LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2870, 7 September 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The postal authorities advise that the mails which left New Zealand on July 20 arrived in London on the night of September 3. It is stated that Mr. Charles Elgar, of "Fernside," Featherston, at present in London, has been appointed a member of committee proceeding to France and Flanders to report on the best method of resettling tho areas devastated through the war. A case of cerebro-spinal meningitis was reported to the Hawke's Bay Hospitrtl Board yesterday. The patient was admitted aiu! the house isolated.— I'ross Association. Four Masterton children who have been suffering from the effects of infantile paralysis for some time arrived in Wellington yesterday morning. They will undergo special treatment at the Wellington Hospital. The Lyttolton Harbour Board (fays a Press Association telegram) has rescinded a resolution granting a war bonus of Is. (3d. per day to all employees, and granted a bonus of 10 per cent, to all employees, iu< hiding c:\sual labourers, receiving loss than C"! per week.

A meeting of property-owners was held in tho Chamber of Commerce last evening, for the purpose of taking further steps in connection with the proposal to form an association for the protection of the interests of landlords in Wellington. A proposed basis of constitution was brought down by the committee, and fully discussed by the representative gathering present. It was decided that tho proposals be circulated among members for consideration, and brought up at the next meeting in a fortnight's time.

It lias been decided, says a ncto in Foatherston Camp Orders, to specially enlist men in the R.N.Z.A. "Field Ar'tillory Section," in. order to permit of the members now sorving in that Forco to proceed on active service. Tiocps will be drawn from those doing duty in Expeditionary Forco training camps, who aro unfit for active service, but (it for homo service, together with men in tho respective districts who have enlisted, but have been turned down as unfit for activo service.' but fit for home service, and from returned soldiers who aro no longer fit for activo sorvico. In all cases preference will be given to men who have had previous training in artillery. Applications of_ men for this branch must be submitted with their qualifications, and the report of their officer commanding unit. Term of service will ho for the period their services are required, or for duration of the war. Pay will ba at Expeditionary Force rates from date' of enlistment, together with frcs rations and issue of equipment and clothing.

Yesterday was a windy day at Featherston. In the town itself the wind blew with hurricane force from the Tauherenjkau Gorge, the gusts being of bewildering viotonce. At Fcatherston Camp a strong gale blew, making it necessary_ to keep the two camp water-carts in constant use, in order to allay tho dust. Two miles away at the'Tauhercnikau canvas camp, it was a calm, sunny day. Looking towards the Featherston hills, the white, cumulus clouds could he seen lying along the ridges. Otherwise there was no indication of the wind that raged along tho spurs and adjacent valley lands. The full force of tho gale was felt on the railway between Featherston and The Summit. Recent commercial advices received in Auokland. stated that railway fr.eight rates between Pittsburg, the great Pennsylvania iron-manufacturing centre, and New York, had been raised by about 40 per cent. It is also considered probable that the legislative provision for an eight-hour day on tho American railways, which has averted the threatened railway strike, will entail tho passing on to the public of the increased cost of working, by "means of the further raising of tariffs. One effeot of such charges, it is considered by business men in Auckland, is to enficuro.go trade within the Empire, seeing that the Canadian iron and steel manufactories are mostly established oloso- to the seaboard, and are independent of American railway rates. ' Early in the summer it is tho intention of tho City Council to complete the wood-blocking of Courtenay I'lace at the eastern end. For some reason, the section between Blair Street and Clyde Quay, on the northern side of this important thoroughfare, was never blocked, when tho rest of the street was wood-eurl'accd. Consequently ,it provides a mine of grit for every wind rliat blows. It was decided some time ago to divert all through traffic to tho northern side of tho plantation in order to leave tho other sido free for tho over-increasing tram traffic. This has had the effect of putting more pressure on the raacademisecf section of the road with unhappy results, and tho wood-blocking of the strip will, in consequence, bo a great improvement.

Last week thirty-seven men applied at tho "Wellington Labour Bureau for work. Thirty-two were placed, twentythree of theni in privato employment. .

German attention to detail in trade matters is illustrated in a report printed by the British Board of Trade. This bo<Yd,ha« been collecting German trade catalogues for the use 01 British manufacturers, and it mentions, among others, "somo dopicting glass aud porcelain were hand-painted on thick drawing paper, and another, series, boatttifully presented, of lustres and electrical fittings, in which the illustrations are tinted on expensive paper." Tho illustrations in this catalogue wero numbered, and the prices and conditions of sale, printed on thin paper in French, English, Spanish, ami Italian, were inter-leaved in such a way as to prevent tho pictures being spoiled by rubbing. These catalogues must have been costly to produce,- but then there was little' likelihood of their being thrown away by flux persons to whom they were sent. ~ Special interest in the work of enrolling tlio Expeditionary Force is being taken by C Company, of the Fifth Regiment of tho National ."Reserve. Thoy are establishing an enrolment room or office hi tho Newtown Public Library, which will be in charge of Quartermaster Perry.

