LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3133, 11 July 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Pacific Cable Board notifies that Atlantic companies have suspended ae-

ceptance of Expeditionary Force messago traffic from tho United Kingdom to Australia and Now Zealand. Expeditionary Force messages will still be accepted to' tho United Kingdom. At 8.27 last evening a serious delegate at the Country "Racing Conference, solemnly protesting against long speeches, pointed out: "Tf, instead of being brief, we talk for two hours on this subject we will be here till to-morrow morning." Cases of illness have occurred recently among several families in North Dunedin, says a Press Association telegram, the symptoms being nausea and severe vomiting. Investigation by the Health Department and an analysis by Mr. G. M. Thomson. Government Analyst, proved Hint the illnesses were caused by eating sum, ,'imons which arsenic was mlx>od. All the families affected obtained sago from one grocer, who had bought a hundred-weight from a wholesale merchant. Nearly one hundred kegs of the same article arrived in Dunedin by the, same steamer, but an analysis proved that the contents of only one keg contained arsenic. The sago came from SiwrapnTo. The Hon. G. W. Russell was invited to the Trotting Conference yesterday, and told that the conference desired to lienr him on a subject which held a crievanoe for it. The bother seemed to be about .whether, in reducing 59 days' ) rotting 'bv a third, the Government should cut off 19 days or 20 days. "Tf this is nil T htivn lv»n (-Mind down for," said Mr. ( Russell, "T will be very glad'to go back to my work. T thought that perhnns you had called me down to Mimic me for 'securing a one-third reduction in trotting, ami thus savins: y n " from suffering a i reduction bv one-half."

! Sydney Beck, a conscientious objector, appeared before the Third "Wellington Military Service Board yesterday. He said he was a member of' the New Zealand Bible Students" Association. Captain Baldwin (militnry representative) asked appellant whether he had not written a letter stating that he was willing to suffer and die for his Kin? and country. Appellant admitted that, but said lie had intended to make it clear that his King was Christ and his country Heaven. Beck failed to show that his case came properly within the provisions of the Act, and his appeal was therefore dismissed. He told the board he was not prewired (o do non-combatant work of any kind.

A slight shock of earthquake was experienced in Masterton at 9.40 o'clock on Monday evening.

The Wellington Diocesan Council of the New Zealand Catholic 'Federation will hold its annual meeting in St. Patrick s Hall to-day. The Executive Committee reports that the membership of the federation in this diocese is now larger than at any previous period, the increase over last year's returns as shown bv the ordinary revenue acconrjt being not le's than m per cent. Dunn" the oast half-year the work of organis. ins lias been carried on as far as means and time allowed.

The president i.f the New Zealand ivrethodist Conference, the Rev. W. A. Sinclair, received a cablegram on Monday lust from Chaplain-Colonel J. A. Luxford. C.M.G.. Walton-on-Thames Hospital, requesting that funds be sent him for use in assisting wounded soldiers in England. ' As the Military Committee of the" Conference, of which the "Rev. P,. Drake is chairman and the TTon. C. M. Luke treasurer, had ironey available, the stun of £W was en Wei! to ClinplninColonel Luxford. forthwith.

Regular users of the Hutt Road between Wellington and Trentham are concerned at the pTospcct of having several hundreds of loaded cars (ravelling over the road during this week, taking racegoers to and from the races. At present tlio road is in a veiy wet, soft condition. The motor-bus traffic between the citv and Petone ami .Tohnsonville has net improved matte'-;, while in (lie l.i.Vr stv'tehf"; o f f h" v:i"-v repeater] (din* in fli" O'-re lw" edded to tho general nies«ines= of the mad. Three davs of race traffic, coupled with soft, rainy weather, are expected to cut (he roads up badly.

The Crippled Soldiers' Art TJnion acknowledge receipt, of the following dona-tions-.—o. A. Bunny, Wainipi, Opaki. £2 10s.- Wellington mnsler bakers, per P. fi Tonics. £2 55.: P. M'. Tursonson. Eket..'liii"Hi. I'l: Al !c'»ie' Bu'-Wov. IM-u»»ui. !•" |o*.: W. V. Ruiclr. Ouisvbuni. MastPrh.M. J.:l' '"--.- <-iim:>!-'l °.iiith.. \r. v .t;,.. borough, Jia; Henrv Bailer, Mangititi, .£2 10s.

"NO 1UJBBING" Laundry Help is what wo recommend for washing all clothes oloan. Shilling packets always in slocki—A<M.

The Camp Commandant at Trcntham has expressed his appreciation oi' the plucky notion of No. 51,58!) Pte. .T. Pcternnn, H Company, 28th Reinforcements, in .slopping ,1 pair of runaway horses on the parade ground on Friday afternoon last, and averting what might have been a serious accident.

A short time ago the Hon. G. W. Russell in a speech made some remarks to soldiers' clubs, which were capable of being misunderstood and apt to prejudice the public against such institutions, '['hat being so, the Executive Committee of tho Wellington Returned Soldiers' Club decided to invite tho Minister to visit tho club. Tho Hon. G. W. Russell cordially agreed to do so the same day that ho received the invitation, and was shown over the institution by Messrs. 1!. I>Bell, A. Gray. .7;iuies Macintosh, members of tho Executive Committee, and Mr. J. D. Harper, chairman of the Wellington Returned Soldiers Association. After having inspected the building, the party adjourned to the committee room and discussed the work and functions of the club. Mr. E. D. Bell welcomed the Minister on behalf of the committee, and outlined the work that had been done and which in the future would have a still widor field of operation ns .tho numbers of returning men increased. Tho members of the executive in turn enlarged on tho different functions of the institution and the financial position. The Hon. G. W. Russell in an interesting speech made it quite clear that his remarks were not directed against the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Club, for which lto had nothing but praise. He was satisfied that the institution was doing a very necessary and valuable work, and was of great benefit to tho men who were returning. Each passing month would increase its sphere of influence. Ho was gratified to learn that tho club was run on such sound lines, and that it had had a great and good infiuenco on the men in inducing them to return to civil life and apply to their daily life those lessons of discipline and self-reliance which they had learned in their military career. The Minister considered the club very worthy of public support, and after having generally discussed tho position of the club, promised his support in every way possible, and made a number of very valuable suggestions which the committee of tho club intend to act on at once.

The hon. treasurer of the Camp Entertainmcnt Committee (Mr. R. DarroCh) acknowledges tho receipt of the followin.; subscriptions :-Y.M.C. A., .£2O; Salvation Army, MO; New Zealand Catholic I'ederation, .£10; Victoria League, .£2O; Hutt Patriotic Guild, £b; Mr. C. R. Smith, £2; previously acknowledged, £13 lis. Total, £120 Us. Mr. Darroch will welcome further donations to the motor hire fund. The restricted train service increases the need of additional concerts at Trenthain Camp.