LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2716, 10 March 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The postal authorities advise that tho s.s. Westralia, which left S,v<lney at 2 p.m. on March 8 for Auckland, is bringing mails from Australia and. the United Kingdom, via Suez. The Wellington portion is due hero on Tuesday next. It is understood that the freight charges on eon] to coastal ports in New Zealand' are to be shortly increased. An old Maori named Ohonai Wirimu, reputed to he aged 106, was found dead at Castlecliff en Wednesday night (states a Press Association message from Wanganui). Tho amended agreement between tho Waterside Workers' Federation and the omployers has been accepted in all ports except Lvttelton and Dunedin, which unions still refuse to subscribe to the rhuso providing- for such work after 10 p.m. Mr. J. Glover, president of the_ federation, who went south to explain the amended night-work clause to the southern unions, and Mr. Roberts (secretary), who went to Auckland on a _ similar mission, have returned to Wellington, and will report to the' federation executive within a day or two. It has been stated that the new agreement will not ho, put into operation until the whole of the unions owing' allegiance to the federation have subscribed to it. l The following amendment in the ration scale for the New. Zealand Reinforcement Camps will take effect as from March 1, 1916, inclusive For currants, loz. twice weekly, amend to currants, loz. twice weekly ; tapioca, }oz twice weekly; sago, Joz. once weekly. "I feel something like a travelling showman bringing round my troupe," said Dr. A. K. Newman, M.P., in opening his recruiting speech at Karori last evening. "However, everyone of them has a son at the front, lias been there himself, or is going. We are in deal?.? earliest." (Applause.)' Yesterday was n record day for the Imperial Supply Branch, more money' having been paid out than on nny priv vious day since the scheme was established. The amount disbursed was £175,000. The total payments to dato nro os follow: —For meat,' £7,751,325; for cheese, £519,675; for ccheelito, £18,126. At last evening's meeting of the City Council permission was given for tho erection 6f a chapel on the Church of England portion of tho Karori Cemotery, subject to the nlans and specifications being approved by the City Engineer. A widow/residing in a/small southern town is to be congratulated on tho patriotism of her family (says' the "Otago Daily Tillies"). "When tho Eleventh Reinforcements were on their final leave, seven brothers of, tho name of Jones, all wearing khaki, were in .Dunedin, eu route for Matauva. How acutely the shortage of paper is felt in some quarters is shown by the fact that tho Hokianga journal the other day was printed on pink poster paper. The Wellington Teachers' Institute has recently brought under tho notice of the Wellington Education Board the difficulty encountered in connection with tho compilation of tho lists of soldiers formerly enrolled as pupils in tho various schools of the district In a country where change of residence is very frequent, this difficulty is likely to be very groat; and tho board decided to bring the matter under the notice of the management of tho various newspapers in the district in the hopo that they would emphasiso tho importance of the Micxt-of-kin communicating with the lio&d teacher of the school which was fonnerlv attended by tho. soldier, in order that his name may be included in tho Doll of Honour. The secretary of tho hoard explains that in making this suggestion the board had indirectlv in view tho cultivation of the patriotic feelings of the children. It is known h the board that already quite considerable sums have been spent locally in thus doing honour to the lads who have been trained in our public schools. Tho I'etone. Municipal' Bowling Greens and Croquet Lawns will be officially opened on Saturday, at 2.30 p.m. sharp, on which day kinematograph pictures of theso and various other points of in'invest in the borouo-h will li« taken.

