LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2990, 30 January 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Tho Stato schools of the. Wellington Education District aro to reopen "this morning, after tho summer vacation. Tho Twenty-second' Infantry Reinforcements will bo reviewed by His Excellency tho Governor at Troiitham at 11 o'clock on Wednesday morning, aJid on Thursday tho troops will move to Featherstou Camp. Fifteen soldiers returned to Auckland from Samoa on Sunday, and proceeded south at midday yesterday. Ptes. Hawthorne and Anderson aro physically unfit, but tho remainder roport for duty.— Press Assu. At last night's meeting of the Petone Borough Council, the Health Inspector reported five eases of infectious disease within the borough. "This is another proof of the old adage that uiarriag;e is a lottery," said Inspector Hendroy in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, when Joseph Colquitt, a soldier,_ was prosecuted for disobeying a maintenance order in respect of two illegitimate children of whom his wife was the mother. Tho defendant had, it appeared, entered into the bonds of matrimony in complete ignorance of the children's oxistence, and had never heard of it until ho was served with a summons for their maintenance, in a Stato institution. Mr. L. G. Reid, S.M., who heard the case, expressed the opinion that as the defendant was a, member of the Expeditionary Forces, and the children were held in law to he his, the Stato was probably liable lo provide for them. The case was adjourned to permit of communication with the Defence authorities. I

The Pclonc Borough Councilhas received a letter from tbe Acting-Prime Ministor, in which the latter stated lie was in accord with the council in its desire to sco the resources of tho Dominion organised properly, and thanking the council for its support with respect to tho enforcement of tbo Military Sorvico Act, and also intimating that it would bo necessary if tho war continued for any lengtli of tinio to mako tho utmost nso of tlio man power and wealth of tho community. This question was now under consideration, and lio hoped before long to announce somo denuito proposals.

Owing to so many largo steamers working in the port at tho present time wharf labour is not in many cases available for the smaller steamers, and consequently it is not absolutely definite- what the time of departure of a number of tho smaller vessels will be. Already a number of the coastal vessels have been put off till to-day, and may possibly have to be again postponed.

Tho greater part of the smoke which was in the air yesterday came from a big gorse and grass fire in Aro Street, where the -larger portion of the Fire Brigade wore busily at work suppressing it. The hillside from Devon Street to Adams' Terrace was burning, and several times in the day tho houses on the hill nearly caught fire, and it was not until late in the afternoon that all was safe. .

Trachoma is to be added to the list of diseases notifiable under the Public Health Act in New Zealand. Tho Minister of" Public Health (Hon. G. W. Russell) stated, in this connection, that very few cases of trachoma had yet been reported in Now Zealand, but iliere was a possibility tbat the infection would be brought baek to tho country by New Zealand soldieTs from infected parts of the world. Tho disease is a severe affottion of tho eyes, and its effects often includo partial or total blindness.

Tho Town Olerk (Mr. Jno. R. Palmer) wishes us to announce that the Municipal Roll may now be inspected in the new office, situated under the eastern gallery of the Town Hall. The new office is convenient for everyone, and no one with an interest in tho City and its affairs should neglect the opportunity of satisfying themselves that their names are duly registered. If they omit this duty, which should be performed before February 15, they may find themselves unable to vote on polling day. All changes of address should also bo notified tho poll clerks, to prevent confusion. Enrolment claims may now be obtained upon application.

Councillor Bowden will move as under at the meeting of the Onslow Borough Council on Thursday:—l. That the Railway Department bo requested to allow for an extension of the time at presont allowed for the stoppage of trains at the Kaiwarra Station, in order that all passengers may alight with safety. 2. That the Hutt Road Board be requested to minimise the dust nuisance that exists in residential portions of the Hutt Road. That in the interests of public safety this council considers the erection of uoticeß regulating tho speed of motor traffic upon the Hutt Road and the enforcement of tho by-law connected therewith immediately necessary.

Yesterday was a sweltering midsummer's day. The heat, which was accentuated by a thick haze of bush and grass iiro smoke, was calculated to produco a tired feeling, and to create a last-of-the-holidays rush to the seaside by thousands of children. Tho summer has been easily a record one for fine weather since mixed bathing in the open became fashionable. Every beach adjacent to the City has been well patronised by young, middle-aged, and old, with results that cannot ho othorwiso than beneficial to thorn and tho municipal tramways revenuo. At tho last meeting or the council tho Mayor congratulated tho manager and tramway officials upon the improved atato of the finances. Only ono tiling is responsible—a wonderful spell of line weather that is compelling people to seek recreation in the clean, open air of tho seaside.

