LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2934, 21 November 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The postal authorities advise that tho mails which left New Zealand on October 12, via.San Francisco, arrived in London on November 18.

IJipro arrived from Sydney yesterday □y the Manuka 47 Tahitian soldiers, who are being returned to Papeete from Noumea as not sound enough physically to go to France and fight. When the company left Noumea it numbered 49, but two of the men wore left behind in Sydney too ill to continue the voyage.

Tho following cablegram has beon received at Defence Headquarters from General Chaytor, commanding the New Zealand Mounted Brigade"Please inform friends of- New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade with reference to gifts nights cold to March 31."

At a meeting of the school teachers heldi ui Hastings on Saturday the question of discounting tho giving of school prizes was considered. A resolution recommending school committoes to discontinue the practice and that greater, attention he given to the establishment and maintenance of school libraries was carried.

Mr. Charles Redwood (nephew of His Gfaca Archbishop Redwood), 'formerly of Blenheim and Brisbane, known professionally as Carlo 2ealandiiii, and liis wife (Maria Brisbanij achieved a distinct success in their initial concert given in London on November 13, according 'to cabled news received by His Grace. It will be remembered that- a few months ago these artists made a most successful debut in grand opera ( I 1 aust") in Milan. From there they went to London, but owing to tlio exigencies of the war their appearance in the_ metropolis was dolayed. It is now their intention to tour America, and it is just possible that they may comc to Australasia, where> they could ■ bo assured of a warm welcome.

Tho shortage of labour in Napier is becoming very marked, and tho inspector of Factories yesterday stated that he could place any number of bov s and girls in various capacities. General Riohardson, commanding New Zealand troops in England, has cabled as follows to tho Commandant (Sir A. W. Robin): "I propose to,allow all tho troops in camp and New Zealand General Hospital to have special meals on Christmas Day at Government's expense, and avoid, if possible, asking favours of anyone. Telegraph at once whether Government agree." Tho Hon. J. Allen, Minister of Defence, and Acting-Prime Minister, has approved of tho proposal. ■We aro having a busy time handing out Is. cartons of No flubbing Laundry Help for washing clothes clean without rubbing or injury to hands or finest fabrics; -ElO guarantee with ovorr pactage. Wardell Brfc, and Co.—Advt-,

