LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2889, 29 September 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

i'hs postal authorities advipe that the s.s, Wimmera, which sailed from Melbourne on September 26 for Wellington direct, is bringing Australian mails only, and is due hero on Sunday. [ Amended regulations governing trout fishing in the Wellington Acclimatisation District are gazetted. It is now provided that no lures or baits other J than artificial ones Khali be used in s the following rivers and streams and i> their' tributaries—the Wainnl-o-mata, i the Wainui tributary of the Whaka- - tiki, thfc Mnngaroa, the Korokoro (Hutt ■ County), the South Karon, the Porirua, ) the Kaiwarra (Makara County), the , Mangaone, the Waitohu, the Waikawa, | the Waikanae above Buchanan's house, , the Tokoraaru, tho Makaretu, the Ma- . kahiki (tributaries of the Ohau), the Ohau above the railway bridge (Horo- : whenua County), the Mangatarera "• (Wairarapa), the Kahutarawa, the 1 Tiritea (Kairanga County), the Maka- ! kahi from its course to the bridge at ■ Newman (Eketahuna County), and tho • Hautapu from Jacobson's Bridge', north ! of Taihape, southwards '(Rangitikei > County). • _ 'An Order-in-Council gazetted author- ; ises the expenditure of Wanganui River l Domain Funds on works on the river. Lieut.-Colonel Cossgrove, Chief Com- . missioner for New Zealand for the Doi minion Boy Scoutß, advises that Sir > Janies Wilson, of Bulls, has been ap- , pointed Boy Scout Commissioner for Wellington North Scout Province, ' which consists of the counties of Rangitikei, Kiwitea, ' Pohangina, Oroua, 1 Manawatu, Kairanga, afid Horowhenua. Scoutmasters of troops located in the 1 above oounties, and persons willing to assist in tho extension of tho movement are_ requested to report to Sir . James Wilson as early as possible." At last evening's meeting of the executive of the Sports Bodies' Christmas Gift Fund, Mr. L. P. Watkin6,' P'ho is the chairman of the suh-commit-tee to make arrangements for a street collection on October 7, wa6 regretting that it was becoming increasingly difficult . to get young ladies to assist in that regard. "What we want are 'flappers,'" said Mr. Watkins, "who have been at the game before and know their business." "Sir," said Mr. J. F. Atkins, "might I ask Mr. Watkins a question through you." "Certainlyj" said the chairman. "Have you tried the Spinsters' Club, Mr. Watkins ?" "It's flappers we're after," said Mr. Watkins. "Well," .said Mr. Atkins with superior knowledge, "they're 'flappers.' " "Are they ? Veil, that's all right!" said Mr. Watkms, amidst laughter. , Though tangled problem's have arisen, and have been solved with more or less success, the Hutt Road goes on being the Hutt Road. Some months ago\the City Engineer (Mr. W. H. Morton) brought down a scheme for putting this local Appian way in order at a cost of something ,like £23,000. The estimate was submitted to the Hutt Road Board (a body with little or no power according to the Act), whioh declined to pas's the estimate, and decided to cut the amount down- by half, and get a report on the formation of a central concrete and bitumen track for motor traffic. _ When consulted as to whatwas being done in the matter, the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) said that the Engineer was spending moneys up to half, the estimate in an effort to keep the road in good repair. As to the formation of a central traok, he would report to the Finance Committee of the City Council on Tuesday next.' In reply to a question by one of the deputations from county councils that waited on him at Kaikohe on Tuesday, the Hon. W. Fraser, Minister of Public Works, stated that work on the North Auokland Main Trunk line, Kaikohe northward section, which has been delayed for some time, would bo re-start-ed immediately. Mr. R. Delabere Barker, formerly on . the statf of Canterbury Museum, and now battalion scout to Frontiersmen Battalions Twenty-fifth Royal Fusiliers, writing to a friend in Christchurch ' from East Africa on July 30, states that he had been through hundreds of miles of enemy country. He had met, with privations. and had contracted 1 fever, «nd ( consequently, was in .a ■ home for siok and wounded Frontiers- ; men. The home, before the war, was ■ a big game shooting retreat of Cap- ■ tain W. N. Macmillan,' one' of the ! twenty-fifth's officers. "I find Africa, * with its _ wealth of plant and animal 1 life, and its wonderful people," he B ays, 1 "is a very fascinating country. I find 1 the different species of swailows and '> martins specially interesting; some are 1 jet black. I often see specimens of a < large yellow spider, whose web is of - the richest gold colour, and stronger 1 than the thread of the silkworm." 1

At a dairy company's meeting held recently, not 1000, miles from the Stratford district, one of the shareholders present hadno time for experts. "Look hero" (he is reported to have said) "these here experts have told us that we are going to make a fortune out of the whey'by making it into kerosene;" .Needless to say, everybody laughed except the speaker, and it was some time before he was convinced that they made cascin, and not l kerosene, out of the whey. At the same meeting anothor shareholder moved, that the directors "eat the whey." After the laughter had subsided, the mover still stuck to his guns,'but explained that lie intended to say "heat the whey."

