LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2848, 12 August 1916, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The postal authorities advise that the mails which left New Zealand on June 23 arrived in London on the night of August, 8.

In the Magistrate's Court at Christchurch yesterday, -Jas. Lorgelly. ..was fined £20 for selling - milk containing water, and £25 for. selling, milk, below : the. standard. The Magistrate, • Mr. Bishop; remarked that absolutely rio consideration was due to a mail who sold adulterated milk, and he would deal it out to any man ho convicted.— Press Association.

Some of the City rate demands for the current six months have already been issued. The- balance will" all be posted to ratepayers between now and the end of the month.

Pte. Rausmasson, of the Sixteenth Reinforcements, was admitted to the Hospital at about 10.45 o'clock last night, his right leg having been fractured below the Knee. His injury was received as a result of slipping on the. footpath.

Mr. M'Hardy, chairman of the Anzac Art Union, who will traverse the, principal streets of the' City to-day, .and present a half-sovereign to each person he accosts who can produce a ticket in the Anzac Art Union, set his, idea in motion last evening shortly after 10 o'clock. An hour. later Mr. M'Hardy had given, away £110s. The three successful ticket.holders were: Police-con-stable H. J. March, a Brooklyn lady, and 6'848 Sergt. E; -V. Spear. To-day Mr. M'Hardv will commence to distribute his half-sovereigns at 8 '.o'clock. Tickets can he obtained at all the leading tobacconists.

Ono effect of the war haa been a reduction in the export of. apples, .'to. South America, through lack of transport. Mr. T. Horton, the iwell-knowri orcliardist of Hastings, is confident that very soon after the close of . the war- trailo with Smith America will reach hig figures. His own firm has an order for 200,000 cases it. ,6s. 6d f.o.b. Wellington, and for 3000 cases at Bs. fid. At. the Nelson Co-opera-tive Fruit Company's meeting he spoke confidently of the. prospect—a dence based on the evidence which lie o'otained during his visit, to South America not long ago.

A Palmerston North resident .who on Thursday passed 'over the spot where tho train was wrecked by the violence of tho recent gales says that for two miles on the other side of Tokomaru the' telegraph and telephone poles , are bent to an agio of 4o_degrees, showing the velocity of the wind in that quarter.

News ' has been recieved from Sydney announcing that Mr. John Garlink, head of, the Local Government Department of New< South Wales, who had been offered the position of Town Clerk of Auckland, had been appointed Un-der-Secretary for Local Government, New South Wales, and that the appointment had been confirmed by-the Executive Council. It is generally thought in tho northern city that Mr. Garlick has, by accepting tho new appointment, declined the offico of Town Cleric, but no official Announcement has yet.been made.'

The' Mayor of_ Hastings, Mr. W. Hart, while showing some visitors over the Municipal Theatre, got his left hand caught in tho swing doors. His fingers were badly lacerated, and portion of one finger had to bo removed.

This week meetings are being held of all the bowling centres in tho Dominion in connection with the election of the council of the Dominion Bowling Association. This election is of rather liioro importahco to Wellington this year, as the Dominion Bowling 'tournament will, for the first time, bo held hero, during the coming season. The Wellington Centre held its poll on Thursday evening, but no announcements will be made until the association has received the returns from every centre in Now Zealand.

While numerous New Zealandnrs have comolained of tlin cost of. living, various onlookers have commented on the apparent unwillingness of come, of the complainants to take any trouble to socure a bargain. When Mr. ,H. G'. Ell was-Postmaster-General ho arranged special facilities for tho direct transport of fruit from the grower to . the consumer, but vrrv few folk bestirred themselves to order a cheap supply. This peculiar apathy- continued during the term.of the Hon. R H. Rhodes. This subject-was briefly discussed at the. Nelson Co-operative Fruit Company's, meeting this week, and tlia general.opiniou was that, the distribution should bo-on' a plan to assure fruit at a reasonable price to the consumer, and leave a fair profit for the grower. - One suggestion'Vns that certain' country districts could be ' well seived-- by a' . distribution through merchants to the retail stores.

- 11l tli'e-Magistrate's Court yesterday a Territorial'named Albert R. Davies was fined 10s., with the option of 48 hours' detention, for failing to attend drill, ' .

