LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 7, 3 October 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Crippled Soldiers' Hostel art union has been lately completed, and the accounts furnished to the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. G. W. Russell). The net result is a profit of .£9OOO 5a 6d., whioh all parties concerned consider a most satisfactory sum. The number, of tickets eold was 383,095, and the proceeds from the sale oJ tickets were JC9577 7s 6d.;- donations to tno tuna amounted to J3364 9s. 4d., making the total receipts 16s. 10d. 'lhe expenses were .£941 11s. Id., and the, total profit was as stated. The first prize in this art union was a motor-car, presented by Miss Anderson, of Kereru, Hawkes Bay. So far as to undertaking any uxten. eivo new work, the City Council's Electric Lighting Department has been compelled to close down on practically all applications which would •necessitate the erection of overhead wires, 'lhore is etiU a limited quantity of wire for house, wiring in the city, but as far as insulated street wire is concerned the department is practically at the end of its resources, and the greatest difficulty is being experienced in obtaining further eupphes. Tho department had 25 miles nf wire on tho Roscommon, and were depending on it for contemplated work, tut unfortunately the vessel was torpedoed. A suggestion was mado to the Minister of Railways in the House of Representatives y*lerd a y that in view of the wient curtailment in team somces there should now Do available sufficient caitS to carry troops to and from SersU Camp in "place of the trucks now used. The Minister said that lie would make inquiries and if sufficient carriages were available ho would be voij glad u> use them. He had understood, however, that euffioieut carnages were not available,

The Wellington Education Board has applied for a grant for the erection on a block of land recently purchased Jit Seatoun of n four-roomed school, to lie u side-school for junior scholars of that district. The main school will be, as at present, thn big school on the (op of the- hill above Worser Bay. The climb up to this school is a pretty stiff ono from tho seaside for tho littlo people, who are to be comfortably. and conveniently housed on the flat at Seatoun.

Speaking at a send-all: to soldiers at Springston, tho Rev. W. I!. Scott dealt in a tronchant fashion with tho responsibilities of the Dominion in regard to the Second Division. The speaker felt that not only must the .£14,000,0(10 of ■war profits be tapped, i but taxation to touch all classes must be inaugurated, so that men. who offered their lives might go away with a knowledgo that whatever might happen to them their loved ones would be cared for. He felt euro that no man who stayed ot home would refuse to do his share to help tho families of the men called up in the Second Division, and what tlio cuntry was waiting for was a generous lead from the Government. He appealed to the Government to grasp the nettle firmly and err jipou the side- of genetosity. '

The disloyal, anti-Entente elements in tho American Labour movement sro being vigorously and successfully combated. "Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of labour (states the New York "Public"), «lartcd tho propaganda work of the rewlyorganteed. American Alliance for labour and Democracy by issuing, a statement in which he "said: 'It is our purpose to try, by educational methods, to bring' nboiit a more American 6pir->.t in the Labour, movement, so that what is now the clear expression of the vast majority may become the conviction of all. Where we find ignorance we shall educate; where wo find something worse we shall haxo to deal as tho situation demands. But we are going to leave no etono unturned' to put a- stop to antiAmerican activities among workers. The American Federation of Labour is the or"anised Labour movement of America. Th°ro is no other. Its position is clear: It is loyal. No other organisation can express the wishes of the American Labour movement, and the pretences of the so-called People's Council :n that direction are nothing short of rmculous.'"

The Court of Appeal yesterday reserved it« decision after hearing further ttrgnmenfc upon questions as-to the validity of certain gifts, in tho mil.of the late Robert C Brace: The Court was asked to decide! (1) Whether the rift "of *500 to the Mental Hospital at Ponrua was valid; (2) whether the sift "and Pβ to tho -whole of my residuary estate, 1 direct my trustees to apply the same in their uncontrolled discretion for the pur. pose of afforestation, or tho making-of domains or national paries ;n New Zealand'," was valid; and (3) who, if one or both of the gifts were declared void, was entitled to the subject of such gift or gifts? The quarterly gathering of teachers of the Sunday Schools of the Wellington South Methodist circuit, was held at Trinity Church on Monday evening the Kev. 35 Drake presiding over a.repre. sentative attendance. After a review by the chairman of the work of the schools as it had come under his observation and reference to tho fact that military service was responsible for the present loss of two superintendents (Messrs. AbernetliT, of Island Bay, and Mason, of Berhampore), the paper for the evening on "The Eelationehip between Teacher and Child" was read by Miss Boxall. "Ihe essay evoked considerable disciissiM, and all the speakers complimented Jlisj Boxall on the manner in which she had treated her subject. It was decided to have tho paper printed in the Methodist Times." !in order that other teachers rnisht have the Benefit of it. Aft«r detiding on the subject of "Child', Stud/ (paper by Mr. Sims), for next meeting and transacting routine business the meeting closed with the Benediction. . In four years (says an exchange) Lincoln called to his command in defence of the Union of the America*i ntates end, the abolition of 2,500,000 0* these enlistments more than 2,000,000 were boys under 21, more than 1,000,000 of the soldiers were not even 38; 800,000 went into the Army before 17; 200,000 before they were 16; and 100,000 before they were 15 years old.-

