LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2549, 25 August 1915, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald) stated in the House of Representatives yesterday that he proposed to introduce legislation this session to provide that all American eggs imported :nto New Zealand shall he branded as such. The Minister of Defence has Teceived a cablegram from the Philomel acknowledging the receipt of supplies of butter, tongues, and apples from New Zealand. The quantities sonfc were: Half a ton of butter, comprising various donations; 4301b. of sheep tongues from the Wellington Meat Export Company; and 75 eases of apples from various contributors. Amongst other things sent was a harmonium presented by tho Bristol Piano Company, and a gramophone presented by Mrs. Moorehouse. Tho Mayoress, Mrs. Luke, interested herself keenly in tlieso matters. A number of motor-ambulances were procured for our force before it left New Zealand, and while it was intraining in Egypt. Fourteen of these ambulances supplied to the order of the New Zealand Government are in use in Egypt. Ten other ambulances have been purchased out of funds privately subscribed. (j)f these two are in Egypt, one is at Trentham Camp, and seven on loan to the .British troops, in use either ill Fiance or England. Apparently there is need now for more motor ambulances in Em'pt, and the Defence' Minister is considering whether lie will endeavour to recover the seven wagons lent to the British Army. A Ford Motor Ambulance lias been ordered, a gift by the Soutliland Patriotic Society, but it is not certain whether it is yet in commission. The" following extracts from a letter written by an Auckland boy_ in camp at Tauherenikau an indication of tho spirit which rules in the best volunteer: "We have a splendid camp here. The inspecting officer calls it the neatest little camp in New Zealand. . One has little to growl about in being a soldier. .' . . Oamp life is just.a matter of work and sleep—sometimes no sleep, but nover bo work. Of course that is just what we are here to do, and' so far as No. 5 Company A.S.C. is concerned we can do it. A\o are supposed to bo just IT."

Some'little time ago a question was asked in tho House by Mr. C.. J. Parr about the officer recently appointed to control of the Fanning Island Cable Station, who was alleged to be a- German. The Postmaster-General informed him that lie had no jurisdiction over tho appointment, which was wholly the affair of the Pacifio Cable Board, but he would make inquiries. Sir .Joseph Ward, w'ho has since, become Postmas-ter-General, has received a Teply that the officer in question' "is not a naturalised German, but .is English by, birth on both sides." \ A meeting of St. James Senior Cadets (Wellington South) was held in the hall, Adelaide Road, last evening, Captain E. E. Willoughby, officer commanding,_ presiding. A presentation of a wristlet watch was made to Captain. J. M'Donald Johnston on behalf of tho company by Chaplain Major Shirer. The company was formed four years ago, and it w;as. ready to take part as soon as the Senior Cadet movement .was fully recognised. Captain Johnston has beeii associated with St. James Senior Cadet Company since its inception. He has rendered very effective service, and his work has been greatly appreciated. Captain Johnston lias responded to the Empire s call, and has been appointed an officer in tho Trentham Regiment (tho Earl of Liverpool's Own). Tho esteem in which he was held was manifested by the large attendance of officers, non-commissioned officers, and cadets who met to wish him "God speed.' The first race under the auspices of the Hutt Valley Homing Pigeon Club will be flown from Wanganui on September 9.

A while ago the Mayor of Wellington was appealing for carpenters to go to Trentham Camp in order that the work of preparing for the reception of the new recruits would be expedited. His Worship stated yesterday that he .has now been informed that tho authorities have secured sufficient carpenters, and lie understands that the rash of work at the camp is liearing an end. Tho award of the Court of Arbitration in the dispute between the Wellington Dairy Employees' Union and the various employers was filed yesterday. By it the employees' hours of work are fixed at fifty, per week for drivers (exclusive of the time required for necessary attendance to horses), and fifty-two per week for all others. On Sundavs, Wednesdays, and holidays. there shall be one delivery only. The minimum.wage shall be £2 15s. weekly, or £2 12s. 6d. weekly and a quart of milk daily. Learners on a round shall receive at least ss. daily for the first week. It is permissible for an employer to agree to provide an employee with board and lodgings, and deduct £1 a week from the .employee's wages. Overtime rates and holidays aro prescribed, and the award's period of existence is to be from August 30, 1915,to August 29, 1918. "Try Japan for machine-guns," is the .substance of a suggestion contained in a communication wnicli the Mayor received yesterday from a New Zeaionder who is anxious to further our machine-gun campaign. "I referred tho matter to the Minister of Defence," the Mayor informed TnE Dominion, "and ho said that that is impossible." Through inadvertence the date of tho Wobb-Hannan sculling race was reported yesterday as September 10. Tho. dato of tho raco is Friday, September 24. Aeroplane Engines—Tho most perfect made—have shown the world that to obtain tho'greatest possible power from an engine it is necessary to use overhead valves,, similar to those used on the famous Chevrolet cars. You will roadilv understand tho reason for this it vou "communicate with tho Dominion Motor Vehicle?, Ltd., 65 Courtenay Place, who will be pleased to explain fully this feature.— Airt,... '