Tho Christchurch correspondent of the Dunedin "Star" states:—"Yesterday Dean Regnault, who was one of ■the deputation from tho Catholic Federation to the Hon. J. A. Hanan last week ro the claims of Roman Catholic schools, said the conclusion ho had come to at the end of the interview [was that tho National Government were sectarian and anti-Catholic. If tho system in this country were a national system of education ,it would foster unity amongst the people of all races and all faiths, and would educate them in such a way as to impress upon them ideals of patriotism and the fact that they were all one people. _ In orTte'r to .obtain redress for their grievances the Catholic people had two weapons at their disposal—tho Catholic Press and tho New Zealand Catholic Federation—and it remapped for them to make the best use they could of those weapons. ' To an interviewer Dean Regnault said: "The only reasons given us for a refusal of our requests were that, were they granted, tho secular system of education i;ow in vogue iu New Zealand would be undermined. Well, if it is not strone enough to survive such a few _ small things as we asked, the sooner it goes to the wall the better for New Zealand.' " '

A meeting of the National Reserve at Napier has decided to s&chro central premises to assist recruiting. Objection was taken hv members to the- way the Government is making use of the Reserve in a clerical, instead of a military, capacity. One momler ' stated that the Reservo had no standing at all.—Press Association.

It is generally accepted as a fact that tho shortage of labour in the various industries throughout the country must gradually.become more and more acute, and that if tho war continues for much longer-the services of women will have to bo requisitioned similarly to what has been done in the Old Country (says the Auckland "Star")? As evidence of the patriotic spirit which has actuated one lady, it might be mentioned that tho Hon. A. M._ Myers, Minister in Chargo of Munitions and Supplies, has been informed by the secretary of the Raumati Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited, Dannevirke, that the directors J>f the company have cordially accepted the services of Mrs. E. E. Williams, of Takapau, patriotically offered by that lady in order to release her nephew; Mr. W. C. Toohey, the manager of \th« Raumati cheese factory, to enablevhim to join the Exneditionary Force. Mrs. Williams, the Minister has been given to understand, is a practical cheesemaker. Mr. Myers bns written a letter of appreciation to Mrs. Williams, and has also communicated with the company congratulating tile directors on having adopted such a patriotic- and I'ar-siahted policy.

Indies and Gwitlemen,—Tho snowy whiteness of your fine linen is a splendid advertisement for "No Uubbins Laundry Help." Seven weeks' supply for ls.-Advt. • We are maintaining our shipments of the latest in hard and soft felt hats, including "Stetson." Geo. Fowlds, Ltd., Manners Street—Advt. At Is. Sd. per lb. the Household Blend of Desert Gold Tea is wonderful quality and value. Delightful flavour. Other prices, Is. 9d., Is. 10d., 2s. Choose tho grade at price you usually paj. Note the superiority.—Adrt.

The boom in recruiting at Napier still continues, says our special ent, no fewer than forty-one volunteers presenting themselves on Tuesday evening for medical examination. A fair proportion of the men consist of those who doubt their fitness for military service, and desire to make sure of their position. Mr. J. J:I. Morrison, of Makotuku, was (says our Napier correspondent) the successful bidder for Section 44, Block 9, Takapau, the auction of -which took place at tho Napier Lands Office yesterday. Obligations of Reservists under the Military Service Act in regard to enrolling in the Expeditionary Force Reserve, or to notifying new address if their placo of abode has changed sinco registration, are advertised in this issue. Men of military age (twenty years to forty-six) should take care to obtain a clear understanding of their duty under fiho Act. Neglect or delay in this matter makes offenders liable to heavy penalties, including imprisonment. A Reservist who fails to report a change of abode may be charged with desertion. The employment of nonenrolled men or desortors is prohibited. A warning is given that onus of proof in every case under the Act is on the defendant. Cards, form 3, information, and assistance are obtainable at any post office. Another important reminder is that it is safer to register than to'attempt evasion of duty. Enrolled men have the chance of thoballot; men who are not onrolled may bo sent straight into camp. Reference to the conscription issue in Australia was made by Professor H. S. Dettriiann,' who arrived in New Zealand from Sydney by the Makura this week. Ho said that during his short stay in Sydney he had met many men prominent in educational and legal circles, in almost every case they had relatives on active service. The hoys with whom he used to engage in sport •10 years ago had enlisted to a man, and his own hrother had been severely wounded in tho attack on Poziercs. In such circles, said Mr. Dettmann, the decision of Mr. Hughes "to side-track the conscription question" by a referendum had been received with dismay and almost with resentment. New Zealand's precautionary measure in relation to military service was approved by Australians as honest and farsighted.