Being curious to ascertain- what av tion, if any, is being taken by the in<Bpectors appointed to prevent the salt ot shoddy footwear in the Dominion (as it is well known that boots and shoes * tone »-ay short of the standard are still being sold) an inquiry was made at tlio Labour Department yesterday. It was ascertained that the Secretary for Labour had convened a couferenco of the six inspectors appointed under the Footworn- Jlcgulation Act, 1913. These officials were now at work, and were making valuable initiatory investigations among manufacturers and retailers. The people in tlio trade wore making no objection to these activities, which would result in tangible good. Under tho Act sellers of footwear aro required to stamp all goods that aro not made of leather, and there has been some delay ill preparing the stamps,' but each one called upon had been given two nlonths to stamp such footwear as needed that attention, and tho result would-be that tho publio would have a «tirer_ guide as to tlio quality of the material they were buying. Th'o Board of Trade held a meeting on Wednesday afternoon, the Prime Minister (tho Right Hon. W. F. MaSsoy) presiding. Mr. Massey stated yesterday that as already announced, the board would make an. investigation regarding the prices of the main necessaries of life now, as compared with the prices ore the war, and would ascertain' the causes for increases where they had occurred. A draft'of regulations under 1 the Cost of Living Act, governing the hoard s general inquiries and investigations, will be prepared by the board us.one.of its first dutieß. If you cannot sell the land, vou'vo no puwer to give it away." said *Coun. cillor A R. Atkinson, at the City Conned last evening, commenting on wu C °, nln m tteG , prop" 6 *! to allow" tho Hhodes Trustees to build-on the vacant section on Lainbton Quay (below St Andrews Church), parallel with Mee's building • oil the opposite side 'of the lane leading to the Terrace steps. ' It appears that there is a ten-foot indenta-t-ion ill tlio Rhodes section that belong to the City, and which would throw any building erected thereon out of lino. The Mayor favoured the proposal to nl- ! lotv of tho building being erected parallel to Mee's Pharmacy, but several councillors objected to the "gift" binn" made, and Councillor Atkinson held it >tp on the aforementioned point of law A proposal was made by the l Mayor that it might be valued bv the City Valuer, and a price put on it, bni Councillor Fuller suggested that at soma time or. other an eight-stoTy building might bo erectcd. and the space would he required for air. . Ultimately the recommendation was referred back to the committee for reconsideration. As some doubts appear to have arisen regarding the status of matrons, sisters, and nurses of the Now Zealand Ajmy iNursiug Service, it has been notified for general information that they will be classed with officers, and that it is customary to accord them the usual-cour-tesy salute. As regards medical and sanitary, matters, and work in connec-. tlon with the sick, matrons, sisters, and nurses_ are to be regarded as having authority in and about military hospitals next after officers of the N.Z.M.C., and are at all times to be obeyed accordingly, and to receive the respect due ta their position. Wars sometimes conclude in almost a inattor-of-faot way, as did the Francotierman War of 1870-71. Bismarck, who had just concluded the terms of peace with Franco, told his friends at ,supper that "at 12 o'clock to-night our troops and the French will exchange thoir last shots, and I have agreed fch&t the latter shall fire tho last one," Shortly before midnight Bismarck's guests left him, and waited outside the Hotel de Reservoir, Versailles. Soon thoy heard a shot from tlio Germans, and then, after'a brief ' silence, the .French fired their last reply. Hardly had the cannons' echo died away thai] the tower clock of Versailles struck 12—and the Franco-German War waa an event of the past. Immediately to the west of tho tramway terminus at Island Bay is a triangular piece of well-grassed land—the junction of, two roads—where a bandstand has been erected, and is frequently used on Sunday -afternoons. It is desired by tho residents of the bay to secure this section as a reserve for all time, and the Island Bay Municipal Electors' Association has obtained an option to purchase from the owner. It is the intention of the association to endeavour to interest the City Council in the matter, and the matter is to be presented to the Reserves Committee at its next meeting with the suggestion that the city should take up the option and acquire the land. It has been pointed out that whilst Island Bay has a splendid beach, there are no reserves or any kind at the bay. Wakefield Park is a mile away, but the people are not allowed touse it as they do Newtown Park, haying either to obtain , a permit from the council or obtain the "use of it on application to the custodian. Seven hoys, who were convicted of assault in tho Juvenile Court yesterday, were asked by the Magistrate (Mr. D. G-. A. Cooper, S.M.) if they were at school or at work. All replied that they were working for wages. Tho first bov, questioned as to his earnings, replied that lie was in receipt of fifteen shillings per week. Another was earning eighteen shillings per week, and the others all received £1 per week. A Hawora firm lias received advico that tile wholesale price of whisky in the Old Country is now rather moro than double what it was prior ta the outbreak of t-lis present war. • WHAT A CHBISTOHURCH DENTIST SAYS ABOUT HIS STUDEBAKER. We have made big claims Tor the studebaker car on the score of ita reliability, its simpHs3y, and the case with which it can bo driven. The following letter, addressed to us by Mr-. I{. Cowper, dentist, of this fcity, demonstrates the kind of service the Studebaker will give in the, hands of •an owner who has had comparatively little driving experience. Mr. Cowper purchased a Studebaker car from us on .November 30th last, and his first lengthy tour was one in the North Island during the recent Christmas and New Year holidays. Concerning his cxperidices on tl.nt tour, llr. Cowper writes:— "Just a few lines to tell you how thoroughly satisfied I am, wi*-.h my Studebaker car. As you know, i took it away with mo to the/ North Island, and went in ail about 1500 miles, over all the big hills up in the jiorth. Going from Wellington through to Napier over the Itimutak'ae, across to Palmerston, Wanganui, and New Plymouth, and back to Wellington over the famous Paekakariki Hill, flic car took all tho bis hills with the greatest ease, and did not irive mo tho Slightest anxiety. All that distnnco it waa not touched by anyone save to give it petrol and oil, and we did not even have to put wind into the tyres. Yon will he Mirpriseil to hear that I brought the car over the Zig-zag from Lvttelton to Sumner, which says something for tho car and tho way you taught me to drive." The Studebaker driven by Mr. Cowper was, of course, equipped with electrio *elf-starter and electric lights. The new 1910 model Stndebakers will bo to hand shortly, a first shipment being expected next week. Tlio prices of the new models are:—2s h-.p. five-seator {including electrio self-starter, electric lights, and full road equipment), £315; 25 h.p. thrce-scator (same equipment), .£335. They arc even bettor than the 1915 model, 'which has given such magnificent satisfaction to all purchasers. Adorns, Ltd., X.Z. Importers of Studebaker Motors, Christohurch, Palmorston North, Wanganui. Agents—Tourist Motor Co., Hastings; Auckland Jfotoi Co., Auckland; Newton King, Stratford mul New Plymouth; Tombs and Co., Hamilton. We ars open to receive agents for the Wellington territory. Applications to be made to Adams, Limited. Christchurch. —Advt.

The Minister of Defence has author- ■ ised tho expenditure of £4000 oil tie . .erection, of a .large two-storied brick 'and.iron store for the Defence-Stores Department. The new structure is' to be erected in the yard contiguous to the present stores buildings in Buckle' Street. . There i? no sports body probably which . has contributed so many members to the . Reinfoitcements which have left New Zealand than the Miramar Golf Club. This depletion has. naturally affected the revenue of tbe club, which has a considerable financial burden to carry on account of the big scheme proiunlgated some three years ago, when it acquired the freehpld of tho links, and later erected a substantial _ golfhouse. As the prospects for tho immediate future, at all events,_ are not or ■ the brightest, it is the intention of tho Sports' Protection League to approach tho Miramar Borough Council respecting tho matter of rates to obtain some measure of reliof until the war clouds have rolled away. A deputation from the leaguo is to wait upon the council at its meeting on March 30. When the coastal steamer Squall struck an uncharted rock off East Capo on February 1 and sank, she had onboard 465 bales of wool, valued at from £11,000 to £12,000. It was stated definitely at the time that there was not the slightest possibility of salving either tJ?k steamer or the wool. Advice has reached Wellington, however, to the effect that a syndicate has been formed at v . Auckland by Mr. F. W. Walters, -with 'the object of salving the wool. Satisfactory arrangements have been come to with the underwriters, and it is understixl that the syndicate has been given a month in which to complete the work. It is probable that the syndicate will charter an auxiliary scow for the undertaking. A pathetio story concerning infantile paralysis comes from Auckland. It states that a young lady there sickened two days before the_ day fixed for hei wedding day, and died about tbe houi : arrange for the ceremony. Our travelling correspondent reports that an outbreak of diphtheria has oci ourred at New Plymouth, but it is mild in form and so far is amenable to treatment. The epidemic has not yet reach, ed a serious stage. . The surrender of certain leases of city-owned land at Pahiatua, held by Mr. Charles Lett, ; was authorised by tliQ City Council