An inquest into tho causa of tko death of Mr. Thomas Wood, who was-, killed as the result of a fall- down tlio hold of the steamer Wainiate on Monday, will bo held at the Magistrate's Court at 4. p.m. on Thursday. At the annual meeting of the Wellington branch of tho Navy League yesterday, the president of tho society, Mr. J. P. Luke, announced a new scheme )>© had for 'helping on his Patrictio Fund. He proposed to get two hundred citizens to contribute £1 a month while tlio war lasted towards the Patriotio Fund. Already that day ho had twenty names of citizens who had expressed their willingness to subscribe. Two members of tho league said they considered tho idea an excellent one, and stated they wished their names to bo added to the list. Recently' Dr. T. Hops Lewis, of 'Auckland, -placed "his sorvices at tho disposal of the Government, and waa offered tho appointment of consulting surgeon to the Defence Forces of New Zealand, which he accepted. His principal occupation for the present will consist of an inspection of all the returned sick and wounded soldiers witli regard to their treatment and subsequent disposal. Tlio sick and' wounded aro scattered in. homes and 'hospitals all over Now Zealand, and the Government is anxious that they should bo visited and their condition reported upon. In some of tho outlying districts the consulting surgeou may have to assist in the treatment of the cases. Tho nature of "his now duties is such (says the Auckland _ "Herald") that Dr. Lewis will be obliged to travel all. over the Dominion, and he is giving up his practice during the continuance of the war. Dr. Lewis's appointment comes under the Health ana Defence Departments, and his headquarters will be at Wellington. A boy of thirteen .years, who appeared before Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., iu the Juvenile Court yesterday was admonished and discharged on a charge of stealing a bicyole. The Taumarunui Patriotic Carnival Committee, at its last meeting, passed the following resolution:—"That the Government be asked not to enforce the Gaming and Lotteries. Act during the present crisis, so as to enable artunions on a larger scale and with a wider scope of prizes, to be held— always providing the sanction of the controlling body for patriotic funds be obtained—and the proceeds from the art unions are for patriotic purposes only." \. Mr. Skerrett, K.C., in the Supremo Court yesterday: "Are the terms of your commissions put into writing?" Mr.' Thomas Dwan (hotel-broker and commission agent): "No: not once in a hundred times." Tho Chief -Justice: "Is not it required by tho Act?' f Mr. Skerrett: "No, Your Honour. The. wording of tho Act is rather curious. It merely says a person is appointed a commission agent, not the terms of his appointment." His Honour commented that a oareful business man would want to know the terms. A common type of thief developed in. the City recently is the person who strolls into hotels, and, selecting one of the, most deserted portions of an upper floor, walks into the most likely bedroom and leaves with anything that is valuable in his pocket. Tlio detectives were successful in landing one of these thieves recently, whilo yesterday another hotel thief, by name Thomas Myers, alias Benftett, who had been arretted by Detectives Cafrney and Tricklebankjappeared in. the Magistrate's Court. He admitted purloininga pair of boots from the bedroom of John Laughran in the Albemarle Hotel, and a further theft of various articles valued at £2 14s. from the bedroom of George Gardiner at another City hotel. Chief-Detective Boddam explained that Myers was one ( of. these "roamcrs" and had six previous convictions for thieving against him. Tue Magistrate (Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M.) sentenced Myers to one month s imprisonment on tho first charge, and two months on the second, the sentences to be cumulative. .

His Worship the Mayor of Dunedin is not an Irishman, but he is not by reason of this incapable of making a "bull" (says Saturday's "Otago Daily Times"). At the send-off to the Otago members of the Eighth Reinforcements by the Women's Association, His Worship concluded an earnest speech by saying to the soldier boys: "You leave wiifli the "best wishes and heartfelt prayers that God' will proteot you from tie ladies of this city." It was obvious, of course, what the Mayor mtendedto say, aiid ''the ladies of this vrho were present thoroughly, enjoyed the joke. ' " . The Court of Arbitration was occupied yesterday in hearing further evidence respecting the demands of the Wellington Soft Goods' Union of Employees. The case will proceed again to-day. A debate will take place at ths People's Picture Palace next Sunday, evening between Mr. John Payne, M.P.> and Mr. H. E. Hollandj on the question whether it is advisable for the Lalfour Party to join the Coalition GoverninSnt. The members of the Wellington Motor Cycling Club are tendering a euclirs party and ''social' 1 - to those of their fellows -who are in oamp. under training for the front, to be held a,t Godber s tearooms, Courtenay Place, on the evening of September 11. As motor cycles have played an important part in the war, the club hopes that all motorists in Wellington will join w giving those who have enlisted an enthusiastic send-off: ' ,

Information has just been received from London that the British Government have placed orders for 2000 tons of "Saibulite," as a high-explosive m tlis manufacture of shells, hand-grenades, and mines. It is stated that after exhausting tests "Sabulite" has been acknowledged by the War Office to be the best nitrate-ammonia explosive known. It is. moreover, interestmg to note that a company-sunder the name of Sabulite, N Z Ltd.—is manufacturing Sabulite at Auckland, it having purchased the New Zealand rights. The factory, which is' situated at Waikumete, is capable of turning out large , quantities weekly. There is, indeed, a possibility of some of tho 2000 tons ordered by the British -Government being made and supplied /from New Zealand. Threa larfeo companies are also manufacturing "Sabulite" in British Columbia, United States of America, and Australia.