LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2809, 29 June 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The postal authorities advise that tho s.s. Manuka, ""which, left Wellington on Thursday, carryjng mails for Australia ami United Kingdom, via Suez, arrived in. Sydney on Monday flight.

Reporting from Samoa under date Juno 20 on the health of tho troops at Samoa, Colonel Logan Bays Captain K. V. Smith is fmfl'cring from muscular rheumatism. Ptcs. 'Grant, from synovitis knee; Davis, neuritis; Jlorrisson, insomnia; Jtl'he'rson, enteric; Fitzgerald, b".bonicnlo; Knox, tinea- cruris; Crowley, conjunctivitis; and Mackie, synovitis knee.

Replying to a question yesterday, thj l'rimo Minister said 'that the wnalganiation of the Immigration Department with another Department wns under tho consideration ol' the Government. Sir Josoph Ward stated yestorday that ho regretted that ho could not favourably consider tho reduction of telegram charges to soldiers from Sd, to Gd.

The Government, after considfcraUon, lias decided not to extend tho provisions of tho Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act to New Zealand soldiers who were uuder fire in South Africa.

A bolated statement was made in tho House yesterday by tlie Defence Minister concerning a complaint made to linn, and made publicly, by Captain Donald Simson, as to some injured returned soldiers who had to walk from the ivlinrf to tlio Town Hall 011 .Tune •& Jlr. Allen read the report of Brigadier-General Kobin, which was that every man wlw wanted to ride was taken m motor-cars, that there was ono motor-car available which was uot used, and. that those who chose to march did so by their oun,wish» General Kobin stated that lie personally inquired as to the men's wishes, and satisfied himself that the men paraded to inarch did not wish to travel by motorcar.

In the Magistrate's Court at Christchurch yesterday, tlie City Firq Brigade Superintendent • proceeded against the man air or of Everybody's Theatre tor allogeofrreach of .license, consisting in permitting an upstairs foyer to 'bo blocked by persons sitting.or standing* during the performance. Decision was reserved. Press Association.

According to a business VtStfcer, dated Loudon, May 10, the writer, referring_to. silver and plated goods, states tliat the raw metal had advanoed 50 per cent, in price, and the increase in tho cost ot labour, etc., luid added quite lo per cent, to the prico of goods smco tu6 war broke out, making in aIL an. increase of at least 75 per cent. In addition to that advance, Stationers' Hall had imposed a war tax of 2s. per dozen for stamping spoons, forks, and silver goods generally. Tkte means, with the big increase in freight and .insurance, that silver goods must liavo advanced at least 100 per cent, in Now Zealand during the last two years. Electro-plated goods have also advanced immensely in prico .at Home, and at latest adviccs the rising prices had by iio .moans reached their limit.

The Hataitai Bowling Club is to mako a big effort to raise funds for Kcd Cross work on Saturday afternoon and evening next. DuriiifC tho afternoon tlwjro is to bo a bright fete and sale of work, with plenty of raffles, sweet and flower stalls, and tents u'horoin tho mystic veil will be lifted to reveal all things to be. In tho evening there is to bo a first-class entertainment to suit all tastes.

•On Saturday next the members of the Commercial Travellers end Warehousemen's Association aro to make another effort to collect funds for the Navy League's contribution towards the suffering dependants of tho sailors of tho British Navy, who have givon their lives for the Empire. The association's committee lias had a special initial ('soldered to a stout pin) struck bv M.r. G. T. White, of Lambton Quay. This is a gilt medal, i6unil.ni shape, and slightly less than a shilling in size, having s,tamp«l in low relief tho ivords, "H.M.'S. New Zealand," over an impression of that battle-cruiser, and below "Jutland, 1916." The medal will make a handy and enduring memento of the participation in tho great fight ot Now Zoalaud's gift ship, as well as being a reminder of tho heroic deaths registered in tho famous sea fight..

