LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3139, 18 July 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

» ■■ ' ( Some thirty-five returned soldiers for : the North Island aro due to arrive in ' Wellington from the south to-day. The • names'of the men who belong to Welling- ; ton City are W. Stevenson, C. Strager. • W. Lowis, L. Turner, S. M. Boock, 1,. 1 D'Amond, L. M'Sweeney, and Miles. : Sir Joseph Ward announced in the ! House of Representatives yesterday after- ; noon that Mr. H. W. Bishop, S.M., of ; Christchurch, had been appointed to hold ' an inquiry into the charges made by the 1 Rev. Howard Elliott against the Auck- . land Post Office. Mr. Bishop had been ( requested to complete the inquiry as soon as possiblo. \ The Featkereton Camp hospitals are : still almost empty, one of the rotunda < wards being quite empty. The isolation ward, built for the treatment of cerebrospinal meningitis, has two patients, each being in a one-bed room with detached sun verandah. This ward has just been completed, while the buildins of the nowinfectious disease ward will be finished very soon. At the racecourse hospital, . whioh is used for patients from Tauhorenikau Camp, there are sixteen patients, out of a total of over 1700 men in camp. The recent wet weather made Tauhorenikau somewhat muddy, but the health of tho troops was not affected. The estate of tho late Mr. Duncan Butherford has been sworn for probate at under <5350,000, says a Press Association telegram from Christchurch. It is understood that, besides large family bequests, the recently established St. Andrew's Scotch College ut Christchurch , benefits to the extent of .85000, and tho AinurL Presbyterian Church to .£IOOO. ' When yesterday morning's mail train ■ from Wellington to Woodville reached Cross Creek, it was found that one of the carriages had developed faults in its . undergear. The cariage had to be dotaehed from tho train and the passengers crowded into the other vehicles until Featherston was reached, when further accommodation was provided. A new paper, entitled "The Indian Settler," has made its appearance in Fiji, and is published from the office of tho "Fiji Times." It has 22 pages, and ; is printed in three languages—English, Hindu, and Urdu—and ita leading article notifies that it is devoted to "the Indian cause in Fiji." An interesting souvenir of historical interest has been brought to the Dominion by the Primo Minister and Sir J.iseph Ward. It is a sheet of Royal notepaper on which are inscribed the signatures of the King and Queen and other mcrabors of the Royal Household, and tho signatures of British and oversea delegates to the Imperial War Conference, including the signatures of Mr. Massey and Sir ' Joseph Ward. These signatures were written at the farewell lunoheon given by the King and Queen at Windsor at the conclusion of the business of tho ; Imperial Conference. It is the intention of Mr. Massey, if Sir .Toseph Ward consents, to present the souvenir '.o tho Parliamentary Library.

The manager of the Mnstorton gasworks has been advised that the price of coal was increased by 3s. 6d. per ton fiom Saturday last, owing to increased freight charges. A man named W. Rawcliffo, employed at the Waingawa Freezing Works, had a portion of his hand blown off on Monday afternoon by tho explosion of a gun, when getting through a fence. In considering a recent application for a riBB in wages by a section of tho City Corporation's employees, tho committee concerned, and subsequently the City Council as a body, approved of what is practically tho principle that for the future tho City Council will come into line as an ordinary employer of labour and the workers will have the status cf outside workers in tho same line of work. Tliis resolution was embodied in a rccomendation which read that—"where an Arbitration Court award or industrial agreement is operating for work similar to that performed by the corporation, then the corporation's conditions of employment shall conform to the conditions as stated in the award or agreement, and they are further of opinion that tho City Engineer should be empowered to make arrangements in such special cases that may rise in the council's sorvices." Over a thousand Australian wounded and convalescent soldiers—heroes of Armentierea and Pozieres—returned to Sydney last week, and were accorded a vonderful reception. Private Jackson, V.C.. of Gunbar, was singled tfut for special attention. His "Cross" episodo is worth relating. He was returning from a successful raid in "No-Man's Land" when several members of his party were seriously wounded by shell-fire. He had come back safely, banded over a prisoner, and immediately wont back under the heaviest fire, and assisted in bringing in a wounded man. He went ont again and assisted a sergeant to brine in another wounded man. Then a shell blew off his right arm, and the shock at the same time rendered the sergeant unconsoious. Private Jackson returned to the trenches, obtained assistance, and went out to look for two wounded comrades. His work was marked by the greatest coolness and bravery, and he set a splendid example of pluck and determination. Private Jackson was only seventeen years of age when he enlisted, in February, 1915. The lower portion of his light arm was blown away by shrapnel, necessitating tho amputation of tho limb. For some'time he was an inmato of No. 3 London General Hospital.

On the Dogger Bank the sea per acre yields a greater harvest than any acre of land," said the Rev. H. Johnson in the course of hi 3 lecture at Auckland on Friday evening on the mine-sweepers of tho North Sea. In substantiation of his contention Mr. Johnson snid that the fish yiolded an annual income of .£10,000,000. The estimated area of the Dogger Bank was 11,000 squaro miles.