At themeeting of the' Wellington Bowling Centre on Thursday evening, Mr; J.' Keith (Victoria Club) stated that since their last meeting a publication had been issued purporting to be the recognised' organ of the Wellington -Bowling Centre. He asked by whose authority. J fhat journal had been published in the manner set out. Mr. J. J. Roberts (secretary) said that no authority had been given anyone to use tlie name of the centre. Mr. Keith said he was surprised, as there may bo something in it at some time or other of which they'might not as a centre approve, Mr. E;-J. Hill thought the matter one that wa's not worth troubling ■ about, but' Mr. Keitli moved •that the journal in- question be written to asking by what authority tho name of- the -centre had- been "lised, but 'on being put the'motion was defeated.'

The new trial of Edward Foreman, on a charge of indecent assault.' has been fixed for Tuesday. Accused was admitted to bail in the same sum as previously. Foreman • was arrested -yesterday by Detective Mason and ' Serjeant Fitzpatrick on a charge of breaking and entering .the of Roy Eawr in' Oriental Bay and stealing articles of jewellery, etc., the value-of £96. Ho will aopear in the Magistrate's Court this morning!' • '" :

' The wreath prenared to the order" of tho Wellington Branch of the _Navy League,' to be placed on tho Nelson monument in Trafalgar Square, .London. is now on iexhiliitirn in the rindnwof Miss Murray's premises in Willis Street. It consists of a pretty arrangement o f arum lilies and hvacinths. filled out with clusters of maiden-hair fern, ivconodinm, and sprays of' dark red birch. The wreath attracted considerable 'attention yesterday.

A .movemont has been started among members of, the Caledonian Society in Masterton with the object of forming a New Zealand Pipo Band to proceed to England for the-festivities which will take place on the declaration of peac6. ■It is-thought (says our correspondent) that no difficulty would be experienced in'procuring the necessary pipers'and equipment-. Regrettable mistakes have .occurred from time to time in- connection with the official notification of soldiers as. deserters, and instances are not unknown where a man described as being absent without leave has been discovered'doing his duty honourably in camp or on board a troopship bound for tho .front (says the Melbourne "'Age"). The military authorities have apparently just become aware of- the fact, and are taking precautions to; prevent'any repetition of such errors, painful alike to the soldier himself and to -his relatives. A military order just issued points out • that "through clerical errors, neglect, or oversight, the names of certain members of the Imperial Force have been published in die -Police Gazette' ' as deserters .when'the-men' had already been-appre-hended,.-'.-and : had*'reported in camp, arid: in some > cases-, even .when . they had not been absent without' leave at all. Two cases: of wrongful arrest. due to carelessness," adds the order, "have also been brought to- # notice." Instructions have now been issued to all concerned pointing out the 'serious, results of such negligence, and directing that in future the; utmost care should 1 be exercised. /. Should any further cases occur, "steps will be immediately taken I with a view to disciplinary action."

Meet a '.'cabby" on a cold night as hb paces the pavement scanning the horizon of the streets for prospective fares, and he will tell you "times is hai : d"_ (says the Melbourne "Age"). But his earning power is pretty considerable. At least it would appear so from figures that were quoted at a meeting held to protest against the curtailment of ' racing. ' The secretary of the Cabmen's Union • was proving what an excellent medium the Jehu was for circulating money. Sir. Lawson stated that at the last ■ Fitzroy meeting the cabmen • who plied there reaped £400; that annually cabmen distributed -£65,000 for feed'; £10,000 was spent with the farrier, £12,000 with the saddler and coachbuilder, and an additional £1000 was paid to the City Council ''for the privilege of conveying citizens from one point to another and to recoup 'the council for its .expenditure on' the two or' three buckets tif sand that .'were, spread on the. .city streets where the sand was least wanted." . That, said Mr. Lawson, . was nearly £100,000, and to that must be added the cabmen's butchers' and bakers' bills.

In regard -to the position, of the men in . the Garrison Artillery- under the Military Service Act,-the Minister of Defence (Hon. J. Alien) made the following statement-"Men in the Garrison -Artillery told off.for military service in New Zealand cannot be allowed to go to. the front- so long as they are required here for the service, but wo are letting tho men of the Garrison Artillery go- as we are. able to do so. Under the law as it has existed up to now, many of them have wished to volunteer, but we were unable to let them away. Under.-the Military Service; Act they will also'bo.required for; service, in New ' - Zealand; and, although there is no special exemption in the' Act for them, they ju/ill have to be kept back by regulation as long as'we require them here, If at any time their-services are not required here they will be allowed an opportunity to volunteer, and will thus avoid tho ballot."

