LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2974, 11 January 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The 21st Jlcinforcoments Infantry will b<s addressed by Colonel Gibbon, Chief of the General Staff, at Trenthnm Camp on Monday afternoon Thr draft has completed its training course.

Speaking at tlw Hospitals' Conforonr.e yesterday, the Hon. G. W. tuisbpll said ho had heard of instances of chemists refusing to huy their drugs from merchants who supplied the hospital boards at wholesale- rates. All tho roalniinors in the Grey district liavo resumed after the holidays. Rush , Hits jiro intorforins with tho sawmilling industry. 'I'hfi prmoipal daniayn is to hutments and tramways. — Vrcss Association.

On January 29 tlie Conciliation Council will liear the Wellington Metal Workers' Assistants' Union dispute, eleven o.mployors being cited. The mou claim a minimum wage of Is. 6''. per hour and a it-hour week.

Let; your boys have comfevt. Hurin? KUinmer holida-ys. fvindals, from size 10, 6s. Ltd. to 7«. 6d., at Geo. Fowlde. 1.W., Manaera Street.—Advt.

According to the Christchurch "News," it is probable that the carpenters and joiners of Christchurch will take steps shortly in the matter of endeavouring to obtain increased wages.

Laat year 706 offenders (including 54 women) wore charged with drunkenness in the Dunedin City Polico Court—an increase of 29 on the previous total. Since, howover, anti-"Bnouting" legislation was introduced in September last, tho "Otago Daily Times" states that thero had been a marked decrease in tho number of offenders arrested ia Dunodin for drunkenness.

A Sydney bookmaker had a costly experience when going to one of the outside meetings recently. While at tho railway station he put, as he thought, a roll of notes of the value of nearly £170 into the inside pocket of his waistcoat, but unluckily for himself merely slipped the money in between his vest and his shirt. It worked down and fell on the platform without his being aware of his loss, and it was only when an acquaintance remarked , . "They're scrambling for money down there," that he felt for his "roll." Ho regained some of the money, but a few of thoso who picked up somo of tho notes decided Dame Fortune had never previously presented them with such .i certain method of "beating a book," and held on to what they had found.

A public school inspector meets with many peculiar and humorous incidents, and an inspector at a school not far from Napier relates one little incident which happened to him. Tho day previous to his inspection ho was accosted b.v a small boy, who did not recognise him as tho inspector, with a request for a match, and on being refused tho boy replied, "Gam, wowser, wowsor!" Tho feelings of this same small hoy may be better imagined than when next morning lio found that his inspector and the man whom he had called "wowser" were one arid the samo person.

As a. rule, one sleeping-car is sufficient to supply the demand for such accommodation on the Main Trunk oxpress train, says tho "New Zealand Herald." It is very rarely that more than two are required. Monday night was one of these rare occasions, and three "sleepers" were attached to the 8.50 p.m. train from Auckland. The majority of the patrons of the cars, were passengers who had disembarked from tho Niagara, and were bound for southern towns.

Representation!) are again to bo made to the Railway Department concerning tho necessity for such an alteration in the constitution of the Railway Appeal Board as will autoinatically make that tribunal's decision final (says the "New Zealand Railway Offi-

cers' Advocate"). The Locomotive Kngiuc-drivers, Firemen, and Cleaners' Association have intimated that they are still in favour of the institute's proposals in regard to this question, says ibepanor, and that they aro prepared to act in conjunction with tho institute in again urging the Minister of Railwavs lo introduce this much-needed reform. Unfortunately, it haa not been possible to get tho Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants in ™ree with the institute's and Loco. Association's wishes on the matter. Although greatlv idssatisficfl (judging by tho comments annealing; from time to time in the "Review) with the Appeal Board as it is at present constituted, the Amalgamated Society is very much averse to the constitution nf the board being altered as suggested by tho institute and agreed to by the Loco. Association.