A witness in tho Supreme Court at Auckland said it was the oustom among Dalmatians to pasß money round without giving receipts. If they made a loan they would not, he added, think of asking for a receipt. "That is not an unusual practice, even among our own people, remarked Hi 6 Honour Mr. Justice Hosking. "If you lend a friend £10 you would not ask for a receipt, although perhaps you would not get your money back," whereupon there was genoral merriment in court. His Honour also pointed to the loss of revenue to the country," as the Stamp Act was being evaded by failure to give reoeipts.

Mr. B. W. Dalton, Trade Commissioner, arrived at tho Thames yesterday (says a*~Press Association telegram), and was mot by tho Chambor of Commerce. At a gathering at county chambers, Mr. Dalton addressed the meeting regarding British trade' and the possibilities of oxpansion after the war. Flo said ho thought Britain would become the greatest manufacturing centro in the world, and the futuro possibilities were enormous. It was necessary that all outlying parts of tM Empiro should support the Mother Country. Not only would tbis be patriotic, but it would help to maintain the Army and Navy for the protection of all parts of tho Empire.

A famous war correspondent has said that tho soldier's mainstay is tea—the beverage that always delights and . refreshes. The most delicious and refreshing of all teas is Desert Gold, and' it is very economical in use. The Household Blend at Is. Bd. and Family Blend at Is. 9d. are very popular. Extra Special Grades at Is. lOd. and 2s. are superb quality.^-Advt. "Washing your dirty linon in public" is a phrase that should never be used in refined society, unless it is expressly expressed to impress the fact that "No Kubbing Laundry Help" washes all I dirty linen spotlessly olean without rubbing or injury. "And so say all of .us!" . JWeDlngtoji Grocers.—Advt, j

The Mayor of Petone (Mr. J. W. M'&wan) has arranged to provide office accommodation in.the municipal LuikU lugs for Lieutenant Thomson, who is at present permanently located in Petone m connection with the swearingundor the new system. Mr. M'Ew_an suggests that as so little enlisting ia done during the day it would'probably bo sufficient if the Defence Department provided an officer lor two or three evenings each week: he also suggested that Major Ross, the medical officer, might be given power to swear-m recruits. _iesterday, a youth was fined ss. by T™ ; G r< A v S.M, in the Juvenile Court for jumping off a moving tram opposite the Post Office. The New Zealand Board of Examiners has just concluded the September examinations ; for surveyors, in conjunction with the Australian Board. Heven candidates sat, two only for full examinations. Of these, Messrs. W, °l Invercargiß, W. H. Ooulter, j Hafzard J of Auckland, passed, and become entitled to a license. Trooper IT. J. G. Moore, of Johnsoni' ?' r i fcln e ft olll tlie Suez Canal on August 9to his father, Mr. F T Moore says: "Wo have just ended a big fight with the Turks and Germans. Ihey attacked our camp on August 4, the second anniversary of our declaration of war, and we gave them [ \\ e drove them back ten mites, and nave captured over 3000 prisoners, camels, and supplies. My troop 3 captured "their ammunition column, oamels, and Red Cross equipment. We are all proud of ourselves, and the Turks alive in our hands are bettor off than slain in the desert. I am in the best of health, hut sorry I cannot say tho samefor my horse. The continuous going in the blazing heat 'hero has nearly killed it. Wo have to sacrifice "our horses _to down the enemy. Want of water is the trouble. For 36 hours of the fight our horses got none, aud this' kills them." Mr. S. Myerscough (Mus. B Oxon, F.R.C.0.), who has been appointed 'ex-aminer-by the Board of Trinity College or Music (London) for Newfoundland, Ganifcb. and New Zealand, has arrived in Wellington,_ and will start examining, tho local candidates for practical diplomas on Monday, October ( 2, at St. Andrew's Schoolroom, Wellington Terrace. Mr. Myerscough is staying at the Hotel Cecil.. The Returned Soldiers' Assooiation &6ked the Miramar Borough Council last evening, to grant free tram rides to, returned men, as Wellington City was doing. The council deoided to allow returned soldiers to travel on. the Miramar lines with Wellington City passes. Yesterday the Iron and Brass Moulders' dispute was concluded in the Conciliation Council, and it is announced that an agreement has been arrived at on all matters except wages, the lighting of factories, and the proportion of apprentice's to tradesmen. While en route to Auckland from East Coast ports, the small steamer Mako picked'up two casks of ,brandy near the East Cape. The brandy was discovered to have formed part of the cargo of the ill-fated Tongariro, which was wrecked on Bull Rock on August 30, and upon the Mako's arrival the casks.were handed over to the Customs authorities. The caskis. which had drifted over 100 miles from the scene of the wreck, were both consigned to the same firm, and were numbered 48 and 49 respectively, and they were' found close together. The Institute of. Industrial Science of Otago, which was constituted public meeting recently, is commencing- proceedings by inquiring into the possibility of utilising the waste materials In

