LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2816, 6 July 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Reporting under date July 3, on the health of tho garrison at Samoa, Colonel Logan says-.—Pte. Grant is suffering from synovitis knee; Pte. Davis, loco°motor ataxia; Ptc. Morrison, insomnia; Pte. M'X'herson, enteric; Pte. Crowley, conjunctivitis; Pte. Mackie, synovitis knee; and Pto. Santhorpc, haemorrhoids.

Replying to a question in the House yesterday the lion. A. L. Herdman made the following statement regarding tbe inspection of alcoholic liquor exposed for sale: "Samples of liquor havo been taken by the polico from licensed houses and submitted for analysis some time ago, but tho report of the GoTemment Analyst has not yot beon received. Other samples will be taken from timo to time and submitted for analysis, it does not seem necossary at present to appoint special inspectors to do work which the police are undertaking. Tho difficulty is not one of inspecting licensed houses and procuring samples, but in getting samples analysed."

A. fresh ease of cerebro-spinal meningitis occurred at Featherston Camp on I'Viday Inst. The pntient, who was discharged from hospital 011 Juno 20 «3 recovcrcil from influenza, was readmitted on Friday, and found to ho glittering trom cercbro-spinnl meningitis. All precautions have been taken by SurgeonUeueral Henderson, Director of Medical Services, and tho patient is reported to bo progressing favourably. There is only one other case of a similar nntnr®, nnd tho patient is reported to bo making favoiir»M» nrocro.w.

Midshipmen from the Japanese warships were watching tho skill and intelligence witli which a slleep dog worked a small (look of sheep at Mr. Speedy's station in tho Wairarapa on Tuesday afternoon. A section of tlio flock was cut out aud chased away for distance, when the dog was sent out to round them up and bri'ng them back again. While so engaged, Mr. Speedy put tlie dog through its paces, and by certain whistles, made it stop, lio down, recommenco work, all ot which it (lid without a mistake. "Clever, most clever dog, that one," commented-eic of the visitors. "That dog, he the officer; that sheep, them tho men; him with tho whistle, tho general. All tho same as our army!" , .

It will be recalled that during the fighting in Dublin mention was made in the cable messages sent from London al the rebels occupying Jacobs' Biscuit Factory, and tho impression was conveyed that in the fightiug which followed this groat factory was practically reduced to ruins. Mr. W. F. Jacobs, of Kiwitea, a brother of the principal proprietor of the factory, informs us that ihe cable message referred to was quite inaccurate so far as tlie damage to the factory buildings and plant is concerned. A letter which ho has just received from his brother in Dublin makes it clear that tlie damage was comparatively slight, and that business was carricd on as usual almost immediately after tho surrender of the rebels.

In his weekly return to Head Office, the representative of the Labour Department in Christchurcli states that employment at thoßcaley end of tho Otira tunnel is offered to applicants. A reoruit, who is waiting to bo called , up, was found employment. Private wort in Christchurcli and district is described as being very quiot.

A~ donation was 'recently madp to His Worship the Mayor on behalf of the Naval Heroes' Fund by the soholars and teachers of the Jlaranui (Lyall Bay) Public School. Of the 'total subscribed .£2O oamo from tho children and .£l3 16s. from the teaching staff and committee, tho large sum realised being very, creditable for an effort lasting but a littlo over a fortnight. The samo school is now tho scene of bustle and activity in anticipation of a big patriotic and sohool bazaar to be held at the end of August. In Chambers yesterday at tho Supreme Court the case of L. F. Wallis and Co., Ltd. (Mr. F. .E. Petherick) against the. Dominion Motor Vehicles, Ltd. (Mr. D. M. Findlay), a claim of ;E9875 for alleged breach of covenant, was mentioned, and by arrangeinoiit of the parties was set down for hearing on July 12.