Mr. .Tob Wilton, of Wadestown, has forwarded a dhequo for .£5 to the treasurer of tho Wellington Acclimatisation Society, as a donation to the funds and in recognition of the efforts of tho society. Mr. U. Sutherland, of Hiiuikura, aud Mr. W. Wakeiuan, of Pahiatua, have maSo similar donations for tho current year." Tho grievance of a man lately in the service of the Railway Department, who was rejected as medically unfit for activo service, after going into camp, was mentioned in tho House yesterday by Mr. Isitt. Ho said that tho man, who was a resident of his district, liad been accepted for active service, and was in campfor some time. A medical examination then disclosed an old case of rupture, of which tho man was entirely ignorant. He had not been affected by the rupture, aiut this was sliown by ,tlie fact that lie had taken a prominent part in athletics, being a footballer and hockey player. Ha was rejected at tho camp on account of the Tupture. When he applied to the Railway Department for reinstatement he was asked why ho had been rejected for military service. On his stating the reason lie was informed that he could not possibly be employed by the Department, lie appealed to the Minister, who, in reply, stated that the by-laws of the Department prevented employment being given to hiiu. Mr. Isitt said that the injury in question could not possibly render him inefficient as a'railway serioiit, and lie wished to know whether he could not obtain some redress. The Minister of Railways said .that the man should submit himself to examination by a medical officer of the Railway Department. If he did that, and it was proved that he was fit for service in the Department, he would be, given employment. Mr. Isitt: "Ho will be-content with that."

The Finance Minister, replying in tho Houso yesterday to Mr. Wilford's question aliout differentiating in regard to income tax between eariied and unearned incomes, said that lie did not propose to attempt this at present, as there w< uld bo considerable' difficulty in differentiating bctwoeu earned and unearned incomes in this country. Tho distinction made between the two classes in Inland was more or less arbitrary.

A few days ago Mr. R. Fletcher asked the Ministor of Public Health a'quofttion about the alleged "intimidation" practised by tho British Medical Association in Wellington towards doctors who refuse to join it and obo.v its die tnies. Replying yesterday, tho Hon. G. W., Russell said: "The Department is fully aware of the circumstances. an<l hopes the British Medical Association will not set up a position by refusing to consult with registered medical practitioners not members of that body. 11 such action as the honourablo member refers v*« taken by the liritisli Medical Association, the Department is prepared to take any steps 'that may be necessary in the interest of the public."

The case of an alien resident m Christclmrch who soino time uyo forwarded .620 to liis wife and children ill Sidoil, Syria, under the impression that it was in a British protectorate, was brought up in the House yesterday by Mr. l'sitt. Tho money, he siad, had been seized by the police, i'he mall, who, it was stated, was a Greek, and a bitter enemy of the Turks, bad acted in goodi faith, and ho (Mr. Isitt) aslced the Minister in charge of tho Police Department whether the money could not bo returned. The Hon. A. L. iierdman said that the man had committed the oHence of what technically was trading with the enemy. He did not see howTTio request could bo granted, but ho promised to look carefully into the matter'if Mr. Isitt would put the full particulars of the -.•ase in writing.

Tlis Worship the Mayor lias received a cheque I'or .ESO from Meusrn. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., being the Wellington portion of ;£3OO donated to the Sail, ors' Widows and Orphans' Fund by tho company.

There is 110 neod to pay fancy prices for Records by Caruso, Affro, Rosina Bnckman, Cherniavsky, Ada Crossley, Peter Dawson, Jamieson Dodds, or. other artists of special merit, as PATILBPIIONE RECORDS by these artists are procurable at UNIFORM PRICES, according to size, lOin. at 35.; Ilin. at 55.; 14in, at 7s. fid.; all double-sided. Call at OSCAR, HEWETT AND CO., Pathe Showroom, 5G Cuba Street (just below Bank N-Z.), and hear the .finest records the world .produces.—Adyt.'

Inlying yesterday to a question by Dr. Newman, in which the honourable ljptmber suggested that the Government Should introduce legislation prohibiting Aliens from acquiring freehold land in tho Dominion, tho Prime, Minister elated that this was a subject which would have to Ije considered at an Imperial Conference. Any legislation of this soi< Xmst bo uniform all over the Umpire.