last evening, v In answer to a question about the removal of gravel from the foreshore . at Island Bay, it was stated by the Town Clerk that the City Solicitor was taking action in tho matter. A letter was read at tbe Oity Council last evening from Mr. J. Meek protesting against the further use of antiquated scales in the fish market. Tho writer stated that he had been given short weight at the markets on more than one oocasion: The matter was referred to tho Fish Markots Committee. In tbe opinion of the members of the Melbourne Undertakers' 'Union it is a distinct breadi of'_ union etiquette ; for a unionist to be buried by an under- • taker of whom the nnion does not approve. The union has therefore prepared a new "white list of undertakers" on which is conspicuously printed an appeal: "Why live a unionjst, and then be buried by a non-unionist?" The "white list" has been sent to every union affiliated with the Trades Hali, and it cqntains the names of 21 master' undertakers out of .a total of 33 in Melbourne and suburbs. The remaining 12 have been pluced by tho union on the "black list" because they refuse to - bow to the dictates of the union. It is the opinion of tie business men of Rotorua (says the Auckland "Star") that the season 1915-16 has been . the best for tho last five.or six years; not that the numbers have been so many more, but that visitors have come earlier and stayed, longer than usual. The big exit which usually takes place at the end of January and the beginning of February has not eventuated. There does not appear to be particular shortage of money, either. There is no doubt a reflection of the prosperity of the country from the increased prices obtainable for wool, butter, and cheese. . Orders have been issued to the Defence Stores Department to proceed at once with the fitting up of Sir Francis Bell's residence at Lowry Bay as a convalescent' home for soldiers. 'The Manawatu River at present is lower than it has been for many years, giving a very remarkable indication of the extreme .dryness of the season. In places where there is usually a good - depth of water tufts of green grass may now be seen growiug. A novel discovery was made by the caretaker of the Bulls racecourse. In pulling down birds' nests under the grandstand he difoovored a £1 . note which had evidently been placed there by tha bird in the building of the Host A Distriot Order notifies that, when forwarding applications for the New Zealand Service Medal and New Zealand Long and EiEcient Service Medal to District Headquarters, group commanders and officers commanding units appear to qverlo'ok tho necessity of eer % tifyin<* that the applicant has been cff> cient (or otherwise) from March 1, 1911, to tho date of application or to tlo 'date of discharge. This, it is stated, is absolutely necessary, as there . is no means at Headquarters Office of checking the service of members of tho Territorial Force or Senior Cadets. ■ The udjutants of the regiment or the group commander should be in a position to certify as to tho service of the officer, n.c.0., or man, from March 1, 1911, and nil concerned arc requested, therefore, to attach such certificate before rendering further application to District Headquarters, and thus obviate much correspondence. The Mayor of Wanganui (Mr. C. E. . Mackay, son of Mr. Joseph Mackay, for- ' merly -Principal of . Wellington College), who has enlisted, was heartily congratulated by. the Borough Council on Tuesday on his patriotic action. Addressing tho Mayor, Councillor Spriggens said: "It is hard for us to lose our Chief Magistrate, but we know your Worship lias been largely actuated by the influence your action will have on Others, and the hope that it will bear Rood fruit in inducing many of tho younger ones to follow your example. You may be suro that when the time comes to take your departure, you will tako away tho best wishes, not only of the council, but of everyone in Wanganui." Councillor Sigley briefly endorsed these romarks/ Mr. Mackay, in replying, stated that he would be ready to go as soon as lie could make the necessary arrangements. Amongst tho recruits for the 14tli Reinforcements is Mr. A. W. Yuill, of tlarakeke, Moutore. Mr. Yuill is a native of Lanark, Scotland. When onl\ nineteon years of age he joined the Highland Light Infantry for acti\'9 service in South Africa. After serving r term in the infantry ho re-enlisted ir tho Scottish Light Horso and servei with that body'until tho end of the war. He is a holder of the South African War Medal. He has left lii; email sheep farm in the care of hi; neighbours. Reports from the various Labour De partment employment bureaux sl'ov that tho number of men out of wcr! is not on the increase. Last '.veek ii Wellington there were applications fion IS married and 30 single men, o. whom 43 wero planed, 17 in. Govern ment and 26 in private employment Df 2-5 applicants. Auckland placed l'ir.e »nd work was found in Chrisrcinnel !or 13 out of S3: There are no ruler: >n hand for labourers in Chris:c'mircl \t present. In smaller centres al ipplic&nts were