The following temporary appointments have been approved.by the Camp Commandant at Feathereton:—A Company, 83rd, to be sergeants: Corpls. ,T. M. Primrose, .T. H. Hooper, W. G. Walkley, SI. C. Burns, L. T. Wilcock.

Wellington's mid-city plantations are no partioukr credit to anyone. The oldfashioned idea appeared to be to plant as many shrubs and trees together as possible and ring them about with a fence, 60 that as little of the trees as possible could be seen. The modern idea, which is about to be iwen. expression to, is an open spot slightly raised abovo the level of the road, clothed in that rich green turf which is 60 restful to the eye (as it is in the case of tho grounds of the present Parliamentary Buildings), with just a picturesque treo or 6lmib here and there, to break up the view and.soften, the formality of the aepeot. A start has been made already to lollovr this plan at the Cotirtenay Place junction. All the small shrubs are being removed, and where they have been turf is to be laid down. This will mean the opening up of tho reserve. The present picket fence is being removed to the Zoo, and is to be replaced with a little concrete kerb about ten inches higW--merely a projection for the edge of the turf.

At the Polico Court yesterday, Fays a Press Association telegram from Ashburton, Ernest Bush, 'charged with omitting to account for .£205 12s. Gd. to John Henry Ibell, was committed to the Supremo Court for trial.

When lie is not fighting, tho Australian has a dry and; ready humour which is worth attention. It appears (says a reviewor of Mr. C. E. W. Bean's toot, "Letters from France") in the nicknames of the successive drafts which hare come from the other side of the world to fisht for the causo of the Old Conntry. Tho "Touriste" came first, .people out to see what the adventure was like. The next shipment were tho ■ "BinMume," tho "true" men, followed by the "Superdinkumps." Then arrived tho "War Babies" and the "Chocolate Soldiers," and after them the "Hard Thinkers/ , who thought very hard before they came, and last of all the "Neutrals."

A note in Feathorston Camp Orders statos that D ans E Companies, 31st Reinforcements, will move to Trentham on Tueeday, October 9.

The following resolution was passed at a special meeting of the Auckland branch of the Merchant Service Guild:—"This meoting is strongly of opinion that the Government's method of dealing with Germans and aliens in our midst is not in keeping with the demand that every ?rewitionary moaßure possible ho taken, n view of the recent shipping calamities 60 near at liand it is strongly of. opinion that all Germans should be Interned forthwith, and every alien placed beyond any connection with shipping or c»rgo for shipment; also that the Government sliould protect wharves in an efficient manner, making absolute identification of every person admitted thereon necessary. Cargo shipped should be subject to a system of uncertain time storage and examination by tho authorities. All cargoshould be examined before bomg loaded, and no intimation given to the shippers, as to what sliip their goods would bo forwarded by, or'when, and so obviate any chance of time bombs reaching ships' holds." An interesting story relating to General Cadorna, Italy's Commander-in-Chief, was told by Mr. J. H., Pagni, Consul for Italy, at -a concert in Auckland in aid of the Italian Red Uoss. "Gonoral Count Cadorna," eaid We. Pagni, "always carries in his pTCket a cold watch, with an inscription on it which reads: 'Enrico Bossi, hung in effigy by Austria, 1821.'" This man, was Cadorna's great uncle, and the watch was iriven to his father, General dtaffaole Cadorna, who wore it when he tutored Rome with the Italian troops on September '20, 1870. When his lather jrnvo it to the present general he said: "May this watch be with you when you will lead the Italian troops into Trentino, Triesto, and Zara." Mr. Pagni ndded that in General Cadorna Italy bad a Coinmandor-in-Chief worthy of tho position. He had behind him a great record of valuable service to his country. H<S was universally liked and trusted by the soldiers and the nation in general.

