LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3177, 30 August 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The whole cost to New Zealand of tho military oocupation. of Samoa is shown iu tho following figures:—Total to February 28, 1917, .£303,60.1; total for Maroh, 1917, JESII9; total to March 31, 1917, .£311,721. The Inspector of Fire Brigades, in his annual roport, states that considerable difficulty has been experienced by nearly all the brigades iu keeping their periwunel up to an. effective strongth. Vγ to tho end of Fobruary last, 1030 members of tho United Fire Brigades Association had enlisted. Of that number. 87 havo been killed, 110 wounded, 2 are prisonors of war, and G6 havo been invalidod home. In a certain town business people, in order to bo in ft position to assist the brigades when necessary, agrood to bo drilled. The idea worked successfully, and the inspector suggests that men over military ago and those otherwise ineligible for military service, inoluding well-grown youtliß under military age, should be asked to volunteer for brigado work.

The Board of Trade is 'investigating the bacon business with intent to dis. cover whether there is any reaeon for tho high prices now ruling. Farmers are receiving only about 6d. a pound for pigs, and bacon 3B selling retail at front Iβ. 3d. to Is. 6d. per lb.

1 The proposal that depositors iu tho Post Office Savings Bank 6hould bo allowed to operate on their accounts hy cheque has again been mado, this time bv a question in the House of llepresen. tatives by Mr. Talbot The reply of the Postmaster-General (Sir Joseph Ward) ia iv definite refusal:—"The Poet Office Savings Bank is not a commercial bank, and is for entirely different objects from the objects aimed at in the business of a commercial bank. Experience does not prove that accounts to which, money is merely paid for convenience, to be taken out lit frequent intervals, are desirable acoounte for the' Post Office Savings Bank to hold. The present question has been Tepeatedly raised, and the answet must bo ns before—that it is inadvisable to bring the Post Office Savings Bank into lino with ooinmercia.l banks in tho matter of provision being made for depositors to operate on accounts by cheques."

The following statement regarding duties on silks, eatins, velvets, and plushes, and imitation silks in the. piece was made in, tho House of Eopresontatives yesterday by the Minister of Customs (the Hon. A. M. Myors) :—By resolution brought down on August 1, duty was increased from 20 per cent, ad valorum to 30 per cent, as an ordinary duty. On August li n new resolution was brought down revoking tho ordinary duty of 30 per cent., and imposing instead an ordinary duty of .20 per cent, on goods not being the produce or manufacture of British Dominions. It therefore becomes necessary to refund the increased duty of 10 per cent, collected under the first resolution, as that resolution has not been sustained, and this is tho purpose of Subsection 1 of Section 48 of tho Bill.

The annual report on Surveys kid on the table of the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon states that new fourmile maps of the South Island are in preparation ■ and a long-delayed new map of tbo whole- Dominion on a ten-mile scale, showing all counties, etc., will soon be issued. '

A paper laid 011 the table of the House of Representatives yesterday states that the officers and rank and file of tho New Zealand Dental Corps on aotive seryieo up to August 1017 aro: One major, 31 captains, and C 5 n.0.0.'s and men.

Mr. W. T. Jennings (Taumarunui) asked the Minister of Defence if any eases had been brought under his notice ■when returned soldiers had gone back to their former employment, after Teoeiving their discharges, and had been required to take reduced wages, or offered same, beoanso they had a small pension allowed. "I have made inquiries regarding this question," replied Sir James Allen, "and am advised that neither in the Pensions Department nor in the Disoharged Soldiers' Information Department has any information been received indicating that a returned soldier haa gone back to his former employment and been 'asked to accept reduced wages by Teason of his being in receipt of a war pension."

"I wish to inform fho House," said Sir Joseph Ward in the House of Representatives yosterday, "that last night the laying of the extra cable connecting the North and the South Islands was completed. The tests made have been entirely satisfactory. This cable is being laid in conjunction with, tho Eastern Extension Cable Company, who have had their steamer down, here for some time in connection with joining up their cables ■with the post offices in Sydvey and "Wellington. I may say, about .£14,000 has been saved to tho country by this arrangement." '

It is understood that among the donations to the Athletic Park fund which have not been announced yet, is a sum of about .£3OO, subscribed by the Wellington hotelkeepers.

The subject of the salaries of teaohers who are employed in teaching the children of lighthouse-keepers round our coasts was before tho Education Board again yesterday. At the last meeting the board was of opinion that the teachers, instead of being paid £6 a head for those under their educational euro, should receive .£SO per annum, irrespective of tho number of children taught. The reply of the Department to the suggestion was in effect that it could not differentiate between teachers employed at lighthouses and those engaged in other isolated places. On the stiggestion of Mr. E. P. Bishworth it was decided to interview the Minister of Education on tho question.