It was decided by the Wellington Harbour Hoard la»t evening to issue a foreshore license at a peppercorn rent.'il to the City Corporation for a bathing shed ut Bnlena Dav. 1

gome discussion occurred ;>t the Wellington Harbour Board last evening on a proposal to close the Queen's bonded.warehouse ou December .'ll. Country members protested against being put in the position of having to use private and finally it was resolved: "In tho event of the premises now bcins occupied as the Queen's bond being HSfitl for other purposes, accommodation sufficient for public requirements be provided in another convenient portion of tho board's premised." The present bond is considered inconvenient, and portion of the building is needed for office accommodation.

"It is not deemed nccessary as yet to jappoin ta permanent War Pensions Board, the members of which shall devote their whole time to dealing with war-pension claims," said the Defence Minister yesterday. "The present board is able w copo with the work submitted to it by » ceting two or three times, and in some instances four times, a- week. The Ixiard has already recognised that it is. of dccidcrl advantage to come in contact with one class of applicant, and lias already visited several centres in the North Island for tho purpose of getting into dircct tcuch with the soldier, and contemplates in the near future visiting tho South Island when every opportunity will be given to any soldier to state his case."

Referring to tho cost of living in tho Dominion, and the allegations of exploitation which are being made, one of the principals of a Dunedin hardware firm stated to a "Daily Times" reporter that people were inclined to overlook the fact that increased freights were to a very largo extent tho cause of advanced prices. To prove his assertion ho allowed the reporter to look over his shipping papers. The actual cost of a parcel of plaster of paris was sb.own at ,£45; the.freight from Canada, including exchange and insurance, eamo to no less than .£l4l 12s. Tho freight charges, etc., on a lino of nails amounted to.XSI 2s. 10d., whereas tho cost of tho goods was .£B2 3s. sd. A cai'go of shrimps, which cost 381 dollars in New York, had to bear an additional cost for freight, etc., of ICS dollars, plus 21 per cent, war risljj glucose, costing 10s. per cwt. in New York, Imd to carry a charge of Bs. 7{d.: wood buckets cast 33.15 .dollars —freight, etc., 68.89 dollars; glass jars .cost 210.01. dollars—freight, ctc., 305.76 dollars.

Tho jurors in the "Rua case are not quite satisfied with the am<rant of remuneration they are receiving, says the Auckland "Herald," which is the statutory allowance of eight shillings a day. Some of the jurors are business men, and are suffering great inconvenience, while others are, ordinary workers who are accustomed to a good weekly w?£C. Olio of tho latter is staled to lie paying another man ten shillings a day in r<der to'keep his position open until tho problematic time arrives when the case will conclude.' It is understood that the jurors will mako representations to His Honour Mr. Justice Chapman on tho question.

A question regarding the absence from soldiers' discharges of certificates cf char, aoter was asked by Mr. R. A. Wright in the House. Replying yesterday, the Dofence Minister stated: "Characters aro now shown on all discharge certificates issued to soldiers. Owing to difficulty in arriving at tho character of a soldior re turned from overseas, discharge certificates were for a timo issued without character—that lattoi hning supplied on a separate certificate when the information was available. This practice was given up because soldiers with bad characters were nblo to produce a similar discharge certificate to soldiers honourably discharged, and the general public did not realise that no character was sliowfi on the certlficats."

Tho "Taranaki Nows" reports that it is a phenomenon, probably iinique in, .Taranaki's history, that no snow mantle settled on Mt. Egmont before June 25.

An Industries Committee has been set up by the House of Representatives this session for the purpose of making an investigation of all questions pertaining to tho development of'industries in the Dominion. The committee has held its first meeting, at which Mr. C. A. Wilkinson has been , elected chairman, and he will bo. glad to receive communications from any persons who wish to give evidence likely to help the committeo in its investigation.

