LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2750, 19 April 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Dominion will not be published on Good but will bo issued as usual on Saturday and Easter Monday. . The public office will be closed .at 8 o'clock on Thursday night, and all day on Good Friday, opening in the evening from 6 to 10 o'clock.

The Ulimaroa, with over 200 returned soldiers on board is expected to arrive at Lyttelton on Good Friday. Ths North Island portion of her complement will arrive in Wellington by the Mararoa on Saturday morning: 'As the vessel will not connect with trains leaving for New Plymouth and Napier, men for those destinations will have to remain iu the City till Monday morning, All others will be sent forward to their respective destinations on Saturday. ,

The postal authorities advise that the Money Order and Savings Bank Branch at the Chief Post Office, Wellington, is to be closed on the Saturday following Good Friday, in addition to Good Friday and Easter Monday.

The Defence Minister has received a file ■of the, correspondence which has; been passing between the British Government and the Porte regarding negotiations for the exchange of prisoners of war. The British proposal is that the exchange shall he on a numerical basis —officers for officers and men for men. The request is that all British prisoners held by the Turks shall be released, and this should be possible if the proposal is acceptable to the Turkish Government, because the .number of Turkish prisoners in British hands largely exceeds the number of British soldiers held by the Turks.

On Anzao Day, the afternoon service at the Town Hall will be in the hands of the churches. The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) stated List night that the Council of Churches had agreed upon details, and the service would be purely religious. In tne evening there -would be patriotio speeches,, and it was hoped that a. great many recruits would be obtained. Councillor Fuller remarked that the churches would be well advised to put the brighter side of things before the congregation at the memorial service. He did not think that any sermon should be preached that would send mothers or wives home weeping.-

The Minister of Internal. Affairs stated yesterday that he held strongly the opinion that for various reasons it wa6 desirable that there should be federation of patriotic societies in provincial districts, such as has ..been aohieved in Auckland Province. He iutends to take some action shortly to bring this about if- possible'. ' Discussing; the work of patriotic societies generally yesterday, Mr. Russell said that he thought one very desirable object to w-hich their funds could be devoted —an object hitherto neglected— wa6 the care of children made orphans by the war.- Ho considered the object a worthy one, and he hoped the societies would bear it in mind. He suggested that it would he but a propor recognition of the sacrifices our soldiers were making if there were established in each island an orphan.ee specially devoted to the care of children of soldiers who have given their live s for their country. •' '■ . . ' . '

A supplementary list of. details of soldiers returning to New Zealand by the Tjlimaroa, duo at Lyttelton on Thursday, was issued yesterday. The additional names are: —Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve —Nnrso Emma Blaokmore, N.Z. Medical Corps—Lieut. Eaynor Collin BelL (No. 8/2003) :■ next-of-kin, Mr. R. W. Bell, Seddon Street, Waihir N.Z. Dental Corps—Sorgt. Murphy.

The captains engaged in harbour work on small harbour ferry and tug steamers arc approaching the employ, ers, through the \ Merchant Service Guild, with the object of arriving at an agreement which will limit the work, ing hours, make provision for payment or. overtime, and increase the - wages. The steamers concerned are:—Duchess and Cobar (Eastbourne Borough Ferries), Terawhiti and Natone (Union Company), Admiral, Karaka. and Pilot (Mr. E. 6. F. Zohrab), and the Riwaka.

Bof erring to the City's financial statement for the past year, the Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke) said last night that he 'thought it redounded to the credit of every councillor individually, and was proof of.good work done by the committees. The thanks of the council were due to the staff, and particularly to the chief executive officers, who had carried out their, duties in a very' satisfactory manner. It was a matter for congratulation that municipal Works had progressed as they had in spite of the times.

At tho City Council meeting last night, tho By-Laws Committee reported that they had 1 been waited on by a deputation representing horse and cab proprietors and drivers ' protesting against the council's proposal to enforce a regulation that drivers of licensed taxi-oabs, cabs, and expresses should wear a distinguishing numbered badge. The committee, after giving tho matter careful consideration, recommended that the proposed regulation he not proceeded with'further. The views of the parties concerned wera fully explained in a recent issue in a report of the deputation to tho committee. The matter gave rise to considerable discussion last night, when several councillors stated that the badge had been suggested for the <it the puhlio and tho drivers themselves.'The recommendation of the committee was agreed; to.