The employees of tho D.I.C. have reason to be proud of their enviablerecord with regard to contributions to the Belgian Belief Fund. Since- its inception, despite many calls, the subscribers hare nob missed a single week, their contribution last week being the 100 th, making a grand tetal of close on £400 subscribed.

Pte. James Cmickshank committed suicide in the vicinity of Canvas Town, Feathorston, on Thursday or Friday (says the "Wairarapa Age")- Tho deceased was on parade on Wednesday, but as he did not appear on Thursday a search was made and the body was found on Friday. Tho deceased, who enlisted at Wellington, has no relations in the Dominion. At the inquest held on Saturday a verdict was returned that deceased committed suicide by cutting his throat.

ThePetone Borough Council sent a circular to the various local' bodies in the i)oniimoii asking for support for a resolution to increase the pay of the men in the Motor Patrol Service, and has received replies from 73, of whom 32 support the proposal and 41 decided to take no action. With respect to increasing the pay of soldiers, and the consoription of wealth, 31 replies were received, 22 deciding to take no action.

Tn tho Warden's Court at Dunedin yesterday morning,. Hans Olsen was charged that, not being tho holder of a gold dealer's license, ho sold lOoz. ]sdwt. of gold to Frank Baton Pollett for £31 10s. Pollett was charged that, not being the holder of a gold dealer s license, he bought gold from Olsen. For the prosecution it was stated that Olsen, who was dredgemaster for the Mnnuliurika Company, came to Dunedin and sold gold to Pollett, who is a jeweller. Tho Magistrate convicted Olsen and sentenced him to six months' imprisonment. Pollett was fined £100 and costs.—Press Assn.

Hoarding i 0 appeals of those men who' have been sent to gaol for sedition, Mr. J. M'Combs, M.P., lias received the following letter from Mr. Georgo Hutchison, who is acting as counsel for tho appellants:—"lt was practically arranged for a Full Court of throe Judges to sit this week if tho several cases were filed, but the Solicitor-General wants no fewer than five Judges to constitute tho Court, so there is no probability of that until the Jwlecs assemble in Christchurch or in "Wellington for the Court of Appeal on March 2(5. : Tho Solicitor-Genera] attaches importance to the constitutional question, and wishes to havo a _ most authoritative decision on the subject." —Pross Association.

Occasionally a complaint roaches Base Records that tho next-of-kin of a New Zealand soldier reported wounded or sick lias not been notified by telegram, and has seen the news in the "daily papers. Tho explanation in most instances is that the next-of-kin has changed from tho address originally given without informing Base Records of the fact. ' The soldier gives tho address before bo leaves New Zealand, and it is for tho next-of-kin themselves to see that the authorities aro informed of any subsequent change; otherwise a telegram may remain undelivered.

A residence at Otaki, owned by Mrs. W. H. Sinicox and occupied by Dr. Tatton. was completely dostroyed by fire on Sunday. Dr. Tatton's insurances are only £250, and ho estimates his loss at £350 over that amount. Nothing was saved. The fire is said to lie, duo to a. faulty chimney.—Press Assn.

The soldiers' needs in reliable khaki shirts, ss. 'lid., 6a. 6(1., 7s. Gd., 7s. Ltd., at Geo. l'Vwldd, Ltd., Manners Street— Advt,

Auckland's Anniversary Day was favoured yesterday with fine -weather. The principal < attractions were the Auckland regatta and the 'J'akapuna races.—Press Assn.

Tlio tivo shops cugaged in tho sale of Government moat under tho direction of tho Board of Trado in Auckland arc doing a roaring trade. Tho polico have had to check eager customers in order to prevent tho premises becoming hopelessly overcrowded, and queues have been formed on tho footpath outsido tho shops. Apparently some Auckland people are travelling considerable distances in OTder to buy the meat provided by tho Government and sold below the prices demanded by tho Master Butchers' Association. Tho Government lias not decided upon any extension of the scheme.

The scheme for providing Trentliam Camp with a town clock is being proceeded with. The tower to take the clock is being built on the Church of England Institute, immediately opposite headquarters. From this building tho clock will be visible from every quarter of the camp. While building the clock tower, extra accommodation for chaplains will be provided in the iustituto.

"No Rubbing Laundry Help" washes clothes clean without washboard drudgery. <£10 guarantee with each Is. .carton that it will not injure the hands or clothes. W.F.C.A.-Advt.