LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2682, 31 January 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Next Saturday a route marcli through Wellington City will be lield by the 3rd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, who havo been training at Rangiotu. On the same day the 4th Battalion of the Brigade, together with the 3rd Maori Reinforcements, Ambulancp, and A.S.C. men (about 2000 in all), will, inarch through Auckland. Early on Saturday evening, a motorcar, driven by Mr. White, of Karori, and a motor-cycle ridden by a young man named Robert August, whose parents reside at Taita, came into collision. It is stated that when in the vicinity of the Taita Gorge,, the car and cyclist attempted to pass, and the result was that a collision took place, and the car turned turtle over a bank. There were several occupants of the car, but all escaped' injury. For some time, however, they were pinned under the car, but were eventually able to extricate themselves, very little the worse for the adventure. The cyclist, besides sustaining cuts and bruises "about the head and face, had his collarbone fractured, and is suffering from shock. The injured man was taken, to a nureinjf homo at Lower Hutt. To-day is the last day of the-school children's midsummer vacation. The State schools throughout the district will re-open to-morrow.

In accordance with instructions received from the city authorities, Mr. A. Milligan, veterinary surgeon, conducted a post-mortem examination of the sea lioness, which died suddenly at the Zoo on Thursday last. Mr. Milligan found that the sea lioness had been a severe sufferer from tuberculosis of both lungs and kidney disease of long standing, one kidney being extensively diseased. The immediate cause of death was the ruplure of tlie largo blood vessel of the heart, the rupture being caused by the severe coughing of the animal. The cavities of the heart and lungs were full of congested blood. The teeth were well worn and decayed, and Mr. Millisran judged the animal to be very old. Tlio Zoo authorities are already bestirring themselves to procure another-sea lioness. A Wellington merchant tailor, who does not complain about the state of trade in Wellington, says that local tailors are at present ordering their supply of English and Scotch tweeds for next summer. Judging bj - the substantial increases in prices that are prevailing, ho anticipates that tailor-mado suits must advance at least £1 in cost between now and the year end. The causes for such increase are already apparent. Every lino which touches the tailor's trade has advanced considerably. Owing to shortage of labour and the increased cost of wool, tweeds have advanced in price considerably; linen canvas and thread have advanced 30 per cent, in cost, and buttons have gone up and are difficult to procure in the required variety. On top of this, freight duty, and insuranco have gone up, and during the present year may advance still more. ' This will mean that the suit that is procurable to-day for £6 or £6 10s. will cost at least £1 more hy next summer. As the price of wool in New Zealand this season has broken all existing records, it goes without saying that locally-manufactured tweeds must also advance consldorably in value during the next few months. The Prime Minister was interviewed on Saturday morning by a small deputation of wool-brokers on the question of the quantity of shipping spacc available for wool. The proceedings were not open to the Press. Subsequently the Prime Minister stated that the situation was greatly improving. Compared with previous years a _ certain amount of delay was comparatively unavoidable owing to two reasons, viz. The fact tliat tho season had'been lator than usual, and the scarcity of ships for general cargo. No further information, said the Prime Minister, had coma to hand in regard to -wool purchased for the United States in the early part of the season. JHe had again cabled tho Imperial authorities asking for a reply at the earliest possible date. About 20,000 bales of that wool still remained unshipped, and most of it had been purchased on the sheep's back. In tho course of an interview in Dunedin on Saturday, the Hon. J. Allen stated that he did not think Parliament would'meet earlier than usual, unless there was reason to pass a Compulsory Service measure. —Press Association. The Clifford Settlement, Tecently acquired by the Government, situated between the Tiru Railway Station and Okoroire, has been balloted for, and tho longest of tho eight sections, into which it was subdivided, comprising 312 acres, has been drawn by a. returned soldier. An adjoining section, of 107 acres, was drawn by a member of the Expeditionary Forces at present at tho front, Tho Clifford Estate is all firstclass land, and the Prime Minister, in statins the above facts, expressed great satisfaction that two ont of the eight sections had gone to soldiers.