An old landmark of Christohurch, th« promises on the corner of Cashel and High Streets, until recently occupied by Messrs. J. 11. Parker and Co., will be soon a thing of the past. The site has been acquired by Messrs. Stewart Dawson, and Co., and tenders will bo lot very Ehortly for the demolition of the old buildings. The firm intend to or'ect business promises of four or live storeys in a style of architecture which will make the building a credit to the southern city. I

Attempts are being made to hold an indignation meeting ili Napier, as a protest against the Bishop of Waiapu de-. dining to allow a united servico in the cathedral on AnzacDay. Ministers of other Churches are greatly incensed at tho Bishop's action, and the local papers contain many inspired letters.

The worm drive now seems to ~»e universal in the better class Petrol Motor Lorries. A splendid example •of fine workmanship and design can be witnessed l>y an examination of the Petrol Vehicle now on show at The Dominion Motor Vehicles, Ltd. Garage, 65 Courtcnay Place. This machine, apart from its perfect Ifimsh, has many accomplishments which' must appeal to users, and intending Purchasers • will bs well repaid for any lime they may givei to a personal inspection.—Advfa

. Overcrowding of 'the city tramcars was discussed at last night's meeting of the City .Council, when the Tramway Committee's report was before the" 'mooting. One of this reconimenda? tjous of the committee was:—"That the Hataitai Municipal Electors' Association be informed, in reply to their resolution complaining of the overcrowding of the tramcars on tlu; tram route in their district, that the council is doing the very best that can bo done with the present plant available."Councillor R. A. Wright, M.P., suggested that some improvement in the running was possible but the. City/ Engineer (Mr. W. H. Morton), who ad-' dressed councillors at the request of - the Mayor, explained''that the whole question was limited by the shipping there being very little cargo space available to bring forward the supplies needed for the improvement of the tramway undertaking. The authorities were at ! present carrying on tho service under very great, difficul- . ties. Councillors generally agreed that the service was showing a splendid return in the unusual circumstances of the war period.

The Wellington Education Board terday decided to apply.to the Education Department for a grant to provide a side school- at Seatoun. The Chief Inspector (Mr. T. It. Fleming) warned the board that they would have to be very careful in connection with this side school, which would accommodate 'some 42 pupils, for at present there were 100 children in the preparatory department of the Worser Bay School, and if they were just to throw it open many of those children .would rush the new one. It should only bo for tho youngest children of school age in the Seatoun district. ;'

At yesterday's meeting of the Education Board, the Chief Inspector (Mr. T. R. Fleming), reported on the Te Wharau School (Wairarapa), which some residents wanted shifted a few miles down one of the. roads which junction at the school. Mr. Fleming said that the population was certainly trending in the direction of the residents' places who had made the application, but they did not know when the. population would change again. Ho was not prepared to recommend that the school be shifted. Something might, however, be done in the way of providing conveyances._ The matter was left to the discretion of the chairman, secretary, and Chief Inspector. . ' ' ■

A passenger' train taking soldiers back from Wellington to Featherston was delayed at Cross Creek on Sunday night, through the points not working correctly. An engine and a van were derailed,, and the blockage held up through traffic till midday Monday.

Power to exercise .some censorship over subdivisions of land should, in the opinion of the City Engineer (Mr. TV\ H. Morton), be obtained by the City Council. Recently, Mr. Morton drew the attention of the By-Laws Committee to the practice of re-subdividing city and suburban land, and submitted as an illustration of the evil resulting from this procedure,, a sketch plan, showing a recent subdivision of land at Lyall Bay. The original section measured 230 feet frontage, with a depth of 79ft. 3in. This land has been cut up into seven sections, • measuring 83ft. x 79ft. 3in., allowing Toom only for th» erection of what are termed whares. , The committee Tecommended to . the council last night that a by-law should be drawn by the City Solicitor providing that no dwellinghouse shall be erected in the suburban area of the city on land less than 3000 square feet. The council adopted the recommendation, and decided to t make representations to the Government on the question.

