LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2988, 27 January 1917, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A conference of Wellington Military Service Boards- is. to be held in Wellington to-day.- ' ■ ...... i.

A grievance, of long; standing has been remedied by the - - decision of tho Defence Department to increase by 2s. per day the pay of 2nd lieutenants iii tho Expeditionary Force. The position or the second lieutenants in the past has been anomalous, owing to the fact that in tho ease of married men they were often worse off financially than Hteir own non-commissioned officers. Their wives and children did not receive separation' allowance, and they had to meet various expenses, including mess charges, that did not fall upon the non-commissioned men. The addition now made to the pay of the 2nd lieutenants will improve the position considerably from the point of view of tho junior officers. .

Afr the present time a gang of corporation labourers are employed in laving down a new 6-iuch water main tho full length -of Majoribanks Street. This is taking the placo of- a 3-inch main, which has done diity in that thoroughfare for no less than 42 years.

The construction of the new hospital at Featherston Camp will be commenced almost at once. The building will be similar in design to the hospital now being completed at Trentham Camp. It is intended specially to provide for measles cases, and it will have an annexe for the reception of eerebro-spinal meningitis patients whom it .is considered desirable to isolate. The hospital ought to bo completed within three months, and will be available before the winter mouths produce their normal increase in tho amount of sickness among the troops. The military hospitals contain only one serious case at the present time. The soldier is suffering from para-typhoid, and has been on the.serious list for some time, but his condition was reported yesterday to lie slightly improved.

The Government has not yet reached a decision regarding the price to bo paid the' farmers for wheats but the question is likely to be settled within tho next few days. Representations have been made to the Hon. W: D. S. Mac Donald by all the interests concerned, and the Minister mentioned yesterday that he bad found the problem of wheat prices a decidedly circuit one. But he hoped very soon now to 'be able to make a recommendation to Cabinet as to the price to bo , given the wheat-growers during the war period.

A troop train from Featherston Camp to Masterton, leaving the camp at 1 o'clock, has become a popular item on the week-end time-table. The people of Masterton have thrown open their public park to the soldiers, who are free to play tennis or other games on the grounds. At Carterton, where a aiumber of the men usually get oil, various forms of entertainment are also provided. At both towns the soldiers are made heartily welcome, while the men, on their part, show a keen appreciation of the hospitality ottered them.

The trustees under the will jjf Lord Kitchener have deposited on loan .two valuable examples of the armourer's craft. The first of these is a pair uf saddle steels, richly embossed, engrivcd, silvered and gilt, in tht> t'nird and last style of Licio Piccinmo, the celebrated Italian armourer, at tho end of the sixteenth century. l+Zy form part of the equipment of Philip 111 of Spain, and are of similar design to pieces of the same nature in the Real Armaria, made by the master Masannitsu about the year 1390. The other exhibit is a Japanese sword blade. Jhe metal is, after 'over 500 in precisely the same state of perfection as it came from the maker's hands, and, like the modern infantry sword recently given to the Armories by the Japanese Government, is a notable example of the reverential care bestowed in Japan on the sword from the earliest times.

Tho law is usually credited with being slow in operation, says the "New Zealand Herald, , ' but a case which came before the Court yesterday proved that it can move with rapidity on occasions. About 2.30 in the afternoon two men were arrested on a charge of street betting," and by 4.30 p.m. they had been tried before the Court, fined £60 each, and were free citizens again.

The first charge brought against a landlord under the Fair Kent Act was heard at Sydney Police Court a few days ago. The defendant was charged with having given a tenant notice to quit, and threatening proceedings 'for ejectment while an application for adjust; ment of rent was before the Fair Bents Court. The defence was novel and successful. It transpired that the plaintiff's wife had a passion for piano playing. She started playing at 7 a.m. and usually continued until 'II p.m., with short intervals for refreshment'. This so enraged the neighbours that they complained to the landlord. Plaintiff said his wife only pMyed scales—not tunes. The' Court held that this excessive devotion to tho piano constituted a nuisance, and gave defendant good reason for.terminating the/tenant's occupancy.; - . ; :

The City Council is limiting 'special arrangements at the Town Hall for the work of preparing the rolls' for the Mayoral, municipal. Harbour JSoaro, and Hospital and Charitable Aid Board elections, to take place -on the last Wednesday ui April. At present the staff is accommodated in out-of-the-way quarters off the upper corridor at {lie back.- of the Town , nail, and for strangers to the geography of the municipal buildings, the task of locating them is not an easy one.. As the result, only about half-a-dozen people per day visit the office to satisfy themselves that they are on the roll, instead of ten times that number. As t'lii) roll has to be prepared for the printers well ahead, io must close on February I', so that there is a little over a fortnight for electors to do their obvious duty, and so prevent disappointment on election day. In order that the office may be brought into closer contact with the public, it is being removed to quarters which have been,prepared by partitioning off some of the space beneath the eastern gallery- of the Town.Hall itself. Dming: nest week the roll may bo inspected there. . .

