LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2810, 30 June 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Replying to a. question in tho Houso yesterday, the Hon. \V. D. S. Mac Donald eaid that the Department of Agriculture had come to the conclusion that tho cost of labour and the cost of machinery made it impossible to introduce the wood pulp industry here.

Councillor T. Bush, at last evening's meeting of the City Council, asked if any steps had been taken to license the Town Hall. The Mayor said that iu tho absenco of Councillor Bush"nothing further had beou done in tho matter. The inner doors in tho main entrance had been removed, and ho did not think there was any difficulty about the ! outer doors. Councillor Bush said the fact remained that the Town Hall was not licensed, becauso the City Engineer refused to license it. Ho referred to the "box" at tho back doors (Wakefield Street) being a "regular trap," and if the council did not look out tho result would bo a serious accident. Tho Mayor; "Tho councillor can niovo that tho box be Temoved." Councillor Bush: "Tho point is: Does not everj' councillor think that tho Town Hall should bo licensed? Tho fact that tho City Fjiigineer would not license tho hall convoys, to my mind, the impression that the hall is not safe. It was the council's duty to attend to tho matter." Councillor W. H. Bennett: "Will you call the committee together?"' The Mayor: "You bet, I will!"

The following new regulation ic- the protection of life on ships is gazetted!— "When a ship has electric light installed on it, or when such light can be drained from the shore, electric light shall be used in tho hold when work is being done therein at all times when artificial light is necessary."

"Should the nature of soldiers' wounds be published?" was a question asked of the Defence Minister yesterday in the House of Representatives by Mr. L. M. Isitt. He could not see, ho said, what good purpose was thus achieved, and he suggested that for tho future these particulars should not bo published in the Press, but conveyed privately to the people concerned. Tho Hon. .T. Allen said he agreed that this course might bo followed, and he would see to it.

.Francis (Irmston, an 'Australian farmer, is stranded in Aucklaud (says a Press Association telegram). He had Looked a passage to Vancouver by the Niagara, but was stopped at tho gangway by a detective, who demanded his passport. Mr. Orrnston, with his wife and brother, who had also booked passages, has had to remain here. Mr. Ormston stivtes he is unable to account for the action of tho authorities. The police will Fay no more than that they acted upon instructions received from Wellington.

There are now eight infantile paralysis cases unto teabneot in the llasterton Hospital. No fresh cases have been reported for nearly a fortnight.

At tho early closing meeting in the Town Hall last evening, a collection was made for the widows and dependants of meu of the Navy who have lost their lives in the war. The sum of -<"25 153, Cd. was obtained.

It is the intention of Mr. J. E. Stansell, of Lyall Bay, to present a shield to the Manawatu Bowling Centre for annual competition, in memory of bis son, Major L. D. Stansell, who was killed in action in France. The entrance fees will go to tbe Wounded Soldiers' Fund. Major Stansell, while in camp at Eangiotu, had visited the local green a number of tinies. and participated in the games, while Mr. Stansell, senr., was previously a prominent member of the Shannon Club, which belonged to the local centre.

> References wero made in tho House yesterday about Major Brereton, tho officer who commanded Troopship No. 49, ami who has been charged l with a harsh use of his authority on that ship. Mr. 11. P. Hudson Toad tho following tele: gram from tho secretary of the Soldiers' Club at Motueka: "Returned soldiers in this district who' served' under Major Breroton all say that for discipline, justice, and fatherly devotion to us he had few equals,' We cau'fc believe the charges ■being made against him, knowing our leader so well." The Hon. ,T. Allen Tead o. letter from Sergt. Roland Wood, who went to the front on Troopship 49. Following was an extract from this letter: "Our officers have been all right, and tho fowl has been good,"

At last evening's meeting of the City Council the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) was appointed a member of a Conference of representatives of local bodies to appoint a member of the AVellington Hospital nnd Charitable Aid Board to fill the pjace rendered vacant by the resignation of Air.. F. Townsond.

As tho result of a meeting of the Waterside Workers' Union held last week, m connection with tho Military Service- Bill, tho executive of that bodv have circularised all trade unions throughout New Zealand, asking that delegates bo sent to a conference to ,be held, at Wellington on July 11 for the purpose of "definitely defining the attitude of organised Labour towards the Military Service Act." The circular continues: "Our union has debated the question on three different occasions, and on each occasion declared unanimously against it. Weare therefore of opinion that it is essential to ascertain the true feelmg of tho whole body of trade unionists on such an important and drastic measure.

