LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3194, 19 September 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Sir James Allen, Minister of Defence, stated in tho House of Representatives yesterday fchfit* tho 6ceoii<i portion of tlio Twenty-seventh Iloinforcemeats had reflched their destination. A labour difficulty has occurred at tho Il'uarua tunnel works on the North .Auckland railway line. On being asked for an explanation of the position, the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. W. Eraser) stated that one of the workmen is alleged to have Used improper language to tiie overseer, and lie was dismissed. Tho rest of tho men thon refused to work until tho dismissed man was reinstated. That, of course, could not be acceded 10. The Minister has sent tho inspecting engineer up to tho econo nf the trouble lor the purpose of holding tin inquiry into tho wholo matter.

iho action of tho Postal Department in continuing to advertise the departuro of mails by vessels of the mosquito licet when those vessels aro not running was condemned l>y Mr. li. P. Hudson, in ember for Jlotueka, in tho Houso of ftoprosentatives yesterday. He said that ho knew of casos iu which people had been misled by these advertisements, and ho asked the l'ostmastor-General to hove tho practice stopped. Sir Joseph Ward said that ho agreed that tho advertisements ought not to continue, and ho would give instructions that they bo withdrawn. The matter had not previously been brought to his notice.

Among the many parents who assembled yesterday to welcome thoir sons homo from tho war was Mr. It. J. S. lliokson, formerly of the Hailway Department. Something like a record Ims been put up by this family, Mr. Hickson's sons to tho number of soven having answored the call and an eighth having boon "turned down" on applying for enlistment. Two of tho boys have been wounded, and one of the two, Gunner Arthur Hickson, of tho Main Body, returned yesterday, having sustained a broken leg in the Hessines action. Another son, who had tho palm of his right hand shot through, went back to Sydney, was there acoepted for service, and i? now in tho Australian iiecords Office in London. Though his nand was badly shattered ho i$ still able to write a great deal better than the averago man.

A Gazette Extraordinary issued yesterday prohibits the exportation of iron wire, wiro nails and staples, and manufactured articles of metal generally, save with the consent of the Minister ot Customs. A Proclamation also appears in the samo Gazotto declaring numerous articles us absolute and conditional contraband.

A Press Association telegram from Napier states that the chairman of tho Military Service Board stated yesterday that no more men would be taken from Niven and Co., iron, foundry, aa tho firm is engaged in making farm implements and in repairs, and had had to refuso work owing to tho shortage of hands.

Tho Associated Board of tho Boyal Academy and Royal Collego of Music, London, will commence the annual practical examinations ill Wellington about Ootober 24. The examiner, Mr. Algernon H. Lindo, has arrived in Auckland, and ho will reach New Plymouth about October 2, Hawera October 6, Wangamit October 10, Palmerston North October 16, Napier Ootober 30. These dates pro two weeks later than usual, owing to Mr. Lindo being detained in Sydney.

The ajinual report of the Wellington Industrial Association, included the following reference to the Mayor and Mrs. Luke:—"Wa oonsider that it is a. mntter for the city's congratulation that Mr. J. P. Luke, C.M.G., was returned as Mayor unopposed. The good work performed by Mr. Luke and .he noble work of Mrs. Luke must assuredly bo acknowledged by all. Wo heartily congratulate His Worship the Mayor upon the honour conferred upon hini by His Gracious Majesty the King, an honour well deserved."

Their Excellencies tho GovernorGeneral and the Countess of Liverpool will be present at Mr. Gerald Anderson's lecture to be given in the Town Hull Concert Chamber on September 25. In a reply to a letter from the chairman of the Wellington Stock Exchange doaling with the matter of the relief of small taxpayers in companies, when making assessments for income tax, Sir Joseph Ward, as Minister of Finance, has stated that ho cannot seo his way to grant any further concession than that already given by the provisions of the Finance Act.

A youth named Horbert William Gough yesterday appeared on remand beforo tho Chief Justice for sentence on a charge of demanding money with menaces. His Honour ordered Gough to come up for sentence when called upon. A charge against the prisoner of attempting to stupefy a girl with intent to commit a crime will be heard at the next criminal sessions of tho Court. •

Trontham Camp Orders announce that 62,749 Privato G. H. Lloyd, Details, having been found guilty by District CourtMartial of disobeying a lawful command given by his superior offioer, has been sentenced to imprisonment with hard labour for two years. Tho following men, for disobeying lawful commands given by their superior officers, have also been sentenced to eleven months' imprisonment with hard 1ab0ur62,439 Private W. T. \irtue, Details; 62,(47 Privato B. P. Knape, Details; /51, 233 Private P. G. Wright, Details. Mr. Thomas Bush, treasurer of tho recent Violet Day effort in Wellington, has prepared a balance-sheet sotting out particulars m connection with the collection made. The total receipts wcio as followTo collection boxes, £1072 l&s. 9d.; donations, .£155 15s. Hd.; 'commercial Travellers' Association s efloit, ,£642 Is. 3d. The total expenses only amounted to -£37 4s. Id., made up of printing, advertising, and sundries, leaving a total of .£IBB3 Us. ikl. for the British Red Cross and .St. John AmbuItilico work among tli© sick nnd wounded iflew Zealand soldiers.

Mrs. Vincent, who resides at 89 Arthur Street, was knocked down by a motor vehicle at tho corner of Taranaki Street and Vivian Street yesterday, and received injuries to hor hoad and leg which necessitated her removal to the Hospital.

Messrs. W. G. Foster (chairman), AV. D. Stewart, and Dr. Ileakes, constituting the New Zealand Government Eequisitions Committee, have resigned. The committee was appointed at the end of last year, as an advisory body, by the Hon. W. D. S.i Mac Donald, Minister of Agriculture. The resignation is stated to be the outcome of a (inzetta notioe to the effect that, "at the request of the British War Office, it has been decided that, 'The Department cf Imperial Government shall be the ■controlling body in the Dominion of .Nevr Zealand, under my direction, for ii!l matters oonnected witli tlio requisitioning of wool, and other supplies, by ihe Imperial Government, in which the War Office is concerned.—(Sgd.) W. F. llasuey, Prime Minister."