In writing to a friend in Wellington about the Endurance, Lieut. J. 'R. Stenhouse, of the Aurora, now at Port Chalmers, 6tates that he cabled Home for news of the Endurance, and in reply was informed that there was no -news of her up to April 5> nor of the Weddelt Sea party. "There are many circumstances," -writes Lieut. Stenhouse, "that may have delayed her return to Buenos Ayres. §he may have run short of fuel, and be at present proceeding under sail, in which case she might not arrive till late in May. I feel optimistic about the welfare or them all in the south, but they will have a' miserable time until the relief ship picks them up next summer."

A man who was "wanted" on a charge of theft in New South Wales was arrested- by Detectives Rawlo and Lewis yesterday. The same detectives arrested a man in Wellington la6t evening," who was charged with having obtained money by false pretences at Frankton.

At the annual meeting of the Wellington section . of the . New Zealand Public Service Association, Mr. F. J. Mouatt moved: "That in the opinion of this meeting of public servants the Government should be pressed to make up the difference between civil and military pay." After discussion, during which 'it was said that the Executive Committee was fully alive to the position, Mr. G. R. C. Hobieson moved :-i "That this meeting heartily supports the action of the executive of the association in the direction of obtaining better salary conditions for memberß of the Public Servico who are with the Expeditionary. Forces." Mr. W. M. .Wright seconded the amendment, and it was carried unanimously.

■;■— . ;■ . .-■; The postal authorities advise that the Jtiails which left New Zealand on March 2 arrived in London oil April 16. 'The Thirteenth Reinforcements are at present on their extended leave from Father'stoii Camp. Troop trains carrying the men whoso homes are in the south arrived in Wellington!yesterday, and the Wellington men will come down to-day. The adjourned, meeting of the Senate Of, the New Zealand University, for the consideration of, the results of the degree examination, and other matters, "will be held in Wellington at 9 a.m. on April 28. • At a meeting of the Society for the Prevention of; Cruelty to Animals. ' terday, Inspector Henry reported' on 23 cases of alleged cruelty to animals iu the City. It was resolved that action be. taken, in some of the cases. Subscriptions for. the two weeks ending !A'pnl 18 were received as follow: — Wellington Meat Export Company, £2 2s. ;• Mr. Justice Cooper, and Mr. F. Lamberg, £1 Is.' each; Miss Paul and Mr. C. E. Galway, £1 each ; Kempthorne, Prosser and Co., 10s. 6d.; Dominion Laboratory Staff, 7s. 6d.; Mrs. Evans, Messrs. Wallace and Gibson, Swan and Swan, P. Muter, F. V. 'Waters, L. T. Silver, H. A. Shepherd, Morrison and Gilberd, Coulls, Culling, Ltd., South British Insurance Co., Tyheßide Proprietary, Ltd., Westport Coal Co., and Dr. Allan Thompson, ss. each; Miss E. Beere, Messrs. Rash and Gooder, B. C. Aston, W. G. Fraser, and "A Friend," 2s. 6d. each. Total— £10 19s. 6d. , The out-patients' department of the Wellington Hospital will be closed on . Good Friday, -Easter Monday, and Tuesday. Urgent oases, however, will be treated at the Main Hospital. A rose-breasted cockatoo has been presented to the Newtown Museum by Mrs. Robert Burton, of Rintoiil Street. Another recent gift to the same institution is a curious ■ hollow' stone donated by Mr. Robert G. Herd, of Girton Terrace. The donors have been! specially ihanked by the City Council. The fcouncil.has also acknowledged the following gifts to the zoological collection: One pair of Russian geese, (Wellington Zoological Sooiety); two goldfish and one Muscovy duck (Mrs. White Holmwood, Karori: and six Angora rab•bits and one thrush (Mrs.' Hill, Daniel Street).^ . Regarding the proposal to make sohool provision at' Soln-ay (Masfcerton) the Wellington Education Board, decided yesterday to obtain more information 'about tbe matter, as the provision also concerns the provision of a third standard school for Masterton. It was ar- ■- ranged that the Wairarapa members' and Mr. Hight, acting with the inspector, visit the place, and report at the toevt meeting of the board, i ' A largely attended meeting of rent-, payers was held in the Trades Hall last evening. The secretary of the Trades Council, Mr.. L. M. A. Rearden, reported numerous cases of unwarranted increases, of which he had; received 'information, and it was resolved to approach the Prime Minister by way •of deputation in an endeavour to prevent further It was further*, : decided to meet again in a fortnight's time to report progress, and to consider the; advisability of forming a ientpayers' 'association. •.-.'"