the country, as well as into the raw materials question. These are matters of the greatest interest to manufacturers, and the institute invites the cooperation of all citizens engaged in manufacturing. A sub-committee has been set up to secure information as a basis for representation to the Government, which is- sympathetic towards the movement, and has already promised financial assistance. Members of the committee will wait on manufacturers at an early date with a view to prosecuting inquiries. - The "Otago Daily Times"- understands that within the last three months one well-known 'firm has, as the result of scientific, research by one of its members, converted into a' marketable commodity a large quantity ,of what had previously been thrown out as useless. The possibility of profitable employment being found for partially disabled Soldiers in the production of potash from seaweed has been brought under the notice of the Government by Mr. R. R. Hunt (says the ''New Zealand Herald"). In a letter recently sent to the Hon. A. L. Herdman, Minister in Charge of the Disoharged Soldiers' Employment Department, Mr. Hunt pointed out that seaweed abounds in large quantities on certain portions of the New Zealand coast, particularly at Akaroad Harbour, Stewart Island, Bluff, and : certain parts of the west coast of the Auckland province." It is pointed out that before the Stassfurth potash deposits in Germany were developed a great deal of potash was produced from seaweed cast up on the coast of Scot-' land. A similar industry is now providing work for a large number of people on the coast of California. A sample of elided weed from the Hon. E. Mitchelson's property on the West Coast has been forwarded to the Minister. Mr. Herdman lias replied stating that_ iTTe matter will have his careful consideration.

When our soldiers reaoli tho firing . line in France . and aro fighting sido by side, or' in close proximity to, tho French, a smattering of Frenoh, even though it includes only a few common words, is valuable; in fact, there been instances when , British soldiers who could not speak French have' narrowly cscapcd being fired on by their Allies, whcln two parties met expectedly. On one occasion it is reported that an Englishman stayed an 'liniininont volley from French rifles by shouting, "Du pain," which means, "some bread," tho only Frenoh words he know. In fraternising with French soldiers, too, a little French is useful. In order to teach the troops- at Tauherenikau a little French, the Church of England chaplain stationed there has established a French class, which meets for one hour each evening. Tho, men take ft keen interest in tho lessons. Disused French books of an elementary kind will be welcomed if sent to tbo ohaplain at Tauhorenikau Camp. Town boys do some curious things when they get into the country sometimes. A farmer at Arundel had a boy eleven years of age staying with him last week, and ho was much inter-' estod in watching the fowls and ducks at feeding tinie. One morning the lad was seen chasing tho fowls away from their feed with a big stick. When asked why ho was doing this ho 'explained that the fowls pocked up the grain twice as fast as the ducks, and he was chasing tho hens away, so as to give the ducks a better chanco at: the wheat. It was explained to him that though tho fowls appeared to pick the grain up quicker than the ducks they only took ono grain at a time, ivhoreas the ducks shovelled it up with their broad beaks. The farmer jocularly added that the ducks needed their beaks sharpening. A day or two later a great commotion was heard in one of tho sheds, and on going to see tho cause of all the noiso, it was found that the boy had tie ducks yarded up and was sharpening their beaks! When discovered, he had operated on two which he had left with beaks like ' pen points. Both had to be destroyed. The farmer in question has decided that in future he will only, say. what ha means literally.,

He steady growth of Camp has made it necessary to eiU , large headquarters. The staff has beers," a good deal cramped for sonio tima past, aud in view of tho approaoh of warmer weather, the extensions have been put in hand. The adjutant ati 4 assistant adjutant irill have mere cont venient offices, while special rooms will be provided for the correspondence ana' headquarters records, as well as for tho "daily states" and routine orders Other additions to the camp building * include the new officers' mess-room, which is a largo building, and has beeiJ furnished comfortably by the Wairarapa Patriotio Association. It'will be opened,' shortly with a ball; when the ladies and gentlemen who have done so muclj for them will bo the guests of the officers. Spoaking at the opening 0 f the Dioi cesan Synod at Napier, Bishop wick asked lioyr the war had affected l t>no nation. Ultimate victory was in! view, but here in New Zealand the lifa of pleasure and excitement, ran on un-l checked, and there was no evidence! of . the quickening of the soul. Was thn nation ready for peace? he asked, Had tho nation's heart been reached? In the work of women, patriotic societies) jito., there was 'evidence that it hart been reached, but he would to God that there was the same clear evidence that the soul nf the nation had been reached. "Germany's victory of 187(t was the beginning of her life of greed,": said the speaker, "of self-aggrandised ment and ambition. She had laid heri self out to win all and had lost hen soul.?' : - of the inquest ' ing tho death of Sergeant John Woodj it-was stated that Mr. G. S. Gibb gavi evidence to the effect that deceased suftered from erysipelas. What Mr. Gibb said was that Sergeant Wood wad an exceptionally healthy man, and had only had one illness, many years agoj his complaint then being erysipelas.