.There is a practice on the part ol Jhambers of commerce to elect firms is mombers of the council, and it hai not in the past been made altogothei Jloar as to how far tho privilege ol membership extended. The whole poini was raised at the Central Chamber ol -ommcrco yesterday, when Mr. L. A Edwards, a few minutes after beint Bloc ted a member of the council foi the ensuing year, said that as he woulc probably be away from Wellington fo: a considerable time owing to the un settled state of things caused by thi war, he would like to nominate the sec retary of his company as his proxy dur tug his absence. Mr. A. Leigh Hun said that whilst there was a provisioi for proxies in the rules, he never real into them that a man "who was not ; member of the chamber should he al lowed to sit on the council. It wa a dangerous precedent to establish, a; a member might one day nominati somebody who was objectionable. Th secretary read the rule, which gave m very clear lead in the matter. Mr Edwards said that as the company wa a member, he_ thought that he wa within his rights in nominating i proxy, who was the secretary of tli< company; at the same time he couli see clearly the force of Mr. A. L Hunt's argument. The presideut (Mr 0. M. Luke) suggested that it migh be best to select another member o the chamber in the same line of. busi less as Mr. Edwards to act as lii proxy. Mr. Edwards intimated that h was leaving for tho south the sami evening, so the matter was left in th hands of a proxy. In the Magistrate's Court, New Ply mouth, yesterdav, Mr. W. R. Hasel den, S.M., presiding, Sarah and Georci .Tensen, of Mokau, were-fined £25 eacl for keeping liquor for sale in a pro hibited area.—Press Association. At the adjourned meeting of th< Plimmerton Progressive Association held on Saturday, tho election, of offi cers resulted as follows President Mr. A. Mildonhall; vice-presidouts C'apt. Biltou and Mr. M'Lay; sGcrc tary, Mr. Robertson. These officers, ii conjunction with Messrs. Hustler M'Mahon, and J. Ames, constitute tin cxccutivo committee. As the inade quacy of_ the railway service is on< of tho principal grievances of the resi dents, a deputation was appointed ti wait on tho authorities and ask fo some speeding up. The question of forming a Returns Soldiers' Corps for ' activo servic abroad -will be discussed at a meetiu: of the Wellington Returned Soldiers Association next Monday evening. 1 paragraph in yesterday's issue statein error that_ tho meeting ivoult? b hold last evening. At a meeting of His Majesty's Vet erans' Association last night the mem bers decided to take part in the pre cession that is being arranged by th Returned Soldiers' Association im con 11 fiction with the "Our Day" effort. His Honour Mr. Justice Ohapmai has (says an exchange) informed tin rector of the Wnitaki High School tha by tho terms of the will of his oldes son, tho late Mr. H. A. Chapman, wh< died at sea, om October SO, a.valuabli challenge trophy has been bequeathee to the school (sajrs the Oamari "Mail"). The following aro the term: of the bequest: "I direct mytrustei to purchase a silver challenge cup o an.approximate value of £30 and pre edit the same to the headmaster foi the time being of th<> Waitaki Boys High School as a challenge cup to bi held' by the winner of _th< senior ono mile swimming champion ship, to be swum over a mile course ii tho school baths at such time of th< year as the said headmaster shall thin] fit, but upon the conditions that-then shall be at least three competitors ii the said race and each competitor shal bo. a full-time scholar of tho saic school;" The. late Mr. Chapman wai a very devoted ©x-Wait-akian, and at the'time of his death was engaged oi the compilation of an Old Boys' Re gister for the school. The office of'the National Providenl Fund wish to correct a stafemenl which has appeared to tho effect tha' the benefits of the new scheme sub mitted to the friendly societies cai only be accepted by persons whoso income does' not exceed £200 a year That is not correct. The £200 a yea restriction only applies to the mater nity bonus._ The National Providen Fund's ordinary benefits may bo se cured to any person earning not morthan £250, but in the case of societie: joining up within a given time, thos' benefits can be secured irrespective o age aud income. A Wellington soldier stationed a Sling Camp, writing to a Wellingtoi friend under date September 28; sai< that His Majesty the King had jus inspected all the colonial troops thai in camp. During the march past ai aviator was flying all the time just ove the King's head. At ono stage of th proceedings, much to the amasiemen of everyone present, the birdman sud denly "looped-the-loop" right over thi King. "I was amazed and delighted and looked on in wonder at this won derful act, so gracefully done, and evei tho King was surprised at the nove way the aviator made obeisance to thi head of tho nation." As the result of representations made to tlie Hon. Dr. M'Nab by Mr. H Okey, M.P. for New Plymouth, prisor labour will, says an exchange, probably be employed in improving the ap pearance of parts of New Plymouth^ Tho Military Appeal Board has, says a Press Association telegram, , concluded a two-days' sitting at Hawera. Several cases were dealt with, one was dismissed, two were allowed, and t-li< others adjourned from periods of on< to fivo months to allow the appellant! an opportunity of carrying over th< busy farming season or arranging then affairs. An interesting memento of ail incident on the Western front, in whicl an Auokland soldier was concerned, ha! just been received by Mr. F. W. Brinsden, of Grey Lynn, Auckland, from his son,' Private Norman Brinsden The latter was in a cook-house in June last when a shell came through the building and rudely elispelled t'he soldier's contemplations of such gastronomical delights as are afforded on active service. A portion of the shel' ripped open the left-hand pocket of his i tunic and damaged the cover of a liymn-tfook that he was carrying, a« well as flattening a silver pcncil. The hymn-book probably saved him from serious injury. Altogether the soldiei received no fewer than 22 wounds. Private Brinsden, who is now in hospital in England, sent the tunic to his father, and it reached Auckland a few days ago. The new 'Art Gallery, which the Auckland City Council has erected on the eastern side of the Public Library building, at a cost of £4500, has been completed. Tha building has been handed over to the M'Kelvie trustees, and a considerable portion of tho M'Kelvie pictures will be hung there. Tho remainder of tho M'Kelvie pictures, and tho art collection will be rearranged in what has been known as the M'Kelvie Gallery, and in a portion of tho old Council Chamber.' The council's own pictures are being rehung in tho latter chamber. The new gallery, which will bo officially opened on December 12, forms an excellent addition to tho existing facilities in connection with the largo collection of exhibits that has to bo housed. Previously thcro has not been sufficient room to adequately display tho fine collection provided by the generosity of tho late Mr. M'Kelvio. A cool head through Summer if vou wear a straw from Geo. Fowlds, Ltd. Boaters, ss. Gd. to 15s. Iki.; Panamas, 17s. M. (o •ffe.-Advt,