Councillor Black said at the conclusion of the business of the Dunedin City Council's last meeting that ho would like to bring beforo the council a matter which referred to their boys fighting at the front. He stated that in some newspapers "Lord Liverpool's Own" was referred to, aud he would like to move ns follows: "That the Newspaper Proprietors' Association bo asked to use the name the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, when referring to Lord Liverpool's Own, so that Now Zealand soldiers may got credit for their own-glorious deeds.and that this Dominion may be more clearly identified with the splendid achievements of her sons." Councillor Black sa ! <3 ttiat he wanted to point out that thero wore very fow of tnem who could <-i*e tno names of past governors or piominont men in tho Dominion, and that wiun tho war came to be written up tho lame "Liverpool" instead of "New Zealand Rifle Brigade" would lead to confusion. Ho himself came from Liverpool, and that name would naturally give tho impression to those who did not know that wliat were actually New Zealand soldiers were British troops. Councillor Kellett seconded the motion. Ho thougnt it was n step in the right direction. He did not think that tho name would be altered, but he certainly thought it should lie. The calling of tho Now Zealand Rifle Brigade by two difieront names caused confusion in reading the cablegrams. The motion was carried unanimously ou tho voices.

On cold days you will find delicious warmth, and rich refreshment in a steaming cup of Dosort Gold Tea, which is still tho Queen of Teas. Its popularity ie duo to tho careful selection r-ud packing of Ceylon's choicest: teas, which mnko n beverage of inviting aroma and tempting flavour. The pure goodness of Desert Gold ensures economy in useit makes more cups of tea to the pound than inferior brands. Order tho 2a. grado of Desert .fold for highest .value-, •'

At a big meeting held in tho Opera House, Wanganui, last night, and addressed by tho Rev. Howard Elliott, a resolution was passed protesting against tho glaring injustice by tho preferential treatmont of Marist Brothers in respect to military service A further resolution passed expressed approval of '.ho present system of education, and congratulated tho Minister of Education on his firm apposition to State aid to Ttomnn Catholic schools.—Press Association.

A return prepared by tho Department of Public Health shows that 698 returned soldiers and discharged soldiers were receiving treatment in New Zealand hospitals last week, 501 as in-patients and 191 as out-patients. The numbor of the 1M in consumptive sanatoria was 64. The discharged soldiers receiving treatment numbered 471, of whom 331 were in-patients and 140 out-patients. Nearly 200 of the discharged men were inmates of the official sanatorio and convalescent homos.

•poii) ntmt ei[} auqi sjop.io s.Jojoop om iHiu/'Sniiiduiob o.io.rt spnorao proU on; Or|l[A\. BUAI 3T -JBIIdSOJI oq} 0} VOAOUIO-I sn[ pwapjo oq.u. 'jotnuo \i(i Aq os(n pun 'uosau) -jg Sq suai ojj -nosiidnn ,sq:piout oojij; o; paauajuas svii an, jr. iC[iij uo pan 'jpoAi. u joj papuTjraai jaqi-inj suai oq J £[ri£ uo ptoipout JOJ :[93Ai u .10} popußUiei sbai eq Jiou'smpj jojoodsul jo uopßOiiddu oqi no rmu '\\\ su.n uuiu oqj, jo sunoDi ynjis.rjj psssassod oq iuqj in uoaiod iiiopiostp puu oipt. uu Snioq A"cp }xau oq}' lino;) -Sspj oqf ut pkitoiqo pun ooiPci o'qi 0| U93(u} sum. ojx -oobi -.T3.X, u0 u9 &° 0, 0- ui JJinA"r 6B ounf jo 2diu3A9 eqj no pejeAoasip bsai .foiSirci •u'ooujotjn Anpuopj uo 'uotrn} -qsiu }oq} at petp '[e«0 ooi-u&J, eqi ui luorawsudim ,eq:juoin ooiq; 2atoSj9puri scai oq.i'-. 'siua.C sjg m«!n!A\ A general Chambers sitting of the Snpreme Court will be hold btfore Mr. Justice Edwards at 10.30 a.m. an Friday. During last week the War 1 Pensions Board dealt with 219 claiins and 83 renewals, and the net result was an additional annual liability of JJ13.475. The total number of pensions and allowances granted during the current year is 2036; and the total annual value, .£135,668. From these totals, however, havo to be deducted 350 pensions in respect of deaths or cancellations, representing an annual liability of In round figures, thorefore, the net State liability for tho year to date is .£113,000, making with tho liability at the end of last financial year (.€257,000), a total State liability of .6370,000. Mrs. Bogen, of 15 Church Street, was last evening admitted to the Hospital suffering from fractured ribs. It "appears, that sho fell from an upstairs window. Tho Chief Inspector of Fisheries (Mr. L. F. Ayson), in a report to the Minister of Internal Affairs, states that ho lias completed the "planting" of- sixty sacks of Foveaux Strait oysters iii Cook Strait. The spot selected was off White Bluff, on the Marlborough coast, and the oysters were spread over a fairly wide area in from 10 to 12 fathoms of water. Additional consignments are to be placed in Cook Strait during tho next season. Mr. Ayson mentions that the conditions found in Cook Strait are similar to those prevailing in Foveanx Strait, and he believes that New Zealand's valuable oyster beds can bo extended substantially by systematic planting in suitable areas. The demand for oysters in New Zealand and also in Australia is very keen. In order that German influence may bo completely eradicated from Australian manufacturing, commercial, mining, and other enterprises, the Federal Government proposes to authorise tho Public Trustee to dispose of a largo number of shares formerly the property of aliens resident in Australia and abroad. Mr. b. Mills (Public Trustee) stated that there was no occasion for alarm in financial circles. He was in communication with the companies concerned, and the arrangements to be made would not be calculated to depress the share market or depreciate values. Mr. Poland (Ohinemuri) is asking tho Minister of Defence whether it is correct, as reported, that the Defence authorities charge 20 per cent, increase on the cost of Tations supplied to members of. the Forces at Featherston who have their families-living near the camp. In an explanatory note Mr. Poland states that many of the permanent staff at Featherston havo rented houses and hare their families living there, and, notwithstanding the excessive rent charges and other expenses, 20 per cent, is alleged to be charged as administrative costs on the rations supplied by the Defence Depart, ment to thoso families, when 5 per cent, should be ample. . Mr. Sykes (Masterton) has given notice to ask the Minister of Defence whether he will consider tho advisability of issuing medallions without charge to tho mothers and wives of the soldiers serving abroad, similar to tho medallion proposed to be issued by the Commonwealth Government.

Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, 5.31., will deliver his reserved judgment in ffie Magistrate's Court at 10 o'clock this morning in the case against the gasworkers charged with being parties to a seditious strike.

"Complete audit and chock of all claims'in connection with the.war expenditure is carefully carried' out," says tho Auditor-General in his report on the publio accounts. "The individual accounts of all soldiers are oxamined, and all credits and debits checked. There are about 83,000 accounts, subdivided into 170 ledgers, to be dealt with. Each soldier is paid, roughly, twice monthly, and some 50,000 allotments are made to dependants, friends, relatives, savings bank accounts, etc Thus there are some 250,000 entries to be checked monthly m these accounts. As the Forces are scattered over England, France, Egypt, Greece, and Mesopotamia, and are paid by the various command paymasters, and as in addition to such debits hospital stoppages, promotions, and reductions in rank, and debits for small comforts supplied to mon in hospital and charged against their pay, havo all to be checked, the immense amount of work involved will be readily understood."

In the Magistrate's Court at Timarii recently a medical student was charged that, being a reservist, he had failed to enrol his name as a member of tho JSew Zealand' Reserve. Defendant pleaded "uilty. Sub-Inspector Hastie said that defendant had sent in his name for registration, but had described himself as married, while the fact was that he was a single man. Defendant explained that ho had inadvertently described himself as married, and had no intention of evading service. He had enlisted m 1916, .but, owing to tho directions of the Minister of Defence, was not allowed to go to the front. The embargo on tho enlistment o medical students had been removed, and he had again enlisted and wm wntu« for orders to go into camp. The Magistrate said that the oaso was a peculiar one. and yet it was :serious as tho description "married" took defendant out of the First Division. Tho fact that defendant had enlisted was a fee or u. his fivour but a conviction must follow, not merely as a penalty, but as a warn, fu*. In View of the fact that a coniicion would have the effect that defendant could lie taken into camp, at once, i eavv penalty would not be imposed. Defendant was fined- 10s. and costs.

Anion" tho French soldiers at present visiting Wellington is a Noumean named Francois Salvau, a member of tho I'irst Colonial Rogimont, whose deeds of valour at Verdun were so numerous that (jonoral Joffre himself pinned tho Order oE the Legion d'Honnenr on the colours cf the regiment, entitling eacli member to wtar tho "foweragorc." Francois balvau was (as has been previously noted) coiicorucd in tho attack aud recapture of Fort Douauniont, and whilst successful in driving" tho foo out and capturing some 200 prisoners, they wore, wlion holding tho fort, cut off by an enemy barrage from any possible support for some days, during which time they were iit diro straits for water. They were so badly off in that regard that they were forced to strain the moisture from the mud to appease their awful thirst. When ivatters got really desperate relief wmio iu a curious way. Some of the French aviators, with characteristic daring, flew low over the fort and dropped ziuc cans, about a foot in length, into tho fori;, and on opening these it was found, to tho delight of everyone, that they contained food and water, enabling the men to hist out until they wore relieved. Salvan was struck with a piece of shell during tho encounter, but has made a good recovery, and is ready for n.ore fighting. At New Caledonia he is a worker in the nickel mines. Tho world-famed Stetson hat, in Black, Brown, Slate, Groy, Fawn, etc. Plain felt, 255. Velour, 325. 6d, to 42a, George Bcnxlda, Jjs, '