LOCAL AMD GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3005, 16 February 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AMD GENERAL

- Work was carried on without interruption on tho Wellington wharves yesterday. All boats were working, including the s.s. Victoria.

Speaking at 'the annual meeting of the Wellington Gas Company yesterday, Mr. William Ferguson said: "Apart from its factory chimneys, Wellington is' now a nearly smokeless city, and your directors feel that the time is fast approaching when public opinion will demand that the factories and others causing the pollution of the air by black smoke and soots must ceaso doing so by the adoption of gaseous in place of solid fuel."

A suggestion has been made in some quarters that the National Reserve, as an organisation, might be inclined to take an.active part in the settlement of industrial disputes, especially those occurring hi essential industries during war time. In.this connection an important resolution has been passed by the Dominion Conference of the National Reserve. It was proposed by Lieut.-Colonel Stoneham, seconded by Major Morris, and carried unanimously, and reads as follows: —"That the_ Dominion Commandant be asked to issue orders to all District Commanders and Group Commanders that on no account can any unit of the National Reserve be permitted to take any action as an organisation in dealing with any industrial strikos."

Soon after 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon two horsos attached to a lorry took fright and bolted down Molesworth Street in the direction of Lambton Quay. Before tho runaways got to the' intersection of Hill Street a corporation dust cart came on the scene, and itho driver of tho latter, taking in the situation, got the cart into a position to intercept tie bolting animals. Instantly there was a crash, the runaways were forced to swerve in tlio direction of Hill Street; but tho impact had steadied them, and some- men who "were in. the vicinity quickly scoured them. Tho horse'iii the dust cart was knocked over by the collision, but was unhurt, and tho damago to the cart was not appreciable.

' "The question has been raised as to how Auzac Day, April 25, shall bo observed this year," said the Hon. 6. W. Russell yesterday. "Threo racing clubs aro down for. racing on that day, but it. has' been resolved by tlie Government tha.t no permits shall be given for racing on Anzac Day, and that notice is to be inserted in the New Zealand Gazette that the same policy as regards' the celebration of Anzae Day shall bo carried out this year as was followed last year." It may be remembered that last year a circular was issued which recommended ; that special services of public worship bo held by all religious denominations, that sports or similar entertainments be not held, and that patriotic bodies might fittingly mark the occasion by holding recruiting mcotings in tho evening. > , "When Sir Bmosb Shackloton joined the Aurora prior to her departure for the Rosa Sea in December last, he signed on the articles as supernumary officer with pay at tho rate of one shilling per month. The Aurora's officers and crew are now being paid off, and yesterday Sir' Ernest Shackletou visited the Government Shipping Office and received the money due to him, amounting to Is. lOd. He counted the coins gravely and placed them in his pocket with the air of a man who has earned his money.

The Court lias granted the Sydney city .and suburban • gas companies an increase of from 3d. to 4d. in tho pfico of gas.—Press Assu.

Au inr(uest into the causo of death of AVilliara AVhiterod, tho waterside worker, who was reported to have committed suicide at his mother's residence in Salisbury Terrace, will be held this morning.

The appeal lodged by tho Wellington City Couucil against the decision of Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, S.M., in tho Sunday golf caso recently heard will como before the JPull Court in April next.

William Henry . Allen was charged in the Supreme Court at Christchurch yesterday with intent to commit grievous bodily harm. The jury, without retiring, returned a verdict of not guilty, on the ground that accused was insane when he,committed the offence. His Honour Sir John DennistoU ordered Allen to be placed in the Sunnyside Mental Hospital during the pleasure of tho Minister of Justice.—Press Assn.

As the annual picnic of the staff of the City Council will take placo at. Day's Bay to-day, the offices in the Town Hall will bo closed for the day.

According to rumours current in political circles in Christchurch, it is not considered likely (says tho "Press") that tho portfolios rendered vacant by the death of the Hon. Dr. R. M'Nab will bo fdled by the appointment of a now Minister. It is said that the question of the inclusion of a new member in the Cabinet will possibly stand over till the return of the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward, and that, in the meantime, the vacant portfolios will bo allotted amongst some of the members of the Cabinet as at present constituted.

A Press Association message from Melbourne states that the subscription lists for tho Federal War Loan will remain open till April -.

The Group officers throughout, Now Zealand will shortly receive supplies of tho forms to bo used by recruits in making application for relief under the recent regulations regarding tho civil liabilities of soldiers. Tho applications are to ho dealt with by the Military Service Boards of tho several districts, and any person making application may bo required by tho board in question: (a) To appear before tho board and give any further information in regard to tho application, or to produce receipts or other documeuts in support of tho statements made in tho application ; (1)) to supply iu writing such further information as tho board may require in regard to tho application, or to send for tho inspection of the board receipts or other documents in support of tho statements mado in the application; (c) to furnish a sworn declaration in support of any statement made in or in connection with tho application.