The appeal niado by Miss Adai Eeeve at tho Opera House last evening on behalf of the Anssac Buffet met vith a very satisfactory response, .£l5O being collected. On tlio opening night ,£2, r > was collected at tho doors, making .£175 for the two nights.

Sir James Carroll is to lecture in Masterton on October 15 on hie experiences and observations during- his recent visit to England and France. Meimbors of Parliament were invited yesterday to see a run of a picture descriptive of tho operations of a new agricultural implement shortly to !x> introduced to this country by a local importer. The exhibition was mado in tho Film Censor's room. Tho machine in the picture is called "Once-over tiller," and tho idea, of it is to combine in one operation the work of ploughing, discuig, and harrowing. Tho basis of it is a plough— a single-furrow plough—to which tliere is attached a motor-driven scarifier. This is a set of knives, revolving very rapidly, and they are so fixed that they take the turning sod off (lie mould-board of the plough, and break it up. In light friable soil (lie machine makes an excellent seed-bed, reducing the soil to perfect mechanical condition. Tho plough is horse-drawn. The motor, which is only a small engine, drives the scarifier only. A Salvation Army hostel for. soldiers has been opened at Salisbury by Lieuten-ant-General Sir Henry Sclater, supported by Lady Sclator, the Mayor and loading citizens. The ceremony was held in the banqueting room of the Council Chamber. General Sclater said it was a pleasure for Lady Sclater and himself to be associated with this great movement. On behalf of the Army he wished to express their deep gratitude to the Salvation Army forthe number of huts which had boon provided by them for tho troops arou.nd Salisbury Plain and elsewhere. Some twenty huts were there in full operation, and were doing most valuable work. It seemed to him there was a veiled seriousness about the work of the Salvation Army; an enthusiasm, a sympathy, and an'anxicty to" benefit human nature, which appealed very much to the soldier, who also realised the necessity for obedience which was set forth eo clearly by the Salvation Army. One could not help thinking that they owed an immense debt to the example eet and success achieved by the Salvation Army. The "Frankfort Gazette's" special correspondent in Flanders, reporting the arrival of British prisoners on August 8, eays: "The clothing, equipment, and food appeared to be everywhere excellent with them; some refused to admit that there was any question of food difficulties at homo or. that the submarine campaign had had any effect. Apparently tho English Government has succeeded in dissipating the anxiety which in the spring had affected even the Army. The men are convinced that the submarine danger no longer exists. One declared that Enirland produces so much herselt that corn is even being stored. They were equally convinced .hat England, is conducting this war from purely'unselfish motives-only for freedom and the rights of other peoples." The following note appears ia Featherston Camp Orders-.-"Glass broken in canteens is not to bo made good at public expense. Glass broken by concussion due to firing guns i 3 not to be made good at tlio public expense unless the windows were open at the time. As a general rule, the occupants of Defence buildings are to be regarded as in the position ol tenants of a civilian landlord, who expect, all broken glass to be made good at the expense of his tenants. Glass is not to be replaced in Defence buildings at the public expense as a matter of course on the grounds of storm, that the persons who did .the 'damage are.unknown, or that they are persons from whom the occupant cannot recover the cost. The unit or officer in whose charge a building is, must collect the cost from someone or suffer the loss. Should, however, the Q.M.G. concur with the omcer requisitioning for the repair that the cost of replacing broken glass, in any particular case \s not fairly chargeable to the troops or occupants, the cost maybe charged to the public on an indent on which appears a. certificate to that effect, signed by them both, and the reasons stated.

The prizes in connection with the Thorndou Ladies' Surprise Packet Day (for lied Cross tads) were distributed at Harcourt's rooms in Panama ctreet yesterday by a willing band of helpers who were kept fairly busy, the long day through. There were prizes for everybody, 6ome of them quite valuable, others cheap but useful, but as everything, was mveii, the result is all profit. It'was extremely amusing to watch the ladies handing in their tickets and receiving little brown paper parcels, which they opened hurriedly in the first doorway encountered. s