LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2519, 14 July 1915, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Arbor Day is to be celebrated to-day with modified enthusiasm. At 11 a.m. the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), accompanied by : Mr. G. Frost (chairman of the Reserved Committee), and.possibly other members of the City Council, will do some official planting on the Tinakori Hills near the quarry abovo Grant lload. , After they leave that spot they will proceed to the Botanical Gardens, where the Mayor and Mayoress will plant memorial trees. It is understood that some of the schools will do some planting in- convenient locations.

Advice has been received that- Captain Nevillo, of the transport Willochra, expects ;to arrive at Wellington with the iNew Zealand wounded soldiers to-mor-row afternoon. As soon as the vessel lias been tied up to the wharf and passed by the doctor, those of the returning wounded who are able to do so will be conveyed to the Town Hall, where a civic reception will bo given tlieni by the Mayor, Mr. J. P. Luke. Short speeches of welcome will be delivered by His Excellency the Governor, the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey), the Minister ot Defence (Hon. J. Allen), and Sir Joseph Ward. Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool will also be present. At the conclusion of this function light refreshments will be given the returned soldiers. Mr. Luke is desirous that all pecplo who own motor-cars should place them at the disposal of the wounded soldiers to convey them from the Willochra to tho Town Hall. All those wishing to assist in this matter are requested to communicate with the Mayor to-day. ,

"Always remember that there is no way in which we can so help to pay the war debt and interest an by increased production from the land, and by economy in every way."—Mr. J.. C. N. Grigg,, at" the Agricultural Conference yesterday. .

An. inquiry as to.the suitability of an offieer appoiuted to take charge of tho Fanning Island cable station was made in tho House yesterday. Mr. 0. J. Parr said that it was stated in Auckland that the cable officer recently appointed to take charge of the cable station on' Fanning Island was a Would the Prime Minister make inquiries? Ho did not know if tho Government had jurisdiction. The Prime Minister said that he was not aware that the man in question was a German. Tho cable station was not under the control of the New. Zealand Government, but of the Pacific Cable Board. He would be glad to make inquiries! Addressing the A. and P. Conference yesterday, the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey) said that New Zealand had been very successful at tho San Francisro Exhibition. It had been thought advisable, for the purpose of advertising New. Zealand, to nave the Dominion properly represented at tho Exposition. Accordingly, a senior officer of the Department of Agriculture, Mr. E. Clifton was sent to take charge,- and exhibits were invited. They came forward freely. Judging has now 'taken place. He had not been supplied with all the details, which wero coming by mail, but-he had received cable advice that New Zealand had been awarded 6 grand prizes, 39 medals of honour, 114 goldj medals, 156 silver medals, 129 bronze medals, and 10 honourable mentions—4s4 in all. Australia went to much more trouble about the exhibition, but won only 165 prizes. The New Zealaud result was extremely satisfactory, and quite justified the considerable expenditure incurred. '(Applause.) Legislation to restrict the sale of firearms is advocated by Commissioner Cullen in the following passage of his. annual report:—"As serious injuries have been inflicted upon persons in various parts of the Dominion during recent year?, and in some cases death lias resulted, through the criminal or negligent use of revolvers and by persons who should never be allowed to possess such weapons, I beg to suggest that the time has arrived when stringent legislation should be passed regulating the sale aiid possession of all classes of firearms throughout the Dominion. As the law now stands, there is nothing to prevent persons inclined to crime and homicide from possessing and carrying firearms. The law on this subject is quite different in Great Britain, whore the Pistols Act, 1903, contains stringent provisions relating to the sale of and the licensing to carry pistols and revolvers." ' ~ ,