A novel but perhaps effective means of penalising the irresponsible people who supply prohibited persons with liquor ttas suggested in a law Court the other day. It is this: that in addition to the usual fine, tho "supplier" himself shall be prohibited for twelve months as part of the punishment for helping another to break the law.

Tho late Mr. Alfred Kidd had collected one of the most valuable libraries of boots relating to New Zealand over held by ono person (says the Auckland "Star"). It included Angus*s beautiful work, in perfect condition, and many other rare and costly books, together with a handsome cabinel'made of Now. Zealand woods. TJndor the terms of his will, this library is bequeathed to tho Auckland University Collogo, to bo called "Tho Kidd Collection."

It was decided by tho Harbour Board last evening to donate the sum of JCIOO to tho funds of the British Mercantile Marino Service Association in Liverpool. This was in, response mado by tho secretary of tho association, who pointed out that owing to tho war and. its effect on tho shipping of Liverpool, tho association's funds wore boing dopleted, and whilst tho men oC tho niercantilo marine were still going to sea as if no war were on tho moans of assisting the dependants of those who suffered were low.

At yesterday's meotins of tho Education Hoard an appeal was received from tho Hospital Board for somo form of educational attonlion for the children in the Hospital who were suffering from infantile paralysis, of which thero wero fourteen, all mentally sound. All tho juombers of tho board were sympathetic, and the matter of devising . some moans whereby the little sufferers would receivo instruction was loft in tho hands of the board's officers. It was thought that arrangements could be mado for a teacher to attend for at least two or threo houre daily. Mr. William Allan suggested that perhaps 6ome ox-teachers might vounteer for this work of mercy.

At the Harbour Board's meeting last evening, Mr. E. E. Sinclair's motion that the timo given to consignees of cargo of intention to iniposo a penal charge bs extended from 24 to 48 hours was defeated by eight votes to five. The chairman (Mr C. E. Daniell) said that ho did not think tho position wae thoroughly understood. If thoro was ample room in the sheds after the cargo had been 6torcd, pa notice of intention to imposo tho penal charge was given, for in such cases they wanted the cargo to pay the rent of tho sheds (out of ordinary storage charges). Tho penal charge was only imposed when thcro wae congestion in the eheds, and then the clause did not oporato until 2-1 hours after notice was 6orved. Ho nsked for specific instances of where tho charge had been imposed in cases where a.ship's papers Knd been delayed, but none wcro forthcoming. In such cases he said that proper consideration would bo given to each case on its morits. In tho interests of tho board they must hold the whip, but : it was only used when the shed spaeo was urgently needed.

Tho Government is considering the question of altering tho Teuton names given to eome of our mountains and glaciors and scenic beauty spots. The Lands Department is to bo asked to re. commend names associated with British history instead of enemy countries.

Tho suggestion of Dr. Nowman that tho full war bonus should be paid to tho wives of soldiers, women who aro working in tho Publiq Service, is not favoured by the Minister of Finance. Sir Joseph Ward made the following reply to Dr. Newman's question yesterday:— "Women last year received .E7 Ifl3. bonus. Thoso who were wives of soldiers were treated tho same as others in the service, and it is apparently suggested that tho full bonus i£\b) shall bo paid to soldiers' wives who are employed in the service. I do not think it would bo wise to mako any distinction between soldiers? wives and others in tho service."

A letter from the secretary of the Chamber of Coinnierco was read at la=t evening's meeting of tho Harbour Board pointing out that owing to the shortage of timber at Home good paper was now being sent out in bales, and on occasions it arrived in a damaged condition, caused by the moil handling tho bales using dog.-hooks, The chairman of the board (Mr. C. E. Daniell) said that there wa.s a standing order that tho men were not to use dog-hooks on baljd paper, and that order bad been reissued recently to the etaff. Mr. J. G. Cobbe said that now that frailer packages were coming to hand owing to war conditions, he thought it might be advisable to employ men to see that cargo was handled properly and bo prevent losses to consignees.

At the meeting of the Harbour Board last evening Mr. W. Wallis wished to know if a certain vessel, formerly a transport, and no>v tradirg for profit, was paying the full harbour dues. The secretary reported that a pro forma account had been rendered against the steamer, but so far no acknowledgment of liability had been received. Air. Wallis stated that tho vessel' named was now trading entirely for profit in the ordinary way, the same ae other steamers, and he understood there, w.as some dispute about tho payment of inward dues. There was not tho slightest doubt that tho steamer was now trading the same as any other ocean liner, and tie claim should, bo pressed to tho utmost.

