LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2430, 8 April 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

'What is considered by the. Labour Department to be another evidence that employment is not very scarce in Wellington is the fact that, while the Wellington office has for some time had authority to send twenty men to cooperative works, it hatl not until yesterday decided to encroach on that authority. Last week's report showed that work had been found for all but sixteen of the men who applied for employment, and now ten men are to be sent to cooperative work in the Pahiatua district. The men are to leave Wellington to-day.

Amateur photographers in Napier are, says our special correspondent, feeling the result of the recent increase in the price of chemicals, and if prices continuo to advance this fascinating hobby will practically dio out while the war lasts. Rvrol developer, which a few weeks ago cost Is. 6d., in tabloid form, is now sold at 2s. 6d., and a Napier chemist informed a repqrter that it would soon be impossible to get it at all. Many other lines have similarly increased in price.

Considering the manner in which the City rates had to be called up during the past financial year, the response has been very satisfactory indee<J. This was stated in answer to an inquiry made yesterday. It was pointed out that owing, to.the delayed valuations tlie two calls for the year bad to be made within three months of one another. Thero was still a good deal of money outstanding on the second call, but in view of tlio faqfc that it followed so closely on tho first, and in tho middle of a great war, it is considered that ratepayers have done very well indeed.

All efforts to discover the whereabouts of Constable Shaw, of Napier, who has been missing since Friday last, have so far been unsuccessful, says our Napier correspondent.

The Mayoress of Mastorton, during the past week, has forwarded to the High Commissioner five large cases containing 1900 articles of clothing for the relief of the Belgians.

Nominations for candidates to represent the Hutt and Makara Counties and the Wellington Suburbs on the Harbour Board will close to-day. The sitting members are: Captain David J. Watson and Mr. J. W. M'Ewan, who are both offering themselves for reelection. Other likely are Captain M'Arthur, of Khandallah, and Mr. A. J. M'Curdy, of the Upper Hutt.

That the tramway revenue for the Easter week is £360 above that for the corresponding period of last week is a good indication of the buoyancy of money, and the public spirit, As a matter of fact, trade in Wellington is much brisker at present than in any other New Zealand centre, building is beginning to be much more .active, and there is a greater demand for 'houses here than in Auckland or Christchurcb, whilst Dunedin is admittedly dull.

The annual election of officers of the Wellington Trades and Labour Council will be held this evening. The president (Mr, J. M'Kenzie) and the vicepresident (Mr. J. Campbell) are not standing for re-election. The decision of Messrs. M'Kenzie and Oampbell is in accordance with a custom recognised by the council, that officers should not hold their seats for more than one term.

At the annual conference of the Timber Workers' Federation, the following remit was carried unanimously:—"That the Government be urged to establish' a State farm for grain-growing, a State flour mill- and State bakeries, with a view to preventing any further exploitation of consumers." —Press Association.

At the annual meeting of the Wellington Soft Goods Employees' Union it was resolved that an effort be made to obtain an amendment of the Shops and Offices Act on the lines indicated in the evidence given on behalf of the union before the Labour Bills Committee of the' House of 'Representatives last year. The annual report of the union showed that the year had been one of steady progress, 101 new members having been enrolled. The following officers were elected President, Mr. A. J. Humphries; vice-president, Mr. T. Plant; secretary, Air. A. W; Croskcry; treasurer, Mr. A. li. Hem; committee, Messrs. D. J. Coustable, C. H. Clapshaw, E. L. Laecge, R. Watts, H. Bonner; trustees, Messrs. E, B. Dorinyae and A. H. Wheatley; auditors, Messrs. J. H. Buigoyne-Thomas and A. Clifford Smith.