Though the sky was clear above and tho sun was shining at its full midsummer strength, the seaward aspect at Lyall Bay throughout yesterday was obscured by a dense pearly [»roy sea fog, which obliterated a view of the distant Kaikouras, that usually stand out clear and distinct in fine weather. It was thought' at first- that the fog or mist would soon be dispersed by tho heat of tho sun, but instead of that being tho caso tho fog becamo thicker as tho morning wore on, and between midday and 1 p.m. it had rolled right up to tho entrance from the south, veiling the whole of the adjacent coast-linc. So' thick was tho fog that the dotonating fog signal was heard booming 'out its dull note of warning at regular intervals, and incoming steamers kept their whistles going to warn others of their presence. All through tho afternoon the seaward view from .Lyall and Island Hays was shut off by n dense wall of fo<* which in the evening rolled up tho entranco and over tho hills and invested the City, creating peculiar effects on the harbour-and high lauds. At a speoial meeting of the Borough Council on Friday night, says a Press Association telegram from Foxton, a motion was passed favouring a conference of local body delegates between Levin and Taihape to discuss the steps to be taken regarding evidence before the Royal Commission appointed to deal with tlie linking up of the Main Trunk line between Marton and Levin, and an extension of tho Sandon- tramway to the conference to be held at Foxton, on February 5. Messrs. Field, Guthrie, and Smith, M.P.'s', have been invited to attend.

In granting a number of land agents'licenses on Thursday at Masterton, Mr. L. G. Reid, S.M., commented upon the needless proceeding of making fresh applications for licenses every year. Ho suggested that the Government should be approached, and asked to amend the Act, so that all that would be ne« cessary would be for registered agentc to apply for a renewal of their licenses) Manoeuvres performed by a motorcar in Manners Street about 5.30 p.m. on Saturday attracted tho notice of a number of people. From tho vicinity of Luke's Lane, the car steered as erratic course, and at different times .camo into contact with a tram, a verandah post, and a female pedestrian. Constable O'Dea, who witnessed tho scene, effected an arrest., and as a result a man will appear in the Magistrate's Court this morning on a chargo of being drunk whilo in chargo yf -a motor-car. The Feilding "Star" says that s rather unusual offer was made to the secretary of the AVanganui Charitable Aid and Hospital Board. A farmer living in the country offered to take, free of charge, a child of a married man who was willing to go to the front, but was prevented h.v family ties. Tha farmer offered to maintain the child at his home for the period of the war or until tho father was able to take up his home duties again.

Lieutenant W. J. Organ, ex-Mayor of Eastbourne, who has enlisted for active service at the front, was entertainod at a farewell gathering by residents of Eastbourne on Saturday evening. The Mayor of Eastbourne (Mr. J.P. Kelly) presided over a large gather* ing. Among those present were the" Hon. A. L. Herdman and the Mayoi and Mayoress of Wellington (Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Luke). Tributes were paid by the various speakers to Lieutenant Organ's usefulness as a citizen and as Mayor of the borough, and to the active patriotism which had led him to offer his : services to the military authorities. Councillors Perry and Pilclior spoke on behalf of the borough' councillors and residents, and Mr.Herdman, Mr. Luke, and Mr. T. M. Wilford also made appreciative Tefcrence to the estimable qualities of the guest of the evening, who was present- , ed by the Mayor, on behalf of the council and citizens, with a cheque. During;, the evening an enjoyable programme of music was contributed to by Miss Shepherd and Miss Davics, and Messrs. H. Wright, Green, Woods, and Bennett, and members of the Savage Club Orchestra. Dancing was subsequently engaged in. The arrangements were carried out by a committee, the executive officers of which were Messrs. J. P. Kelly (chairman), W. Perry, and C. A. Marquis.

A' strange but true story of the recovery of a lady's ring comes from Ashburtou. _ In January of last year tho lady visited some friends in Aslh burton, and during her stay there sh< lost Ih'at sentimental token which hel husband had given her when he in< Vit-ed lier to share his joys and sorrows -her engagement ring. A search was made, but it had to be given up at last. The other day sho was verv much surprised to receive from a, relative in Aehburton the missing ring. It had been picked up on a'shingle footpath at the entrance of the house ati which slie was staying, and was nona the worse for its twelve months' exposure to weather and traffic. —Ex* change.