LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3174, 27 August 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Tlio Featlierston Camp Commandant's Cup for tho best-kept huts and lines has boon awarded to tho Thirty-second N.Z.V.A. for tho week ended Saturday, August 25.

At tlio Christchurch Supremo Court on Saturday David Courtney and Ivanhoe l'rico wore convicted on two charges of robbery from the person, and sentenced to imprisonment for two years and eighteen months respectively.—Press Assn.

A proclamation published in a Gazette Extraordinary, issued under Saturday's date, provides for tho purchase by the Government of the next season's NewZealand wool clip. Tlio terms of purchase are tho same as for last season's wool— a fifty-fLvo per cent, advance on pre-war rates—and precisely tho samo arrangements have been mode for tho classifying and valuing of the wool, tho handling of it prior to shipment, and the payment for it by tlio Government acting for the Imperial authorities.

Among tlioso who returned from the front via the English hospitals on Saturday ivas Major C. Gosquoine. of Wellington, son .of Mrs. W. C. Gasquoino, of Tinakori Eoad. Major Gasqnoine, who is still on crutches, had an extraordinary escape from death whilst up in the front trenches with his mon._ A shell completely Mow in tho trench in which he was standing, and buried him to the chin in the earth and debris. When he was dug ont his ribs were found to be broken, and one of his left legs was fractured in two places. His leg is still giving him trouble, but his general health and spirits are excellent.

At a meeting of boys lield recently m Wellington to consider how best to help in patriotic movemonts it was ■uranimously decided, to form a a"um band. His Worship the Mayor '.Mr. _.T. PLuko)' was approached and heartily approved of tho idea, and promised to help the lads in their endoavour to form and carry on the band. Several other prominent citizens have also promised their suipport. Tho secretary of tho band oppeals for funds, and states that the lads will during tho next few months bo collecting "with a view to obtaining the necessary money with which to equip themselves. Mr. George P. Jiwd, F.1.A.N.Z.. has consented to act as hoij. auditor. Donations may be received at Thts Dominion office or forwarded flirect i o tho secretary, Wellington Drum Band. Box 33G. Wellington.

At the meeting of the Petono Borough Council this evening Councillor M'Kenzie will move:—"That owing to the continued high cost of the necessaries of life, and tho still advanoing prices of foodstuffs, the Government be xeeuested to open tv retail butcher's shop at Petone oh similar lines to the Auckland shop, in order that 'people may bo enabled to -obtain butcher's meat at reasonable prices."

"That the Government be asked to provide more platform BheltGr for railway purposes at tho Petone railway station," is a resolution to bo Moved by Councillor Cos at the meeting of the Petone Borough Council this evening.

An address was dolivered by Mr. P. J. O'Regan in tho Alexandra Hall last night on the subject of "Taxation and Finance," with speeia' reference to the proposals of the Government as revealed in tho recent Budget of the Minister of Finance. Mr. O'Began holds views on the subject of taxation which are by most people accounted radical, bnt lie always states his views itith force and freshness, and his talk on the 6nbject last niglit was interesting. The address was delivered at a meeting'of the Social Democratic PaTty, so that, as he had an audience of extremo radicals, his opinions found pretty general acceptance.