An exceptionally enthusiastic recruit who is well known in Wellington Labour circles seenis to liave got into the filing lino by refusing to be denied admission to it. This is Mr. W. Dobson, who, prior to the war, was a familiar figure at the Trades Hall. Mr. Dobson could not got away ns a soldier in the ordinary sense, because the examiner considered Ilia eyesight was not "ood. However, he got away as a plumber, but in liaypt found his way into tho ranks, eaw some fighting, and is now looking for more. Several of the Trades Hall secretaries received cards from him by the last mail, and in a letter (dated February 27) to Mr. M. J. Reardon he says "I like soldiering. Have seen a little of the real thing in defending the Canal, and hope to see more of it shortly. Guess we arc going to Palestine to deal it out to tho despicable Turk. Wo hiivo a pipe band of (at present) sixteen members, and expect three r.r four f.ere members before we inarch away ftom hero, probably next week. I was in the ranks until last week. I did all- the marching and heyvy drills, and i.ever missed a parade. .Many cannot jay that, J am fit and well."

r? r.; \ M The lack of trees on the hilltops surrounding Wellington was one of the tilings that impressed Dr. Miura, head of tho Jiipanose Trade Commission, which arrived in Wellington yesterday. Although the boat did not arrive till late this fact was observed with wonder by the visitor, who contrasted it last night, when speaking to a reporter, to the hills surrounding Japanese towns, w-jich were always a wooded delight. He could not understand the people tolerating "bald mountains" around this city.

Fiji colonists to the number of 58, who have volunteered for active service,arrived at, Liverpool by the Allan liner Scandinavian (says an English paper). They are all men of means and position —Government servants and farmers re. oeiving from £1000 to £2500 a year. They have relinquished their homes and positions to do their "little bit" for the Old Country, and have equipped themselves with khaki uniforms.and accoutrements. One man endeavoured to pay his own fare from Fiji in order to work hand in hand with the Allies. The detachment was met by Captain Finch, chief recruiting officer at Liverpool, who provided the men with lodgings for the night, preparatory to their leaving for London. Their officers are Cap Earn C. A. Swinburne and Lieutenant Miers. The general bearing of these volunteers is that of thoroughly good soldiers.

It was stated at the meeting hf shopkeepers favouring the Wednesday, half-holiday last ovening that in Auckland it had been found that the Saturday half-holiday had resulted in a considerable loss in tramway Tevenuo.

The members of the Japanese Trade Commission, Dr. llinra and Messrs. Y. Nishida and M. Otane, arrived in Wellington by tho Mokoia yesterday afternoon. Thev were met by tho Japanese Consular representative, and Mr. _C. W. Jones, president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, was also at the wharf to welcome them. They are staving at the Royal Oak Hotel, and will to-day bo the guests of the Chamber of Commerce at luncheon.

The totalisator investments at Ellerslie since the outbreak of the war provide borne interesting comparisons. At tlio spring meeting in November last year the sum of £59,7-15 10s. was handled at the totalisator compared with £50,522 for tlio corresponding fixture; an increase of £9223 10s. Tlio investments at Christmas totalled £244,614, .ns against £225,410, showing an increase of £19,204. However, during the Easter fixture, which concluded this week, the totalisator receipts showed a decrease of £1512. the amount invested hein<j £95,370 compared with £96,882 for the previous autumn meeting. Taking the total for the three meetings held since the war began the investments show an increase of £26,915 ]os. jvhen compared with the previous season's gatherings.

That useful drug, senna, is another example of a trade lost by England and! gained by Germany, says an exchange, Energetic steps are now being taken to get it back in British hands. The plant from which the finest quality of senna is obtained grows ill the Sudan, whero theleaves ajul pods are collected and dried bv the natives, and sold to collecting agents for export. Atone time this trade was entirely British, and the produce was sold thromrh London, but subscou<mtlv it passed into German hands, and British manufacturing chemists have had to obtain their supplies _ through Hamburg. Moreover, it is alleged that the German expoiters in Egynt have succeeded in cornering the market at various times on account not only of dealers in Hamburg, but also in New York, with the result that there has been a scarcity of senna in the United Kingdom, and the prices obtained for leaves and pods have at times been artificially raised to much above the. Teal value." while there has, it is said, been a great deal of adulteration. The export of senna from Egypt lias now -been prohibited, except to the United Kingdom and France, and British firms are making arrangements direct with the. native growers, which should not only restore the trade, but should also lower the price and secure the purity of the sup. ply.

