LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2676, 24 January 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

An Australian mail only will arrive in Wellington from Sydney by the Moeraki this afternoon. The It.M.S. Makura, duo at Auokland this morning, is bringing the northern portion of the mail, which will come through to Wellington by the overland express.

Anniversary Day was celebrated as a public holiday in Wellington Province on Saturday, end as ideal weather conditions developed d'uring the morning those who enoyed a respite from business were able to make the most of it. The anniversary was not commemorated by any public event, but those on. out-of-doors' pleasure bent had their wants amply catered for. The principal holiday attraction was the races at Trentham. The passenger railway bookings to Trentham on Saturday were 3588 from Lambton station and 2200 from Te Aro station. These figureß were much in excess of those of last •year. A special ferry service on Saturday carried large numbers to the seaside resorts over the harbour.

The weather spoilt the holiday at Masterton on Saturday, and all outdoor amusements had to he abandoned. The rain ceased in the afternoon, and the lawn tennis tournament was commenced. Over ail inch of rain foil during 24 hours, which has had a splendid effect on the cereal and root crops. —Special Correspondent.

Tlio news was cabled from Australia a fow days ago that tlio Commonwealth Government had agreed to an increase in the price of sugar. It may interest housewives to know that the price in New Zealand has been fixed up till Juno 30, and that the present price will be kept until that date.

The University Senate of New Zealand will meet at Victoria College at 11 a.m. to-morrow, and on subsequent days.

At the Dunedin Police Court Young Ghee was fined 405., and costs for having in his possession six tins of opium. —Press Association. • ,

A peculiar accident happened'on the steamer John, which arrived at Wanganui from Wellington on Saturday morning (states a Press Association message). When berthing at_ the town wharf the vessel was carried by a strong tide aaginst the bridge broadsido, and the deckhouse wan caught under the decking of the bridge and considerably damaged. A lifeboat on tlio port side and the davits were smashed. The damage may be £100.

A movement is again on foot to have the To Arc Baths opened all day on Sundays in summer, instead of in the morning only as at present. It is argued that many- of tho ratepayers living at a distance from Clyde Quay are debarred from visiting Te Aro Baths on Sunday morning because of the costly tram ride. As surfing on the open beaches is not safe for some, and not » pleasure for others, it is contended that they should liave the right of visiting tho baths if they so desire. The question is likely to bo placed before the City Council at an early date.

"Commercial Japan," an English journal published in Yokohama, in a recent issue, gives publicity to the following statement about kauri gum:—"A very profitable busiuess between Japan and Now Zealand now offers itself to enterprising manufacturers in this country. Kauri gum, a 'resinous substance found in largo quantities in tho kauri districts in the norihom parts of Now Zealand, was hitherto bought by Germany for tho manufacture of pipe-stems and similar goods and as a component for varnishes. Germany bought very large quantities of the gum, and ostensibly used it for. legitimate purposes, but 6ince tho .war broke out it has been found that, the Germans havo been using it as an important factor in making explosives. Tho gum industry in New Zealand, accordmg to the latest reports, was practically at a standstill, as no niarkot could be found for the product. A progressive Japanese manufacturer sliould be able to devise means of establishing a profitable industry by importing the gum and turning it to use here." . ,

For holiday wear—Nothing more comfortable than a sweater. Good range in cm' or heathor mixture at 3s, lid. Geo. Fowlds, Ltd.j Manners Street.—Advt,

In accordance with, a recent decision of Cabinet, applications' for land ill the, Clifford Settlement, Auckland district, will be restricted to parried 1 persona with faniiiles, ami soldiers. Applies tious from singlo men of military age, who have not enlisted, will not he received.

Li military hospitals .in England there are now 9 New Zealand*officer's and 1092 rank and file. i For years the busiuess people of Fox-, ton and tho neighbourhood have, expressed dissatisfaction with the control of tlie : wharf andi theriver by the Kailway Department, which owns the wharf < Certain improvements, it is urged, are badly needed, and these tho Railway Dp. partment lias never felt justified in undertaking. 'llie Foxton Harbour Board agreed to purchase the wharf, but the price fixed by the Railway Department was deemed too high, and that way of loosing the dcadlook_ was closed- Following upon the insistent representations of tho members of Parliament for the surrounding electorates, and especially of Mr. W. H. Field, the Government lias now set up a Commission to investigate the whole matter. The members of it are: Sir Robert Stout (tho Chief Justice), and Messrs. Cyrus Williams (engineer of tho Lyttelton Harbour Board) and W. M. Hannay (late General Manager of the WellingtonMau&watu Railway). This Commission is to report not only upon the wharf and harbour question, but on the other question of constructing a railway deviation from Levin through Foxton to i Marton or Greatford.

The following lotter received by a business man in Chrietchurok gives an indication of tho sacrifices being made by those who are respording to the call for men for the front:—"ls there any way you can suggest' of realising my property? As there is such a shortage of nie ll for the Reinforcements, my son is very apxious/to cnlist._ He is my oiily child, and I am entirely dependent upon liim. Therefore, I should have to get away to relatives. We are making a _ great sacrifice. My son ivill he giving up £6 par week, hut ha feels that ever} man is needed."

Owing to a numbor of regular attendants being on the way from Greytown to Otaki across Mount Hector, there was a small attendance at the route inarch yesterday morning. The party left Boulcott Street at the usual time. a,nd proceeded through "Wadestown to gain and back through the gorge to ICaiwarra and homo. Although tha morning was very warm, good time, was registered, and a most enjoyable niorning was spent. Next Sunday there will bo no march, and members will instead join with their companies in the church parade of the National Deserve. It U hoped that ail thoso who have takenpart' in the marchcs will be present, and anyone not being a member of the lleserve is invited to join with B Company, On the following Sunday a full clay's march will take place to Makara. Any citizen desirous of doing some healthful exercise is invited to be present.