. At yesterday's sales in the markets, Hutt tomatoes realised as high as 7s Ud. per case. ..-.-. ' : .

.At midday yesterday W. J. Wright's niotor garage in Tennyson Street, Napier, was destroyed by fire. Seven cars were destroyed. The.. estimated loss is £2765. The blaze spread to the adjoining buildings, but little damage was done.

The bankruptcies for the Christchurch district show a considerable falling off since the commencement of the war. In 1912 they numbered 39; in--1913, 33; in 1914, 31; in 1915, 23- in 1916, 15. •

I In one of the French trenches the men have constructed a ■ small chapel under the earth. It is large enough to admit twenty men at a time. Every effort has been made by the clever workmen who have built it to make the underground chapel difficult of bombardment. The interior ornamentatjon has been carried to high perfection, for a parquet floor, carpets, candlesticks, and kneeling chairs saved from the ruined churches are to be found in it. A wooden ' communion table has been erected in the trench chapel, and a- magnificent French flag, the gift of an officer, has been hung over it.

Yesterday morning members of the New: Zealand Nurserymen's Conference accepted the invitation of the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) to visit the Botanical Gardens, Basin Reserve, Central Park, and Newtown Park, in order to see foi themselves those- improvements that are being made in our city reserves, which are of particular interest to nurserymen. During the afternoon they visited Williams , Park at Day's Bay, and had a most enjoyable time. The party was accompanied by the Mayor, several members of the City Council, the City Engineer (Mr. W. "H. Morton), and the Town Clerk (Mr.- Jno. It. Palmer).

The Salvation Army (states tho Auckland "Herald") was recently offered by Messrs. M'Gregor and Alexander a block of 2000 acres in tho Putaruru district, upon which to establish a training farm for destitute boys. . The Army authorities could not ■at first seo their way clear to accept the offer. They have now notified thoir acceptance of tho gift, upon which they will start operations as soon as the transfer and necessary arrangements are made.

Hard-working women do certainly appreciate the labour-saving qualities of "No Rubbing Laundry Help" for washing clothes without the much-dTeaded elavery of rubbing, and it does not injure the hauds •or clothes. William Campbell, Ltd.-idvt.

In the Magistrate's Court yesterday,-Mr.-H. F. O'Leary advanced , a plea bfi ignorance on behalf of' Augustus Sullivan, a young man charged under the Military Service Act with failing to notify a change of address: The defendant, it appeared, had-been, under the impression that it was sufficient for him to inform the postal authorities of his change of abode.-..Tho Act, however, required that such notification should be given to the Government Statistician. Mr. O'Leary submitted that tho name "Government. Statistician" wns a- stumbling block' in itself, and observed that an illiterate man told to address his correspondence to the offi : cial in question would be inclined to faint. - Most people, could not pronounce the word, and many were incapable of spelling 'it- Mr. L. G. Reid, S.M. who heard the case, admitted that he. himself "had. been preunaware of the. fact that the Statistician was the.person to be notified. He had always thought that it was necessary to inform the military authorities. In convicting the defendant, lie said that he would not impose a penalty. It was desirable, though, that publicity should be given ■ to the requirements of tho Act.

A donation of ,£lO ids. has.been made by Messrs. I' , . Cooper, Ltd., to the recreation fund of tho Fire Brigade, in recognition of the .brigade's prompt suppression of the fire which, broke out in that portion of tho firms' promises in Dixon Street occupied by the Kodak Australasia, Ltd., last Saturday.

A sitting of the Conciliation Council will be heid this morning 'to deal with the Waingawa slaughtermen's dispute. The demands are on the lines of awards made recently in tho slaughtering trade. The metal workers' dispute will come before the Council on Mouday.

Consideration was given by the Wellington Trades Council, on • Thursday evening to proposals adopted by the Petone and K.arori Borough Councils, advocating an increase of soldiers' pay to 10s. a day, the conscription of wealth and prevention of exploitation, and the use of the moneys obtained by these latter measures for the benefit of the soldiers and their dependants. The following motion was passed:— "That tins council records its approval of the views of the Petone and Karori Councils on this question, and urges upon other public bodies to gvca their support with a view of inducing the Government to grant the soldiers the generous treatment and consideration they have hitherto reserved, for the exploiters." The secretary was instructed to write to the Acting-Prime Minister, urging him to take steps to carry this resolution into effect.