Mr. W. J. Sellars, of Wellington,, who invented tho "Sellars" clamp-oil; sole for boots, has now turned his gifts to a new account by inventing a crutch, which is expected to be of especial value at tho present time., Mr, _ Sellars's crutches are shod with 2J- inches of solid steel, which lit' closely into_ a brass cylinder, that is! all but air-tight. So nearly air-tight, is it that it acts as effectively as-an air ! cushion, and it is claimed does awaycompletely with jar or vibration. In; addition to the air action, there is a : spring between the steel shoe and the' upper end of the cylinder that helps' to push the shoe out, as the air finds' its way into the cylinder. Avery large number of cases are' starved of the necessary facts, and the 1 - evidence seems to be cut down to the' very narrowest limits," said His Hon-' our Mr. Justice Hosking during the! hearing of a petition for divorce in Auckland'. The question under discus-' sion as whether a sufficiency of evi-j deuce had 'been brought forward t-o prove a charge of desertion and habit-,' ually failing to maintain, made against! the respondent in a case. "I can un-J derstand the desire to reveal as little! as possible of dtomestio infelicities and' troubles, hut the Couft has got to bel satisfied that there are reasonable! grounds for an application for a disso-j lution of marriage. The evidence in some cases is so meagre that the Court' is unable to judge of the surrounding! circumstances." 1 The poor showing wliicli Auckland is: j making in the matter of war loan certi-j ficates was again referred to by tho ! Hon. A. M. Myers when he was in' that city on Wednesday last. The Min-i ister said that in Wellington the in-[ vestment per. head of population works; out at £1 17s. Bd., in Invcrcnrgill £1; 16s. 4d., in Christchurch £1 16s. 2d.,j in Dunedin £1 14s. 4d., and hi Auck-; land only 17s. 4d. It will be seen from! these figures, he-went on to pay, that! the people of Auckland are a long way 1 behind those of the other principal! cities in assisting to swell_tho war loan,; and it behoves them in order to improve' their position in tho figures quotedj . above, to make every effort to increase their purchases of these certificates.' "It is to be hoped," concluded Mr.! Myers, "that when nest I have a re-; turn prepared of the same nature as the above, Auckland will have made up; most, if not all, of her leeway." "Purely by a coincidoncc," saystha Sydney _ "Telegraph" of November 13, "tho vigour and picturesque quality'of parliamentary eloquence lias in tho' last few days been expanding in three States. New South Wales has, of course, an easy pre-eminence. A member in the West Australian Parliament called a former colleague 'a poli-i tical gastropod,' and then had to ex-j plain its meaning, so that tho point of. the scathing sarcasm might effectively, reach' its victim. In South Australia,'; whore tho Legislature is usually exemplary, a member accused another of' being a fit recipient for an iron cross-! This dreadful insult produced only a! 'hubbub of interjections,' which indi-' cates that as a joke ft was classified as 1 , a feeble offort, and as a personal affront did not excrte much attention.; The debate became more serious when 1 a distinguished orator was declared to; have criminally misled tho people by| a speech on the referendum, while an-', other was remotely connected with.' Judps Iscariot. Observe the superiority in this sort of thing exhibited in' the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. Tho headings alone the debates: 'Fisticuffs,' 'Lively Sitting,' 'Bout in Parliament.' And the' epithets and insinuations and adtnis-; sions: 'Smooger,' 'Cookatoo,' 'Abso-: lutely untrue,' 'I voted for it, though I'; knew it was corrupt,' 'If he denies that! he is a liar and a Blackmailer,' 'Tools;' - These were only a small sample in one J night. By the side even of them the |. Soutli_ and West Australian outbreaks, • in spite of the' 'hubbub of interjec-; tions,' seems to suggest that in tho) upper ranks of parliamentary oratory' they have much to learn." It's- a far call from Takapuna t<i> Penzance, a seaport, and municipaltyi in Cornwall, England, made famous byGilbert and Sullivan in comic opera',' hut an Auckland officer of tho Domin-' ion's Army appears to have put up something of a record, fust iu being' forced into prominenco as chairman of j a woman's meeting, and eventually, carrying off "tho fairest flower of all."A lady in Auckland about a month' ago received a letter from a relative' in Penzance relating how popular Ser-i geant Jackson had made himself in|, Penzance, where he was spending'a few 1 ' dlays on leave. The correspondent! wrote: "Ralph Jackson, of Auckland,' having a few days', leave in England,' journeyed down to St. Ives and Pen-, zance. When at tho latter place he, strolled out from tho hotel after dinner for a walk. His attention was attracted by a poster at the Public Hall. While reading it a lady addressed him with a request that be would tako the) chair at a woman's meeting ro the; French canteens, as the Mayor wasl unable to attend. The committee par-! ticularly desired a soldier to be chair-, man. Mr. Jackson, being a stranger; in the t-own, was for the moment non-1 plussed, and although hs sympathies-, were with the movement he hesitated; to occupy such a prominent part at thej meeting. He was, hovevor, eventually I persuaded to occupy the gap, and lie' very successfully fulfilled the unexpect-j ed honour of chairman. He did not| know anyone in Penzance when enter-j ing the building, but before he left lie, was introduced to about on© half the, town. After the meeting 'he was takenj to supper, and received invitations all' round, and amongst tho guests he met ; two who had resided in Auckland, onej. of whom had played tennis on his court; at Takapuna." Now comes the sequel., Sergeant Jackson became Lieutenant: Jackson, and became engaged to • n-i young lady of Penzance In a private cablegram received br a relative lastj week the gallant officer announced tho, culmination of his> conquests m two; words: "Married to-day." As a result of a series of lectures delivered yesterday by Mr. Andrew Deer,; of Sydney, it was decided to form a.| Business Science Circle in Auckland. ■' Tli© New Zealand Poultry Industries,. Ltd. (Messrs. Bray Bros., distributing! agents) report as follows:—Tho supply| is not equal to the demand, and the; price is increased aa from to-day to) Is. sd. per dozen for guaranteed new-! laid eggs.