The Wellington Patriotic Society,., to show its appreciation of the action' of the nurses who are leaving for the front, intends to accord them a farewell on the wharf. -Tupp's band -will be present to play suitable patriotic airs, and the matron, Miss M'Legn, is to be presented with a handsome bouguet. The various mercantile and shipping offices are requested to fly bunting in honour of the occasion.

A remarkable success in sinking for water has been attained close to the site of the new hotel to be erected at Warenga-o-kuri (says the "Poverty Bay Herald"). Hitherto the lack of a copious supply of water in dry seaßonß has been a considerable drawback. , The help of a water diviner was sought, and on a spot recommended by him a well ■was sunk. A depth of 20ft. was reached without any sign to indicate success, there being an entire absence of moisture at the time. A 2in. pipe was then inserted, and after it had been driven abont 6ft. a stream of water, accompanied by gravel, shot up with great force. The man at work had to make a hurried exit. During the night the well filled up, and there is every indication of an inexhaustible: supply, providing ample for the hotel, and also for travelling stock. The well is excavated in flat country, a few 'chains from the site of the old hotel. It is possible, from the force of tlie water that gushed from the pipe, that an artesian supply has been struck. A test in that direction is to be mads.

Nine years at Ecliool, and missing only once, is the record of a pupil at one of the_ country schools. At Tuesr day's meeting of the Nelson Education Board the mother of the child referred to notified .the board of this fact, and suggested that a certificate to that effect should be awarded (reports tie "Mail"). In the course of a few rfe marks made by members on the subject of school attendance, the chairman said he knew of a pupil at the Richmond School who never missed a day from the time 6he entered the school at five years of ago till she gained her proficiency certificate; while another member, a West Coaster t did not allow the occasion to pass without mentioning that lie knew of a pupil on the Coast who never missed a day for four years. atft, in addition, had to walk three lmTcsTo school. It was resolved that a lefter bearing the board's seal /be sent to tho pupil with the nine years' record.

A meeting of railwaymen is to bo held at Petono 011 Monday evening for the purpose of forming a sub-branch of the Wellington Branch of the National Reserve. Last evening a sub-branch of the Wellington Branch of the National Reserve was formed at Paekakariki. Messrs. E. A. Dawson (chairman of tho Wellington (Branch), W. Wiles (a member of the executive), and G. T. O'Loughlin, as organisers for the Railway suction of the eserve attended the meeting. It is said that tho formation of such subbranches is a- new feature of tho movement which has been forced upon the organisers by the keenness of the men outside tho City. ' There were thirty present at the Pa'okakariki meeting, and all enrolled as members. Mr. Mooney, the local stationmaster, was elected . chairman of the sub-branch, and Mr. Griffiths secretary. Also, there is an executive of five. Arrangements were 111 ado to 6ecure an instructor for the, men. An unusual discovery was made last week by a lady resident of Auckland ■ (sayß the "Star"). She relates that she was passing a drain at the back of her house when she heard a rustling noise. Sho had a look at the spot from which the noise appeared to have come, •but could see nothing, and came to the conclusion that a rat had attracted her attention. Later in the day sho again examined tho outlet to tho drain, and saw-what appeared to be a fish-head. She poured some water down tlio pipe to forco out tho obstruction, hut with no effect. When she nest approached the pipe, a pair of short legs and part of a- scaly body were connected with the head, but it was-obvious that'the creature was not of the fish family. iWhat particularly struck her, she says, was the fact that the reptile remained perfectly motionless for nearly an horn - . Not liking the appearance ot her mysterious visitor, she covered the drain over with a sack and waited until her brother arrived homo from work. With the aid of a long stick he was successful in drawing tho captive from its place of refuge. The curator of the mi'seum was notified of the discovery, nnd immediately declared it to be a .particularly fine specimen of the New ■Zealand tuatara lizard, but he was quite unable to explain its presence in tho city. Tho reptile,, which was fully 22 inches in length, is now in the company of three other members of his family. The passengers on the train from Clinton to jjivercargill, which was scheduled to arrive at Invercargill at 5.20 p.m. on Good Friday, had a_ startling experience on tho south side of Mill Road; whero five trucks and a horse-box were derailed and turned on their sides (tho "Southland News" re- , ports). It is difficult to say what the cause of tho derailment was, but it is possible that one of the trucks had left the line prior to the train running into the Mill Road station, and when negotiating a curve in the line a short distance south of the station, the other vehicles were pulled over.