A neat and extremely informative publication is the City Council's Year Book, just issued, for tho year 1917-18. It is a capitally compiled compendium of the city of Wellington, its c-xtent, attractions, its services (trading and otherwise), its indebtedness, etc., giving a very clearly-arranged summary of everything of municipal note. 'In this year's book the 801 l of Honour extends into four pages, showing that the staff is worthily -upholding the honour of the city on the battlefields of Europe. The illustrations are interesting and extremely well printed.

An interesting essay and spench-mak-ing competition was held at last ovening's meeting of the Accountant Students' Society. Each competitor was required to write an essay on a subject embraced by the examination of the New Zealand Society of Accountant*, and to sneak for five minutes on a- subject to be chosen by the committee. The subject for the essay was left to Hie choice of tho competitors. Messrs. C. W. Armstrong, C. E. Mazongarb, M'Lennan, and Patterson entered, and Mr. Armstrong was at tho close of the evening announced as the winner. The wizewaS n trophy donated by Mr. E. W. Hunt, F.P.A.N.Z., president. Wr. John s. Barton, solicitor, acted as judge.

, "There is no provision in the Superannuation Act for the -retirement otherwise than at his own request of any officer who has completed forty years service or who has attained the age of sixty-hye years," said the Minister of Finance, m reply to a question in the House of Representatives. Mr. J. Payne (Grey Lynn) had suggested, in a question, that there was considerable dissatisfaction in the service, owing to the ranks beiug clogged by those who had attained and passed the retiring-age.

The Minister of Finance stated in the House of Representatives, in answer to a question, that the income of a superannuation fund was exempt from income tax.

The Prime Minister stated yesterday in answer to a question that satisfactory stock, of coal for the freezing works were available at the present time. The uoverWent is at present in communicauoa with the Imperial Government with r «- gard to the price of scheehto The miners in New Zealand represent that they cannot continue operation* unices they receive a price- equivalent to *s i»a. pei unit c.w. "Everr endeavour is made to ensure the delivery of milk and > cream cans.at their proper destinations " said the Mmistm- nf lJaihvavs in reply to a question ™ kl?™ H . 'Field (Otaki). "Any complaint that are made to the Department are promptly investigated ond eteps taken to rectify matters. The Departintnt carries many tens of thousands: ot empty milk-cans in. the course of the year and the number of instances in which complaints are mado is infinitesimal. In a large proportion of the cases the cans have neither brand nor other distinguishing mark by which the Department can identify them or their destination. It I would greatly facilitate matters if those who have complaints to make would make them promptly to the Eailway DepartniHit i't the time ot tlio occurrence, so that nny action that might be necessary could bo taken." The Ministor of Agriculture statod yesterday that until local euplies were large. ]y increased the Government did not see its way to prohibit tho importation of esjs in the shell, but tho Board of Trade wos <vt present making a full investigation as to the advisableness of prohibiting the importation of yolk-pulp and desiccated wihitee. On receipt of tho board's report tho interests of local eggproducera would be given full consideration.

■ —1 . In tho latest German papers (Juno 1, S, and 0) lamentations over Hie paper shortage are lengthy and loud. The "Lokal Anzoigor and "Tagobln.lt" «'. v that conditions »ro rapidly becoming "intolerable," and criticism of <ho Government's "tyrannical restrictions" ie becoming moro bitter from day u> day. Tho "Lokal Aazeiger" apologises to advertisers and readers for omitting from its morning issue of Juno 7 three entire pages from an edition which should normally have been eix pages.

An old resident of the Eketahuna dis(ricty of Swedish extraction, who died in his 90th year, could not speak a word of English, although, Tie had lived lu. Now Zealand for over 40 years (enys the "Wairarapa Age"). His wife, who predeceased Win byabont fivo years, was also unable to master three words of tho English language, and had tho distinction of nover\ having ridden in a railway train. . : The statement that at least 20 per cent, of "the pupils attending State schools in. ■Wellington never reach the Sixth btandnrd was made by tho chairman of tho Education Board (tho Hon. J. G. W. Aitken) nt yesterday's meeting of the board. The "statement was based on inquiries made by tho secretary of tho Tward, who had been interesting himself in the matter. Tho proceedings of the recent Technical College instructors were Iwforo the board in tho form of a report by Mr. W. L. La Trobe, which recommended that primary education should cease at 12 years of age, and that thereafter pupils of cither sex should be compelled to attend a secondary school. General approval was expressed of the proposals of tho Minister of. Education to afford youths who havo not qualified for admission to junior freo places an opportunity of further training after leaving school.

