LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2575, 24 September 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Telegraph Office advise that from date the charges on telegrams are to be as follow:—For ordinary telegrams delivered within the Dominion on weekdays, for twelve words or less including address and signature, urgent, Is. 2d.; ordinary, 3d.; extra words Id. and half-penny each respectively. On Sundays : Urgent, 2<s. 2d.; ordinary, Is. 2d.; extra words, 2d. and-Id. .respectively. Sunday rates are to be charged at all offices without exception. The alteration of the rates means an addition of 2d. to the rates hitherto charged week-day and Sunday, and makes the Sunday rate apply at all offices. For cable messages tlio charges to be as hitherto, plus 2d. for each message.

A rumour which has been agitating many people in Wellington—the report that a very serious of meningitis had occurred in the Sixth Reinforcements —was mentioned in the House of Representatives yesterday, by Dr., Newman. He asked the Prime Minister to make some statement to allay the prevailing anxiety.' The Prime Minister said that tho Defence Minister had received a telegram the previous day from tho Officer Commanding the Sixth Contingent. The telegram received by Mr. Allen stated that the 6th Reinforcements arrived at Cairo on. September 19, and that tho health of the men was generally good. Twenty-six cases of illness had occurred on hoard, only one boing serious, that of Private D. Widdowson (No. 7/428), who contracted pneumonia.

' At tho request of His Excellency the Governor the St. John Ambulance Association have undertaken to provide 60 beds on 'the new Hospital Ship. The same depot lias been arranged for (Belcher's Buildings, Courteuay. Place) as before,'where all contributions should be sent. Ladies desirous of assisting at the depot should call at the depot on and after Monday next, between 2.30 and 3.30 p.m.' The' St. John Ambulance Association Committee w.ill be glad to receive donations for purchase of material. Cheques may be made payable to the chairman, Mr. C. P. Powles/ 219 Lambton Quay, or the secretary, Mr. J. B. Finlay, '"Evening Post" Buildings.

On September 14 we published a telegraphed report' of a _ meeting of Gisborne farmers,'-in which tho following statement appeared:—"(d) The Imperial authorities have appointed the.Hon. T. Mackenzie, Sir Montague Nelson, and Sir William Robinson as a committee to control' the sale of the surplus commandeered meat, and the meeting is informed, and believes that Sir Montague Nelson is chairman and-managing director of tlio Colonial Consignment and Distributing Company, which is a buyer and seller of meat both wholesale and retail, also that Sir "William Robinson is a director of Birb and Co. As it/ is understood that both the above meat firms are purchasing some of the commandeered meat, this meeting suggests that no persons should hold office upon the committee controlling the, sale of tho surplus of this commandeered meat who are associated with any firm or company that is a buyer aiid seller of meat." Wo are now informed that the statement is incorrect. Sir Thomas (not Sir William) Robinson is a member of tho Committee of Control, buthe is not, as asserted, a member of Birt and Co., Ltd. Tho telegram was published by us in good faith, and wo regret that we, with others, should have been, misled in the matter mentioned.

In reply to a question yesterday the Minister of Defence gave the following particulars of the number of members of the National Reserve who have volunteered for service abroadAuokland, 11; Canterbury, 34; Wellington, 91; Otago, 254. The Minister added that he did not say for a- moment that the return was absolutely complete; but it was as complete as he could get it at present. He had asked in eaoh case nowmany of the National Reserve throughout the Dominion had enlisted for service at tho front. The Auckland Queen Carnival Committee has decided to inform the clergy that it cannot see its way to accede to tlie request to abandon_ raffles at tho forthcoming Queen Carnival. At the Supreme Court, ' Masterton, yesterday, Messrs. Mellsop, Elliott and Co., of i?almerston North, were awarded £373 damages from the Wellington Farmers' Moat Company in connection with a certain meat contract. Mr. P. Webb road a telogram in the House of Representatives yesterday reporting that three men had heen injured In tho State mine near Runanga that morning, and that thero had been a considerable delay in gotting them to the hospital, and he asked if such delay could be avoided in future. The Minister of Mines (the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald) said that plans for. an ambulance car for this section of the railway had been completed, and the car was now being built. Chevrolet.—Whereas Chevrolet cars are equipped with enclosed overhead valves, let all people know- that it necessarily follows that these oars conibino ' lower fuel consumption, less heating, less carbon deposit, more power than auy other car on (he market—sizo of engine considered. To obtain proof it is only unccstiary to visit the Dominion Motor Vehicles Oarage, 05 Courloiiay Place, and 41-18 .Tory Btroot,—AdvU

A dusky foreigner whose diminutive stature just allowed his head to peep over tho dock of the Magistrate's Court, appeared thero yesterday, and was apparently considerably perturbed lie was informed by the clerk of the court that "on August 30, on the high seas, on board tho s.s. Aparima, he did with intent to dp grievous bodily harm, wound one Ignatius Sebastian Attaide." Mendqnca, tho' accused, is alleged to have knifed another member of the ship's crew, and was arrested on tho vessel's arrival here. In spite of Mendonca's protests that certain members of the crew had given him "riiucha annoyance," he was remanded to today.