Slowly but surely the road spaces in the city which have been surfaced with macadam ever since they were laid down is giving way to a finish of a more permanent character. As the result of the success, attendant upon the concrete and- asphalt surfacing in Molesworth Street, Constable Street, and elsewhere that space between the terminus of the wood-blocking in Kent Terrace and the foot of Majoribanks Street, and the jspaces made by the tramways work, is being given special attention. A solid base or foundation of concrete has been laid down, and on top of that is to T)e spread an inch or two of good asphalt, that will bring the surface of the road up .to the level of the tram-rails. It will be seen by this trend in road construction that concrete ii becoming an increasing essential in road formation. It is the material of the future, and, as in some parts of America, may yet be used exclusively m Wellington.

In tue Magistrate's Court'yesterday, Alexander Lazaretto was fined £5 for iTTcgally selling trout. Ippocratis Karantze, for a similar offence, was fined iC3, and on a charge of linlawf ully buying trout was convicted and discharged.

In 'connection with the wrack .of the Haitai, a shipping man who recently lia3 an opportunity of viewing the vessel stated' yesterday thaf'the'-vessel hid developed a Fst, alia appeared to .bo■ Sriying■ more 'firmly'■than v ever ; on to {lie reef. Good progress lias been' made with the removal of the cargo, and some 400 tons has already reached Wellington. X large quantity has also been liimie3 from the vessel. _ The work of removing the fittings, which has already commenced, will be completed as soon as possible. . ' ■

P. Phillips, a Government officer, pleaded guilty at Waihi yesterday to a charge of misappropriation of £128 of GTbvernment money. Mr. "Meek, Government Auditor, in his examination of the Court books, discovered the discrepancies. Accused was committed to flie Supreme Court for sentence. Bail was allowed.

It is understood, says the "Wanganui Herald," that some prosecutions are to follow in the case of men who at the time of enlistment make a false declaration of age. It appears that in the Manawatu district a number of cases had come unde'r the notice of the -military authorities where men under and over age had volunteered for service with the Expeditionary Force, and had been accepted Uy making, false declarations regarding- their ages.. As all recruits are attested when passing the doctor, and are given a day's pay, the Department- intends to stop the practice by instituting- Police Court proceedings- against- such offenders; on the "charge of making a false declaration' and obtaining money under false pretences. ' ■ :■.?:■ .-

A ripple of amusement went round ' th'e table at the Meeting of tnV Christchurcli Hospital ' Board (says . the Ohristchurch" "Press") when members read the final paragraph in the Institutions Committee's report. A clause in the concluding sentence of Clause 2 was to the effect that the inmates" asked "that their thanks might be conveyed to the board for the manner in which they had' been remembered at Christmastide." Then followed the astonishing statement: "They are still very full." The chairman (Mr. W: W. Tanner) explained to the reporters that this did not refer to the condition.of the inmates, but to the condition of the institutions—which makes a- world of difference.

During an electrical" disturbance a wheat stook on. Mr.' , Thomas Steven's property, between Irwell township and Lake Ellesmere,. Canterbury, was fired by lightning. The flames were seen by the women, on the farm and were promptly extinguished, otherwise much damage might have been dofle. Between the township and Brookside nine, sheep, belonging to Mr. Brooks, were killed. Altogether, the community., had an exciting .experience while the storm continued. ..V :

The timber industry along the Main Truuk is reported to be slackening down somewhat, says the "Star." The conscription of men lias reduced the number of builders very considerably, and the scarcity of tradesmen, combined with the heavy increases in building material, has had the effect of causing moneyed men to slow down in the building of houses for speculative purposes. The mills have been very active during the past year owing to erection of new freezing works;' and big extensions to others, including Taihape and Feilding. The only new works in course of erection now are those being constructed at Kakariki, near Marton, for the Wellington Meat Export Company. Tinder the circumstances, therefore, a reduced output ig forecasted.

The public school at Terehunga, Danneyirke, was destroyed by fire early on Friday morning. The school .is closed for the holidays, and the origin of the fire is a mystery '.— Press.Assn.

At the Auckland Police! Court yesterday, John Babbidge was fined £26 for betting on the Ellerslio racecourse on January 2.—Press Assn. :

