LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2683, 1 February 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Thci postal authorities advise that the s.s. .Manuka, which sailed from Sydney at 2 p.m. 011 January. 28 for AYellington, is due here to-day bringing mails from Australia and tlio United Kingdom, via Suez. At the Supreme Court this morning His Honour the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout), the Attorney-General (the Hon. A. L. Herdman), and leading members of the Bar, will make reference to the death of the late Right lion. Sir Joshua Williams, P.O. Ten New Zealand cadets for tlio DunIroon Military Training College will leave AYellington by tile ltivcrina on Thursday of next week to take up their studies at tlio Australian institution. Two bankruptcies were recorded in Wellington during'the month of January.

Included among the passengers who arrived from America by the Maitai 011 Sunday were four strapping young Finns, who have come to New Zealand to follow fanning pursuits at Pigeon Bay, Canterbury. Only ono of tho party is able to speak English, and 110110 of them liavo been away very long from their own country. One of tho passengers by the Maitai states that in his opinion the action of the Government in allowing such men into the Dominion at the present time has the elements of a- problem. Being Finns, these young men aro Russian subjects, and ordinarily would be liable for military service, yet they arc allowed to come into the Dominion — their passports are in order —and settle down to poaceful agriculture, whilst our own young men arc being urged to enlist. All the men are of military age, and fine specimens of manhood.

Dr. C. E. Adanis, M.A., Government Astronomical Observer, who has just returned from America, was very favourably impressed with the banking system in existence there as compared with that in force in Now Zealand. Dr. Adanis points out that thanks to the competition that exists the depositor is treated a good deal more leniently than in New Zealand. After making a deposit, a small cheque book is presented t"i the depositor free, and no charge is made for keeping the account, There are 110 butts on the cheque, (.ut opposite each one is a full loaf for entering all particulars regarding the cheque. Then at the end of each month tho actual cheques drawn by the depositor are roturned to him. Dr. Adanis understands that anv person in New Zealand may demand his own cheques back from the hank if 110 wishes to hold the same as receipts, but the practice of returning tliem is not known in the Dominion. Dr. Adams believes that the banks here would benefit in the end if they were to adopt the same liberal system that is so successful in America. . Tho Hon, Dr. R. M'Nab lias announced his intention of starting another recruiting campaign shortly. At present he has a few dates hooked in the South Island, and will not bo making any addresses in North 'Island until the new recruiting scheme has started. At last evening's meeting of the Petono. Borough Council, a building bylaw amendment was confirmed ivhiqh allows buildings used as dwellings to be erected in wood within that portion of No. 1 Building District, commencing at (a) the eastern boundary of tho Hutt Road and ending at the western boundary of Buick Street ; and (b) com-; mencing at the eastern boundary of Buick Street, and ending at the Western boundary of Cuba Streot. No fowlhouse is to be erected on any section having less than 2000 square feet of air space free from any erection. Fowlliouses are to be constructed as described in Clause 62 of the Building By-law, 1914, and must have a fenced in "run," which including the building must not exceed such area- as will leavo less than a clear air space of 1800 superficial' feet for the section, and 110 part of which must be within 20 feet of any dwellinghouse.

The Lower Hutt Borough Engineer, in tlis report to the council last, evening, stated that as a result, of setting motor-traps about, cars were detected being driven above the speed limit.

The party of French reservists and recruits from Papeete, who are at present in Wellington, wore yesterday tho guests of ITTe civic authorities. In tho morning they visited tlw Newtown Zoo and park in company with tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), Councillor Frost (chairman of the Parks and Reserves Committees), Mr. J. Macintosh, tho French Consul, and Councillor J. Hutcheson, who, being a French linguist, was able to fill the\useful role of interpreter. In the afternoon they paid a visit to the Botanical Gardens and expressed a lively appreciation of the many scenic attractions opened to their view. This evening they will be the guests of the Williamson Royal Comic Opera Company at the Grand Opera House. To-morrow morning they will visit tho points of interest on tile tram routes in an observation car, and the afternoon they will spend at Lyall Bay. In the Town Hatl to-morrow evening the visitors will present a popular entertainment (for tho benefit of the 51'aypr's Wounded Soldiers_ and Sailors' Fund. The programme will'include South Sea Island hakas and. dances, in native .costume, and other iiovel and interesting features.