Reference to the urisuitability of the present Police Training Depot at Mount Cook is made by Commissioner Cullen in his annual report. The question of removing tile d6pot from the City altogether and establishing it within easy distance of Wellington—at Trentliam, for instance—where a large enough area of land is no doubt available will, lie thinks, have to be considered in tho immediate future. -If sufficient -accommodation were available, all tlio_ members of tho Force under a certain age could be called into the depot in small squads for an course of.'.drill, and instruction, extending over ten days or a fortnight. Lectures on matters of law, and instructions oil police duties, discipline, and administration, could also be given in the depot. "There is ho gainsaying the fact," ho says, "that . in'many instances men who do not receive periodical drilling become ungainly iu their movements, and _ tho only way to remedy these conditions, so _ far as I can see, is to call tho men into the depot periodically for a course ; of drill." At the depot, the, Commissioner adds, there ought to bo stables and an exerciso ground for horses, to allow, of young horses for tlie_police being properly trained, and so made safe for the riders and the public on occasions when mounted men have to regulato traffio or keep order in tho streets. Before the Hospital Ship sailed Messrs. D. W. Virtuo and Co., acting on behalf of the patriotic South Island millers, asked ' tho Government howmuch flour would be required for tho trip. The quantity asked for was 100 sacks. This the millers Teadily, gave, and had put-on board at their own charge. The value' of- the flour delivered .to the ship was .£3OO.

The Feilding Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday night passed the following resolution, says a Press Association telegram :—'"That in view of-tho urgent call by liord Kitchener for more men, and of the imperative need for substantial and thorough organisation in New Zealand, the suggestion be'conveyed to tho Prime Minister that steps might bo taken for the recall of General Eiavies, and liis appointment as Minister of War in a National Ministry; that this Chamber regards with grave apprehension the expressed intention of tho Minister of Finsuico to raiso a portion of the ten million war loan in the Dominion, and is decidedly of opinion that the adoption of such a course will greatly disturb the local money market, hamper trade, retard agricultural and pastoral development, and. seriously raise mortgage and bank interest rates."

"We cannot all go to the froiit, much as we sliould_like to', but we liavo other special and important d'utios to • perform, and one special duty is to produce as much as we possibly can, not only in cereals, but also in meat and wool," said the l'rimo Minister to tho delegates preseut at the Council of Agriculture yesterday. They should produce enough' for their own requirements and also as much as possiblo toj assist in clothing and feeding tlio troops and' people of Great Britain.

Lady motorists 'will welcome the ladies' boudoir and special catering provided by tho Dominion Motor Vehicles. Ltd., in their hue new garage—the largest in the 'Dominion—just off tho Courtenay Place wood-blocking in Tory Street. Special ladies' . runabouts—electric sblf-starting and lighting, of course—arrivo in three weeks Catalogues and photographs mailed on request. Garago hours—7 a.m. to midnight; 7 to 10 a,m„, 6 to 11 p.m. Sundays. rnMtt,., • - ' ' • ..

At a, meeting of Wellington, shop? keepers held yesterday, Mr. A. Moore, of Auckland, who is the president or the Wednesday Half-Holiday Defenco League, stated that Saturday would al- ■ ways be the great shopping day. Whenever tliero was a public holiday during the-week, and they were allowed to keep open oil Saturday business was excellent, and. one overheard oil all sides such expressions as "It seems like old times!" Saturday was still the popular shopping day in Auckland, and al- • ways would be. He had already spent a lot ol money fighting the Saturday closing. He was an Irishman and a fighter, and would keep, on fighting. Mr. Moore promised to furnish a report of his work in the South Island on his return to Wellington. The subject of the' purity of farm seed was discussed by the New Zealand Council of Agriculture yesterday. It was observed that Mr. A. H. Cock-' ayne, State Biologist, had estimated New Zealand's auuual loss through weeds to amount to £1,000,000, and that the greatest factor in the spread of ■ weeds was iiupuro seed. The Council resolved: "That a Bill should be introduced to control the sale of seeds, and to provido for the strict; examination of imported seeds, with power to prohibit the introduction of any containing deleterious weeds or worthless seeds." The Council of Agriculture resolved , yesterday to "place on record l - its deep sense of admiration of the high' courage and gallantry shown by our men at the Dardanelles iu landing under fire and attacking and taking a strong position that would have severely tested the morale of regular troops, and expresses its deepest sympathy for the relations of those who have fallen." At Monday's meeting of the Anglican Synod, the Rev. A. 0. Williams moved, and it was resolved: "That, inasmuch aa . the Veil. Archdeacon Fancourt .will celebrate the jubilee of his ordination in November of this year, this Synod desires to oonvey to tho Archdeacon its warm and heartfelt congratulations and ■■ to place on record its deep appreciaof his faithful, earnest, and selfj sacrificing on behalf of tlia Church in this dioceso and of the wholef province of New Zealand." • At the opening session of the annual conference of the New Zealand Educa* tional Institute last -evening, the secretary (Mr. H. A. Parkinson) announced that the Pioneer Club had arranged tai extend honorary membership to all latlv delegates, and a similar provision had been made for the men at the Civil Service Club. A motion of sympathy to .Councillor 1 . R. Faire, of Karori Borough Council, in his recent bereavement in tho loss or • his sister, was passed at last night's meeting of the council on the motioni of the Mayor (Mr. B. G. H. Burn). lie New Zealand Educational Instin tute decided last evening that tho hours of session of t'he conference would be from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., from 2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., and from 7.30 p.m« to 9.30 p.m. I'here aro 66 remits on the order paper.