.. TheTrimo Minister has informed Mr. G. K. Sykes, M.P., that the matter of acquiring the Native reserve at Manaia, near Masterton, for settlement by returned soldiers, has been referred to the Land. Purchase Board) which will givo it full consideration.

At the annual meeting of St. John's Presbyterian Church, Mr. Toup moved that "We, the members and adherents of St. John's Church, Wellington, met- in annual mooting, desire to convoy to all tho men in any way connected with tho congregation who aro now serving their King and country at tho front, our greeting and goodwill. Wo would assure them that they aro much in our riiinds and hearts ; that wo often pray that God may keep tlicm near to Himself and that they may realise His presence, and in-tho strength of His spirit fight a good "fight for their country and with equal earnestness tho good fight of faith. ■ Wo would also assure tlirm that wo pray that tho war may speedily ei:d in victory- for our arms and .the cause of freedom, and eagerly anticipate the day of their return to their home and friends and" country." The motion was seconded bv Mr. A. 'D. Howitt, and carried by acclamation. •During tho evening songes wero ren•by Mrs. Kerry, Miss Jennings, and Mi 1 . F. Popo, atd two choruses were sung by tlie choir.

Interviewed-by the Gisborne "Times" on .his return'from ; Australia, Mr. T.'. Quirk;'. well known in tiniber circles; stated - that Now.' Zealand -white pine and- rimu aro finding a " ready markot ■in 'Australia at present.. '.-.The .rimu most, saleable.is-' that: suitable for dressing.-.. There is little demand for rough fimu. ; -

Amongst those who enlisted at Auckland last week was. Captain Henry D. Coutts,' .of, parKa.ville, who' gained meritorious ■ distinction -for his services in : the Boer war,. .dampaigii,' as a- result of which he received the .Queen's' Scarf. Tho Scarf is a coveted- honour, in view of the fact that io wds worked by Her Majesty .herself and presented for unuSual gallantry.; Tho services rendered in Captain Coutts' case was tho rescue of a man under-heavy fire.

The property known as Tattersall's -,livery staples- (and seven-roomed' house facing Francis Place),, in.Barker Street, lately used, by Mr. James ; Johnston, were sold at . auction , -yesterday, - by Messrs. |A. L... ,Wilson . and Co., the price paid being £2700. Tho buyers were Messrs. Wilson and M'Grath. Mr. A- L. Wilson wielded the . hammer, and a large number of-, commercial people ■wero present. .

.There was spmethingVvcry touching in' tho deep and thank- .. fulness shown by'an elderly couple, in welcoming back their- son,: who -. arrived at Port Chalmers'by- the-Navna -on Tuesday evening (says the "Otago Daily Times"). The mother's- affection evidently centred- upon her son in a.yery . genuino manner,- and this found expression in her'naive assumption that everyone should be --'aware - that '- the. returning soldier -lad was .."Sidney,-the ! baby By 6qme unfortunate means-the-old couple- had-,been informed . that ; -their -.son .-.was coming .-back to them-bereft of.his sight as well' .as .his hearing, and -there.-was)' : therefore, - something apprehensive in the eagerness ~of their expectancy,,. ■ I'he • lniich the. more.courageous of tlw ..two, and,. difficult though she lo.ii.pd it to her . spirits, she was.not unmindful of her was visibly and she was observed ,to.- give him . . several-. kindly, nudges,,with -.the .remark': "We -must .be cheerful, dad, for--the boy's -sake/' .The. old lady was no-whit downcast ,-when she discovered that she- could not get .past the barrier, and her- hig'nsouled thankfulues was finely exemplified when she remarked, 1"I .did .not ; expect to get on. board 'to-night,; but . ve will bo -quito,satisfied if we can only see .the. hoy.' We - are' very, lucky to have our. son comihg'back.t'o. us, while plenty of mothers, will never see their .boys again." Good news,, however, wag in store for the old couple, and a kindly-; medical man brought back the.in--formatioh .that their, son was not blind, but his'hearing iyas partly , affected. Later in the' evening the'young soldier came down to.'; the. bows of the. ship, and 'then, and not till then, did. his mother break down.,-/