"The procedure of not granting commissions to qualified pharmacists, as such, strictly follows tho procedure of tiio 1 Imperial Army, tho nils being that soldiors holding civil qualificati«ns in pharmacy must qualify in all corps examinations before receiving promotion "to non-com-missioned rank," said the Defence Minister replying to a question yesterday. "Commissions in the New Zealaud Mcdical Corps are granted to qualified medical men, the olily exception being that the rank of honorary . lieuton<\nt and quartermaster and lioiiorary vaptain anil quartermaster is given by selection cn account of merit and ability to.non-com-missioned oiheers who have passed all the corps examinations which include the subject of pharmacy. As it is considered ndvisablo 'to adhere strictly to tho rLoto rules it is not possible to trunt commissions to chief dispensing chemists, as such."

Last evening the Wellington Harbour Board passed the following resolution "That the Wellington Harbour Board hereby records its admiration for and appreciation of tho flreat .achievement of tho British Fleot in tho Battle of Jutland, ou May 31 last; and, further, records its profound sorrow at tlie tragic loss of Lord Kitchener and his staff, its deep senso of tho'magnitude and inestimable value of Lord Kitchoncr's' service to the . Allied cause, and its sincere sympathy with the relatives of all the honoured dead who have so gallantly given their lives at 'the call of Empire and humanity."

The annual Mines statement, which, was presented to Parliament yesterday, states that, owing to tlie war and the shortage of miners, duo to enlistments, there has been a small decrease in the Dominion's mineral production. The value of the minerals exported, together _ with tho coal output for 1915, was w£3,374,523, being ail increase of ,£621,793 above that decorded for the previous year. This however, does not represent the , actual production last year, as the' export of gold was prohibited on tho outbreak ot war in 1911, and was not resumed until the following year, when ths accumulated supplies were exported. Tho value of gold and silver produced during 1915 amounted to .£1,348,489, as compared with £1,502,649 in 1914, a decrease of £154,100. Tho output of coal-last year amounted to 2,208,621 tons', as compared with '.275,593 tons during 1914, • which was tlie highest animal output yet attained iu tho Dominion. The value of the gold exported last year was.<£l,o9-1,553, as compared with ,£895,367 for 1914. The value of the bullion obtained from the quara mines last rear was £1,030,521, as result of treating 481,629 statute tons of ore. Tho dividends distributed by tho gold-quartz mining was .£237,165. The value of the production from alluvial claims was £153,300, as compared with >6157,323 in 1914.

Tlio liouso of "Fowlds" stands for quality. .Tust remember this .when you inspect our bargain suits at 275. 6d., 355., and 425. Bd. Geo. Tow-Ids, Ltd., Manners Street.—Advt.

The Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Company, of Akron, U.S.A., has become the 'largest and most successful tyre company iu the world, solely by its policy of making only the highest class of tvfes. Seventy per cent, of the new Motor-cars now imported into this country, especially the uetter class cars, are fitted with Goodyear Tyres. Motorists shoul<l make sure that they buy tho genuino Goodyear Tyre. Particulars and price lists can bo obtained from The Dominion Motor Vehicles, Limited. 65 Courtenay Place, Wellington, Controlling Agents for Wellington, Gisborne, ITawke's Bay, Marlborough, and Nelson.—Advt.

Washboard slavery giitf, never to return, because "No Subbing Laundry Help" washes all clothes clean without rubbing, yet does not injure hands or finest fabrics; Is. for seven washings. W.^C.A,—Mvt.

I'ho remarkable sudden death of # soloist occurred at the Baptist' Church, Bendigo, during a memorial serrice for Lord Kitchener. After the service Mr. n. V. Roper, a well-known citizen, sans "Nearer, My God, to Thee," anil almost immediately collapsed, and died in a. few seconds. I'hero was much excitement amongst the congregation when it iva:? realised that Mr. Roper was dead, and tho service terminated abruptly., Mr. Roper was 03 years of age, and conducted tlu; choir. His wife was amongst the congregation. The cause of death was heart failure.

The arresting, by the Military Police of ii soldier who could, not produce tbe necessary icavo pass last night caused a gathering of about 200 people at the lioyal Oak Hotel corner, at 9.30 o'clock. Several of those in the front of tho crowd commenced to molest the Military Polico in the execution of their duty, but the arrival of the civil police provented the trouble developing.