In connection with the appeal by the Nederlandsch Yerbond Van Vakvcreenifiingin (Dutch Federation of Trades Unions) for fuuds for the starving Belgian workers, Mr. J. Read, secretary of the United ( Federation of Labour, has stated that'the Federation would in all probability circularise the whole of the trades and labour unions throughout New Zealand with the letter. If this is done his organisation- will become the headquarters of the fund in the Dominion, and all amounts subscribed will ho forwarded to the address of the Dutch Federation.

*—' 11 " 'As a result of the moonlight excursion which hod been organised by the Central Mission Silver Band on ednesday evening, the sum of £20 will be handed to the Belgian _ Relief Fund. The committee wish to. thank Messrs. Coulls, ■ Culling and Co. for printing the tickets, and the Eastbourne Ferry (Company 'for the use of the Duchess. "That the application of Evangelist: HVilhide and others to preach at certain .city street corners during the lunch Sour be not granted."—This was the first recommendation. in the Finance Committee's report at last night's meeting of the City Council. Councillors A. R. Atkinson and R. A. Wright inquired as to the reasons which prompted the committee in bringing the recommendation forward, and the query led to a 'lengthy discussion as to the rights of free speech at street corners, and the merits of the particular case before the meeting. It wa-s mentioned during the discussion that Evangelist. Williide had on a previous occasion been convicted in connection' with the publication of a certain pamphlet, ana had served a term of imprisonment in default of payment of the. fine. Eventually the recommendation waa adopted, by 11 votes to two. • 1 The owners of the Club Hotel ha,ve been granted permission by the City Council to alter their existing building to'permit of a temporary bar being' retained subject to the condition that the temporary building is removed in six months, and also that the owners bo required to enter into a bond to the ap- ' proval of the City Solicitor. : At an enthusiastic meeting held in Palmerston North last night .a, branch of the National Reserve was formed. Colonel Porter delivered an address, and about SO names were handed.in — (Press 'Association.) - The JPahiatua. Borough Council recently wrote to the City /Council asking for the services of Mr. 6; Lauch- . Lan; electrical engineer, to .advise in regard to the proposed electrical installation, in the borough. .The request was before the council last night, when the Tramways Committee recommended that •it be not acceded to. He recommendation was agreed to, after some little ctiSsion. The Mayor, (Mr. J. P. Luke) remarked that,, although the • council could not fall in "with the request of. the Pahiatua Borough, the compliment that had been paid to Mr." Lauchlah was fully appreciated.

One would imagine that the owner of several thousand acres of. land would be one of the last persons in the world to be sued as a • judgment debtor. Such a case occurred at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, when a Maori owning, ■ as he said, . several thousand acres of Native land'answered the queries . of counsel as to his finances. .The debtor explained that his property was oh the •Wanganui River. He received-£4 a year for it 1 Another Maori, similarly- sued, said he received £28 yearly for 20 acres down south and Is. 9d. per acre yearly for 5 acres, which rent he had been-paid in advance- up to 1918.Owing both to heavy killing and the shortage of shipping, the Nelson Freezing Works are closing for a few days. The Karamea taking a shipment next week will relieve the_ position considerably.—Press Association. 1 A four-inch water main is to be laid by the City Council from the Main Road. Wadestown, to tho tramway line, ana one-inch branch services are to be taken off to suit the requirements of the various applicants. Those requiring such services will be required to pay the cost of the extension. ' The Taita National Reserve held their first meeting for drill on Wednesday in the local hall, and there was more "than a satisfactory attendance. The veteran volunteer of the colony, Mr. Reilben King, entertained.thosepresent with, reminiscences of incidents of early ■militia episodes. Lieutenant' Reichel and Sergeant-Major Wichern, N.Z.D., put the company through squad drill. A number'of fresh recruits joined after the parade, and the weekly meeting night was fixed for -Fridays.

The succulent Stewart Island oyster made its reappearance on restaurant menus in Wellington yesterday for the first time this season. Tho supply is said to be bountiful and the quality excellent. There is plenty of competition •between the oyster-men at the Bluff this year. Rival firms (says an _ exchange) have cut prices down until it is said there is nothing in the trade. From Bs. per sack they came down to 7s. 6d., then 75., and now the old firms have announced 6s. 6d. as their price to the public. Half-sacks are quoted at 4a.,.that is 50 dozen oysterß for 48d.. or less than Id. per dozen.' Even in the retail shops there is talk of a retail war in bottled oysterß. Prices for big bottles have been Is., and for smaller ones 9d. It is reported that one Bluff retailer has threatened to cut down prices to 6d.

Various units from No. 6 Area GroUp (Wellington District) will go into camp at Waikanae Racecourse >on Saturday. On that day Nos. 3 and 4 Companies, lArmy Service Corps, will go under canvas under the command of Captain E. C. Dovey. On Monday, March 8, the Mounted Signal Troop will: join the camp; also those members of No. 4 Field Engineers who have oxtra days of train, ing to make up. The main body of the Engineers and the Divisional * Signal Company will go to Waikanae on March 12. The camp for all units will conclude on March 20. Instruction be given at the camp by Captain J. H. Grovor, N.Z.S.C., Staff Sergeant-Major T. Collins, Sergeant-Instructors R. W. St. Ledger, W. A. Johnston and K. J. Strack (A.S.C.). . A, Masterton member of the Expeditionary Force in Egypt writes!—" New Zealand butter is now sold at Cairo, and dispensed at the best eatiughouses there." Last week a prisoner named F. H. Smith, aged about 34 years, escaped from the prison camp in the Waimarino Plains, near Ohakune. This is reported to be the second escape from the camp since its establishment, though information concerning such incidents is not jnade public by the Prison Department. The report is that a German prisoner, about Christmas time, took up two boards from the floor of the 'nut in which he was locked at night, and burrowed a way out. The conditions at the camp are free from many of tho limitations of ordinary gaol life, consequently men of desperate character aro not sent out to the camps. Smith, whilo not by any means a desperate character, had previously escaped from custody.—Auckland "Star."

Last week, a strong well-sewn Back, full of barley, arrived at the Wereroa Experimental Farm, says the Levin "Chronicle." A tioket attached showed that it came from London, and the farm manager, Mr. Drysdale, was at a loss to account for its arrival, until an advice note arrived explaining that it was- four bushels of Azov barley all'the way from Russia, which country it loft months ago, being sent along from London. Mr. Drysdale had a small lot of this barley on the farm some years ago, but it was distributed among other State farms, and the purity of the seed lost. Last winter the order for the present lot was sent through the High Commissioner in London, and. is the only Azov barley in the Dominion at present. _ For winter feed it is said to bo unrivalled, beihg of exceptionally strong growth. Williams Park, Day's Bay ; was the subject of a question at last night's City Council meeting. Councillor L M.'Ken«ie wanted to know if any steps had be«n taken to recover the sum of money promised by the Eastbourno Borough Council towards the purchaso of tho Park; The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) stated that steps had been taken, but so far without success. The matter would; however, come before the council for discission in the ordinary course, and before very long. • The subcommittee dealing with the whole question would, he siid,. >"> meeting on the morrow,