Mr. ' Jaraos M'lntosh' (treasurer ofl the :Wellingtou Patriotic Society) sug- " gests that, as it seemed inevitable that, initially at all events, a provincial scheme would bo adopted in connection witli the administration of funds coll lected for tho benefit of wounded sol* diers and isailors and their dependents, steps should bo taken at once to prevent anything in the nature of overlapping,' such as ho understands occurred witli ■similar funds promoted in connection with the South African War. Mr. M'lntosh suggests that, as, trustees • and committees are likely to be set up in connection' with the funds towards the end of the month, the Defence Depart-* ment might furnish' comp'eto lists of the men serving at iho front or ih hospitals and convalescent homes abroad to bo available to each of the four committees,, and that such lists should be carded (by the committees). In this manner, a clear, tecord would bo kept of tho position of each man, and that when any . ono of them is given monetary assistance by one oommittee notification' of tlie same could bo at once forwarded on to . the 'other three committees, as a, ifeoautionary measure, against, piw bable fraud.

The following resolution by Mr. J, Martin was carried at Monday's meeting of '-the Anglican Synod: "That it be a recommendation to Synod that it ap> prove of the Bishop's suggestion that a' fund for tho training of candidates for Holy Orders bo established in connection .-with, Hadfield College, and that a; committee be appointed to initiate tho fund and obtain donations towards it, such committee to consist of the governors of the college, the Ven. Archdeacon Fancourt, tho Rev. C. F. As* kow, Messrs. Hadfield, Wilberfoss, Brora, Shirtcliffe, and the mover, with power to add to their number. Further, that Synodsmen be asked to do all they can in their respective districts to forward the interests of the' fund, that the funds raised be vested in tha Diocesan Trustees, and that the income therefrom be paid to tho board of gov* eroors of the college."

_ A most interesting exhibit of local industry is on view in Messrs. Wj liittlejohn and Son's window, Lambton Quay. It is tho movement, or works, with one of the four-dial castings, to be erected in tho tower of the Sydenham Post Office. It is seen going with 8 miniature pendulum, giving an excellent insight into the working of a doubla three-legged gravity escapement, , do-'-'signed in the; first instance by E. "B* Denison, the "late Lord Grimthorpe, specially for tho Victoria Tower of tha Houses of Parliament, Westminster, London. The clock now on view is a complete quarter-chimer; ■ tho quarter bells, however, aro not to be / added until some future date,-'and the clock will in the mearitimo strike the houra only, on a bell weighing over 12ewt. The actual pendulum weighs 2301b,, it beats U seconds, has iron and zinc compensa-' tion for the varying temperatures, an 4' will probably keep time within two, seconds per week. The clock has been entirely made by Messrs. W. Littlejohn . and Son, in their clock manufactory, i'alavera Terrace, where they have made over a score of similar public clocks, now-in use in tho Dominion, some or which have been going for over 30 years ■without a failure oF any kind. .The dock will be on view all this week. The rough castings wore-done in the local foundry of Messrs. J. Murphy and Son, and tho gun-metal blanks by Messrs* Garter and Guise, also of Wellington.