Tho Prime Minister stated in tho Houso of Representatives yesterday that the Lights on Vehicles Bill, which Mr. D. Buddo has teen trying to get through Parliament for many sessions, will be proceeded with this session. Hither the Government would take it up or an opportunity would be given to Mr. Buddo to go on with it. At a meeting of the Conciliation Counoil held in Napier yesterday in connection with the Engine Drivers' dispute, at which Mr. P. Halley presided, it was agreed 'that the wiiole dispute should bo dealt with by a committee to be. selected from the different .centres of tli6 Wellington district, and that failing an agreement the matter should bo sent on to the Arbitration Court. , "You re a - — German," shouted George Murray to an individual named Henry John Joseph Lysaght in Cuba Street on Wednesday. "You're a—Scotliman," replied Lysaght. This boisterous preface quite naturally led to a stand-up fight. Fortunately a constable arrived and escorted the street pugilists to the lock-up., Both were fined 205., in default three days' imprisonment, in the Magistrate's Court yesterday for using threatening behaviour.

The Island Bay-Berhampore section of the National Reserve on Tuosday arranged a local route maroh, and on this occasion had the assistance of the Silver Mission Band. A large number of the members paraded at Wakefield Park, and from there marched to the beach, via Clyde Street, returning via the Parade. A considerable amount of interest was displayed by th'e residents of the Bay, who on this occasion bad their first opportunity of witnessing a rout© march or their local men.

Proposals for a new award in the grocery trade have been considered at a mooting of representatives of the Grocers' Union and a number of master grocers. It was considered unlikely that an agreement could bo arrived at, and the dispute will therefore be filed will go before the Conciliation Council. There were times at the meeting of, the Onslow Borough Council, held last night to discuss the vexed question of a water scheme for the borough, when feelings were Tather strained, between the assembled councillors. Prior to the discussion of the report the Mayor (Mr. 0. C. Crump) reminded councillors that only two clauses of the_ report on the matter had been dealt with at last meeting, and suggested that if the report were discussed in a friendly spirit better progress would be m'ado. Councillor Budd asked for a right to reply to the Mayor's remarks. The Mayor replied that there was nothing to reply to. Councillor Appleton interjected that the Mayor had said something that was not true. "Withdraw that remark," said the Ma-yor immediately. "No, I won't," said Councillor Appleton. "We'll stop the business then," said the Mayor. Then followed a few explanations which had a soothing effect, and the business of the meeting commenced. • ' .

■ The Petone Lyceum Theatre was comfortably filled last evening for the production of "Hinemoa" by the Maori Opera Company. The performance was muoh appreciated. ' A portion of the proceeds is to be handed over to the Wounded Soldiers' Fund, ajid the remainder is to be used in liquidating the debt on the Maori church at Ohinemutu.

The payment of separation allowances to soldiers' wives was tlie subject of a telegram received from the Defence Department by the Auckland Relief Committee. Tlie message stated that separation allowances continue to the date of wounded soldiers' discharge. This means that although a wounded man is back in his own home his wife will continue to receive the payment of Is. a day made by the Government as a separation allowance.

A total of 104 men for the New Zealand Medical Corps left Auckland for Trentham last night. The men are to enlist on the understanding that they may not expect any leave as they will probably leave for the fiont almost immediately.

During the rext week about 250 to 300 ambulance men will go into camp iu Palmerston North for a month or six weeks. These men are from all parts of the Dominion. The camp will be commanded by Captain Goldingham.

During the twelve months ended March 31, 1915, tho mortgages registered in New Zealand amounted to £19,269,621, as against £21,352,695 in the previous year, and the- mortgages discharged totalled £11,276,289, as against £12,726,773.

A correspondent states that-in remarking at the Harbour Board meeting on Wednesday that "with the exception of Wanganui' the charges on wool were lower in Wellington than at anv other port in New Zealand, Mr. : Diuiiell overlooked an important point. The Wellington charge or sixpence per bale includes labour, while the Wanganui charge of threepence does not, and in addition, it is stated) there is a ; railage charge also in Wanganui.