There is a sad side to the street scenes in Cairo (says n, trooper in 5 letter published in a nortliern exchange). Tho squalor and misery of tho poor perhaps appears somewhat out of proportion to the New Zealander who lias liover seen poverty. But it would take much to.' make one used to the sight of a woman, with a baby in hei; arms and others huddled around her, sitting 'on tho side of tie pavement with her bead quite hidden in the folds of her loose black gown and her hand held out constantly, in mute appeal for alms; or a blind negro, naked to tlie_ waist, sitting in the same way. The difference which is seen between the rich and poor people applies also to their dwellings. Up dark, unclean alleys, perhaps only two or three yards wide, live the poor," while the houses of the rich are palatial. The dark dens and insanitary native streets will make years of work for Britain.

■ An old Native tohunga living at iWaih'i, bevond Waitara, had'a dream the other iiignt, and 'as a consequence three carloads of Natives arrived at daylight a morning or two ago at' Mr. George Hoby's farm at Bell Block, and, proceeding. straight to an old kanaka tree standing near the boun. dary line between Mr. Hoby's and Mr. D. "Bishop's farms, commenced to dig in tho latter's land. _ About Ijro feet below tho surface -they came upon i stone, the object of their search, which they took possession of and took back home with them, together with other stones found on Mr. Hoby's land. These stones of a history, and great value in the Natives' eyes. They are said to be charmed fish stones, stolen very many years ago from rivers in the Patea district from the Native owners, and brought up by another tribe. They wore bolieved by the Natives to liavo the powor of attracting fish in the rivers whore they were placed. The spot where the first stono was found on 'Mr. Bishop's land is the site of an old pa, and the ground did not'appear to have been disturbed for many- years. That the Natives'valued it highly is evident from the fact that they afterwards sent Mr. BisVop a present of two liandsome mats.

A thunderstorm of unusual length and severity, lasting over four hours and a half, passed round Rotorua on a recent evening, states the correspondent of the "New Zealand Herald." .The first twitterings of the disturbance were heard shortly before six o'clock, and the final peal of thunder about half-past ten. The-storm began to be severe about seven o'clock, from which hour till its cessation flashes of lightning, many of them of exceptional .vividness, lighted up the northern and eastern horizon every few minutes. None of the electrical discharges occurred near the town, and the majority were evidently a long distance away. A dynamo in the electrio light work's at Okere was "burned out" at twenty minutes to o'clock, and the town was plunged into darkness. This was only for about ten .minutes, however, for another dyuamo was at once brought into requisition. The storm was accompanied by rain, which, for about three-quarters of an hour, was a downpour of quite tropical character, but it ceased at about eleven _ o'clock. The record showed that 66 points of rain fell in about four hours.

The members of tho Wellington Painters' Union held a smoke concert in Hall's roomß, Cuba • Street, last nijjht, to welcome the delegates visiting the conference in Wellington. The newly-elected president, Mr. W. Bell, occupied the chair, and there was an attendance of about thirty. During the evening musical items were civcn by those present, and a toast list was honoured.

PERSONAL ITEMS The Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey) left for Christclvurch last night. Ho will attend the Cheviot Show to-day, and on Friday will confer with representatives of freezing companies alld producers in Christchurcli regarding tile working of the Imperial moat supply scheme. He returns to Wellington on Saturday. Tho Hon. AY. H. Herries returned from Auokland yesterday afternoon. Tho Hon. J. Allen find tho Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes arrived in Wellington" from tho south yesterday morning. His Honour the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) has been in the South Island during the Easter vacation. His Honour Mr. Justice Dennistonis at present in Stratford. Their Honours Mr. Justice Edwards, Mr. Justice Cooper, Mr. Justice Chapman, and Mr. Justice Hosking are all in Wellington. Mr. Hewitt, S.M., of Westport, is visiting Wellington. Mr. W. Ferrier. photographer, has. says a Press Association telegram from Timaru, received a cablegram from the War Office that his son Colin, aued 24, a. lieutenant in the Royal Fusiliers, was killed by a, shell at Ypres on November 11. He had been a lieutenant in the' Timaru Territorials, and had just cono Homo to study as an architect, and on the outbreak of war joined the Royal Fusiliers.