A long discussion on the question of toll-bars on main roads occurred in the House of Representatives yesterday. The general opinion of the Houso was strongly opposed to the restoration or the continuance of these "relics of barbarism" as they were called, as being an unfair and expensive devico for raising revenue. A few members took advantage of tho opportunity to rido their pet hobbyliorsß—the taking over by the Government of tho main arterial roads of the Dominion. This did not find general favour. Those members who represent local bodies with a grievanco in respect to a heavy traffic highway advocated this policy, but others with experience of local government in the country ridiculed it Their .reasons were that it would bo impossible to define an arterial road, and that as the local bodies raised .£2,000,000 a year in rates, most of which was spent on main roads, the Government could not possibly face tho expenditure which would be entailed. 1

Whilst the Education Estimates were being considered by the Housa of Representatives early yesterday morning, Mr. A, Harris (Waitemata) made a strong plea for the re-estab*shment of tho junior cadet System. Ho said that the abolition of tho junior cadets was 0110 of the greatest mistakes ever made by tho Education Department. Ninety per cent, of the parents desired the cadet system to be re-established, almost all inspectors advocated it, and generally there-was a strong and insistent demand throughout the country that the mistake that had ibe'en mado should 1)6 repaired. The ex-Minister of Education, for reasons host known to himself, was opposed to the continuance of the junior cadet system, but the general opinion was that it was iui admirable system. The .Minister said' that the. junior cadet system had been abolished before ho came into office. It was only fair, however, to his predecessor, to say that thero were some Teasons for making the change. Eor instance, somq.of tho work that was done by the junior cadets was done by the senior cadets. A great deal of the equipment used in connection with the junior cadets had been disposed of, and he added: "Altogether tho whole lot has been practically cleared out." The re-estab-lishment of the cadets would therefore mean considerable expense. He was very much impressed with tho Scout movement and he would like to give that liody recognition if he could obtain tho ■wherewithal for tho purpose. He could not hold out any hope, that Cabinet would approve of the re-cstablislnnent of tho junior cadets.

From time to time in public and in private the Defence authorities are criticised adversely for tho appointment of very young officers to- the Expeditionary Force. In a question put to the Minister of Defence in the House of Representatives, Mr. J. C. Thomson asked the Minister whether ho thought it wise that young men of 20 years of age should be appointed when older men were available. Mr. Allen's reply was as follows: "The present regulations do not allow of tho appointment of Territorial' officers to tho Expeditionary Force reinforcements who nre under twenty-three years of age. Commissions, may, however, be granted to men of twenty- years of age and upwards who show by ability and character that they are fit to command men. The commissions granted 'to the latter are given only after the men concorned have proved themselves whilst undergoing training in an Expeditionary Force training camp to bo better than other men in their draft, irrespective of age."

When the proposals of the' Federal Government for supplying n daily biidgot of homo news to the troops on active service linvo been definitely put into effect, tho New Zealand Government intends to consider the adoption of similar arrangements for the supply of news to members of &<! New Zealand Forces at -.lie -front, The Railway Department has decided to revert to tho practice, recently varied, of dating school tickets to expiro throe months from the date of issue. - The. cinestion of whether the Thomas transmission motor-car, which' is now being tested on the Ilutt railway lino, will be placed permanently on that line or on the .Tohnsonvillo-Wellington scr- >', !co is. still under tho consideration of the Railway Department. "Tho Government do not consider it advisable to invest money in shipping at tho present time." This was tho text of tho Prime Minister's reply to a question in tho House yesterday which related to the possibility of tho New Zealand Government following tho example set by the Commonwealth in purchasing ships. At the Dunedin Supreme Court yesterday,- Sidney James Foley, ivlio pleaded guilty in the Lower Court 'to theft from the person, was sentenced to - reformative treatment for a period not cxceeuin" three years. George Thompson, who ha 3 pleaded guilty at Balclutha to two charges of breaking and entering aacl theft, was released on probation for a term of three years.—Press Association, Auckland Military District was still four short of its quota for the Eighteenth Reinforcements yesterday.' Atl tlio other districts have supplied their full number of men. Auckland promised to send 'the number required by Tuesday, but only 16 men came forward instead of 20. The shortage, however, will probably bo made up by the northern district in tho course of a day or so. Tho Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Company, of Akron, U.S.A., has become tho largest and most successful tyro company in the world, solely by its policy of making only tho highest class of tyres. Seventy per cent, of the new Motor-cars now imported into this country, especially the bettor class cars, aro fitted with Goodyear Tyres. Motorists should make sure that they buy tho genuine Goodyoar Tyre. Particulars and price lists can be obtained from ■ Tho Dominion • Motor Vehicles, Limited, 65 Courtenay Place, Wellington, Controlling Agoiits for Wellington, Gisborne, Hawko's Bay, Marlborough, and Nelson.—Advt. Splendid reports continue coming to hand about tho wonderful success of "No Rubbing Laundry Help" for washing all clothes clean without rubbing or ; «iuTv. Is. per carton; W.F.C.A.—Advt.