: ft - 'A proposal that all public works within the borough, with the exception'of what is-, considered urgent worjks, bo -.stopped,- was discussed' at some length ■by the.Wariganui Borough Council. The mover, considered-that the , council had .too. many highly-paid officials, and less could be'done.with. Wages h'ad increased by 3s: a day since the war started, and it was pointed out that an. extra cost of £4000 on the gasworks next year had to be faced. The majority of councillors considered that ■ owing .to increasing population, and tho 1 necessity' of providing for increased traffic, a , cheese-paring policy could not - 'bo adopted," and they consequently rejected" the motion by six votes'to four. Lieut. E. .Buckeridge, who was on tho Westport Borough Council's engin. eering staff, when he enlisted in Lord .'Liverpool's.Own, has been promoted to a-captaincy.'in recognition of his gallant work in, the ' fieltL .He - led a charge and was the only officer to emerge unwounded. ' '...'.. ■. To have.seen a real live ghost and to have survived the ordeal was tho experience of a'-,party of motorists returning from the rifle competitions at iWanganui on, Monday (says tho ! "Manawatu Times"). Coming down the .Waiigaehu Hill'ill the pitch darkness . they saw an apparition clad in white and apparently walking in. space. Pulling- up With, a jerli they'saw that.it ; was a human figure clad in a sheet and standing, on a black post. Bound-ing-fromthe motor the Palmerstonians surrounded the post and' called ■ unon 'the apparition' to come to "earth. .When it did so a shame-faced yokel issued forth from the disguise!' The party told him what 'it thought about his conduct and then- moved on into the : stilly night. . '•'■•. ■ • In view of the rumours which have been in circulation that there had been a serious riot in a military camp in theiNorth Island, says the Christchurch "Press," the Minister of Defence was telegraphed to asking for authority to contradict the canards. A reply was received from Colonel Allen to say that the_ rumours were groundless. The police are reported to be in possession 'of information regarding the originators of the rumour, who are liable to levere penalties. : One officer and two men are returning to New Zealand from.active service, and are due at Auckland on January 29. Particulars are as follow on duty, 2nd Lieut. J.- W. Crampton (next-of-kin' Mrs. D. C. Orampton, c/o'Mrs. W. H..Martin, 72 Tasiriah Street, Wellington; medi- ' cally unfit, Private W. Anderson (Mrsi 'Anderson, Stratford), and Private W. Hawthorn (R. Hawthorn, AVhangarei). On November 30, at St.Jude's, Kensington Surgeon G. D.v Macintosh, R.N.,, second son of Mr. Alexander Macintosh, of ■ Wellington- (N.Z.), was iiiarried to Miss Frances , Shepheard Laidley, elder daughter of Mr. S. E. .Laidloy and Mrs. Laidley, of Sydney. In , the Magistrate's Court at Masterton yesterday, the licensee of tile Club Hotel, Carterton, was fined £10 for failing to file a telephone order for liquor, and failing to notify the Court. A meeting of butchers held at Masterton yesterday to confer with Mr.: Sykes, M.P., in reference to the proposed State supply of meat from the Waingawa Freezing Works. The meet-, ing went into committee to discuss retail prices.

. li'rom time to time articles have appearcd in the Australian 1 newspapers, regarding an American organisation which calls itself "The Ingathering of Israelites of the House of David," whoso headquarters- aro • at* Benton Harbour, Michigan, TJ.S.A. . Eo'r some time past au agency of. this body has been established neay Sydney, and the Department of Home Affairs and Ter-. ritpries is frequently applied to for . passports for persons who desire to prp- . ceed'to America for the purpose of joining the "Ingathering."-; This Dc-.:.'pai;tine.nt'now...i-cppi'fsVtliat'caroful in-r hav.e been.jnadp iutovtlie. object' and ■if,-is .highly .undesirable that Australians should proceed to. America for the purposo of joining it. The institution ■■ at Benton Harbour is presided over.by aman and woman, who call themselves : "Benjamin" and. "Mary," and one <f the. first conditions, for qualification as membership is that candidates must hand over to "Benjamin" and "Mary" the whole of their earthly possessions. Evidence has been obtained which justifies the Government in warning the public to make very carefiil inquiry before they have anything to do v/ilib "Benjamin" and "Mary" and "The Tn'gathering of Israelites of the House of David."

Zea, the scene of the recent sinking of the British hospital ship Britannic, is ancient Keos, the richest in historic assocations of all the Cycladio group of islands except Delos. It was in close touch with" Athens,- being tho nearest of these islets, and produced the red-earth from which the Athenians made their favourite paint. Next to 'Athens, no spot bore a'nobler'harvest of .Hellenic genius. This tiiiy territory nurtured' the' laureate .of 'Hellas during the Persian war; Bacchylidesi the rival' of ■Pindar;" wliose poems are 'being; recovered" "from : the-Sust-heaps' of ■ "Egypt"; the -philosopher Prodicus, author "of'-." thei- "Choiijo. of Herakles," who taught': Socrates; and. the: famous' physician " Efasistratos-, ivhdse" "Universal Practitioner" became a classic. This, too, , is "the"only Greek .island, where oak.trees.groiv in abundance and. size that, recalls : the ..pride, of .English" parks. The-islanders are a .braver, hardier, .race than their, neighbours—at least.they say so themselves, and .add.ihat they were the.first to' a.ssist ancient Athens in. her.wars, with barbarism,' and the. first to send troops in .the Greek revolution of IS2L