The local branch of the Victoria Leaguo cabled yesterday to the London Centre of the Leagile £300, in response to an appeal for funds for Russian soldiers interned in Germany. . Asphyxiating gas is to be used in the Argentine not for killing human beings but for destroying the locusts, which plague that country. The whole of the space in connection with the Industrial Exhibition of Brit-ish-mado goods to be held in the Town Hall this month has now been let, and some late applications for space have had to be refused. ' The Tourist, Agricultural, and Mines Departments have arranged to make spcciallv interesting displavs in the gallery, and tho Wellington Harbour Board has decided to exhibit a very handsome model of the dredge Wliakarirc. _ Sir. E. T. Doddrell. who is arranging the hall for the Exhibition, has alreaoy commenced the preliminary work involved. Admission to the Exhibition—the financial success of which is already assured—will be free. . The annual report of the Shipwreck Relief Society of New Zealand mentions that the vear ended December 31, 'IUJo, was free 'from any serious shipping disaster ftnd, consequently, the amount tho society was called upon to expend for- relief to shipwrecked mariners was the modest sum of £35 os. 9d This was expended as follows: Relief of crew of R-akiura, wrecked at Stephens Island £27 os. 9d.; relief of one member of'crew of barque Fram £4 ; relief of one member of crow of Strathcona, £4 To the U.S.S. Company the committee again expresses its indebtedness for continued and valuable _ support, -CO3 12s. 2d. having been received from the company, representing collections and receipts "from entertainments on the company's steamers.' Tho executive makes special mention of' the amount collected on board the s.s. Wanalca— vk, £9 19s. 3d. This represents voluntary monthly contributions made by the master, officers, engineers, and crow of that steamer. The society's funds have been steadily growing during the past few years, anr.l tho accumulated funds now stand at £5090 fis. 3d., all well invested. The_ society is now in a position to render immediate and adequate relief should any serious disaster occur oil our coast. The sum of £37 was received from members' subscriptions during the past year.

Beforo leaving for New Zealand, Dr. C. E. Adams of AYellington, had the pleasure of dining with Mr. Ethelbert Hales, son of Mrs. AY. H. Hales, of Oriental Bay, and now a prominent actor on the American stage. When tlia two met in San Francisco, Mr. Hales was fulfilling an engagement at the Alcazar Theatre, playing "Tlio Seven Keys to Baldpate." Dr. Adams describee Mr. Hales as a most- proficient actor, and in private life a man with a great charm of manlier. Mr. Hales was formerly a student of Wellington College. At last evening's meeting of tho Hutt Council, the Mayor (Mr. H. Baldwin) drew attention to two notices suspended from the walls, which read as follow: "The general public attending council meetings arc not pormitted to smoke in these chambers." As the "general public" consisted of one person who was enjoying the fragrant weed, the hint was promptly taken. Sir Joseph Ward informed a "Manawatu Daily Times" reporter that there wore just as many visitors as usual at. Rotorua this seasou. The majority are Australians and New Zealanders. There are not many from America or Britain. At a meeting of the employers of watersido workers held in AYellington yesterday it was decided to appoint a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. AV. G. Foster, G. B. Bullock, W. A. Flavell, AY. E. Fuller, D. A. Aiken, and the chairman, of. the Avollington Harbour Board to meet the representatives of the AYatersidc AVorkers' Federation with regard to the question of increased wages for waterside workers, which increase has been requested 011. account of the increased cost of living due to the war. 1

' During tlio big strike in Auckland a young man from Te Awamutu enlisted in the specials Towards the end of the strike lie was taken seriously ill, and was sent to the Hospital. Before his recovery the strike ended, and when he left the Hospital and returned to camp ho found that the horse lie left in camp had been stolen. He tried to trace the horse for a long time, but was unsuccessful, and finally gave up ilia search. Ho received no compensation whatever. AYlien the war broke oil) he enlisted, and, after training for sonK time in New Zealand, went to Egypt, Strange as it may seem, it is perfectly true, that one day, while strolling along the lines, he discovered the horse ha lost in New Zealand. He recognised the animal immediately, and he is posi< tivc the horse recogniscd liim.\ This, writes a correspondent of an exchange, is absolutely true, and can be verified. 11l is expected that about 1200 will'parade at the MasteHon Show on February 16. A strong committee of ladies has been set up to arrange for a dinner for the men.

A sharp shook of earthquake was experienced in Masterton at 1.35 o'clock on Monday morning. Two cases of diphtheria in the Lower Hutt Borough were reported by tlief Health Inspector to tie council last) evening. Commenting on a remark made by Mr< J.'Hutchinson when sitting on the Was Kelief Association Executive, to the_ tf-( feet that "he did not like the political colour of that (the Women's Defence) committee," the lion, secretary of thq Women's Defence Visiting Gommitiea writes: "All shades of political opinion are represented upon that committee, There are two supporters of Dr. Newj man, three of Mr" Hordman, three oj Mr. Tumbull, two have no political colour, while the others decline to men-/ tion theirs." Yesterday the parties to the laundry workers' dispute arrived at an agree*; mont on all the .points which have been under consideration. The assessors wera Messrs. W. Naismith, A. E. Moss, rik] Upton (for the employers), Messrs. Ci N. Trinder, K. Nalder, and P. Hora (for the union). Wages were fixed for male workers as follows: —Youths of 15 to 17 years, 20s. weekly; 17 to 19 years, 305.; 19 to 21 years, 355.; ovef 21 years, 505.; men in charge of wash<j ing' machines, 555. Female's wages ara to be: First six months, 155.; second six months, 18s.: second' year. 215.: u]x to three and a half years, 255.; after, that, 275. 6d. Hand-washing is to ba paid for at the rate of ss. per day, and ,a , special rate is provided for septia bundles and things of that kind. Re-j parding piece-work, there is a provisionl that the 'rate of pay shall not be lesa than the rate for 'work otherwise, pro-i

vided for. The hours will be practically on the'same lines as regulated by thfl Factories Act. These •will be "forwarded to the Court of Arbi< tration, which will be asked to make arf award accordingly for a term of t-w<J years.