As Mr. P. Hally, Conciliation Commissioner, i 3 engaged upon Board of Trade business it lias been arranged that industrial conciliation eases in the Wellington District shall bo taken by the northern and southeni commissioners. Mr. J. K. Triggs, the Southern Commissioner, will take the first set of cases, aud has made the following fixtures:— Hrewery and aerated \v;&':er factory employees, July 19; July 20; plasterers, July 21. Work was found for 33 out of 50 applicants at the Labour' Depattment Employment Bureau in Wellington last week, tho majority of tho applicants boing general labourers. Du)icdin„ Christchurcli, and Auckland report it nicirked scarcity of vacant positions, and bitt littlo unemployment. ' ! Tho matter of seeing that comforts wore placed on board steamers- leaving Lon-' don for New Zealand with irotnrnod soldiers came before the Wa* Relief Association at its meeting yesiterday, whezi considering tho report of tfio Advisory Board. -Mr. L. 0. H. Trim said that this matter lias been .broughu before the board by the Christchurch . Association, but it was reported' that tha. War Contingents' Fund in London w.ss now attending to tliis matter, and -there was no need to go any further k£x> it. ■Messrs. Wm. Ferguson, D. Mlaren, and L. 0. H. Tripp liava been appointed a sub-committeo to attend to {remits to be forwarded by the Wellington War Relief Association, to tho 'conference of Patriotic Societies to bo held here on August 3. Members of tho aifcsociation are to be asked to forward airp suggestions for remits to the commits so before July 11. ■What is generally known as 'tho six. o clock closing question will com before tho Anglican Diocesan Synod, is now in session. Tho Rev. H. G.. Bl'ackburne lias given notice to movo:-i--"That in the opinion of this Synod it wdjold be in tho interests of the country to close bars of hotels and clubs at 6 "p.rct, and also to forbid the' practice of sbjbuting during the period of tho war." A Legal and Business Advice Coßimittee lias been set up by the HawitaiKilbirnie North National Service Cllub, consisting of Messrs. J. L. Arcus, A. G. Barnott, and J. S. BartoS, wbo will undertake to advise aud assist any solldier, reoruit, or their dependants. Tho vlub is also prepared to help soldiers and tifceir dependants in other ways. It is hijped thus to save much worry and anxiety to many families in the district. . An incident at'tho wliarf, wliero the Japanese cruisers are berthed.—Entefc: a. lady, who blushingly presents a bundleof postcards to the smiling • JapaEtewsentry, on guard, and lingers in expectation of 6ome memento in return; Itat. this not being forthcoming, rolnctanifly retires, kissing her hand several tiirles to the sentry.' Sontry then excitedly beckons lady back, and proffers a. nuthber' of cigarettes, which she indignantly rejects. Lady; "Thoso are no good ra me." Sentry: "You go, you go (imita'tihg the action of removing, and returning cigarette to mouth). You want cigarette if* Exit lady in confusion, amid laughter <if crowd. ' The treasurer of the Navy League haE( receivod from Messrs. Johnston and C 0.,( Ltd., a cheque for £100 towards th(ji Sailors' Dependants'' Fund. The Government is arranging a special! train to convey Hear-Admiral. Matsumura.' and party of officers from Auckland to Itotorua and back again tho same day on Tuesday next. The train is to leave Auckland at 0 a.m., and will run straight through -to Kotorua, arriving at about midday. At Rotorua the party. will be shown over the Spa, and taken out to Whakarewarcwa, and will be entertained by some Maori hat as arid poi dances, and' will leave again- for Auckland in the evening. The party will he accompanied by the Hon. A. 1C Myers, who will leave for the north to-inorrow to make arrangements, on behalf of tho Government, for the entertainment of the visitors. 1

Mr. R. A.' Wright, M.P., has received the following from the Hon. J. A. Hanan, Minister of Education"ln reply to yours of the 23tJi* ultimo, relating to the question of. free railway passes from Ngaio to. tho high school in Wellington, I Jiavo to state that tho Kailway Regulations permit of tree railway passes being granted provided, that the children reside not less than three miles from tho school, so that tho distance from tho residenco to Ngaio, together with the distance from the railway station to the high school, has also to l>e included. This would make the INgaio children eligible, and I have communicated with the school authoritifls oil the matter, I think you will find that this action will bo effective."