The report of Mr. H. H. Metcalf drainage engineer, of Auckland, on tho Napier South drainago scheme, which has just been received by the Napier Borough Council, estimates the cost of tho work at £17,37-1.

"Forty-nine of the company's employees have," announced Mr. W. Ferguson at the annual meeting of tho Wellington Gas Company yesterday, "volunteored for active service (either in New, Zealand or abroad), and, in addition to tho two men who were reported to you twelve months ago as having lost their lives, I regret that I havo now to add tho names of three more men (Messrs. A. J. Hosio, J. Hardy, and F. Ballard), who nave laid' down their lives in support of the principles of justice and fair play for which tho Empire is at war. Information also has been received that fivo other employees havo been wounded. During the year the company has subsidised tho military pay of 'these men to the extent of £2341."

Donald Murray Matheson, chief clerk at the Nelson railway station, was charged at the Magistrate's Court 'at Nelson yesterday with stealing £628 between September, 1916, and February, 1917, the money being the property of the New Zealand Government. l He was remanded till Wednesday next.—Press Assn.

In consequence of the high price of flour and general increase in tho cost of all material used by bakers, also the increasing difficulty of delivery, the master bakers have agreed on an increase to Sid. for a 21b. loaf. The increased price is for bread delivered, but a halfpenny deduction will be made for cash over the counter. The new charge will take effect on Saturday nest.

Diligent search has failed to discover the will of the late Dr. M'Nab, and it is doubted now-whether such a document is in existence. It is reported that Dr. M'Nab stated_ some years ago that ho did not think he would make a will, but would leave the distribution of his property to tho operation of tho law. This would mean that the estate would be administered by the Public Trustee, and the property distributed among nearest-of-kin entitled to succeed under an intestacy.

A proclamation in the Gazette suspends the operation of that part of the Tramways Amendment Act, 1910, defining the qualifications required of applicants for motormen's certificates. It is directed in the Act, ,"That every application for examination as a motorman shall be accompanied by a certificate signed by the manager of some electrio tramway, that the applicant has served as a conductor on an electric tramway in New Zealand for a period of not less than one year, and has undergono a course of training for a period of not less than 21 days for the position of motorraau." The Proclamation Gazetted suspends in respect of all tramway systems in New Zealand the operation of the words in the subsection quo.ted Which direct that an applicant for a motorman's license must have had previous service as a conductor. A man may now get a certificate if he has had three weeks' training or instruction as a rnotorman. Tho proclamation, which is to stand until six months after the end of the war, is evidently intended to allow tramway services to bo carried on. At presont it is being found increasingly difficult to comply with tho requirements of the Act, owing to so many men leaving to go into camp.

"Under the. section of the Customs Act which empowers the Governor by Order-in-Council to prohibit tho importation of certain goods in order to prevent fraud or deception, the importation of the electric apparatus known as the Violetta High-frequency Generator is prohibited. ,

A Gazette notice declares that Waiolapu prison, near Rotorua, is.no longer to bo a prison. This establishment was a tree-planting camp only.

The following letter has been received by Mr. J. W. Black, private secretary of tho late Dr. M'Nab, from J. L. M'G. Watson, of . Invercargill :—"I am desired by tho relatives of tho late Dr. M'Nab to express their heartfelt thanks for all tho kind messages of condolence which have been conveyed to them, through you; from their Excellencies the Earl and Countess of Liverpool, the Right Hon. tho Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, tho Hon. |tlie Acting-Prime Minister, the High.Commissioner, the members of tho Ministry, the members of both Houses of Parliament, the Judges of the Supreme Court, Magistrates, clergymen, and members of religious denominations, members of political, municipal, and other public bodies and social institutions, Captain Davis and the Aurora Relief Expedition, Sir Ernest Shackleton, and Captains 'Worsley and Stenhouso, and from so many other kind friends whose sympathy at this sad time is a great comfort to all the relatives- of tho deceased statesman, as I now, on their behalf, wish most gratefully to acknowledge."

The deatli is reported by out Masterton correspondent of a soldier at Featherstou Camp named Matthew James Bigger, a member of B Coy., Twentysecond Reinforcements. .

Mr. Charles H. Emery, Ranfurly Terrace, whose name appeared in tho fourth ballot, writes to the effect that lie volunteered for service in March, 1916, and forwards a certificate from tho Defence authorities acknowledging his offer of service.

Ai; the Christehurcli Supremo Court yesterday, Kobert Henry Symington was,sentenced to reformative treatment not exceeding thrco years for indecent assault.