LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2797, 15 June 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Postal authorities advise that the mails which left New Zealand on May 4 arrived in London on June 12. A statement was made by the Defence Minister yesterday concerning commissions in the Imperial Forces granted to men of the New Zealand' Expeditionary Force. Mr. Allen said that he was not sure of the date of the returns supplied to him, but it was subsequent to December 31. At the date of the return there had been 45 commissions granted. Of these G had gone to the Auckland Infantry Battalion, 3 to the Wellington Battalion, i to the Canterbury Battalion, 1 to the Otago Battalion, 7 to the Auckland.'Mounted Rifles, 3 to the Wellington Mounted Rifles, G to the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, 4 to Divisional Headquarters, 5 to the New Zealand Field Engineers, 2 to the New Zealand Artillery, and 4 to the Army Service Corps aud Divisional' Train, a total of 45 in all. . ■ V Shortly after 9 o'clock last evening a fire broke.out in the "film-box" at the' Grand Theatre, Petone. A, member of the local brigade, who attended the performance, promptly extinguished the flames, the majority of the audience being unaware of what had. occurred. The Fire "Brigade arrived on the scene in response to a call, but their services were not required. At the meeting of the r?&vy League yes. terday the secretary (Mr. C. W. Palmer) referred to tho value of the initial organisation work done by the Wellington Patriotic Society in paving the way for the Nary League's appeal for financial aid for the dependants of those men of the Navy who have given their lives for the Empire. The Prime Minister has received from the High Commissioner the "following reply to the message of congratulation which he (Mr. Massey), on behalf of the people of the Dominion, forwarded to the officer commanding H.M.S. Nejv Zealand in connection with the recent naval battle:—"Officers and men H.M.S. New Zealand very highly appreciate congratulations from New Zealand. We are all proud to belong to New Zealand's ship, and to have had the opportunity of upholding the honour of tne Dominion. 1 ' At a- meeting of tho committee of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Sports Protection League held yesterday it was decided to support the movement in favour of daylight saving, and.to join in a deputation which is being arranged to wait upon the Prime Minister for the purpose of urging him to provide legisLv tion during the present session for its adoption. The Minister of Agriculture has promised that Mr. W. II; Field's suggestion that the Government should compile a comprehensive work on farming "will receive sympathetic consideration after the war." Replying to a question by ; Mr. R. Fletchor in tho House yesterday, the Prime Minister said that the negotiations with tho Sugar Company to ensure if possible _ that the price of sugar should not be increased were receiving the attention of the Government. He pointed out, however, that New Zealand imported nil its sugar. Mr. .Massey informed Mr. Fletcher that his other question concerning the relative prices of flour and bread had been referred to tho Board of Trade. Tho results of tho ninth annual window dressing competition promoted by'the proprietors of the "Draper of Australasia" have just been received. A[r. J. C. Fancourt, window dresser of tho D.1.C., Wellington, gained first place in tho Open Championship, also first prize iii the open class. The competition was' open to the whole of Australia and New Zealand. Replying to a question by Mr. W. H. Field in the House yesterday, the Hon. W. Fraser (Minister of Public Works)' said the survey of tho Mangahao River for water-power development purposes had been completed, and plans of the same were now being prepared, but 110 final report had yet Tlie'investigations so far indicated that this schenie possessed a greatei' value than was originally estimated, and it will be considered as a possible scheme for the general supply of Wellington and the southern portion of the North Island, not merely as one for country in the vicinity of the Manawatu line. The Hon. J. Allen stated in the House yesterday that ho would liko to inform members of the development of the dental work in tho camps. This was most gratifying, and showed that from May 1 to May 31 4616 fillings were made, 340 dentures, 20G9 extractions, and 1005 other operations. He was sure the House would note with satisfaction, as he did, the valuable work that was being done by the dental staff, both inside and outside the camps. The staff was doing a really patriotic work at much self-sacri-fice in order to bring about these splendid'results. Mr. Young asked if that was the work actually done the camp, to which the Minister replied: Yes.' To further questions he 6aid, the camp stall received dental surgeons' pay and the soldiers paid nothing for tho work done to them. The Carterton Borough Council has decided to draft a by-law licensing traction engines, each traction engine owner undertaking to make good any damage done to anv v road in the borough,by his engine Furthermore, tho roads over which traction engines may travel are to be specified. A leading architect of Christchurch, interviewed by a "Sun" representative, slutcd that the prospects of the building trade so far as urban buildings are concorned, are not bright. The general unctrtainty of the future, coupled with the present shortage of labour, caused bv enlistments, aud the difficulty of prociiting materials, is having a strong influence in keeping back building enterprises Residential work also has fallen oil considerably, but in the country it shows few signs of diminution. The erection of two or three picture houses is reported to be in contemplation, but jiothing definite has, so far, been made public. The "sneak thief" is again reported to be at work at Petone. Last Saturday the clothes of several footballers were rifled, a small sum o'f money was taken from a residence in Cuba Street the day following, and pilfering of coal at the railway station has been prevalent. Cleanliness is a virtue—it is also. a necessity in the home, and you will find tho "Daisy" Vacuum Cleaner a great acquisition in your cleaning operations. It thoroughly cleans! and lightens your daily work to a marvellous degree. The "Daisy" is a daisy, there's no doubt, and if you call we will show you how eimple it is to operate and how low it is in price. Oscar Hewett and Co., Ltd., 56 Cuba Street (just below Bank of N.Z.).—Advt. All that you desire in a winter overcoat for 455., 505., 555., or 60s. Geo. Fowlds, Ltd., Manners Street.—Advt.