.. At' yesterday's,'meeting of- the !Wellington Education Board, the members spoke eulogistically of the work_ that had been done by the school children throughout'the Wellington district -in connection -with patriotic; work. The 'secretary referred ."to' the? excellent work done by the'girls in making articles for the equipment of the .'hospital ships, and also" to the boys' -work in jonneotion with the making, of-splints, etc., for the hospital:work. Mr. W. H. Field made reference to the money raised by : the children in collecting cocksfoot seed , during their ' summer 'holidays. ? Mr! : <AU Wv i'Hogg' said that 'the' country children should not get. •all the town children had Teally done very well. In Masterton the ; children had visited the backyards aud collected many bottles, from which a good return had been, made for the patriotic funds. So thorough had the work been done that bottles were getting . scarce, and had risen' from Is., to Is. '6d. a dozen. The' country children • gathering cocksfoot seed had-done ; very well, but the town people' 'had . - been equally diligent— especially in, the dry districts. (Laughter.) On the motion of Mr. W. I/Ulan, seconded by Mr'. C. M. Luke, .it was decided: "That the board expresses its appreciation of the self-sacrificing .Work done by the . school. committees, teachers, and- school children in connection with patriotic matters." ■ .

.. "Physical training is (says the annual Report ol the Wellington School Inspeccarried on in all schools in accordance with the instructions laid Sown'.by the Physical Education' Department. The tables of exercises have •been followed, and progress has been made in the general character of the instruction. A lack of spirit in the work —probably due to a too close adherence for a considerable time to one or two tables—is noticeable hero and .there,' but in general the teachers are enthusiastic; _ and_ the directions given by the physical instructors have been faithfully carried out. In too , many* cases there is a tendency to allow the physical training to end with the daily exercises, and to give too little attention, to the deportment of the children and to correct posture at all lessons. We here emphasise further the remarks wade in our last report regarding .the advantages of. 'refresher camps.' and we are in entire, sympathy with the holding—under medical' supervision—of. corrective classes for children physically below normal standard."

In reporting to tho Chief Inspector of Schools on the work of his classes in singing, Mr. Robert Parker says, inter alia: "That tho work done.in past ■years has borne much fruit cannot, 1 think, be denied in face of the remarkable performance given in the Town Hall last winter by a cboir of some 700 children. I had not heard a similar choir sing since the opening of.-the.hall some, ten years ago, and the improvement shown in the recent performances was, in all points—but especially in the most important of .all, viz., quality of tone—simply amazing. Those patriotic concerts last July must, I think, have amply demonstrated to all who were present what 3n important and uplifting element in tho education -of < the children our school-'music might be, and already to* some extent has been, made. They also showed that we have in' our schools a considerable number of teachers who are doing excellont Work in this direction." . '

In a pamphlet, entitled "A Plea for a Systom of Internal Examination in the New Zealand University," Professor Arnold.Wall, of the Chair of English Language and Literature at Canterbury University College, describes the scheme "from tho point of view of a supporter and an originator."' Professor Wall prefaces his review and arguments with the observation that one's adversary's statement of cno's case, however able, however lucid, forcible, or humorous, is never likely to bo quite satisfactory to oneself. "The Chancellor's address to the Senate of tho University of New Zealand," ho says,/ "is no doubt very widely read -among those interested in higher education in Now Zealand; this year it was almost entirely devoted to destructive criticism of the schomo of "internal ex-

animation' proposed by the Board of Studies, and the public has probably "got whatever idea it has of that scheme mainly from the address." The pamphlet, which should be read with if.'!crest by all who are interested in. qi.estionß touching on higher education, and in the agitation for a change in the University examination system, is published by WViitcombe and Tombs, Ltd.