The bravery of iv ten-year-old Maori boy named William Royal, who jumped into the Auckland Hailoour some timeago and rescued a boy named Howard Allen, seven years of age, when tho latter fell off ono of the wharves, has been, suitsibly recognised (savs the "New 7,\ aInnd Herald"). Tho St. Holiers School Committee has presented the rescuer ■with a bank book showing a credit of £8 10s., which was ■ subscribed by residents of the district and tho Bohool pupils in small amounts. Tho chairman of thn committee and tho headmaster liave been appointed trustees of tho account. Mrs. Allen also has rewarded Royal, and has presented to St. Heliers School an enlarged photograph of the rescuer and the rescued boy. Application is being wiade_ to tho Boynl Hnmano Society for recognition of tho bravo act.

A story with a Gilbertian flavour was told at a meeting of the Wanganut Chamber of Commerce Qno member said he had scut a consignment of oats to a buyer at Port Ahuriri, and tlio grower was paid according to tho vreigbt on tho railway weighbridge at Palmereton North. The buyer, However, insisted on paying according to the weight on tho railway weighbridge at Port Almriri, and, as events turned out, there was a big discrepancy in his favour. The seller appealed to the Railway Department, and asked which woi K hbrid ? e was nocurate. After a considerable lapse or time he got the bewildering reply that both were correct. In tho courso of a letter dated June H, Captain A. B- Siovwright describes how Corporal Flavell, son of Mr. W. A. ]?lavell, manager of tho Westport U>ai Company, met his death while in actiou in Prance. Captain Sievwright writes: "It was on June 7, dnring the tight tor fesines-which I heard General Godley yesterday describe as in many respecta the greatest victory of the war-that Corporal Flavell was killed instantly by an enemy shell. It was the work of the platoon to which he was attached TO establish a strong point out beyond the town. It was during the consolidation in tho height of tho fray tnat Corporal I'kvell was hit while gallantly assisting the men under him in their important and difficult undertaking. Thus passed away a fine soldier and fiallant- gentleman, whom, as his platoon oftcer, 1 havo known since he first came into Trentnam Camp, inwo than two years ago. Early after joining tho battalion on the banks of the Suoz Canal, Corporal Flavell s conscientious , work gained for him promotion. In everything he has done me share nobly and well; at all times he 'played tho game.' In fact, just betoro he was hit, ?c, himself, captured an enemy machine-gun, having single-handed killed the two Huns who woro-manning it. By his death I have lost a friend I bad learned to trust, and I know he would not have wished a better end as a soldier than in tho heat and the lorefront of the ■battle.". j The lost English mail brought news of the death of Sir .Toseph Lyons, the well-known London caterer, lor years Sir Joseph Lyons was the caterer for the Lord Mayor's bacquet, and most of the great State dinners and social functions held in tho metropolis. He was, when a. young man, an optician, and was tao inventor of the patent combination chromatic (stereoscope. It was exhibiting his optical inventions at exhibitions that ■rave him tho idea of revolutionising tae catering business, whcli he certainly_dul.. One of the features of life at gonoluhi is the surf-bathing. Hγ. H. J. H. Blow, lato TJnder-Secretary of Public Works in Wellington, says that everybody seabathes in Honolulu, but the Waikikx beach he considers to be greatly boomed. It had not nearly the extent ot Lyall Bay, for example, and the sand, ot a dirty brown ejour, was hue. soft and inclined to l>3 stkkv. Still, the beach was favoured by Nature as it was protected very completely by a reef, tho w er bfue. and about 200 yards, from the water's edge was a sand bar, on which the suri-nders waited for the breakers. "The people are wonderfully expert in the use of surf-boards there. At Lvall Bay they all lie on the boards, tat at Waikiki they stand up on them, and if they time their tate-off correctly «,ey can shoot right in to the beach. The boards they use aro eight feet m length, two feet wide, and about three inches in thickness." ' At the meoting of the Wellington Education Board yesterday a communication was received from tho Victoria College Graduates' Association protesting against certain.methods being employed in tho raising of money for patrioticjJ£Wi embracing art unions, etc. The board has never countenanced ™? that," said tho chairman (Hon. J. fcr. \\. Aitken, M.L.C.), "and I ttawa «pfr should be sent accordingly. Ihis was agreed to without further, discussion. °The Trades Council has considered a proposal by the Seamen's Union that Labour Day-celebration this year should take the form of a demonstration Gainst the cost of living and repressive legislation, followed by a procession to Dlace resolutions on these questions be-, fore Parliament. The council decided to reply that it had already been decided to hold a eports gathering on the same lines as last year, and for this reason, and in view of tho fact that Parhaaen Wd not be sitting on Labour Day, an alteration in tho arrangements conW not be made. Tho council would, however, ho willing to cooperative with the Seamen's TJnion in organising a demonstration to take place before Labour Day.