• Detective Mason arrested a man last evening on a charge of having chemical appliances to the valuo of JE2I, the property of somo person or persons unknown. Tho attention of tho Petone police has been directed to certain individuals who, claiming to be Teturned soldiers, have been begging in the borough. "Tho greatest asset wo can have in this country," said the Hon. J. Barr at the Conciliation Council in Christchurch, "is well-trained , apprentices and workmen. In this matter the British Dominions are far behind the times, and I ami hoping that New Zealand, anyway, will lie alive in regard to it." A resolution expressing gratification at tho passage of the Military Service Bill, and congratulating the National Government uron the measure, was carried by the committee of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association. ''A kind lady in Now Zealand, who has heard of my mission," said Sir Eider Haggard at the dinner given in hi 6 honour by the Auckland Fellows of the Colonial Institute, "has sent mo a telegram -which I hope everyono of you who is drinking whisky and soda will lay to heart." He smiled, as did tho guests, for the messago read: "Work to abolish alcohol and save Britain's future." This week two young men enlisted in Wellington, and were passed as fit for active servioe. They stated 011 their papers that tliey wished to join the Artillery and go with the ,25th Reinforcements. When the names were being entered up at Buckle Street, the recruiting officers put them down as infantrv (artillery is closed) nnd for the 19th draft. When the men again appeared at the recruiting office they were told of this, and were asked if they would consent to the alterations. They blankly refused, and stated (so the recruiting office reports) that for the future the Department "will have to fish for them." Both are singlo and under 23 years of age. The annual report of the Immigration Department, which was presented to the House of Representatives yesterday, shows that 3699 people arrived in the Dominion from the United Kingdom during the year ending March 31. Of these, 1103 were assisted by the Government, and tho declared capital brought out was .225G4. The 1103 immigrants consisted of lfti men,, 576 women, and 423 children. Tho Government is not accepting the I nomination of men. as immigrants who are eligible for service, and is continuing its inquiries respecting the number of women under 45 years of age who have lost their bread-winners through the war who might be willing to take up domestic service in the Dominion. Six members of the First Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade fell in action in the engagement . with the' Senussi Arabs near Mersa, Matruh on Christmas Day. Their bodies were carried back to Matruh, and on the following Sunday were buried on the side of the hill which overlooks the pretty harbour. The funeral was attended by most of the garrison, then camped at Matruh, and was most impressing in its simplicity. About two weeks later a stone was erected with the following inscription"Killed in action on Christmas Day, 1915, SergeantMajor Robert Charles Purkis, Sergeant Stanley Francis Weir, Corporal Ernest Charles Beresford Wilkinson, Corporal Archibald Wooltatt, Rifleman John Matthew Todd, Rifleman Thomas Flint -York. Erected by their comrades of tho N.Z.R.8." In a letter to Mrs. Todd, widow of Rifleman Todd, who resides at Newton, Auckland, Rifleman Forsdick says: "Rifleman Todd was quite 10 yards in advance of the others of his section when.he wafe 6truck by a bullet in the right side of the abdomen and killed almost instantly. Mrs. Todd, though so sadly bereaved, may well be proud," Rifleman Forsdick adds, "of the excellent work her husband did in this first fight of ours, and of the great example he set to younger and . less experienced men. Such examples are invaluable, and live in the memories of men who are hardly sure of themselves."