Members of the Military Medical Board are put at their wits' end a.t times to detect between the schemer and the genuine recruit. One man who appeared before the board in Masterton could see nothing. The printing on the wall was just one blur to him. Ho could sec only the vision of a real live num standing in the corner of the room, and could not nanio the colour of the clothes worn by the vision. "Your eyes aro vory bad," remarked tho 'examining officer, "but just come over here iind go through a, little physical drill. Now do as I do." With this the officer went through a few exertions, every now and then putting up one or two fingers, which tho recruit followed with surprising exactness. The exercise business placed the man off his guaid, and the certificate passing him as medically fit had written across it in hold words, "Eyes clear."

A raro mixture of audacity and subterfuge- was contained in a littleruse by which a- person for n> taste for motoring obtained tho use of a motor cycle from a well-known Palmcrston firm within the last few days. _ Just as the firm was olosiug its premises in the evening a telephone call was received, apparently from one of tho leading local' hotels, and the inquirer, giving his name, said he wanted_to purchase a cycle of the latest model, and, after being assured that the required article was in stock, said lie would pall next morning and see the machine. Morning arrived, also the would-be purchaser, and the machine being apparently satisfactory, it was arranged that he should accompany one of the mechanics on a tnal spin, and the pair set out for Fitzherhert. After crossing the bridge on the way back to town, the stranger said ho would like to try his hand at driving, and see if he could manage tho gears. The mechanic dismounted, and then set the machine going in the direction of town, and, as far as he knows, it is still going, for the rider never returned to say if he managed tho gears successfully or not. It is known, however, that the motorist coolly rode into town, took in a supply of petrol and lubricating oil, and left for the unknown.

The rush for Tjerfhing accommodation on the ferry steamers, which was particularly noticeable towards the end of last week, showed no signs of diminishing on Monday ■ evening, says the Cbristchurch "Evening News," for tho Mararoa departed from Lyttelton a full ship. In fact, the position was such that approximately fifty _ members of various reinforcements failed to obtain a passage north. The soldiers' misfortune was not allowed to pass unobserved in the port, and before the train departed. Mr. G. Harper, president of the C.D.C., was.communicated with in order that provision might bo made for their welfare for the night.

Somo interesting figures, showing the advances in tho prico of footwear which have taken place during tho war period) were supplied to a representative of the "Now Zealand Herald" by an Auckland retailer. "There lias been an all-round increase of quite 25 per cent, iu the prico of Roods," he said, "and, in some grades, an increase of TOO p«r cent. Shoes which wero selling i -U. Gd. previous to the war, now cost ■- 3d.; other lines have risen from ;s. 6d. to 135., mid those aro prices from English makers direct." Not oi'ly have the imported goods increased in price, hut the hnmr-Tnanu-fact-iirod article as well. "What olso co'.'.'.fl you oxpect," asked another aitthoritv, "When we now pav close on Is. 6d. a foot for a glazed kid that cost 7Jd. before the war? That is only one example, and the latest cablegrams from America stato thai. _ the price of good qualilv of glazed kid is iiow -Is. 2(1. a Vooi-." There has also been a concspondiiiT increase in the nricc nf articles used in Ihe manufacture of footwear. Rrnss rivets for the soles, formerly costing Sid. por lh., now cost 2s. 2d., and there has been 100 per cont. increaso in machining threads and linings, while the eyelets for keyholes have advanced R0 per cent. Tn addition, increasefl wages aro also being nnirl In workmen. "No Rubbing Laundry Help" has been (,ho means of making many a bappy homo a.nd smilins wife, because it washes clothes clean wittont tbe drudgery of the i old-time method of washboard rubbing All grooere.—Advt,

Red Cross Day in the Gisborne dis. , trict realised £4617, which lias beee remitted to England.—Press Association.

"Voluntary contributions to hospitals do not seem to increase, and the springs of charity have been largely sapped," said the- Hon. G. W. Russell, addressing the Hospitals' Conference yesterday. He mentioned, however, that among recent notable bequests were tho £15,000 given by the late Mr. Cawthron to tho Nelson Hospital, the. magnificent Chalmers bequest, Mr. l<. H. M'Hardy's present of a fino placo for a maternity home in Napier, and Mr. John T. Stewart's gift of a home for children in Wauganui.' In 1912 private bequests totalled £31.000, in 191415 £25,000, and in 1015-16 £28,000. It would bo a great thing, he said, if we could restore tho private charity that existed before the war.