.rho following amendments to .the Public Service Act regulations are gazetted: - Regulation 205 is hereby cancelled, and tho following regulation made m lieu thereof —Any officer in a class not higher than the Sixth Cla« passing-(a) tho solicitors examination; or (b) t/io Accountants' examination; or (c) tho examination for any university degree; or (d) any examination which in the opinion of the Commissioner is of equal importance with any of the foregoing-may be granted a double increment: Provided that— (1) Such increment shall not lake efiect to increase the salary beyond !Jie maximum of tho class in which tlitf officer's position is classified; (2) the londuct of the officer has been satisfactory, and he i* otherwise favourably reported (.«; (3) an officer having received a double mont in any one of the abovo examinations shall not ihwaf-tsr lie entitled to a further double increment for passing another or others; and (4) nothing in this regulation slinll apply tc takers of the Professional Division. Whenever to consequence of proviso No. 1 an ifficor is not able to receive a double increment, such double increment shall bo deferred until the officer is promoted to a higher class, and may then be given." New regulations for. the collection of statistics aro gazetted. They provide that tho State Statistician shall cdlect statistics regarding wholesale and retail prices and rents, nnd that'wholesalers, retailers, house agents, and rent collectors shall furnish the necessary information to tho Statistician. ' At tho meeting of tho City Council last evening, the application of tho Wellington Central Mission Baud for inclusion in the council's list of subsidised bands was refused. When the matter was before the council, the Mayor said U was not a matter of increasing tho cumber of bands- on the schedule, but he was very much afraid they would have to decrease them. This was said vhilst giving full credit for tho excellent services rendered by both <sbo Mission esd Hie Salvation Army Bauds. T'ho houso of "Fowlds" stands for quality. Just remember this when you inspect our bargain suits at 275. 6d., 355., and 425. Gd. Geo. Fowlds, Ltd., Manners Street.—Advt. To tho credit of commercial travellers be it said, "No Rubbing Laundry Help" is selling fast. Is. package sufliciont sevon weeks' washing. Contains nothing injurious; XlO guarantee. All grocers — Advt. Tho Goodyear Tyre nnd Rubber Company, of Akron, U.S.A., has become the largest and most successful tyro company in the world, solely by its policy of making only tho highest class of tyres. Soventy per cent, of tho new Motor-cars now imported into this country, especially the bettor class cars, are fitted with Goodyear Tyres. Motorists should make suro that tl'ioy buy the genuine Goodyear Tyre. Particulars and prico lists can bo obtained from The Dominion Motor Vehicles, Limited, G5 Courtenay Place, AYellington, Controlling Agents for Wellington, Gi6borno, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, and Neleon.—Advt,

It was decided last evening by tue City Council that the committee of tho Soldiers' Club in Sydney Street be informed that its request for, some Beats from the Town Hall gallery will bo considered when the seats are available for sale. This refers to tho Austrian chairs, which aro .shortly to bo replaced by ironi'rmueil upholstered chairs in the galleries of both municipal halls.

The annual report of the Lands Department shows that tho total selections during the year were 914,824 acres, made by 1926 selectors. Crown land holdings represented 457,53* acres, land for settlement 74,114 acres, national endowment 361,881 acres, and 21,292 acres for educational reserves and other classes. It was estimated that 968,887 acres would be available during tlie current year, distributed as follows:—Auckland, 87,000 acres; Hawko's Bay, 101,605; Tarnnaki, 38,209; Wellington, 68,645; Nelson, 50,000; Marlborough, 4700; Westlimd, 7400; Canter-bury,-196,000; Otago, 395,328; and Southland, 20,000. The total revenue -was .£1,286,524, or .£123,397 in excess of the previous year's figures.

One paragraph in the Finance Committee's report to the City Council last ovening was to the effect that tho Minister of Internal Affairs be informed that the Council is of the opinion that the proposed Wellington Metropolitan District should extend to the Upper Hutt and Porirua. In referring to this clause, tho Mavor stated that he had been asked by the' Minister to define the metropolitan area, and he took it that the metropolitan area was the land contained within tho confines of tho hills.

A meeting of the Catholic Field Service Fund Committee was held last evening. Tho executive reported that arrangements have been made to hold an entertainment in the Town Hall on July 6, consisting of a series of high-class pictures, including one entitled "Pope Pius X and the Vatican," together with a short concert programme by some of the best known Tocalists of Wellington. Tho fund in question is being Taised with the object of assisting the chaplains at the front with grants from time to time, and for the troops in camp at Trentham and Featherston. '

The Winter Show of tho Dominion Canary Specialist Club will take place to-day and to-morrow in Morrah's Buildings, Central ■Willis Street. Some 250 entries have been received by the secretary, includinj many of the champion birds of New Zealand.

Last night's Gazette notifies the approval of the Hawke's Bay AVar Eclief Association Fund under the War Contributions Validation Act.

Permission has been granted for a flag sign to be flown from the Eed Cross premises in Mercer Street during the duration of the war, to no wording being used on the flag.

On the recommendation of the Finance Committee the City Council decided last evening, to forward on to the Hutt County Council the City Engineer's report and plan of a water supply scheme for Day's Bay. The estimated cost of tho work is JZSO69. When this item came before the council, the VDlayor moved that it be referred baok to the Finance Committee for general consideration. It was also explained to councillors that this information was being forwarded to the Hutt County Council as that body would have to create the special rating area to pay for the work. The area affected was outside that which had been acquired by the city at Day's Bay.

A man appeared at the Christchurch Magistrate's Court on Saturday morning, owing £2 Us. for rent. He said that he had eight children to support, one of whom was in, a training home. His wife, who was partly responsible for the debt, had left him. He only earned £2 10a. weekly aB a casual labourer. The Magistrate ordered him to pay off Is. a week towards tho liquidation of the debt, and gave him three months in which to make the first payment. months in whichi to make the first payment of Is.?" queried Mr.'C. E. Salter, who appeared lor the landlord, "Yes, three months," said Mr. Bishop, "it's only a matter of principle, I'd like to know how you'd get on in the samq position with eight children to support" remarked the S.M. "I wouldn't be in hie shoes for any money," replied Mr. Salter.