„In annual report of tlie. Eoman Catholic Education Board, .reference is wade as follows to the relations .of the v State, and ltomari- Caf-hoJics iii the matter of,, education 'If the, Government was to grant Catholics justice in'the - matter of education, the board's, strenuous.efforts to raise a. fund for the.education •of Catholic children, could be ..diverted'into other necessitous w ; orks in connection with the ohurch; but being denied justice we must, until such time as it is granted, keep our schofils going,. 110 .matter -jrhat. sacrifices-hare-to be made. As-it is the school which lis .the foundation. of Christian life •of the_ child, the matter of Catholic education must of, necessity bo .regarded as. one of the first ■ importance,-, for without .Catholic education the Catholic ■ Church in this country; would not ..occupy tie _ position it - does ' to-day. It , will be itneresting for.- .-Catholics to learn what the board is saving -the Government .of the Dominion - in this .City,, per annum i .Taking the Official -Year -Bnok_ fpr .1915,; we find: that, pri-! . wary, education.-.cost. ; tho .Dominion- for .the -year £1/184,000,- and''that 178,509 •'-•pupils---: wereattending-t the public.primary 'schools.:. Primary education,' therefore, : costs. the Government £6 125.-9 d. per piipil, and as we have 1500 pupils attending the Catholic schools in this .City, we are saving the Government nearly £10,000 per annum. Tho population'of Wellington" is csti-. mated at: 70,000. 'faking one-seventh of that.number as .the- Catholic community, we. find that-the Catholic' population is 10,000. The Year Book gives' the cost per head of. the population for. .education as £1 75.; lid., so that ill addition, to .saving the Government £10,000 per annum, we are contributing .over .-£IO,OOO in taxes towards the upkeep of. a, system of, education which we cannot conscientiously avail ourselves, of. '.The. Year Book - discloses the .'interesting .fact that there are 180. Catholic;-schools -'.inthe /Dominion, with "an attendance of 16,471- -pupils, t-auglit by 617 Catholic teachers, which, ac- . cording to' statistics,: Would ; cost ■ the Government-over^£llo,ooo per annum. In addition; Catholics are also.--con-tri-; buting to the cost-of State.education."

: A movement is 'on foot in Sydney to induce the authorities -. to* send a military band. to- London- to : take part ih" the celebrations when'peace is..de--clared;'. Those 'interested in; the p.ro-jjbsar-explam (says "the Sydney "Eyening': Ne\vs") that'' iiiyaluable'- aid has been given to' recruiting by..the.various 'bands of the city : and suburbs,'whose : help-has always been'cheerfully, given ■ without; pay 'in almost every' instance, and at'a moment's notice. ;. The seve-; ral big funds have, it is urged, also been, swelled'by'the efforts' of the in-j . strumentalists, whose inspiriting music has been'the means of collecting-crowds, - amongst whom - a rich harvest' has many .times and oft been' reaped. Australian soldiers'have done-'thelr country credit; and- it'is felt that a band such as could be organised and equipped in' this city at thfe'ir'head during a march past in the hub' of the Empire would be the'last-thing to give the real colonialatmosphere to cne of the' finest moving-pictures'-Londoners have ever, looked upon..' " '. . '•' " Messrs'. Baldwin and Rayw;afd, patent attorneys and consulting engineers, of 21?.Lambti>iv Quay, report that recently they acted' as- agents in filing , the following applications for. letters .patent in New Zealand:—W. Daniels, Auckland, elevator; W. F. Green, Gosnells, fruit.fly bait device.;. R. M'Leod, Auckland, lubricating compound; B.'E. Williams, Auckland, vehicle wheel; C..F. T)avy, New Plymouth, anti-aircraft nun'; S. S. All-will-, Auckland, cooling engines; J.. Petersen, '• Washington, transmission ;devicc; T..Gill, Clecklieaton', automobiles j W. Darrall, Tatuanui, teat cups; D. E. Perrett,- Awapuui, internal combustion engines; Roscoe and Miller,"fiamuton, flash signs.