The value of the imports into New Zealand for the eight months ended August 31 last totalled £13,670,177, as compared with £15,313,261 for the corresponding period of'last year. Soft goods accounted for £2,34-1,116, as against £2,950,648, a decline of about 20 per cent. There is an increase of 36 per cent, in foodstuffs, and 1 per cent, in beverages, but all other groups except specie show decreases, the net decrease for the eight months being_ 11 per oent., according to the 'figures furnished by the "N.Z. Trade Review."

A discussion in (lis House of Boprcseutatives yesterday showed that the Education Boards and other authorities administering education endowments are very likely "to lose control of these lands within a measurable period. The' unsatisfactory nature of the leases given to tenants of these reserves has been the subject of other debates in ment on previous occasions. It is adI mitted on all sides that- the return received by the Education authorities from these lands is not commensurate with their actual value, that'the lands are badly farmed, and allowed to deteriorate, and that the letting of tliese lands in big blocks when they could be subdivided and more closely settled was not in the public interest. As to what shall be done to sot matters right there is 110 such unanimity. A few of the freeholders favour tho sale of the endowments, and the setting aside of t-lio proceeds of the sale for the benefit of education. Others advocate the taking over by the Government of all these reserves, and the administration of thorn by tile Government for the _ benefit of education. Another opinion is that the Government should give some attention to these leases, and introduce legislation which shftll ensure that- a better tenure will be given to lessees. In all the discussion m the House yesterday not a singlo member expressed tho opinion that the present systom of administering these endowments should continue, • Military men, commercial men, mon in every walk of lifo, can be fitted with comfortable easy fitting boots at Geo. Fowlds, Ltd.. Manners Street, vendors of the best British and .Colonial makes.—idrt, j

A grievance of soldiers at Trentham was mentioned in the House of Representatives yesterday by Mr. J. B. Hlno. It appears that the post office at the camp closes during the luncheon hour, from noon to 1 p.m., and as the men come off parade at 12 o'clock and go on parade again- at 1.30 they have very limited. time. in which to do any business, concerning mousy orders, for example, at the post office. Mr. Hino suggested that the office should bo kept open during the luncheon hour. Tho Postmaster-General (Sir Joseph Ward) said he would inquire into the matter, and if he found that the men were being inconvenienced on aocount of the jack of postal facilities he would give instructions to Jiavo the office opened during tho dinner hour.

Two boys, aged 16 and 13 years respectively, were admonished and 1 discharged in the Juvenile Court yesterday dii charges of discharging a revolver. . Money, a watch, and a pocketbook, to the value of about £70, were stolen on Wednesday from Mr. T. Crosse, chairman of the Hawko's Bay County Council, who is a guest at a City hotel. Mr. Crosse left his room before breakfast to have a bath, and while away a thief or thieves entered his room aiid Btole the property.

"That in order to ascertain the standard of qualitj of all goodb and drugs supplied to the Hospital, steps be to engage the services of an analytical ohemist."—This was the text of a resolution put forward by Mr. F. T. Moore at yesterday's meeting of tho Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. In support of tho proposal, Mr. Moore said that at present the board had no means of protecting its institutions against unscrupulous dealers, who, on account of the high prices ruling for certain articles, mighh endeavour to palm off substitutes as the.genuine commodities._ He declared that great quantities of impure foods were being placed upon the'market at the present time. The only way to guard against these practices was to appoint an officer to analyse the goods on the spot. The motion was seconded pro forma by Mr. C. M. Luke, but met with considerable opposition. Mr. F. Castle moved as an amendment that, instead of appointing an analytical chemist, the authorities be instructed to 6ubmit samples to the Government Analyst and the Government Bacteriologist. The amendment was carried, and the matter was referred to. the Hospital Committee for further action.

Seventy-seven cases of infections diseases were visited by the local health inspectors during the month ended September 9. The diseases were a 6 follow:—Scarlet fever, 59; diphtheria, 16; enteric fever, 1; cerebro-spmal meningitis; X. Tuberculosis cases examined- at the Hospital Dispensary by Dr. Basil Adams during the month of August numbered upwards of 100. There were no fewar than 46 "new eases." In addition to these, Dr. Adams attended patients in their own homes" (20 visits), saw others in consultation with. medical practitioners, and made the usual necessary; visits to the Seddon Annexe and the Otaki Sanatorium. The proportion, of cases suffering from tuberculosis to the total number examined is reported to tr lessening.