The Very Rev. Dean M'Kenna, Y.G., has, says our Masterton correspondent, received advico from Archbishop Redwood that His Holiness the Pope lias conferred upon him ilie distinguished '.honour of Monsicnor, which carries with it • the title of Right Reverend.

Mr. C, G. Wilson, who had been visiting Cliristchurch and Dunedin, returned to Wellington by the Wahine yesterday morning.

Mr. R/. T. Hough, Grand Master of tho Now South Wales Order of Oddfellows, is a visitor to Wellington from Sydney. Mr. Hough states that as the results of State insurance a change .is coming over the work and influence of friendly societies, and they would have to be up and doing to keep friendly societies to the front. His own Order had just erected a splendid modern structure in Sydftey at a cost of £65,000, which Mr. Hough is to declare open on April 26. The visitor is impressed with our conditions municipally, ancl believes that New South Wales local bodios would benefit by noting how things aro done over this way.

Mr. James Brodie Mack, v.-ho was a well-known resident of Wellington some years ago, died in a private hospital at Christchurch on Good Friday, aged 58, after an operation, j The deceased was for many years manager for Messrs. Kitchen and Son, Dunedin, Brisbane, and Wellington, and on the New Zealand Candle Company acquiring Messrs. Kitchen and Son's business in Wellington, Mr. Mack managed for the former firm. Subsequently he joined the Customs staff, and was transferred to Dunedin about eighteen months ago, and later took.over the licenso of the Dunstan Hotel. The Town Clerk (Mr. J. E. Palmer) is now on his annual holiday leave. His duties have been assumed by the chief clerk,, Mr. Robert Tait. Mr. J. H. Board, the cricket coach, arrived in Wellington from Napier lsst evening, and to-morrow lie sails for England. Mr. W. Bell, of Chris tchurcli, has been elected president of the New Zealand Federated Painters' and Decorators' Association. Bisliop Cleary left Auckland for Sydney by the Makura on Sunday evening Mr. G. B. Marsh, who has been on the staff of the Ocean Beach Freezing Works during the past 15 years, has, the "Southland News", understands, been appointed to a highly salaried position in Russia. _ The position will entail the supervision of the construction of similar works to those at Ocean Beach, and the management of them when constructed for an influential London firm. The engagement is for five years. Mr.- Marsh will leave for Moscow, via Sydney, Japan, mid the Siberian railway. The death is reported by our Masterton correspondent of one of the oldest settlers of the Wairarapa (district, Mrs.. John M'Kenzie, of Te Whiti, at the age of seventy-eight years. The deceased, with her parents, arrived in the Wairarapa from the Hutt over sixty years ago, and resided for a considerable time on the Upper Plain. She brought up a family of eighteen children, most of whom survive her.

Mr. W. Prvor, general secretary to the New Zealand Employers' • Associaleaves for the south this evening in connection with the session of the Arbitration Court in Ohristchurch.

Mrs. Peacock, wife of Major H. Peacock, who left New Zealand in command of the Maori contingent, and was landed at Albany owing to illness, sailed for Sydney by tho Maktira on Monday evening to rejoin her hvsband.

Dr. H. E. A. Washbourne, medical superintendent of the Nelson Hospital, tendered his resignation at yesterday's meeting of the Hospital Board. The resignation was accepted with deep regret—Press Association.

Mr,_ H. Holderness, local accountant to the New Zealand Shipping Company, who has been promoted to be sergeant in tho Fourth Reinforcements, has been presented with a pair of fieldglasses and a case of pipes by his late confreres. ,

Staff-Sergeant-Major W. Rudd, of Oamaru, has received advice that his brother, Sergeant Charles Rudd, was killed in action in Belgium (locality not stated) in January. The late Sergeant C. Rudd was in the 2nd. Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. SergeantMajor Rudd has still two brothers in the service (says ' the "North Otago Times")—one with the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, and. the other with the Ist Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers with the Indian Army.