Arrangements havo now been completed for the Parliamentary tour through the North Auckland districts. Tho party will comprise some forty members of Parliament, ninety-seven guests, and a number of visitors from other places, bringing the total up to close on 200. The party will tears Auckland on January 16, and visit Warkworth, Whangarei, Russell. Whangaroa, Kaifara, Ninety-Mile Beach, Hokianga, Kaikohs, Dargavillc,' Porfc Albert, and Helen svillc. The following members of Parliament will bo in the party:—Messrs. G. F. Anderson, R. F. Bollard, J. M. Dickson, W. TL Field, A. H. Hindmarsh, Alex. Harria; L. M. Isitt, W. Nosworthy, Hon. A. Myers, H. Okoy, C. H. Poolo, T. W. Rhodes, Geo. R" Sykcs, W. A. Veitch, A. Walker, D. H. Guthrie, J. C. Thomson, R. Fletcher, J. T. M. Hornsby, JA. Young, F. JSandor. Hon. W. Fraeer, I). Buick, Jas. Craigip, T. A. Field, A. 15. Glover, R. P. Hudson, W. T. Jen'"nuics, F. W. Lang, A. S. Malcolm, H. Poland, G. Pearce. R. Scott. R. .W. Smith. Clias. Slalham. R. A. Wright, O. A. Wilkinson, Dr. Thaoker, Hon. TV. D. S. Mac Donald, F. H- Smith, Hon. , D. Buddo, C. J. Parr, and Hon. A. L. Herdman. Among other, visitors will bo ' Messrs. G. Shirtcliffe, S. ClarkeJohnson. T. Wilson. R. W. Mton (Wellington), and W. E. Beddoe (Canadian Trade Commissioner).

"1 thinfcftthe time is coming when in the interests of our hospital staffs we should endeavour to establish * superannuation fund for doctors and nurses,".said the Hon. G. W. Russell at tlie Hospitals' Conference yesterday. The effect of superannuation schemes in the Government services had been good in every way. he added. He hoped"t<i take up the matter after th war, and he trusted the conference would support him. The tenth annual conference of-th« New Zealand Association of Nurserymen will lie onened at Wellington on January 24. It is expected that the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. UJ). S. MaeDoneld) will deliver an address. A series of important suggestions and recommendations will •Dβ submittcil by the outgoing executive dealing with:—(l) The suggested prica agreement with the New Zealand Federation of Fruitgrowers; (2) regarding necessary alterations to the constitution to meet the. circumstances arising out of the reeistration of miseries; (3) the trade register, and tho 'finance of the "association. .

The Baths. Libraries, and .Beat-he? Oomimt+ee of the, City Council visited Island Bay yesterday, and inspects that, portion of the hay where-the fish-, erinen land their fish and dry their nets. A proposal lias heen made that a'small jettv should he constructed, which could lie washed down regularly., instead of allowing refuse, to accumulate on fie rocks. After inspecting the site the committee will be in a position to consider this proposal. The frame of tho building for the Trenlham Military Club is already completed, but delay in finishing off has resulted from shortage of labour and materials. The money for the building has already been provided by contributions from the Government and Y.M.C.A., and £500 has been oollecfeed for it by tho Mayor for the furnishing. This is .a matter of considerable importance. General preliminaries wers considered at the conference on Saturday. The Mayor is of opinion that as men conie from all parts of the Dominion to Trentbam tho club should be national, and the Tesponse to any appeal for further help should be viewed from the Dominion standpoint.

Attention is drawn to the No. 5 Area Group Rifle Meeting, to bo held at l'olhill Gully Range on Saturday, January 13, cojnmonciug at 10 »•"?• Owing to tlio illness of flie secretary, Lieut.. J. Thomson, N.Z.S.C, Captain V. Dunne, Staff Officer, Post and Telegraph Engineers, was requested today "to act as executive offieer.for the meeting, and is getting-" things under way for a successful meeting. Captain Dunne wishes it to be understood that, although the shooting is advertised to commence at 10" a.m., competitor? whose business keeps them till midday ■will receive consideration, as the forenoon will be utilised in putting the cadets through their matches.